The Box

The door was open, and they looked out. The night was stormy, and rain was pouring down. On both porches of a street abandoned by cars, two heads peeked out. The light from the hallway illuminated the blonde hair cascading down her shoulders. His dark brown hair was outlined as his head poked out the door. They saw each other.

She was surprised. Why was he up? He usually went to sleep no later than 11:00. She would know, after all. She had loved him for many years, but he never spoke of it.

He was worried. He knew she loved him. But, he didn't want to let love in. Not again. It would only leave him devastated.

They went out to find more. More about each other. He tried to turn it into a friendly outing with a neighbor, but she truly believed it was a date. She grew to enjoy his company more and more with each day, and he, grudgingly, did, as well.

He finally asked her out on a real date, and she accepted, of course. They found that they were perfectly compatible. She knew him like the back of her hand, and he thought being around her was like wearing a pair of your favorite jeans.

She crept into his room one night, after she had stayed the night. She wanted to know why he was so reluctant to open his heart, to share his worries. Why it took all her warmth to melt his frosty exterior. Why, even as she tried to get close to him, and it seemed as though she was, he always pulled away with a guilty look in his eyes, from his soul. She wanted answers. She wanted his heart. Fully.

The door creaked slightly, and she cringed. She waited a few seconds before quietly making her way into his room so she could scour it for clues. She looked in every nook and cranny. She found dirty socks, dusty books, and extra blankets, but no clues. She searched the bathroom joined to his room, but, again, found nothing of interest. She snuck back into his room for one final once over. She noticed that she forgot to look in his nightstand. She pulled the drawer open, and found a box. She carefully lifted the lid of the box. She gasped. Two rings were inside. One had his initials on it, and the other, a diamond and some initials she was unfamiliar with. All the pieces came together in her mind. She placed the box back, and turned to make her way out the door, but instead, she saw him, leaning against the doorframe.