I Choose You

Standing on the steps of the lodge, I steal myself for what I have to do. 

I glance up at the giant cedar logs and the massive windows. The lodge must be more than fifty years old. It is warn down a little around the edges but still sturdy enough to stand up to the fiercest elements. Reminds me of my favorite pair of shoes.

I walk up the stairs, pausing to knock on the door, then swinging it open as I hear someone yell, "Come in!"

Looking around, I notice the TV is on and I see Michael and Quinn sitting on the couch, arguing as they usually do. I think I hear the words "defensive line" and "stats" in there somewhere.

As Quinn turns around to wave, Michael yells, "Hey Maddie."

I give a small wave. "Hey guys." I say.

My eyes scan the room looking for him. My heart skips a beat when I see him sitting in the arm chair. He doesn't acknowledge me in any way but I know he's aware I'm here.

His arms are crossed over his chest and he has a scowl on his face that I'm pretty sure wasn't there until I walked into the room. Everything about his posture screams, "Stay away!"

As I walk over to him, I take him all in. His dark hair that flops over his right eye. His warm brown eyes that look cold and angry at the moment. His beautiful, full lips stretched down into a frown. His bicep muscles straining against his navy blue t-shirt.

When I reach him, I see a muscle in his jaw tense. I can do this. I HAVE to do this. "Jake." I say.

"Maddie." he sighs. "I told you I don't want to talk to you right now. Go away." he says.

Leaning down, I whisper in his ear, "I choose you."

As I turn to walk away, his right arm snakes out quick as a lightning and grabs my wrist. He looks up at me as I look down at him and time seems to stop for what seems like eternity.

Then, he's up, taking my hand, leading me through the lodge. We head down the hallway and he opens the door to his room.

Once inside, he closes the door and turns to face me. We are standing face-to-face with the toes of our shoes touching. I can feel his warm breath on my face.

"Say it again." Jake whispers.

Reaching up, I put my hand on the side of his face. I trace his bottom lip with my thumb.

"I choose you." I say.

He reaches out and places both hands on my hips, pulling me forward. We are standing nose-to-nose, with our chests pressed together. My breath hitches in my throat and my heart skips about fifty beats.

He leans down and kisses me. Not a gentle, soft kiss but a kiss like he's a dying man and I'm the cure.

I reach up and put my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He nips at my bottom lip and I let out a groan.

Jake pulls back to look at me. He gives me one of his lopsided grins. My heart flip-flops. Stupid heart. Stupid, stupid heart. "I knew you would choose me." he tells me.


This is my first attempt at writing fiction. At the risk of sounding all Stephenie Meyerish, I had an awesome dream and wanted to write about it. Maybe I'll write a little more...