Capture the Moment (Moments #1)

53. Cleo

fifty-three

Cleo

“Throughout this semester, we’ve had ups and downs.” Blake projects his voice to the crowded room of students and faculty.

“We’ve seen each others highs and lows and even grown close in the process of it all.” I smile up at our professor who I definitely should’ve spent more time with over the course of the semester.

My mother sits directly beside her, scowling throughout the entirety of our presentation. I think she’s a statue for a moment, considering her lack of movement and frown when she begins to smile and nod at the presentation.

The video cuts to scenes of Blake and I running on the beach to some of me simply dancing in his passenger seat. There are videos of me and him talking about life, completely straying from our presentation before focusing back on the topic. The way that Blake looks at me in the videos awakens the moths in my stomach, giving them a new light as the videos go on.

“Woah, woah, woah! What’re you doing?” My voice on the screen is loud as Blake chuckles, shaking the camcorder.

“I’m capturing the moment, duh.”

And then it ends, there are a few claps, and some snaps around the class and though it’s not the standing ovation I'd dreamt of, it’s better than nothing.

Professor Hawkins’ smile is bright as she thanks us for presenting and begins to speak to the next group. As I’m walking past the judges table, a hand grabs me, startling my movement. I grimace as I look down at my mothers red nails, curled around my wrist.

“You didn’t answer my text. I told you—”

“Let me go. I will not be a part of any weddings and to be frank, if our project is picked, I’d rather jump off a bridge than work with you. We are done, Lorelei. And I’d rather you not text me or use your resources to show up at my classes and become a guest for the semester again,” I whisper, cutting her off.

The look she sends me is one of simmering rage but I could care less. After everything with Karmen this past weekend, I’ve been on a rampage of telling people exactly how I felt and my mom is now one of them.

“You okay?” Blake asks as I take my rightful spot beside him, and I nod resting my cheek on his shoulder.

“I am now.”

A few days later, just before winter break, Blake and I find ourselves sitting on the couch of his townhouse watching a documentary on the creation of LEGOs.

We’ve decided that since we’re still a newer couple that we’ll spend our time separately during Christmas and meet back up on the 29 th to prepare for the new year with all of our friends here at the townhouse.

“So, when I get drafted next year, are you going to wear a shirt that says ‘I love my boyfriend’ or do I wear an ‘I love Cleo’ shirt? How does this work?”

Blake chuckles as I smack his shoulder playfully.

There is no way in hell I’ll be wearing a shirt that says ‘I love my boyfriend’ on it.

“I love you.” I chuckle, seemingly unaware of the big three words that I just dropped on him.

Blake’s stunned gasp is what snaps me back to reality and we both freeze. Him, a shocked happy expression and me, completely mortified that I let it slip like that. It was supposed to be cute and romantic! I’d at least hoped I said it when I wasn’t dressed like the cookie monster .

“Princess, you don’t know how long I’ve waited for you to say that. There aren’t any words in this universe that can describe how much I need you in my life. I need you like the moon needs the sun baby, I love—” Blake is cut off by the front door slamming open, he groans and then seemingly pauses as loud smacking noises and rumbling flows through the room.

Two extremely familiar figures stumble through the living room in a heated make out session, they grind against each other, trying to rip one another's clothes off.

I’m about to scream. My mouth is hung so low, I’ll catch flies and just as I’m about to say something, Blake does it for me.

“OH MY FUCKING GOD—”

The End