LTTA-COMPLICATIONS

“You really think that Bryce is your soul-mate?”

“I don’t know. I guess I haven’t given it much thought.” Dalila admitted.

“And you think you should marry him?”

“Steve, it’s a promise ring. It’s like a pre-engagement. We’re promising that if we choose then we will get engaged some day. He’s still just my boyfriend.”

“Mmm… What if when you’re thirty, you regret staying with the same guy?” Dalila didn’t know what to say, she just sat staring at Steve. She had never really given much thought to this whole situation. She and Bryce were just so good together she never thought about anyone else. “Tell me this, how many boyfriends have you had?”

“Two” she said sternly.

“And how many have you slept with?”

“Bryce.”

“One? And you think you’re ready to settle down?”

“We wouldn’t be the only couple to do that..”

“How many for Bryce.?”

“Three.”

“And if he regrets it?”

“He won’t… he’d never…” she stuttered.

“Lust does strange things to men.” he added certainly.

“I…” she paused. “He’s the one who asked me… he has to be ready…”

“Yeah, now he is. But what if in ten years he wishes he had more freedom?”

“I don’t know what to do…” she whispered, almost crying.

“Let him go…” he cupped her face in his hands, looking straight into her eyes.

“I don’t know if I can.”

“Do you love him?”

“More than anything.”

“Tell him the distance is getting to you, let him know you love him but just can’t deal with it anymore.”

“Why wouldn’t I just talk to him about it?”

“He loves you and he doesn’t want to hurt you Dalila. He’d deny wanting any space.”

Dalila knew Steve had good intentions or she thought so anyways, but she was feeling weird. She had always told Bryce everything, being a couple hadn’t changed that. She wanted so bad to tell him what Steve had said but he couldn’t stand Steve and would never admit if something he said was right. A part of her didn’t want to talk to Bryce that night but she couldn’t not call him. Reluctantly she picked up the phone.

“Hey love. How are you tonight?”

“I’m good.” she lied. “You?”

“Not bad. You sound a bit down, you ok?”

“Just a lot going on… and a little confused.”

“New class?”

“No” she admitted and decided that he needed to know.

“Then what’s going on?”

“Do you think you’ll ever get tired of me?”

“No” he said automatically.

“What if in ten years you wished you had more freedom when you were younger?”

“Where is this coming from?”

“I don’t know” she lied again. “A lot of people say it’s rare for a first love to last forever.”

“First off, yes it is rare but it’s not unheard of. Secondly who in the hell is telling you this?”

“Vi..” she paused. “Steve..” and Bryce snorted. “What?”

“You’re taking dating advice from those two?”

“No… Not advice. I’m just confused. We’re both young and I don’t want you to regret being with me when you’re older.”

“D…Do you love me?”

“Yes”

“And I love you. We can work anything else out.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’m sure as long as we’re both willing.”

Dalila let out a deep breath. She wasn’t really feeling much better since he knew Steve was involved and he all but hated him. Bryce would deny the color of the sky on a clear sunny day if Steve told him it was blue. She looked down at the ring he bought her. She loved it and she loved him but her head was a mess. Dalila needed some time away from the dorm. After checking her finances she decided it was time for a trip home. Valentines Day was only a few weeks away what better time to surprise the boyfriend. And technically it was their Valentines as a couple. Dalila sighed happily and laid back in bed when there was a knock on the door.

“Yes?” she answered.

“It’s Steve.” She groaned silently. He must of knew my head was less cluttered.

“Come in.”

“Hey. I figured you’d be off the phone by now.”

“Yup, like five minutes ago.”

“Good deal.” he say next to her in a chair. “I’m bored.”

“That happens.”

“Not when I’m with you.”

“Do you like me?” she blurted out before she could think.

“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t want to hang out with you all the time.”

“No… I mean” she took a deep breath. “More than what we are?”

“You mean am I jealous of Bryce?”

“I guess”

“I suppose you could say that. I mean, yes I like you, I trust you, I enjoy your company, and I find you very attractive.”

“I… uh..” Dalila didn’t know what to say or how to react.

“And if you had come here single I would of wanted to date you. It’s getting late though, I should get to bed. Good night.” he leaned in and kissed her forehead. Yup my head was too clear, it’s cluttered again.

The next morning Dalila talked to her teachers about taking a few days off for Valentines and she was all set to leave the twelfth right after her last class of the night, which got out at ten. That would put her in Harrisburg around seven am, assuming the weather was good. She was positive that Bryce would still be asleep but she knew that he’d be willing to wake up early for this. She would be exhausted and need a nap but she also knew that it would be more than worth it. They could spend most of the thirteenth, all of the fourteenth, and part of the fifteenth together. She was walking on cloud when she spotted Steve. He was standing against the wall with his hands in his pocket.

“D… Just the person I wanted to see.”

“Oh, why’s that?”

“I have a problem.” He paused and looked down at her with big blue sad puppy dog eyes. “I was just invited to this Valentines party and I figured since Bryce wasn’t here that you might want to go with me. Not as a date of course.” he add quickly.

“Thank you really… but I can’t” before she could finish, Steve cut her off.

“Just think about it. Bryce wouldn’t want you to be alone.”

“I actually already have plans. I’m going home for a few days.”

“Mmm…” he replied. He looked up at her and walked away. Dalila was a little confused but just chalked it up to his pride being dented. He’d have to go to the party alone but she was not canceling her plans.