‘I think I just met the happiest person in the world’ he whispered in my ear.

‘And who would that be? I ask.

‘You’

Tears streamed down my face and I let out a humourless laugh.

‘How can you say that?’ I snap at him ‘Look at me! Do I look happy?’ I push at his shoulder and glare at him.

‘We all struggle, so what? That doesn’t change the fact that usually you are happy. Your laugh? I fell in love with it the first time I heard it. Your smile? It brightens my whole life. I can go on and on, Ava’ he says sincerely and all I can do is gape at him like a stupid fish.

‘You’re full of shit’

‘I don’t smell that bad, do I?’ he asks smirking.

‘Oh shut the fuck up!’ I say trying to keep a straight face, but I fail miserably as I feel the corners of my mouth tilting upwards. ‘God! I must look like a total mess right now’ I say letting out a huff.

‘I think you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen in my life’ Aiden says solemnly.

‘Yeah right’ I roll my eyes at him.

I wipe underneath my eyes and black smudges of mascara stain the back of my hands.

‘A total looker I am. You don’t have to lie to make me feel better’

‘Seriously, Ava, I wish you could see yourself through my eyes even for a few moments’

‘Pass. I might punch myself for being so stupid’

‘I don’t think you’re stupid, just in pain’

‘Same thing, Einstein’

Aiden grabs my hand and pulls me along the beach. We both spring into a light jog and I can’t help the laugh that escapes my throat.

‘See? Happy!’ he says cheerfully.

I keep laughing while following him, my breath coming out in short pants.

We finally stop and I bend down, palms on my knees.

‘Man, I’m so out of shape it’s unreal’ I say still panting.

‘Nah’ he says but then quickly adds ‘Well, maybe. Yeah. Definitely’

I look at him for what feels lime forever and say ‘Thanks. I needed that’

‘What? I didn’t really do anything much’ Aiden says genuinely confused.

‘I needed the reminder. That happiness doesn’t have to be constant or permanent. And sorry. For snapping at you earlier’

‘Ava, I love you more than anything. For me, you don’t have to smile all the time or laugh or joke every second. As long as you still have something to be happy about, no matter how big or small, you’ll be the happiest person in the world, because you mean the whole world to me. Do you not get it? You’re the most important for me’

My heart tightens at his confession and I feel my eyes watering.

‘You better not make me cry. Again’ my voice trembles with emotion.

‘Hey, it wasn’t me that made you cry the first time so what do you mean again’ he says jokingly.

‘Will you ever stop being a smartass?’ I ask not expecting an answer.

I close the distance between us and capture his lips with mine. We kissed hundreds of times, but this time, it feels different. Having my arms around him, I realise that I am the happiest girl, because with him, I feel invincible.

‘I get it now’ I whisper against his soft lips with a huge smile.