The porch swing rocked back and forth in the summer breeze. The potted sunflowers on either side shinned a bright beautiful yellow. And the trees outlining the stone path, blew green and orange leaves all over.

The sun was setting making the clouds a light warm pink.

Emily sat down next to me, the porch swing creaking as it rocked back and forth.

She looked at me, her face stained with tears. And yet her beauty still shined through.

She wiped her eyes, smiling as she looked into my eyes, “I’m sorry,” she whispered, “You didn’t need to see that.”

I smiled, “It’s alright Emily.”

She shook her head, bring her hands to her eyes, “No it’s not. I’m a mess. I’m a terrible person-I ruin everything.”

The trees rustled gently in the breeze blowing leaves onto the porch.

I put my arm around Emily, letting her head rest against my shoulder.

“You’re not a terrible person,” I say, watching as the sun leaves the sky.

Emily doesn’t answer, she just keeps crying. Her black hair stuck to the side of her face.

“I am,” Emily sobbed, “I’m the reason my life is so messed up,” she let out a small sarcastic laugh, as she lifted her head off my shoulder, “Hey I’m even the reason your life is so messed up.”

She brushed her hair out of her eyes, as she leaned back against the porch swing.

I grabbed Emily’s hand and held it in mine.

The soft breeze of the wind making shivers run down my arm.

“Emily, you don’t ruin my life. If anything you make it better.”

She shook her head, fighting a smile, “You don’t have to lie Ty.”

I turned to sit sideways on the swing, “I’m not lying,” I whispered, my hand still in hers.

Emily smiled now, a small smile but still as perfect as it ever was.

I looked into Emily’s pale eyes, my heart beating in my chest, “Emily,” I gave her a small smile, “The truth is. . .I never knew what it was like to. . .um,” I lifted my hand to my neck, “Want to. . . Um, live forever,” I let out a small nervous laugh. Emily’s smile had vanished, but there was a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

“Until I fell. . . In love. . . With. . . Um, you.”

Emily removed her hand from mine, her eyes so wide is almost thought I’d scared to death.

“Ty,” she gave me a weak smile, “That’s- it’s so sweet, but. You don’t-you don’t need to lie just because I’m sad.”

Her eyes grew sad when she caught my disappointed expression.

“It really was sweet Ty. The sweetest thing any ones ever said. But,” she stood up, “I’m okay, I’ll be okay.”

She walked away, giving me a quick glance out of the corner of her eye before she shut the door.

I closed my eyes, letting my head fall as far back as it would go. I had been waiting years to tell her that, years. And out of all the scenes I’d played in my head that defiantly wasn’t one of them.

I lifted my head, staring out at the rows of trees in front of me. Maybe I’d never get to tell her, maybe it was never meant to be.

Maybe we’re just not as perfect as I’d always thought.