(For my creative writing class we’re supposed to write a love story between abstract nouns and I picked escape (Jessie) and promise (Bradley) and this is what I’ve got. I hope you all enjoy! Thank you so much for all the reads and likes! I love you guys!!!) Also while you read you can listen to If you love her by Forest Blakk.

I hear the voice of his little twelve year old self in the back to my mind as my eyes fall on him. His blonde brown hair, the same black T shirt and shorts he’s always worn. He’s older now, it makes me realize how long it’s been since his promise.

If I love you this way, promise you’ll love me the same.

__

My heart starts to slow down as he finds my eyes in the crowd. It’s been years since we last saw each other, and apparently years are seconds. Nothing’s changed.

I push past groups of people laughing and talking as a loud song blares in the background. He does the same and we both meet in the middle staring at each other. I take in every new thing about him. There’s a small scar on his cheek, his hair is a little longer and falls over his forehead and his smile is more beautiful than I ever remembered it.

“Wow,” he breathes as I bite my lower lip. “You don’t see something like this everyday.”

I meet his dark eyes as I fight the smile that’s tugging at my lips. “You don’t have to—”

“But it’s true,” he gently brushes his fingers agasint my wrist as he slides them down, lacing them between mine. “You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”

I let my lips smile as I stare into his black eyes that instantly take my smile away. He’s the only one who looks at me like this.

I used to think it was just the way a tweleve year old boy with a huge crush would look at a girl but maybe there’s something more to it.

A slow song starts playing softly in the background a song that makes the two of us smile.

“Sounds familiar,” he whispers as the soft guitar echos around the room.

“I love this song,” I tell him as he lifts my hand spinning me slowly around and then placing my hand on his shoulder as he wraps his around my waist.

“I know,” he mumbles under his breath as we step slowly to the gentle beat of the song. I let my hands slide to his neck as he pulls me closer.

He sings along his voice gentle and soft as he lowers his lips to my ear. “You remember? Our promise.”

I nod as I squeeze my fingers letting my cheek fall agasint his shoulder. “If I love you like this,” I whisper into his ear. “Promise you’ll love me the same.”

He brushes his lips past my cheek as he meets my eyes his nose inches away from mine. “I promise,” he breathes his eyes trembling as he looks into mine the same way he always has.

It’s been years. I think as I let my lips part trying to find the right words. “How did you find me?” I ask. He half smiles. “I looked. You’ve never been that great at hide and seek.” “I’ve been hiding all these years.” He nods as he brings me closer pressing his forehead agasint mine. “And I found you. Just like when we were kids, I’ll always find you Jessie.” I let out a slow breath as I close my eyes. Feeling his hands on my back, his forehead agaisnt mine, his feet that guide mine to the beat of the song. “It’s hard to keep a promise,” I tell him my eyes still closed as I feel his warm breath on my cheek. “If we can’t be together.” His forehead moves from side to side agaisnt mine. “We’ve kept it this entire time, love.” My heart trembles as I take a deep breath. “I’ve always loved you,” he says. “Even when you run, even when you don’t feel the same.” “Why?” “Because,” he pulls away from me cupping my face in his warm hands. “I see you. I see your heart all the pieces of it. And it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” My eyes blur with tears fogging my view of his gentle face but even when he’s just blobs of color on a dark background he’s still him.

“I don’t like running,” I whisper as a single tear slips down my cheek. “You don’t have to,” he answers using his thumb to wipe my cheek. “I’ll always find you.” I shut my eyes choking out sobs as he stands with me. I’ve missed him so much. And I have to let him go, everytime it has to end this way.

“You’ll get tired of it,” I tell him, opening my eyes slowly. “Try me,” he smiles as a tear runs down his cheek. He lifts his hands off my face the cold air brushing my cheeks as he takes a step back. “I don’t want to hurt you, Bradley.” “You never have,” he smiles as he tilts his head his eyes looking at every part of me. From my shoes to my head. Just like everytime. “There she is,” he mumbles tears washing down his face as he stares into my eyes. “My pretty girl.”

He starts to turn around and I see it, my future. Him finding me and then leaving because there’s no other way it could work. I grab his hand pulling him back to me. “Kiss me,” I say as I wrap my arms around his neck. His lips meet mine and for the first time I feel like I’m safe. Like I don’t need to run anymore. He breaks gently away from me, tucking my blonde hair behind my ear as he gives me a comforting smile. “Go on, love,” he breathes. “And remember—” “If I love you like this, promise you’ll love me the same,” I say with him and he laughs as he takes a step back. He continues to back up and before he disappears into the crowd he whispers: “I promise to love you like that for the rest of my life, Jessie Styles.”

I watch him leave my heart starting to break as he fades away. I turn to leave my eyes blurry from tears as I run away from the boy I love.