One week later
Mariah had a great time hiking with the guys that day. Brian
picked her up bright and early and they all met together. They hiked on a trail,
something that Mariah had never done before. She realized just out of shape she
had been, but she wasn't the only one. Brian was slow and had to try hard to
keep up with the group. Mariah couldn't understand why, he looked like he was
in great shape.
Now, she was on her treadmill, running and watching TV at the same
time, but she couldn't concentrate on the TV. She kept thinking about that
dream she had that night of her birthday. It kept coming back to her everytime
she saw Brian. She didn't know what it meant, but she thought it would be
better if she didn't stay too close to him. She felt bad, but she thought it
would be the best thing to do. At least for now. She turned off her treadmill
and looked out the window. It was pouring rain, just the right weather to fit
her mood, then she went to take a shower.
When Mariah had gotten out of her shower, she came to a
realization of why she stayed away from Brian the past week. She didn't want to
lose again. All her life she had lost things, people she loved, and she
couldn't stand to do it again, but Mariah knew it was too late. She did love
Brian and the fact that she was ignoring him was making her even sadder. She
loved him more than she could say. He was so important to her.
She walked over to the table and picked up the phone to phone him
to apologize. At least that was the best that she could do, but just as she was
about to dial, the doorbell rang.
"Coming!" she called. When she opened the door, there
stood Brian.
"Brian! I--"
"Look Mariah, just listen to me first." said Brian,
cutting her off. "I don't know what's happening between us, but I know
that you're ignoring me and I want you to tell me why. I can't stand you not
talking to me and frankly, I know the guys are getting sick of me complaining.
What did I do wrong? Just tell me and I try to fix it!" Brian finished
what he was saying and tried to catch his breath.
Mariah looked at Brian and smiled.
"What?" asked Brian with puzzled look on his face.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing," said Mariah.
"Well, at least you're smiling," said Brian.
Mariah sighed. "I know I haven't been the nicest person to
you this week Brian, it's just that I--" Mariah caught herself in
mid-sentence.
"What? What's wrong? Just tell me." prodded Brian
gently.
Mariah caught herself just on time. She couldn't believe what she
had almost said to him.
'Where did that come from?' thought Mariah.
"Mariah? What's wrong?" asked Brian, concerned.
"What were you going to tell me?"
"Nothing, it's just that I--well, I--I've been sick,"
stammered Mariah, trying to sound convincing. "I didn't want you to catch
it, that's all."
Brian gave her a look. "And I'm suppose to believe
that?"
"Well, yeah! Why not?"
"How stupid do you think I am?" asked Brian. "Do you
not trust me enough to tell me what's wrong? I thought we were over that a long
time ago!" Brian was beginning to raise his voice.
Mariah sighed and hung her head. "I'm sorry, Brian," she
apologized. "It's just that...I can't tell you."
Brian went over to her and and lifted her face so her eyes would
meet his.
"You can tell me anything," he said gently. "What's
wrong?"
Mariah's eyes started to fill with tears. She had to tell him.
'There's not way out of this,' she thought to herself.
"Well," she said looking into his eyes. "I had this
dream, where there was this guy, and I couldn't see his face. It was blurry. I
knew it was someone I knew, but when I tried to reach for him, he kept getting
further and further away from me. I tried so hard!" Mariah's tears
streamed down her face. "When I tried one last time, he vanished. Then I
realized who this person was!"
Brian held her tightly. "Who?" he asked gently.
She looked up at him and said, "You."
Brian stared at Mariah, shocked at her answer.
"That's when I realized, I--I--" she took one big breath
and said, "I love you."
Brian stood and looked at her, his expression was something that
she could not described. He looked surprised and confused all at the same time.
At that moment, she realized, he didn't love her back. At least, not the way
that she wanted him to. He didn't feel the same way. Mariah stepped back from
his hold, turned, and ran out into the rain.
Brian stood there, then realized what he did by letting her run
off he ran out, got in his car and tried to look for her.