And you said to me:

"You're the only person I've ever loved."

I gasped for breath,
realizing I had been speechless
and had forgotten to breathe for quite a while now.

I couldn't move my mouth,
my lips and tongue and brain were numb
with pure shock.
I could only stare blankly
while the image of your innocent lips
forming those words played
over and over again in my head.

All I could focus on
was the burning in my chest
and pain in my eyes,
stinging, threatening with tears.

But I was overjoyed.
What on Earth does every girl want
but for someone to choose them
over all else?

You spoke again:

"You're the only one I want."

And what else is a girl to do,
when faced with the soft hands and gentle eyes
of affection,
than to do the single most reckless thing
she could have done?

I whispered back,
with the slightest hint of uncertainty:


*"I love you, too."