This Winter

Chapter 19

A week later 

Harmony 

A week had passed since my world had fallen apart and I was slowly but surely picking up the pieces. Avoiding Joseph like the plague has been my entire focus but unfortunately, it's a little harder than I expected. I never noticed how many classes I really had with him until suddenly everywhere I went he was right there, looking unaffected by our split up while I was struggling to keep myself together. Hense my situation right now. We had just finished a lecture and while I was packing up my things, I noticed Candy making her way over to him and an urge of jealousy overcame me but I immediately relaxed. Candy had come onto Joseph many times and each time he immediately sent her packing. So why wasn't he doing it now? I wondered as I watched him laugh at whatever joke she told. Maybe we were really over. 

Suddenly the urge to get the hell out of the room came over me and I started packing my stuff up as fast as I possibly could. I had managed to get my things into my bag in a few seconds before I threw it over my shoulder and squeezed through the people around me. I had just reached the door when I couldn't help but look over my shoulder to take one last glance at Joseph to find he was already watching me. Shaking my head, I kept eyes on the ground as I hurried out the classroom, ignoring everyone around me. Thankfully it was my last class of the night and since I was single, I didn't have to go to Joseph's football game. Single. The last time I was single was in the 6th grade and now here I am, my second year of University, heartbroken.

I got back to Leila's house in a record time and when I entered, Devin was just leaving and he gave me a small smile before continuing on his way. Plopping down on the couch, I pulled out my phone and I had 16 missed calls from my baby---Joseph. 

"How are you feeling today girl?" Leila asked coming out of her room and I shrugged.

"Better than yesterday."

"That's what I like to hear," Leila said smiling before taking a seat beside me. "Do you wanna talk about it?"

"Yeah, I think it might help," I told her and she nodded before making herself comfortable.

"Whenever you're ready."

"I'm just so confused you know... Sometimes I just miss when things were simple you know like back in the 7th grade when Joseph asked me out. Did I ever tell you that story?" I asked and Leila shook her head.

"We were in the 7th grade and I had just moved to that school and I was super nervous. Of course, you attended that school but the first person I saw was Joseph and he was surrounded by girls but he wasn't acting like an asshole, he was just telling stories about his adventures with his best friend from Miami, which was Devin." I told her and she nodded telling me I could go on. 

"We became fast friends and I couldn't help but start falling for him. I mean he was sweet, funny and was always looking out for me. Then on valentines day, he found out no one had gotten me a card since I was still new and left at lunch and came back with like 30 teddy bears, my favorite chocolates and a dozen roses and then he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. In the 7th grade," I said laughing at the memory, a smile making its way onto my face. "Of course I told him we were too young so he asked me out instead and promised he'd marry me in the future, but I guess things change, huh?"

"Not that much," a new voice spoke from the door that I recognized almost immediately.

"I'll give you two some time alone," Leila said patting my back before leaving the room to give Joseph and I some privacy. Taking a deep breath, I tried to get my emotions into check before finally turning around to look at him and I fought the urge to laugh. Just like in the 7th grade he had at least thirty stuffed animals in a gift basket with chocolates and a dozen roses.

"Great minds think alike?" 

"I guess," I replied nonchalantly and he placed down the gifts on the table before taking a seat beside me.

"I'm sorry." He said immediately grabbing my hands. 

"What happened Joseph? I thought we were good."

"We were. We are. I just got nervous. You know marriages don't last in my family and the reason is always because they lost the spark they had when they were dating."

"I'm nervous too but I rather be with you than without you."

"Which is exactly why I'm here," Joseph said sliding off the couch and getting on one knee.

"Harmony I love you and I never want to spend another week like I just had. Without you in my life. I know were both nervous but I will do whatever it takes to keep us together. So, will you marry me again?"

"Third times the charm," I mumbled with a smile before pulling him in for a kiss that he happily returned. Our lips moved against each other in a hunger like no other and I could've swore I was going to pass out from lack of air when Joseph pulled back with a cheeky grin.

"So just to confirm, that was a yes right?" He said, earning a roll of the eyes from me.

"Shut up and kiss me."