One Last Kiss

They gazed into each others eyes, mesmerized, remembering all the times they had shared together--laughing and acting like crazy fools, how they could just lay together having deep intimate conversations or even just talking about nothing at all, thinking about the times they had helped each other cope and also when they had cried together. Just like they were now. They remembered the love they had shared, and the passion that almost drove them mad at times. The desire that was so tangible between them now. It's such a shame that a love like that must end, they were both devastated but knew it had to happen. He longed for her to fall into his arms, her hair brushing against his chin as she rested her perfect head on his chest. She wished he could gather her into his strong embrace and kiss her tears away as she clung to him, making everything ok again.
“I have to go.” She whispered and started to walk away. “ Wait.” He called out, reaching to take her hand, sending chills up her arm. “Please. Don’t go. Not yet.” She made the mistake of looking into his eyes, they captivated her, she was lost inside that stare. “Ok.” She whispered. He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her. She leaned closer breathing in his scent, the smell she had become so accustomed to. She would recognize it above any other smell. It’s the one that calmed her, the one she never wanted to forget.
They stood there holding each other, soaking in everything about one another, hoping to never forget a single detail. Her resolve was breaking and she knew she would have to leave now before he broke down her defenses. Once again, she pulled away. As she turned to go she hoped he wouldn’t try to stop her again, but at the same time she silently wished he would. He fulfilled her wishes, just as he always had. “Please, just one more thing..” He said with so much emotion in his voice her broken heart almost shattered. She stopped walking but didn’t turn around. She heard him walking towards her, the soft wind caught the his fragrance and carried it to her, intoxicating her senses before he even reached her. Her body started to tremble as she felt him stand behind her, his comforting aura was overpowering. He reached out and placed one hand on her shoulder, slowly running it down her arm, leaving goose bumps in its wake.
The tears started to fall faster and thicker down her face as he said “ Only one more thing, just one more.” She could hear the desperation in his voice. “What?” She asked. The word was all she could get out, it was barely audible. “One last kiss.” He whispered as he turned her around to face him, holding both of her hands.
A gust of warm summer air wrapped itself around them, the vines of the willow tree they stood under swayed, dancing in the air. They were remembering all of the kisses they had ever shared. From the first awkward, embarrassing kiss to all of the playful, tender, teasing and passionate ones.
His hand let go of hers, traveled back up her arm and along her neck, caressing the side of her face. She loved the way his cool hand felt on her hot tear soaked cheek and closed her eyes, leaning into it, wishing that he could be this guy; the sweet, caring one that was hidden inside of him, all the time instead of only when he knew he had to be.
He pulled her closer with his other hand and she fell against him, completely melting into him. One of his arms slid around the back of her waist holding her tight while he moved his other hand into her hair, cradling the back of her head. He tilted her head up and started leaning in, his lips so close she could feel his sweet breath on her face. She wanted this now more than anything--a simple goodbye kiss. She hesitated and shied away, afraid the kiss wouldn’t be as simple as it should. Nothing was ever simple between them.
Their foreheads rested against each other as they stood there clinging to one another. She felt his tears fall onto her face and slowly slide down her cheeks mingling with her own. They moved forward at the same time, their lips forming together so perfectly. What was meant to be a short tender goodbye kiss turned into an impassioned, sorrow-filled kiss of loss. It was long and slow, each trying to savor the taste of lips they’d never kiss again. Their tongues danced together as more tears fell.
They broke away at the same time gasping for air and he whispered “I love you” into her hair. “Always and forever, infinity times ten.” She whispered back into his neck as they held each other for the last time. They stood there, on that hot summer day, under the willow tree knowing it was right, but wishing it didn’t have to happen.
She let out a long heavy sigh and they said goodbye. She didn’t look into his eyes again as she went to walk away this time, and he didn’t try to stop her. She was just going around the corner of a building when she glanced back and saw him there, leaning against the willow tree, sobs shaking his body while the tree wrapped her slender vines around him, taking the place of her arms.
She continued on around the corner, and slid down the wall of the old gym. “What have you done?” she asked herself as she pulled her knees into her chest, wrapped her arms around them and cried, the memory of their last kiss engraved in her memory.