No Longer Afraid (Complete)

A Patient Man

          Sadie almost dropped her books out of shock. Was Anrian asking her out? Now? But she just met him, so is this a little too early? Sadie felt her jaw moving but no words were coming out. Anrian chuckled deeply causing his nose to scrunch up in the most adorable way. Sadie took a moment to regain her composure and confidently spoke up. “I accept on one condition: It’s just lunch.” Anrian nodded deeply. “Just lunch.”, he responded. Sadie stood in a dignified manner and told Anrian to meet her at the front of the school at 12:45. He raised his eyebrows and smile slightly. “Wow...um, yes ma’am. I will be there.”, he spoke deeply. Sadie nodded once again before walking away. “He will know that I mean business.”, Sadie thought as she walked away without looking back. Anrian watched her walk away in awe.

          Soon, it was 12:45. Sadie strolled outside and waited for Anrian. She crossed her arms tightly and stared up at the pale blue sky. She tried to distract herself by cloud watching, but very soon she was interrupted by a warm hand that wrapped around her shoulder. She looked over to her side and saw Anrian looking up at the sky with her. She frowned. “What are you doing?”, she spoke, confused. Anrian smile slightly as he looked down at her. “What? I can’t touch you now.”, he spoke in a joking matter. Sadie scoffed as she pushed his hand away. “You couldn’t touch me before.”, she said with a smile as she walked over to the senior parking lot. “I love it when you play hard to get.”, Anrian laughed as he followed after her. Sadie laughed. “I am hard to get.”, she called out. Anrian quickly jumped in front of her and reached out for her hand with the biggest smile on his face. Sadie instinctively backed away. Anrian frowned slightly as he tilted his head. Sadie squeezed her eyes tightly. “I’m sorry...I’m...kind of new to this.”, she spoke gently. Anrian nodded in understanding and slowly wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “We’ll take our time then.”, he spoke with a smile. Sadie smiled back and allowed Anrian to lead her to his car.

          After they had finished their lunch, they decided to hang back and talk awhile. Sadie told Anrian all about the play that she and her crew are put on and Anrian told her everything about life in Canada. She smiled as he described his family home, ice hockey, and the many treks through the Canadian mountains with his brothers. His enthusiasm and nostalgia tone warmed her heart and peaked her interest. She stared into his eyes as he described an impromptu camping trip with his family and how much fun they had. Sadie told him that she had never been camping before and he insisted that he would take her one day. She, of course, respectfully refused but gave in after much back and forth with Anrian. He then reached his hand across the table and touch his finger tips to hers. Sadie looked over at him and smiled. She wanted him to hold her hand but at the same time, she didn’t. It wouldn’t be the first time he held her hand but now, for some reason it was different. Anrian smiled and slowly retreated his hand. Sadie awkwardly looked away and cleared her throat before she returned her gaze back to Anrian. “So, have you always been this...guarded?”, he asked directly. Sadie almost gasped from his question, her eyes swelling wide. She dropped her gaze from his eyes. She sighed as she clasped her hands together and placed them in front of her. It was almost as if she wanted to explain but couldn’t. Anrian placed his hands on top of hers and stared into her eyes. “You don’t have to say anything. I’m sorry...I shouldn’t have asked that…”, he spoke gently to her. Sadie looked into his eyes with sincerity. “I’m sorry...I am trying but…”, she felt tears start to swell up in her eyes. She then looked away, trying to fight back her tears. Why now? Must this happen now of all times? Anrian noticed her eyes filling up with tears and gently patted her hands. “When you’re ready...you can tell me.”, Sadie looked over at him, “I know you don’t exactly trust me because you don’t know me but...I hope we can become really good friends...in time.” Anrian’s words soothed her worries and her mind. Maybe, he isn’t what she is forcibly making him out to be. He’s not William.

          Soon after they had finished their conversation, they headed back to school. As they approached the front entrance, Anrian gently grabbed onto Sadie’s arm. Sadie stared at him as he stepped closer to her, looking down at her tenderly. “Whatever he did to you, I’m not him. I don’t know what happened but I can tell that it changed you. I know that this isn’t you but I am a patient man. I’ll wait for you.”, Anrian spoke with confidence. Sadie just stared at him. She knew he was serious and sincere, but at the same time she was scared. This was truly getting out of hand. She never thought that this would happened. “It was supposed to just be lunch--”, Sadie’s thoughts were interrupted by a familiar sensation. Anrian tenderly kissed her cheek, making Sadie blush bright red. She stared at Anrian with wide eyes as he slowly pulled away. “I’ll wait for you.”, Anrian spoke definitely. Sadie said nothing in response but just stared at him in disbelief, as he slowly walked away. Her heart fluttered as she sighed deeply. “Who are you? How can you make me feel this way?”, Sadie asked in a whisper. She slowly started to walk away and felt an aching sensation in her heart. “God...what do I do?”, Sadie thought to herself as she continued her walk down the hallway.