Complicatedly Beautiful

There was the slightest hint of a breeze as the moon and stars lit up the night sky. The sound of the ocean could be heard in the distance. It was a beautiful night for being on a walk with someone. It was a beautiful night to discuss the future. It was perhaps not such a beautiful night for what was happening between Sam and Heath.

“I’m sorry, this just seems to be out of nowhere. I mean I wasn’t expecting it.” Sam explained her hurt feelings over Heath’s plans.

“I wasn’t either. I applied before we were together, last fall, when I barely knew you. If I had known that things would go like this, I would have prepared you. You have to believe me.” Heath sat down next to Sam on a park bench.

“I do, I believe you. I just wish you didn’t have to go.” Sam paused. “I know that this opportunity is too good to pass up.”

“You’re not mad,” Not a question as Heath already knew the answer by her tone.

“No, just sad but excited for you. I do have one question though,” The blonde girl started. “What about us?”

“Well, what do you want to do about us?” Heath asked. He had assumed they would just be long distance, that had been his plan but was now wondering if she had another.

“I don’t want either of us hurt, if we do the long distance thing and it doesn’t work out. I love you, but you're far more than just my boyfriend. We’re also friends. We were friends first. Maybe…just maybe…we should split up. If we’re meant to be together, it’ll happen either way. If we do long distance and it doesn’t work out, it could really destroy a lot of things between us.” Sam saw the hurt look in his eyes, and almost wanted to take back her words but she was trying to look out for both of them, and not complicate matters in the group. “I really wasn’t try8ing to hurt you.”

“I know, I just thought ... never mind. I guess it doesn’t matter. You are right, things could get messy. I guess I just didn’t think about the possibility of us breaking up.” Then he saw it, Sam looked away from him and sighed. “:Wait, do you really want this? Not what will be easier for the group or us”

“No, of course I don’t want to break up with you but..” Sam realized this wasn’t about her and Heath but her parents. Her parents had a fairly good relationship, they didn’t fight, they were nice to each other, friends but it hadn’t worked out between them, even living in the same house. Heath and her weren’t her parents. “Maybe, we could try “

Health leaned in and kissed her, “Love doesn’t always have to be easy. Sometimes the best ones are complicatedly beautiful. I think we have a good shot of making it.”

“I do too.” Sam said, as she stood, took his hand and the couple continued their walk.