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Destiny Is Everything Chapter 13 - Don't Stop the Sun From Shining Down On Him The next day, Brian went to the shore by himself. It was a cloudy day. The overcast skies put Brian in a down mood, but knowing that he would see Danielle later that day instantly uplifted his spirits. Brian walked along the expansive stretch of beach. As he got closer to the lighthouse, he heard the faint sounds of voices giggling playfully. When he was within fifteen feet of the lighthouse, he vaguely recognized a familiar blond, long-haired young woman...with a handsome, tall man not much older than her. Brian let out an audible gasp as he got even closer to the pair. The woman turned her head. Seeing Brian, she did a double-take. It was none other than...Danielle Tyler--the one person whom it seemed could put a smile on Brian's face in a heartbeat. Danielle pulled away quickly from her attractive male companion. It was more than obvious that the two had been engaging in a private kiss. Brian turned around abruptly and walked away without waiting for words to come rushing out of his girlfriend's mouth. He picked up speed. Tears formed in his eyes. He tried his very best and hardest to keep them from spilling over, but it was of no use. He instinctively brushed his hot tears away and licked his lips, tasting the saltiness left by the tears. "Brian, wait! Please, Brian! You don't understand!" Danielle called after him desperately. Brian turned so that he was facing her. Seeing Brian's tear-stained face and the sadness, hurt, and betrayal in his eyes, Danielle gasped. "I understand, all right. It was clear as daylight. Everything that you've said--how much you love me, how you can never go a day without being grateful that you're with me, EVERYTHING!--has all been one big lie." Brian stomped away angrily. "No, no, Brian!" Danielle yelled, "Just give me a chance to explain." "You were kissing that guy like there's no tomorrow. And laughing, to top it off. Forget it, I don't need you!" Brian said. "Brian, could you slow down?" Danielle pleaded. Brian stopped in his tracks. She caught up to him. Seeing the pain in Brian's eyes up-close made Danielle well up with tears. "Brian, that guy was my ex-" "Oh, so that justifies everything now, doesn't it?? Just because it's your ex means you've got a free pass to kiss and snuggle up with him. Gosh, so many people have exes. Does that mean the moment their ex shows up, they can forget about the current person they're with and ride off into the sunset with that ex?" Brian asked incredulously. "No! Brian, that's not what I meant. I tried to fight him off. We weren't laughing and kissing at the same time, so it wasn't like I wanted this." "Oh, so now you're using that as a means of justification, eh? Not laughing and kissing simultaneously. Danielle, you don't get it. I LOVED you. With all my heart and soul. Every ounce of me, I put into our relationship. I gave you all of me, my heart included. And you treated it as if it was nothing. As if it could be toyed with, messed around with. You can't have me whenever you want, as YOU please. Things just don't work that way. I'm not an article of clothing that you can just cast to one side when you get sick of it and that you can wear proudly when you're infatuated with it. I have feelings, Danielle. But apparently you don't know that," Brian said. "Brian, I never stopped loving you." "Yeah, I bet. Were you thinking that very same thought while kissing that guy?" Brian said in a sour tone. "Brian, I'm begging you--let me explain. I REALLY didn't enjoy being there, in that situation. He held onto me so forcefully, I couldn't oppose him. And then before I knew it, he..., " Danielle trailed off, not wanting to say what the guy did, for fear of bringing the painful memory back to Brian's mind. "He's the obsessive type, Brian. That's why we're not together anymore. He never loved me--not the way you did; he was only obsessed with me. I was like his possession. A trophy to show off to others. And whenever I was seen talking to another guy--a friend--he'd get so ticked off. I never loved him. That's why I had to end it. Being together any longer wouldn't have been good for either of us." Brian, still bearing an angry yet saddened look on his face, didn't budge. "They say 'Seeing is believing,' Danielle. My eyes didn't lie to me. You did. YOU messed up, Danielle." "Brian, I know you're not like this." "Like what? So stubborn and thick- headed? You want me to forgive you for all your wrongs. You want me to say everything's gonna be alright. You want me to take you in my arms and kiss you and say how much I love you. But I can't. Do you know why?" Brian asked. After a temporary pause, Brian went on," Because I'm human. That's right. I'm vulnerable to pain and its counterparts, just like you are. I'm a person before I'm some rock star or big-time celebrity. But you simply ignored all that and went about things your way, the way YOU saw fit." "Brian, I'm telling the truth. I didn't go there asking to be kissed. He said he only wanted to talk, that he was no longer the same possessive man he was before. He wanted us to be friends, nothing more. But apparently, all that he had said was a lie. But I'M not lying, Brian. Everything that I've said to you is true. I'm ALWAYS true to my word. Brian, please believe me," Danielle begged earnestly. Without a word, Brian just stared back at her blankly. "Brian," Danielle said, now crying. He dropped down on his knees right where he was, still silent. Danielle sat down next to Brian on the sand. Tears began making their way down Brian's cheeks. "Noooo, Brian. Don't cry. I'm soooo sorry I put you through this. I never intended to. If I could, I'd trade in my happiness--whatever it took--just to have you understand," Danielle said in a sorrowful voice. Brian looked over at Danielle, "I'm not you, Danielle, so I don't know what your motives were." "Brian, everything that I have said---did that not mean a thing? That's the truth, but...if you don't believe that..." Brian wiped his tears off his face with his arm. Years seemed to pass by before he said in a soft whisper, "I...believe you..." Danielle looked up at Brian, hopefully, "I didn't say all that merely because I want things to be "lovey-dovey" between us, you know?" "My heart is still hurting, whether it's your fault or not," Brian said softly. "I know, Brian. I know," Danielle whispered. She inched closer over to Brian and held him in her arms. He didn't resist. "I love you. I would never do anything to make you think or believe otherwise," Danielle said into Brian's ear. She looked down at his face. Again, tears began forming in Brian's eyes. She gently wiped them away and kissed his eyes, her tears blending with his.Next: Chapter 14 |