Everlasting Love

         Asia gave a small grunt as she clamored up the tree.
         “Asia, you don’t have to get it,” Nola informed her. “I’ll just get a new one,” Nola sighed as her stubborn sister paid no attention and kept climbing.
         “Don’t worry! It’s your favorite scarf, I’ll get it,” Asia assured.
         “Will you come down before you break your leg?!?!” Nola cried, the tree swaying. Asia stuck her tongue out and skillfully reached for the scarf. “Almost,” she muttered, stretching until she finally grabbed the scarf right before the branch snapped. “Asia!!” Nola let out a shrill cry. Asia bit her lip and cringed for the worst as two arms broke her fall and both Asia and Duke fell over.
         “Oh my God, are you okay?” Asia questioned surprised, duke’s face giving no emotion whatsoever…until he gave a grin and murmured something.
         “ I should be asking you that!” he laughed. For one of the first times ever, Asia returned the grin.
         “Thank you,” Asia said gratefully, pulling herself up. “Oh! Nola!” Asia said, getting up from her seat. “Nola! I got your scarf!” Asia called out. She gave a sigh as no one answered. “ All that trouble for nothing,” Asia rolled her eyes, walked over to the tree and sat down, Duke looking over at her. Asia began to fumble with her fingers , the question that had been plaguing her about to escape.
         “Duke, why are you always there for me when I need someone?” Asia asked softly. Slowly, Duke moved closer and placed his lips to hers, a kiss now being something she was used to. But this seemed different somehow, as if her lips had missing pieces and Duke’s fit them perfectly. Asia closed her eyes and let the pieces fall into place. This kiss was the most potent kiss she’d ever experienced. Nothing compared to it, and she felt as though she was really kissing for the first time. Ever so slowly, Duke pulled away from Asia.
         “I was hoping you’d feel the same way I do,” Duke explained, Asia’s lips trembling from the powerful emotion they had just felt. “Do you?” he asked hopefully. Asia smiled.
         “That and do much more,” she answered, staring into Duke’s eyes. He gave a huge grin, Asia returning it.
         “Duke?” Asia questioned once more.
         “Hmmm?”
         “What did you say before we hit the ground?”
         Duke gave a quick laugh as he helped Asia to her feet. “Thank you God, I believe one of your angels just fell from heaven,”


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         “I’m not trying to sound…” Asia struggled to find the right word, it finally coming to her. “…ungrateful, but what took you so long?” she questioned, tilting her head up towards Duke. He just smiled, ready to explain what he could.
         “Well, I was going to say something right after you came, but Stevie sorta beat me to it,” Duke admitted. “I was a little jealous actually, but I figured that my chance with you might come…until you guys got really serious, and then I thought it was impossible,” Duke began honestly. Asia just gave a sigh and a smile.
         “I thought it was too,” She answered, getting a smile out of Duke as well.
         “But after Stevie broke up with you, I thought that I would be able to gather all my courage and ask you then, but it didn’t seem any easier every time,” Duke explained. Asia gave him a serious look that said “Why?”, so Duke began again. “I tried to be there for you all the time, so that way you could sorta get the hint. Asia, I’ve been in love with you since the minute you walked through that door. When Stevie met you up on the roof to talk to you, I knew I had blown my chance. I got lucky to be able to get the courage to ask you again…it just took me longer,” he sheepishly smiled.