Always There || Greta Van Fleet

Chapter 157: My Favorite Color

"So.. I was just thinking.. since we've been on the road for a while, that something simple, something at home would be nice, if that's okay." He said, peeking over at me shyly.
"I love it." I sighed, leaning my head on his shoulder as he guided us over, pulling out the chair for me.

On the table next to us, he had laid out a tray of graham crackers, chocolate bars, and marshmallows. It was adorable.

"We always made s'mores together when we were little, so I just thought-" I cut him off, pulling him into a long kiss.
"I love it, Josh. Really." He stared back at me with dazed eyes.
"Okay. I just.. I want you to know how special you are to me, and.. well, fancy things have never really been our-" I cut him off again, pulling him back into another kiss, unable to contain my giddy laughter.

"Josh, I said I love it. I mean it." He nodded, his smile growing.
"Okay."
"Now come sit with me, I'm hungry." I laughed. He didn't hesitate to make his way over, sitting down and pulling his chair in closer to me.

It was one of the best dates I've ever had. Not once did I worry about how I looked, or what to say, or what to do. Time spent with him was effortless, and it was so nice to finally feel at peace.

"So.. I think my film should be done soon." He said, taking a huge bite out of his s'more.
"Does that mean I'll finally get to see it?" I asked eagerly. He shrugged, smirking over at me.
"Maybe."
"Josh.." I groaned, playfully rolling my eyes. He leaned in, gently kissing my lips, flashing me a wide grin.
"It'll be worth it, I promise."
"Alright, then when?" I asked, suddenly more curious than I've ever been. The longer he made me wait, the crazier it drove me.

But whenever it was ready, I knew it was going to be beautiful.
Just like everything else he's ever created.
Anything he would make would be.. incredible.

"Maybe.. by Christmas." He finally said, reaching for more crackers.
"You're gonna make me wait that long?" I laughed. He nodded, sticking a marshmallow onto the skewer and holding it close to the flame, slowly rotating it to get it a perfect golden brown.
"How are you just good at everything?" I asked. He bit down on his lip, finishing putting the s'more together and handing it over to me. I couldn't help but smile, taking it from him.

"I'm not good at everything, Jaime." He said softly, keeping his eyes locked on the fire. His face glowed such a brilliant orange from the flickering flames, painting him like the most magnificent sunset you've ever seen.

And suddenly orange was my favorite color.

"You are in my eyes." I said softly, feeling my face get hot. He stopped, looking back over at me with that same look I had longed for for years.
"Well, I try really hard for you." He muttered, looking back at the fire. I scooted my chair closer, reaching over for his hand. His lips instantly curled into a wide grin as he intertwined our fingers, pulling my hand up to his lips.

"You know, I was always jealous of you growing up." I said, now allowing our hands to hang between our chairs, gently swinging them back and forth.
"Why would you be jealous of me?" He asked. I shrugged.
"Because.. you just always seemed to have it all figured out. No matter what it was, anything you wanted to do, you just.. you did it, like it was nothing. And.. I've always wanted to be like that."

He stayed quiet for a moment, holding his stare on the fire again, keeping that same smile pressed against his lips.
"Jaime, can I tell you something?" He finally said, trying his hardest to contain his timid laughter.
"Of course."
"I was always faking it."
"W-what do you mean?"
"I mean.. all those things you're talking about, everything that you think just came so easily.. I tried so hard, Jaime. I would spend.. hours getting good at things, just.. for you to think I was good at things. I've always just wanted to impress you." I couldn't help but smile, my heart beating faster.