if these wings could fly for the rest of our lives
That almost teenage crush had beset the girl quite before she had realized it. She shouldn't have been surprised by the realization that she wanted Arlo as something more than a best friend (even if she didn't know what that more was). After all, the man had managed to create that fluttering sensation of butterflies within her the moment she ran quite squarely into his leg the first evening they'd met. She could still distinctly remember that baffled look upon his features when he lifted her off of that pavement, her large hazel eyes taking in the handsome features of the man whom she had run into. Still, he had been so bizarrely nice to her, even when she appeared little more than an exotic animal. He was charming, caring, goofy and fun and before Abigail knew it, she found herself looking forward to those evenings. It was, admittedly, Christmas when she truly realized that maybe her feelings weren't strictly as friendly as she thought them to be. That sheer suggestion of Arlo ice skating with someone else, with trying to impress another girl had prompted a sort of jealousy within her that even she had been surprised of it.

Even though she was well aware of those feelings that so fluttered within her breast, she still found herself hesitating to offer that word she knew he wanted to hear, and the one she, in turn, wished to say. She knew well what it was that stopped her - it was fear. She was afraid. What if...what if...what if he didn't realize just how inexperienced she was? What if she was a bad kisser? Or even worse, what if she was awful at...like...the other stuff? What if he was disappointed with her? What if he got bored of her and decided they should just go back to being friends while he pursued other women? It was ridiculous, she was sure, that she was already considering him breaking up with her before they had even gotten together to begin with and yet, Abigail couldn't handle that idea of rejection - not from him. Unlike Arlo, it wouldn't be a simple one day of pouting within her bedroom if he should find himself desiring not to continue that relationship. It would be devastating. Perhaps it was that which prompted her to inquire if, regardless of what happened, they would still at least have that friendship that she so desperately treasured.

The gentle press of his fingers drew those hazel eyes upwards to eye the bright blue of the man before her. That firm tone to his voice, combined with that same easy grin made it near impossible not to believe him and that reassurance that they would always have one another, in some fashion or another. She almost appreciated the man's effort to bring that conversation away from such seriousness, his declaration of those instruments she was banned from leaving him for prompted a small laughter upon her lips. If that was all he required of her, she could definitely stay away from drummers and tuba players. For a moment, Abigail hesitated for just a bit longer, at least, until Dorian's words so came rushing back to her. Give him a chance. That's what Dorian had said and if he so excelled in that area of love to find complete and utter happiness, surely he of all people was worth listening to. Give him a chance. She could do this. Her head bobbed as she clarified with that single word - yes. Yes, she would go out with him, even if they were already outside.

Abigail was hardly prepared for that exclamation from the man, as if Arlo hadn't even hoped she would say yes. Why wouldn't she? Was he not aware of those feelings she had for him? She was fairly certain they had been near obvious even despite her best attempts. That excitement in his voice, however, prompted a grin upon the girl's features. It was endearing, really, that he was so ecstatic that she agreed. Her head bobbed once again, confirming those very words she spoke. "Really really," Abigail assured him, unable to deny that warmth that spread through her chest at that sudden change of their relationship. That beaming grin upon his features prompted a blushing simper of her own and yet, Abigail was hardly prepared for the way Arlo so abruptly reached forward to pull her into his arms. Her hazel eyes stared up at him, with a small glimpse of surprise and yet, she hardly had time to react before his lips were pressed so sweetly against hers. For a moment, the young girl froze, almost uncertain as to what to do with that kiss. It took her a moment to relax within that gentle embrace, her hands placed against his chest as she leaned ever so slightly into the man and yet, that first kiss, her first kiss, was over quite before she knew it.

She could hardly help that pink hue to her cheeks as her hazel eyes stared up at those bright blue ones. Abigail's head shook ever so slightly. "No, it's....it's okay. Really, don't worry about it." The young woman reassured him, and really, it was okay. It had been downright delightful! Frankly, it simply caught her off guard. She was still dealing with the simple fact that her Arlo had kissed her. He had kissed her! Her cheeks surely flushed brighter as the man assured her that she was at least decent of a kisser. "Thank you." She responded, her voice slightly more high pitched if only for how flustered she was. Her head bobbed ever so slightly at that invitation to walk her home. "I would like that." She admitted, pausing for a moment before gingerly reaching forward to place her hand on his own. Her head tilted to the side, her cheek resting against his shoulder. It was a bold move for her and yet, it simply felt right. After all, how many times had she simply scampered onto his shoulders and hidden within his clothes? This was almost normal.