Read Online Labeled Love by Danielle Rocco - Free Book Online

anyone else’s. That might sound dumb, but I mean it. Her hand fits perfectly in mine.
    Shay stops at the botanical garden, and I start reading the signs telling us what type of plant each one is. “This one is a butterfly bush.” Just as I finish reading the sign, a bird with wings moving so fast we can hear it flies up to the plant.
    “Yes,” she says, “this is the same plant my dad planted for my mom. She loves watching the butterflies and hummingbirds feed off the flowers. There’s something fascinating about how fast their wings move. Did you know hummingbirds can’t walk, and they lay the tiniest eggs?”
    “No, I didn’t know that. I don’t think I’ve ever really seen a hummingbird.” If Shay only knew that all I can think about right now is how fast my heart flutters, probably as fast as that hummingbird’s wings when she’s near me.
    She looks up at me with expressive eyes, tilts her head, and says, “Now you’ve seen your first hummingbird.” I think my smile fills my entire face. She walks behind me, unzips her backpack, and grabs her cell phone. “Let’s take a picture,” she says happily. I stand there next to the bush. She scoots me over a little. “There, now we can see more of the flowers.” She stands really close to me and tries to take the picture, but her arm isn’t long enough. Once again, she groans sweetly. I look down and take her phone. “Yeah, you have way longer arms than me. You take it.” When I reach up to put the phone in front of us, she wraps her arms around me and leans in with a tight grip. I snap the picture. “Yay!” she says, grabbing the phone and going to the picture I just took. “Aw, that’s so cute.” I stare at the picture and see how we look together. I think it’s more than cute… I think it’s forever. We look perfect standing next to each other. I wish I had that picture. I’d stare at it whenever we’re apart.
    We decide to eat lunch, and my stomach instantly fills with dread. I see others at the picnic tables. Naturally, my stomach growls like an internal clock set to eat when food is around. I curse my mother for being so selfish in not providing me with the basics. Is it too much to ask for a freakin’ sandwich?
    Shay points out an empty picnic table. I really don’t want to take food away from her, even though she offered. Running my fingers through my hair, I sit across from her. She reaches into her paper bag, takes out a napkin, and spreads it out onto the table. Then she pulls out a baggie of sliced apples, a baggie of carrots, and a yogurt. She reaches into the bag one last time, bringing out a baggie with a sandwich inside it. It’s such a simple thing, but it completely warms my heart. It’s a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. But, it’s not just any peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It’s one that has been cut into the shape of a heart. If that weren’t special enough, Shay breaks it in half and says with a smile, “Here, you can have the other half of my heart.”
    I return her bright smile as she takes a big bite of her half of the sandwich. If I hadn’t already known, I realize in this moment that my heart belongs to her. There is no question. Shay is the girl I want to spend my life looking at.

 
Two years later…
     
    “I DON’T EVEN need to guide your fingers anymore.” I glance over at Shay, and she smiles. “Seriously, it didn’t take long for you to learn, Jace.” I love the way she says my name. Shay’s voice sounds like a love song with every word she speaks. Soft, sweet, and always meaningful.
    “Maybe you’re just a really good teacher,” I tell her with a sly smile. She giggles, and as usual, my stomach flip-flops.
    Two years later, and she just keeps getting prettier. I scrunch my eyebrows together as she bites her bottom lip. She reaches up with her hand and moves my hair that has fallen in my face. I would do anything to kiss her right now, but I don’t. The community center is always full