The first time she said it was when they were sitting in his car parked in her driveway.

He drove 37 minutes, plus traffic — a point he kept bringing up to emphasize how far he drove — from his grandmother’s house because he could tell she was sad on the phone.

“I told you I was fine, why’d you come?” She asked with a lovesick look on her face and a dopey smile.

“Because I knew you weren’t. And I couldn’t sleep knowing something was wrong.” He smiled then pulled the key out of the ignition and put the sunroof down so that the stars were visible. “So you ready to talk about what happened or do you want to get ice cream?” he asked reclining his seat.

She stayed silent as she watched him struggle with the simple task. She couldn’t believe that someone would ever do this much just to put a smile on her face. He cared so much. He was special. He was hers, and she didn’t know what she did to deserve him and his heart.

“You good baby?” he looked mildly concerned once he spotted her eyes getting watery.

“I love you,” she said softly while avoiding his gaze.

It was quiet, but he heard. He heard and he stopped to make sure he heard her correctly, as if it was the most important thing in the world.

“Say it again,” he whispered turning towards her with the widest smile on his face.

“I love you,” she said a little louder.

There was something about how she sat there with a mix of fear and trust in her big brown eyes and how her body, so small compared to the large leather seats, was slightly quivering because she never liked talking about her feelings which made him want to sit there forever and just hold onto her.

“I love you for everything you do. I’m so scared but I love you.” She was getting braver with every word she spoke, “My god I’m so in love with you.”

She smiled and looked up at him cautiously. “I love you with everything in me. I'm so terrified, and I don’t know much, but I know that I love you.” She laughed, “I love you so much.”