Greatest Fan Of Your Life

Rolf flopped into his bed and sighed. It felt good to finally relax, even though he had only done half the chores he normal does after school. The sky was grey with
the threat of rain, so it was pointless to do any farm work today. He might as well lie there and rest until Nana nagged at him for help with her bath. As he lied
there, he let his mind wander over the events of the day. Late for school once again for sleeping in, since he hadn't been able to sleep well lately because of strange
dreams he kept having...next time he was calling his parents, the principal had threatened. Rolf winced at the thought. Late for almost every class that day too...he
sighed, wondering why he had been so scatter brained lately...then he remembered. Between every single class, he made an excuse to find Nazz and talk to her, even if
she was coming out of a class clear across the school from his. She was the reason for his recent school dysfunction. He frowned, trying to comprehend why he had
suddenly started doing this.

They had started to hang out more and more often, as she helped him with his school work so he could pass his classes and get back on the football team. Normally he
would hate to put so much effort into school, especially in classes he hated, but somehow...she made it fun. Her smiling lips and flirtatious giggle made his stomach
flutter and brought a silly grin to his face, and these strange feelings only grew more and more every time they met. She definitely kept his attention, and he
actually remembered the things she taught him because of this. She had even helped him be able to come in 3rd place in the spelling bee! Even though it was only out of
six children, it still was a big deal to him to not have lost instantly. He had even gotten a B on his typing exam thanks to her help. All he had left to do was the
creative writing project, which he had luckily gotten an extension on thanks to her approaching his teacher and explaining his situation and how she was trying to help
him. He only had one more day left to finish it though.

Still, Rolf failed to comprehend why she made him feel so strange, when they had previously had no relationship beyond a light friendship. Suddenly he found himself
thinking about her all the time, wondering what she was doing, if she was okay, when he'd see her again. He enjoyed her company more then anything else lately. He
sighed, confused. Suddenly he heard shouting, slamming, and screaming from clear across the cul-de-sac. He sat up and listened, but couldn't understand what it was.
Climbing out of bed and looking out the window, he could see the commotion was coming from Nazz's house. Her mother came stomping out, looking angry. She climbed into
the car and took off, tires squealing. Rolf raised an eyebrow in confusion, wondering what that was all about. In the next instant, a flash of lightening, followed by
a loud clap of thunder, and a curtain of rain drops down poured upon the cul-de-sac. He sighed, knowing that his father would expect him to work the farm tomorrow as
long as it wasn't raining since he didn't today, despite how muddy the earth would be.Leaning his head against the window, he stared out at the rain as he let his mind
wander.

Another slam of a door brought him back to reality, and he blinked in confusion to see Nazz come out of her house and sit on her front step in the rain, propping her
elbows on her knees and sobbing into her hands. Rolf watched her for a few moments, curious and concerned, then decided to go check on her. He felt nervous as he
approached her, unsure of her tears, but his determination to help her pressed him on.

"Nazzarael, what....what causes such crocodile tears...we have no need for them in the rain, yes?" He asked softly. She quickly looked up, obviously embarrassed, and
turned away from him.

"Oh Rolf...I'm fine..." Her voice was shaky, trying to hide the fact she had been sobbing.

"Ah, you cannot pull the wool over this son of a shepherd's eyes. Rolf hear your sobs clear from his house, you not fine. Please...." He sat next to her on the step,
brushing his wet hair out of his face. "Rolf offers a turnip for your thoughts, yes?"

She sat there in silence for a few moments, and Rolf was afraid his attempt was hopeless. Suddenly she turned and lunged forward, wrapping her arms around him and
sobbing into his chest. A look of confusion and surprise spread across his face, but he awkwardly rubbed her back in attempt to comfort her.

"There there, no need to water the seeds today, yes? Tell Rolf what makes the Nazz-girl weep."

"Why does everyone expect me to be perfect?!"

"No one expects that, Nazzarael..."

"Yes they do! Everyone expects the same ol happy go lucky always smiling and being nice and cheerful and always looking beautiful and trendy girl from me EVERY DAY.
That's the only reason they love me and fawn over me...if I wasn't like that no one would even care I existed! I can't ever be myself, I have to always be what people
WANT me to be! ESPECIALLY MY MOM! She's always saying why can't you do this or that or be this way the way I was when I was your age...but I'm not her, I'm me! At
least, I WANT to be me...but I feel like no one will let me..." She sniffled as Rolf paused to take this all in. Finally he spoke up.

"Rolf not expect Nazzarael to be perfect. No one is perfect, Rolf understand that. Everyone have their sad days, their angry days, their bad skin and hair days. If
not, they fake and not real. Rolf would rather have Nazzarael be flawed for a day or two, then fake forever." He brought his hand up to gently wipe a tear from her
cheek with his thumb, offering a smile. She stared for a moment, blushing.

"R...really?"

"Really really. If you long to be yourself, feel free to show Rolf...Rolf will not mind. Rolf not reject you because you not perfect. Flaws make you a real, unique
human being. Besides, Rolf cannot even imagine what bad things you could expose to make people not care for a beautiful, wonderful girl like you, Nazzarael. So you get
a pimple, so your hair won't sit just right, so you not always feel like being in a good mood. Who cares? Those are minor things that every person experiences every
day, even Rolf! Do not fret yourself over such nonsense."

"....you think...I'm beautiful?" She suddenly looked at him with a loving smile, her cheeks pink. Her reaction and question caught him completely off guard.

"W-what?" He blushed.

"You said I was beautiful...and wonderful...do you really think that?"

"Well..." He paused, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. Finally he mumbled as he turned away. ".......yes?"

"Gee...thanks Rolfie. I didn't know you...thought that about me." She gave him a big smile, a welcomed change from her previous mood.

"Yes, well...Rolf just here to make sure the Nazz-girl is happy, since she help Rolf out so much lately."

"Oh...well, okay. Thank you." Her response was almost disappointed, as she tucked her hair behind her ears. Rolf blinked.

"What, you not want Rolf to make sure you happy?"

"No, I appreciate it. I just thought...never mind." She sighed. Rolf sat there in confusion, trying to understand what the problem was. Then, something came to him.
Perhaps she was hoping to hear something more.

"Nazzarael...what do you think...of...of Rolf? Since...Rolf said what he think of you."

"Well....um....I've always thought you were a little strange sometimes, I admit....but you always mean well, and it makes me smile to see you try, even if you don't
always understand things around here. I think you're a wonderful friend, Rolf...and I appreciate how you've gone out of your way to keep me happy lately. And...what
you just said to me...a moment ago...was really, very...very helpful. It...made me feel so much better to know..at least I can be me around you." Rolf blushed.

"So...you think Rolf a good friend, yes? That...that is good. Rolf is glad he can make you happy, and let you feel safe to be yourself." It was his turn to sound
slightly disappointed.

"Yeah..." She started rubbing her fingers in circles on his legs, sending shivers through his body. "Rolfie...p-please don't tell anyone what I told you...about how I
feel like I need to be perfect. I'm... kinda embarrassed about it. And...I'm sorry I um...cried all over you. I bet I made you feel really awkward, huh?" She gave him
a small smile.

"Nazzarael...do not worry about what people think of you...and do not be afraid to cry...Rolf will be your crying shoulder....and Rolf...is the greatest fan of your
life, the good and the bad, yes?" Lifting her chin up to look into her eyes, he gave her a loving smile. Her lip quivered a bit as she slowly wrapped her arms around
his neck and climbed into his lap, making him a big nervous and awkward.

"You are the first person who has ever told me it's okay to be me...and that you would accecpt me that way. Thank you." She whispered, cuddling into him. He sat there
in silence for a moment, unsure of what to do. Finally, he swallowed hard and summoned all his courage to cautiously wrap his arms around her and hug her close.

"Of course." They sat there in silence holding each other as the rain poured upon them.