Seconds were left on the clock, until the final bell rings, my temples are dripping with sweat from the musty classroom. Hearing Mrs. Portland’s voice, and staring at the gray colors of her dress were making me fall asleep. I glanced at Kate who was already smiling at me, her blue eyes dawning a devious gaze that made me laugh a little. Kate and I have known each other since we came out our mother’s wombs. Both born in the same hospital, the same day, and we have been best friends since. We were anxious for the bell to ring, so we could talk to each other. FIVE. FOUR. THREE. TWO. ONE. FINALLY!

“Okay class remember to read two chapters in ‘Field of Gold’ tonight. You will be taking a quiz tomorrow over chapters 19 and 20,” Mrs. Portland announced while everyone was leaving. “Yeah, yeah.” Kate said skipping over to me, her short, black hair bouncing with shine. “How is she going to give us a quiz with three days of school left,” I asked aggravated. “I know right, hey do you want to come over tonight?” Kate asked. “Yeah, sure I will. I’ll call my mom after track and get back to you.” I said.“Ok call me after track I got to catch my bus,” Kate said giving me a hug. As she started to walk away I yelled out,

“I love you!”

“I love you too!” Kate yelled back. Kate and I always get asked if we are dating, we usually say of course and kiss each other on the cheek for guys to stay away from us, but we are practically sisters. After getting the awkward stares from students surrounding us, I laughed to myself and headed towards the locker room. I walked past rooms looking into them and waving to teachers I had or have when I saw Mr. Johnson. He looked a little lonely, staring at a book, so I stood in the doorway until he finally looked up. His soft, caramel eyes were glowing with melancholy, giving a faint smile he waved. With a curious look in my eye I waved back and made my way to the locker room. As I was getting dressed, I found myself rolling my eyes when I heard Cymphonique, the ninth-grade bullies, talking about girls they hated and boys they had crushes on. I let out an aggravated sigh and got dressed in my pair of white shorts and my black, ‘Just do it” Nike shirt. Cymphonique looked at me and started to laugh. I just continued to mind my own business and headed out the door.

I entered the hot bursts of the June air and started to run two laps around the school for my warm-up. I was running at an easy pace when two of my friends, Kelsey and Matt scared the breath out of me.

“Macy!” Kelsey yelled. I was so frightened that I almost tripped over my two feet trying to catch my breath.

“Kelsey, you scared the crap out of me,” I said still catching my breath.

“Sorry, Mace,” She said with an apologetic smile.

“It’s okay,” I said straightening myself back up to finish running. “So, what’s up?” I asked

“Did you watch the news this morning?” Kelsey asked.

“No, who watches the news anymore?” I said sarcastically.

“Well maybe you should, something terrible happened last night,” her voice went serious.

“What happened?” I asked

“You’re not going to like it,” she said.

“Hey, I’m going to run ahead, I’ll meet you girls on the track,” Matt said as he began picking up his pace.

“Just tell me,” I demanded to get back to our conversation. Fear was slowly starting to creep inside my veins, turning my stomach upside down. I remembered the look on Mr. Johnson’s face when I had seen him. I was afraid of the answer Kelsey was going to give me because I didn’t know if it was going to have anything to do with him, but I needed to know.

“Mr. Johnson’s wife,” she paused “Died” she continued.

“What do you mean she died?” I asked. I feared this, something crazy was going to happen but I was confused about how Mr. Johnson’s wife died, she was so young.

“She was in a car accident; the car was crushed. It was a really dramatic scene, but the weird part is there was not a body,” she said, her voice sounding a little shaky.

“Well, how do the cops know she is dead if there wasn’t a body?” I asked.

“There was so much blood, there was no way she could be alive,” Kelsey stated.

“So, they are just going to give up and conclude she’s dead because there was blood. That is very poor police work and totally not fair to Mr. Johnson at all,” I began to get angry and very upset.

“I don’t know Mace, are you okay?” she asked sincerely.

“Yeah, I’m good,” I lied swallowing the dryness in the back of my throat and we walked onto the track. I stood on the track trying to analyze everything and keep myself from having a panic attack. The silence surrounding Kelsey and I was starting to eat me alive and once again I was startled from a yell,

“Kels!” Matt called. Kelsey jumped, startled from the yell as well.

“Yeah!” Kelsey yelled back.

"Can you help me with starting blocks!?” Matt yelled. She looked at me.

“Go ahead,” I said.

“Are you sure?” Kelsey asked.

“Yeah, I should start running,” I said. Kelsey ran up to Matt and I started stretching. I was ready to start running when Mr. Johnson came up to me.

“Hey, why are you not running?” he asked. I looked at his glistening brown eyes and ignored his question. Holding back tears I instantly gave him a hug.

“I heard what happened, I’m really sorry,” his grip tightened on my back and I fighting like hell to keep the tears from rolling down my cheeks.

“Thank you,” he said, his voice filled with hurt. We un-embraced from the hug and I asked,

“Are they still looking for her?” He shook his head. “Dude, that’s bull! That is so not fair to you, they should at least try to look for her,” I said getting frustrated. Mr. Johnson put his hand on my shoulder to calm me down and said,

“It is ok I told them not to look for her.” I was so confused.

“Wait, why? Didn’t you want the cops looking for her, doing their damn job instead of saying she’s dead because there was blood? I mean don’t you believe that she could be alive?” I asked.

“The thing is Macy I know she is dead. If I didn’t know then I would’ve sent thousands of police officers and detectives and even myself out there looking for her, right this minute, but she’s gone,” Mr. Johnson replied.

“How do you know that she is dead though?” I asked. Mr. Johnson patted my back but didn’t answer my question. I was starting to feel awkward because he didn’t answer my question, he was simply just standing there. “Well, I should start running,” I said checking my watch. It was 3:30 so I decided to do my warm-up and just continue running to clear my mind. I could not focus on getting any fast times right now because many questions were coming to the surface. How did he know? When I checked my watch after a while I realized that I had one more minute until I was free from the pounding inquiries that were having races against each other in my brain, and I could go to Kate’s house. I stopped running and noticed Mr. Johnson walking towards me.

“Do you want to walk to the school with me?” Kelsey came running towards me and I looked at Mr. Johnson and said,

“Meet me at the gate.” Mr. Johnson nodded and started walking.

“Hey Macy, did you even run?” she asked.

“I did actually, for thirty minutes, can’t believe I could run for that long but I had too, especially after an awkward conversation with Mr. Johnson,” I told her.

“Only if I was single,” Kelsey mumbled

“What was that?” I asked curiously

“Oh nothing,” she said with a smirk across her face. HONK! Matt honked his horn at Kelsey in his blue Ford. “Well I better get going, Matt is taking me out tonight for our one year,” she said.

"Oh yeah, I totally forgot that was today. Well have fun, but not too much,” I told her poking her in the side.

“Psst, I’m not Cymphonique,” she said. I literally started dying of laughter and gave her a hug.

“That was a good one, but be careful, and I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said to her. When she left, I ran to catch up to Mr. Johnson who was standing by the gate

“I think that’s the most you’ve run all day,” he said jokingly.

“Hey! You saw me, I ran like thirty minutes,” I exclaimed pushing him lightly.

“That’s a record,” he said chuckling.

“I know, so you better be proud,” I told him. Mr. Johnson smirked, pushing up his glasses he asked,

“So how are you and Drake?”

“Ugh that loser yeah let’s not mention him ever again. I broke up with him last night, I went over to his house to give him his sweatshirt he left at my house and I caught him making out with a senior.” I said like it was no big deal.

“A senior? Oh, I’m sorry Macy,” Mr. Johnson said sincerely.

“Don’t worry about it, he wasn’t worth it anyway,” I said

“Still makes me sick when people don’t treat you right, you have such a big heart,” he stated.

“It’s okay really, he wasn’t that good of a boyfriend and I felt like I needed an excuse other than I didn’t want to be with him, because you know, of my big heart and I guess I found one,” I said. Mr. Johnson nodded.

“So, what are you doing today?” Mr. Johnson asked changing the subject, I smiled. But before I answered I said,

“Oh, you reminded me that I have to call my mom real fast,” I took out my phone and dialed my mother’s phone number and I looked back at Mr. Johnson and smiled, “I’m going to my friend’s house,” Mr. Johnson nodded opening the school door.

“Hey mom, can I go to Kate’s house?”

“Will you mow the lawn for me?” my mom asked.

Yes, I will mow the lawn when I get home,” I said.

“Yes, tell her I said hi,” she replied.

“Cool,” I told her.

“I love you,” she said.

“Love you too,” I told her before hanging up the phone. Mr. Johnson smirked as we entered his classroom.

“So, what are you doing today?” I asked going back to his first question.

“Well I was going to help out with my wife’s funeral but since her whole family doesn’t want anything to do with me, I guess I’ll just go fishing or mow lawns, it’s a way to keep my mind off of things,” he answered.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said kicking myself for bringing it up.

“It’s okay Macy. I don’t think I have ever met your mother though,” Mr. Johnson said.

“No, you haven’t, none of my teachers have she...” I paused “She doesn’t go out that much,” I finished as my smile fell. He nodded, realizing that I was uncomfortable with the statement, I grabbed my bag from one of the chairs.

“Hey tomorrow come to my classroom in the morning, I have something for you,” Mr. Johnson said.

“Ok, hey don’t get too worked up ok, if you need anything you’ve got my number,” I said

“I promise,” Mr. Johnson said hugging my shoulder.

“Pinkie swear,” I said. He smiled and held out his pinkie. As I took it something happened, it was a shock that I had never felt before, it startled me a bit. I looked up at him, but it didn’t seem like he felt anything. I soon felt my tongue swell up and Mr. Johnson looked at me.

“Are you okay?” he asked me. I tried to speak but I couldn’t, so I just nodded my head speechless. When he let go I finally got my voice back. “Okay I’ll see you tomorrow then,” Mr. Johnson said.

“Yeah bye,” I said nervously. As I began to leave the room, I looked back at him, as he walked towards his desk. That was weird. I thought. I stood in the doorway and I felt like I needed to wait until he looked at me. Once he looked up I looked at him for a second then I left. I don’t know why I felt that way. I wondered, feeling embarrassed. I left the school building to find my dark, red hummer shimmering in the bright June sun. I climbed in the car and drove out of the school parking lot. The silence that surrounded me as I drove was making me uncomfortable, so I turned the radio on. My favorite song can’t hold us, by Macklemore played so I started to sing along. My phone started to go off clashing with Fall Out Boy, Irresistible with Kate’s name on it so I answered it.

“Hey Kate, mom said I can come over,” I said with one hand on the steering wheel.

“Great, hey I have someone for you to meet when you get here” Kate said

“Okay, see yah,” I said hanging up the phone. In a matter of minutes, I was pulling into her marble driveway. I turned off the car and headed up to the front door I opened it yelling,

“Honey, I’m home!”

“Hey Macy,” Kate said. I looked at the man sitting on the couch next to Kate and then I looked back at her. Kate jumped out of her seat and said,

“Oh, Chris this is Macy.” Chris stood up and I analyzed him. His curly black hair fell short above his piercing green eyes. I realized he was about over a foot taller than me and it made me feel a little intimidated. He reached out his hand.

“Nice to meet you,” Chris said in a deep, dark tone. I took his hand and a chill went down my spine.

“You too,” I said ignoring the chill, thinking my blood sugar was just off or something similar to that. I have shaking problems because of diabetes but I had never felt shocks or chills before. Maybe my diabetes is worsening, I thought.

“Good glad you two know each other now, I need to tell my mom something, I’ll be back,” Kate said walking to her mother’s bedroom. I pulled out my phone to check my messages. There was one from Mr. Johnson it read,

“Macy, thank you so much for your kind words it meant a lot to me, also don’t forget to stop by my classroom in the morning, Mr. J.” I smiled responding to the message, “You’re welcome and I won’t.”

“So how old are you?” Chris asked me.

“16,” I said not looking up from my phone.

“I’m 24,” he said.

“Cool,” I said back. Kate came back out and took a seat on the couch in between me and Chris.

“Hey,” Kate said. I looked up. “You miss me,” she said smiling.

“Maybe,’ I said smiling back as I hugged her side.

“How was track practice?” she asked me.

“Well I heard something sad today, did you hear about Mr. Johnson’s wife,” I said. Chris’s appearance didn’t look interested in what I had to say until I said Mr. Johnson’s wife, and he perked up.

“No, I didn’t what happened?” Kate said sounding upset.

“Apparently it was on the news last night, but she died in a car wreck,” I said.

“Oh my gosh, that’s terrible!” she exclaimed

“Yeah Mr. Johnson looked devastated when I saw him today. I think I comforted him a little bit,” I told her.

“Wow, that’s the saddest thing I’ve heard all day,” Chris said.

“Yeah I feel really hurt for him,” I said.

“Wow, we really need to start watching the news more, but he is single now,” Kate said nudging me.

“What do you mean by that?” I asked wide-eyed.

“He is like the hottest teacher in school and you totally have a thing for him,” Kate said winking at me.

“Whoa Kate, his wife just died. Also, I do not, there’s a lot of girls out there who think that, but not me,” I said starting off serious but ending defensively.

“You’re such a liar I see the way your eyes light up when he enters a room. You blush any time anybody says his name to you,” Kate said.

“I do?” I questioned Kate. Kate nodded. “That’s weird I didn’t feel anything, like for him,” I paused. “Until today, I made him pinkie promise me something and when he touched it I felt a shock, but when I looked at him it didn’t seem he felt anything. I thought it was just because of my diabetes, and then I just stood there staring at him like a total goofball. Oh, jeez he probably thinks I’m a weirdo now,” I finished. Kate began laughing and said,

“You’ve dug yourself into a hole,”

“And he wants to see me tomorrow morning,” I said smacking my hand to my forehead.

“And you keep digging deeper and deeper,” Kate said still laughing

“It’s not funny Kate, he’s never going to want to even talk to me ever again,” I said

“Oh, get over it, I’m sure it wasn’t that bad,” Kate said. I stuck my tongue out at her.

“If I may walk into this conversation, how old is this guy?” Chris asked

“30,” Kate said

“31,” I corrected her

“Oh sorry, 31,” Kate joked.

“Really? He’s not that old, why do you like him?” Chris asked

“I don’t like him, I mean I don’t know.” I said confused.

“What color are his eyes?” Chris asked

“They are like a dark chocolate color, why?” I asked.

“You’ll see. Are his teeth white?” Chris asked another question.

“Yeah, he has bright pearly whites,” I said trying to get to his point.

“On a scale, one to ten how attractive is he to you,” he asked again. This time I was lost and confused, I thought he said on a scale one to ten how attractive are you, so I said,

“11”

“Ha!” Kate yelled.

“Ha, what?” I asked.

“You said he was overly attractive,” she said pointing at me.

“I did?” I looked at Chris and yelled, “You tricked me!” He raised his hands up in the air. “We will see tomorrow if I like him or not,” I said smiling. Closing my eyes, I began to drift off to sleep, in minutes I was out.

The next morning, I didn’t even remember waking up, but there I was, lying on Kate’s couch. I heard water running so I assumed Kate was in the shower, and Chris was not here so he apparently left. I went into Kate’s bedroom and got dressed in a white, silk dress with a black lace bow. I curled my strawberry blonde hair into strands of tight curls and found a white flower barrette that sparkled with a pink glow, I pinned up my bangs with the piece. I walked out into the living room and spun around because I love the flow of the dress.

“Ooh, someone is looking extra cute today,” Kate winked coming out of the bathroom in a towel.

“I know right,” I smiled walking into the bathroom to brush my teeth. After, I put on some pink lip gloss and mascara. Then I sprayed myself with the scent of coconuts. “I have to leave early because I have to meet Mr. Johnson in his classroom,” I said from the bathroom.

“So, that’s why you look so cute today,” Kate said.

“Be quiet,” I said entering the living room. I put on my black flats and grabbed my keys. “See you at school,” I said kissing her on the cheek.

“Bye, love you,” Kate said. I walked out in the morning air, it was chilly but warm enough to not need a jacket. I was nervous but at the same time excited to see what Mr. Johnson had for me. When I got in the parking lot, there were two or three cars parked. I breathed in deeply one last time as I walked in trying to make myself look decent. I entered his classroom saying,

“Knock, knock.” Mr. Johnson looked up and smiled. He looked happier today and handsome as ever. His black hair was spiked up and he was wearing a mint colored dress shirt and black dress pants. The cologne he was wearing was so sweet that it was pulling me towards him. I hope he doesn’t think I’m a weirdo because of yesterday, I wondered.

“You look nice,” Mr. Johnson said giving me a hug. I let out a sigh of relief.

“Thanks,” I said tightening my grip a little before letting go.

“Alright, like I said yesterday I’ve got something for you, I want you to close your eyes and hold out your arms,” he said smiling. I closed my eyes feeling my heart jumping beneath my ribs and put out my shaking arms.

“Open,” he said. I opened my eyes and it was my own varsity jacket.

“Wow,” I said in awe. It was not what I expected but, in a way, it was more.

“Do you like it?” he asked.

“Like it, I love it. You didn’t have to,” I said hugging him again. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome you deserve it,” he said grinning. I didn’t want to let go of him and it seemed like he didn’t either. When we finally un-embraced, his face was inches from mine and I was looking straight into his glowing eyes. We held that position until I couldn’t breathe anymore, and I looked away nervously.

“Uh, I also wanted to show you something else,” he said tripping over his words. Mr. Johnson walked to his desk and clicked on a link on his computer. I looked at the clock and it seemed as if time had stopped because when I had entered the school it was just turning seven o’clock, but on Mr. Johnson’s clock it was now seven.

“Is your clock off?” I asked Mr. Johnson. He looked at the clock, then back to his computer.

“It says seven on both,” he said. I nodded. Maybe my clock was off, I wondered.

“Here we go,” he said. The title was called “Fastest Mile in the World.” It was only four minutes long. I still wondered about the clock as I sat on the desk; once he pushed play he came up and joined me. I looked at him for a second until he looked back smiling. I watched the screen but as the gun went off my eyes started to wander. I started to think about what Kate and I were talking about yesterday with Chris. After a minute passed I glanced at Mr. Johnson’s hand, I thought to myself, to know if I like him or not I will “accidently” move my hand to touch his to see if there are any sparks. I nervously moved my hand and touched his. I did not feel anything at first and I was slightly disappointed but suddenly, an electrical shock went up my fingers and through my body.

“Sorry,” I shakily said. He looked at me with a smirk. What has gotten into me, I thought.

“It’s okay,” he said. Mr. Johnson then got up and said, “Isn’t that the fastest mile you have ever seen.” I looked at him confused because I had no idea what he was talking about I was still in shock from when I touched his hand. I guess I gave this weird look of confusion because he began to laugh.

“I don’t even know,” I said, finally.

“Were you even watching it?” he asked.

“The first minute yes, the next, honestly no,” I said he began laughing again. “That’s so amazing,” I blurted out.

“What’s amazing?” he asked.

“Oh nothing,” I lied. Damn it Macy, I said to myself.

“No, you can’t just say something and then not explain why you said it, that is not fair to me,” he said. I nodded trying to hold myself together, and then said,

“Really it was nothing,” I said getting heated.

“Chicken,” he replied making a chicken noise.

“I am not a chicken! Fine, it’s you, you’re really amazing,” I said trying to cover my blush Mr. Johnson said,

“You’re pretty amazing yourself,” he winked I felt my body go crazy. We kept looking at each other but I wasn’t exactly sure what it meant. I looked up at the clock and seen that there was one minute until the buses let students out. I sighed knowing that I had to leave Mr. Johnson and go to my first hour. As I stood up I tripped over something and fell into Mr. Johnson’s arms.

“Sorry Mr. Johnson, I guess I’m just clumsy today,” I said.

“Please call me David when we are not in class,” he said. I smiled; he was still holding me in his arms. I was about to move from his embrace when he pulled me closer to him. His face inches from mine I began to melt. David moved his hand up to my face gently brushing my cheek with his fingers. I stared into his dark brown eyes that were filled with so much wonder. Finally, before I fell to my weak knees, he said, “I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere, so go ahead and fall because I promise to catch you every time you lose yourself.” I looked up at him, my eyes glossy. Those words were the sweetest, nicest words that anyone had ever said to me. But it was so wrong,

“Mr. Johnson,” I began.

“It’s David,” he said gently grabbing my hands and interlocking them with his. Bringing them up to his lips he softly kissed them leaving a cool chill going down my spine. I could not help but smile. This man was electrifying me in a way, I never had felt in my life. David picked me up and spun me around, my feet touched the ground, but our eyes never left each other. I figured even if it was wrong, I couldn’t help myself from feeling like it was time to make my move, I moved in closer as he put his arms around my hips. I leaned in a little, when I felt his breath on my skin, I kissed him, but I was so nervous that I quickly took them off his. David did not let go of his grip he simply just smiled and whispered,

“Go ahead, fall.” I put my arms around his neck and pulled him into me putting his lips to mine, I guess he got tired of waiting for me to kiss him that he just started kissing me. I began smiling and soon he was kissing my teeth. I started laughing; when I stopped laughing, I put my forehead to his.

“This is a dream,” I sighed. David looked at me and said,

“It might be, but it doesn’t mean you can’t make it come true.” I was confused at what he said but I did not care, because honestly, I was with the one I wanted. Soon the bell rang, and I let out a groan.

“Well that just ruined a perfect moment,” I joked. I kissed him one last time and grabbed my stuff. He jumped up and did this little kick. I laughed and said, “You’re too silly.” Before I left I heard him yell out,

“Yes!” I smiled and left the room. In first and second hour, I could not concentrate, I was too hyper and excited. All my teachers kept giving me weird looks because I kept smiling. It was as if I was in a daze and I was. But something just felt off about being in school today and I couldn’t figure it out. When it was finally time for third hour, I saw kids come out of David’s room saying,

“Mr. Johnson was so laid back today.”

“I know right, and it was weird he never smiles and today he smiled every five seconds.” Another kid said passing me. I smiled because I knew why he was happy. I found Kate and I ran up behind her wrapping my arms around her waist saying,

“Hey beautiful.”

“Dude I was about to swing at you because I didn’t know who you were,” Kate said.

“Oops sorry,” I said.

“So,” she said nudging me.

“What?” I sarcastically asked knowing what she was going to say.

“How did your date go with Mr. Johnson?” she asked.

“It wasn’t a date,” I paused. “But it sure felt like one,” I finished, smiling.

“What! Tell me all the juicy details,” Kate said jumping up and down.

“I never kiss and tell,” I said. Kate’s mouth dropped like five feet. David was waiting outside his door when we came out. Kate’s mouth was still open

“Kate shut your mouth,” I mumbled through my teeth. Kate shut her mouth.

“Hi, Macy,” David said.

“Hi,” I said back, smiling. Kate looked so confused, I just laughed. I walked to my assigned seat that was right in the front by David’s desk. In the beginning of the year David made the mistake of putting Kate and I next to each other so now we sit apart from each other. I sat down and looked at Kate she wasn’t looking at me, so I looked back; when I looked back David was sitting next to me with his laptop. Soon I started to feel butterflies in my stomach and when he looked at me my heart stopped, he smiled, and I almost fell out of my seat. David stood up and announced,

“Good morning class.” Someone’s hand went in the air. “Yes, Ryan?” David asked the kid named Ryan.

“Why are you so happy?” Ryan asked.

“I know right didn’t his wife die yesterday?” Another kid yelled out.

“I bet he never loved her.” Another kid shouted. A student stood up and almost screamed,

“You bet that? I bet he killed her himself!” This was all happening too fast and that was the last kid that said anything because I was getting furious and I stood up and yelled,

“Shut up! Yeah Mr. Johnson might have a smile on his face but that does not mean he isn’t heartbroken it just means he’s man enough to get through something like this, but you wouldn’t know because you’re not a man!” David eyed me like; I don’t know what you just did but thank you. I nodded at David. The Ryan kid mumbled under his breath before he sat down.

“I’m sorry Ryan is there anything you would like to say to the class?” David said to the boy. Ryan stood up and got in my face.

“You are a pathetic, sorry little girl who doesn’t know anything, so just do us a favor and go die in a hole. Just die,” Ryan said. I just stood there staring at the guy.

“What did you just say to her?” David said his voice rising in anger.

“Oh, she heard me,” the kid said. I could see David’s anger towards the guy, so I did the toppings, so he wouldn’t get into trouble. Ryan started walking away when I walked up to him and tapped him on his shoulder.

“Hey Ryan, I just wanted to say,” BAM! I punched him in the face and he fell to the ground. Everybody started laughing.

“Dude you just got beat up by a girl!” a guy shouted in laughter. I grabbed him up off the ground by his shirt and said,

“Now, if you dare say anything, think anything rude about Mr. Johnson, I will come to your house in the middle of the night, knock you out and bury you alive. Now are you going to tell anybody about this,” I said letting his shirt go. Ryan shook his head no and scurried away. I looked up at everyone else and said,

“No one says anything whatever is in this class stays in this class,” Everyone started clapping and cheering, Kate yelled out my name. I sat back down. Mr. Johnson continued class like nothing happened. Ryan was holding tissue up to his face, because I made his nose bleed. When the bell rang, I told Kate to wait outside the classroom for me. I walked up to David and hugged him, “No one’s messing with you if I’m around,” I said. I let go and he smiled.

“I know, thanks I didn’t know you had that in you,” David said putting his arm around me. David kissed my forehead before saying, “Have fun in your next class.”

“Thanks.” I said. I left the room and Kate was still standing there

“It’s about time you came out, what were you doing in there?” she paused. Before I could say anything, she replied with her hand in my face, “Never mind I don’t want to know”

“It’s nothing bad,” I said, “I just gave him a hug,”

“Uh huh,” Kate said walking into our fourth hour class.

“Oh, shut up,” I said.

“I thought what you did in Mr. Johnson’s class was cool,” Kate said

“Well when they mess with my man, the inner demon inside me comes out,” I said. Kate laughed.

“Hey, do you think I could borrow your car tonight?” Kate asked.

“Why?” I asked.

“Chris asked me to go out with him and he said he might not have a car, so I was going to ask you if I could use your car?” she asked.

“I guess but that Chris guy gives me the creeps just make sure that you call me right after you get home so that I can know you’re safe,” I said. Kate laughed and said,

“Nothing is going to happen Mace, Chris is a nice guy, trust me.”

“Fine,” I said just to make Kate feel better. Kate gave me a smile, when the bell rang, and we sat in our seats. “We have that quiz today,” I told Kate.

“Shoot, I forgot!” she whispered screamed. It was not even five minutes into the class when a knock came on the door. Mrs. Portland got up and answered it. I looked up to find David standing in the doorway. Mrs. Portland nodded and then looked at me.

“Macy, Mr. Johnson wants you to go to his classroom to take a test you weren’t here to take a couple days ago,” she said. I looked at him confused he just waved his hand for me to come on. I grabbed my stuff and mouthed to Kate, good luck, and headed out.

“What test?” I asked.

“It’s not a test I just wanted you to be with me,” David said.

“Oh,” I said feeling my cheeks get red. David didn’t have a class this period, so he came to get me. We walked into his classroom and he shut the door. David smiled at me, I smiled back nervously.

“What’s wrong Macy? You seem uncomfortable,” David asked. I shook my head and replied,

“No, I am totally comfortable it’s just I get so nervous whenever I’m around you.”

“Oh,” he said smiling coming up behind me and putting his arms around my waist. “Just how nervous do I make you,” he whispered in my ear. I shuddered at the fact of his lips near my ears.

“Way too much,” I whispered back. David kissed my neck then turned me around to face him. He pulled me so close to him that not even a thin piece of paper could be put in between us. I started breathing heavy and he smiled.

“I love making you nervous,” David said.

“I bet you do,” I said in between breaths. David laughed at me leaning into me. He put his lips to mine and kissed me, I didn’t think it was possible for me to be brought any closer, but he managed somehow to pull me in tighter. David kissed me harder and soon I could not breathe. “I can’t breathe,” I said huffing and puffing

“Oops, sorry,” David said. I smiled at him.

“Thanks for getting me out of that quiz,” I said.

“Wait there was a quiz? I guess you have to go back,” David said.

“No, please I want to be here with you,” I begged. David smiled as he grabbed my hand interlocking it with his before sitting down in his chair. He pulled me onto his lap. I leaned back into his chest feeling safe and comfortable.

“Hey, do you want to go on a date with me after practice, it’s not public so no one will see us?” David asked me. I smiled and said,

“Of course, who wouldn’t want to be with you all day?”

“A lot of people,” David said.

“Well those are the kind of people who don’t know anything and don’t know you if they knew you I bet they would be falling for you, just like I am,” I said.

“I hope not, because I only want to be with you,” he said. I laughed. “I’m serious Mace, you make me feel alive again, like I have purpose once again,” he said seriously.

“You make my heart weak,” I said.

“Is that a good thing or bad thing?” he asked.

“I’m pretty sure it’s a good thing, I think I’m just falling way faster than I need to be,” I said.

“Well I’m going to be with you for a while so take as much time as you need to fall for me,” he replied.

“I don’t think I will ever stop falling for you,” I sighed kissing his neck. “So, where are we going on this date?” I asked curiously

“Well you’re going to just have to see,” David said smiling at me.

“Ugh, you’re going to make me wait, that’s no fair.” I said pouting. David just smiled at me. I leaned back into his chest and soon I felt my eyes drifting off to sleep.

“Babe,” I heard someone shaking my shoulder. I woke up to David smiling at me. I smiled back yawning. David put his hand over my mouth as I was yawning, I just cheesed.

“How long have I been asleep?” I asked

“Well,” David began when the bell rang. “About an hour and a half,”

“Why didn’t you wake me up?” I asked

“Because you looked so cute, but then the right side of my body started falling asleep.” David said.

“Oops, my bad,” I said smiling apologetically.

“Don’t be I thought it was cute watching you sleep,” David said.

“Oh, you’re such a creep,” I said laughing.

“Really? I’m a creep,” he said inching towards my lips.

“Yeah pretty much,” I said leaning into him.

“Uh huh,” he said pressing his lips to mine.

“No,” I said putting a finger between our lips.

“What?” he asked confused.

“You don’t get a kiss because you won’t tell me where we are going,” I said.

“So, you’re going to make me wait?” he asked.

“Yep,” I said.

“Oh, you’re a meanie,” David said.

“Yep,” I said smirking.

“That’s okay because I can just do this,” he said tackling me over and tickling me. I started laughing.

“Stop, David” I yelled. David covered my mouth.

“Shh, people might hear you,”

“Then stop tickling me,” I said.

“Not till you give me a kiss,” he said. I shook my head. “Please,” he said giving me puppy dog eyes. He looked so cute, but I wasn’t going to give in. “Please,” he said again. I was breaking down and then I looked straight into his chocolate brown eyes and lost it. I leaned towards him and he did the same.

“You’re too much,” I said. David smiled as I kissed him. After he let go he said,

“Well go to your last class and then after practice we can spend the evening together,” he said. I smiled kissing him one last time before heading to my last class. When I entered my class I pulled out my phone and texted my mom asking her if I could go back to Kate’s house tonight. I put my phone back into my pocket and paid attention in my last class. When the bell rang to go to practice I checked my phone and seen there was still no response from my mom, so I decided to call her. Three rings and then it went to a voicemail. She must be sleeping, I wondered. I passed David’s room on my way to the locker room and seen that he was in an intense conversation with Principle Waters. I wondered what they were talking about but I minded my own business and headed to the locker room. Once I got dressed I headed out the door and did my warm-up. I couldn’t find Kels or Matt so I just headed on the track and waited for David to come out. I really didn’t talk to anyone else on the track team so I waited for David. When David came onto the track he didn’t even look at me. Oh no, I thought. He had us all get into a circle to tell us about the workout today. Before he let everyone go he called out my name,

“Macy, can I talk to you for a few.” When everyone split I walked up too David.

“Is everything okay?” I asked.

“Mrs. Waters and I have to talk to you, about something really important that happened today,” David started.

“Oh no, does this have to do with the kid, Ryan from third hour when I punched him?” I asked thinking I was going to get into trouble.

“No, but I don’t want to say anything until we go in and talk together,” he explained.

“What’s wrong?” I asked concerned.

“Let’s go inside,” he said. I nodded and followed him back to the school. It was a silent uncomfortable walk back to his classroom because I didn’t know what was happening. When we entered his classroom Mrs. Waters was sitting waiting patiently for the two of us. When she saw us she began to speak,

“Please sit down Ms. Anderson,” Mrs. Waters said. I sat down in a chair.

“What’s going on?” I asked looking back and forth between her and David.

“Macy, we have something to tell you,” David said. I looked at his face it was still and serious.

“What?” I asked wanting them to just tell me what happened.

“Macy, it’s your mom, last night she overdosed on her medication,” Mrs. Waters said.

“What?” I asked my eyes filling up with tears.

“The doctors called the school today about 45 minutes ago, her death was announced around 9:30 this morning” she said. I put my head down on the table letting anyone see my tears. I cried out,

“I told her to get help, who even found her?”

“The doctor said one of her pharmacists went over to her house to fill her prescription and when she didn’t answer the door he got nervous and called her at least five times. He told the police he looked through a window that was open and seen her passed out on the floor and immediately called 911. I’m sorry Macy do you have any family members, a dad, or someone you can live with?” Mrs. Waters asked me.

“No, my dad left me when I was seven and I don’t even know if he’s alive, my mom didn’t really keep in touch with her family especially when she started going downhill in her health, I really don’t have anyone,” I told her sobbing. Mrs. Waters looked at David then looked at me.

“Can you give us a minute?” she asked. I nodded. Mrs. Waters and David went in the back of the room. “What are we going to do David she’s only 16 she can’t live alone,” Mrs. Waters said. David paced back and forth and finally said.

“She can stay with me, I have an extra bedroom.” Mrs. Waters looked at David and asked,

“Are you sure?” David nodded and said.

“Well she has nowhere else to go so I would gladly take her into my custody.” Mrs. Waters shook nodded her head and said,

“Let’s go talk to her.” David and Mrs. Waters began walking towards me.

“Macy, we have someone you can stay with,” she said.

“Who?” I asked. David stepped forward and said,

“Me.” Soon my face lit up and I smiled and asked,

“Really?” David nodded.

“Well I better get going I have a four o’clock meeting,” Mrs. Waters said. David nodded and shook her hand. “Good luck to you both,” she finished and then left. David put his arms out and I went into them.

“This is the start to a new life, together,” he said.

“Finally,” I said crying silently. David lifted my chin up and wiped the tears from my face. I put my head on his shoulder and wrapped my arms around him.

“Did you still want to go out tonight?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I said.

“We don’t have to if you just want to stay in the house I’m totally fine with that,” he said. I shook my head and said,

“No, I want to go out.”

“Ok, did you want to get anything out of your house?” David asked.

“We can wait,” I said.

“Alright, well let’s go back outside there is still 20 minutes of practice but you don’t have to run of course,” David told me.

“Can I actually stay in here until practice ends, I really don’t want to be seen in public right now,” I said. David pulled me in for another hug and kissed my head.

“Of course my angel, I will be back soon and then we can go,” he said. I smiled and watched him go back outside. I sat down in his chair and just started to cry.

“This is my fault, for leaving her alone. If I didn’t go to Kate’s house she wouldn’t be dead,” I said blaming myself. “She wouldn’t be dead,” I cried. I laid my head down and closed my eyes let tears roll down my cheeks and waited for David to come back. When David came back I grabbed my stuff from the locker room and went back to him.

“What do you want to do with your car?” David asked.

“My friend Kate needs it for the night so if you want to follow me I know where a place where I can drop it off for the night.” I finished. David nodded, and we got into separate cars. I drove out of the parking lot with David behind me and started making my way to Kate’s house. When I pulled into her parking lot I parked my car and went over to David’s Matte black Audi. “R8?” I asked.

“How did you know?” He asked surprised.

“I like my cars, I’ll be right back Hun,” I said kissing his cheek. David smiled and nodded. I ran up to Kate’s house and opened the door. “Kate I’m here!” I yelled in. Kate came out of her room in a stunning black knee length dress. Her black hair was curled into cute tiny curls.

“Hey Macy,” she said smiled giving me a hug.

“Dang girl you look gorgeous! Where are you going?” I asked.

“I don’t know actually Chris just told me to look nice,” she said.

“Really? Nice not look totally like a model.” I asked.

“You think I look a model? Do you think Chris will like it?” she asked.

“I’m pretty sure he will think you’re drop dead gorgeous like I do,” I said. Kate smiled. “I have to tell you something that happened today,” I said serious.

“What?” Kate asked concerned.

“My mom died last night,” I said.

“Oh my god Macy, I’m so sorry, who are you going to live with? You can’t live alone? Who’s going to take care of my little girl?” Kate asked frantically.

“Kate calm down, I have someone who’s is going to take care of me,” I said.

“Who?” Kate asked.

“David,” I said.

“Who’s David?” She asked. I forgot she doesn’t know his first name only his last name.

“Oh, yeah I forgot, Mr. John-”. Before I could finish Kate screamed.

“Oh, my god I totally forgot you two were a thing now, is he out there?” she asked. I laughed and nodded my head. Kate opened her front door.

“Jeez Kate what are you doing?” I asked her.

“Hi Mr. Johnson!” she yelled. David got out of his car and started making his way over to us.

“Hi Kate,” he said.

“So, you two are a thing now huh,” she said making these weird eyes at me. David put his arm around me and said,

“If you want to put it that way I guess, but-” Kate cut him off

“Don’t worry Mr. J I won’t tell anybody, Macy is my best friend and I wouldn’t want to do anything to do to hurt her besides I have my own man,” she said giggling. I slapped my hand to my forehead.

“Grow up Kate,” I said. Kate stuck her tongue out at me. Soon I heard a loud rock band monster truck rev in Kate’s driveway. We all looked.

“Oh, that’s Chris,” Kate said.

“I figured,” I said. Chris shut off his truck and stepped down from the giant beast like thing. He came out in a suit and a black fedora and sunglasses.

“Hey, I thought you said that you didn’t have a car for tonight,” Kate said.

“I didn’t I guess I just got lucky, didn’t I?” Chris asked checking me out. I felt uncomfortable and grabbed David’s hand. I guess he saw him checking me out too and he pulled me in closer to him. Chris grabbed Kate and put his arm around her. “Hey hot stuff, who’s that guy?” he said pointing to David.

“That’s my boyfriend,” I said rolling my eyes at him.

“No need to get sassy with me miss thing,” he said. I rolled my eyes at him again. The main reason why I didn’t care for Chris, he talked like a complete jerk.

“Ok Kate so I take it you don’t need my car anymore,” I said.

“I guess not,” Kate said.

“Is it okay if I leave it here for the night?” I asked her.

“Yeah go ahead,” Kate said.

“Thanks, wait does your mom know where you are going?” I asked.

“No but she’s on a business trip for a week so she doesn’t need to know,” Kate said.

“Ok just be careful, we are going to head out call me when you get back home,” I said.

“I will,” she said giving me a hug.

“Don’t have too much fun,” she said whispering in my ear. I huffed.

“Me I’m worried about you having too much fun,” I whispered back.

“Oh, whatever Love you,” she said aloud.

“Love you too,” I said back. “Bye Chris,” I said waving at Chris getting his attention off David. He waved back with this disgust look in his eyes which I didn’t really care for. “You ready to go?” I asked David.

“Yeah,” he said uncomfortably. We got into his Audi and drove out of the parking lot.

“I love Kate, but I was glad to get out of there,” I said.

“Yeah me too, that Chris guy kept giving me these strange looks I felt like he looked familiar, but I guess not, and it ticked me off when he started checking you out,” David said annoyed. I gently grabbed David’s hand and started rubbing it.

“You have nothing to worry about honey because he’s not nearly as amazing or as cute as you,” I said. David looked at me leaning into me kissing my lips softly. When he let go I smiled and said, “Ok so where are we going?”

“Nope you can’t know yet until we get there,” he said. My mouth dropped open.

“But, but,” I started to say.

“No buts about it I told you it was a surprise,” he said. I stuck my tongue out at him

“I take my kiss back,” I said.

“No, you don’t,” he said. I blushed slightly and looked away. David laughed. “You’re so cute,” he said. I felt my face get redder than it already was. I turned my head to face the window and I saw David’s reflection smiling at me I smiled back leaning my head against the window. Soon the drifting of the car was making my eyes close and soon I was asleep. I was woken to a soft touch and the sweet words,

“Honey we are here.” I opened my eyes to the sweet smile in front of me. I stretched my arms and smiled. David opened the door for me and reached for my hand, I took it. “Ok close your eyes,” he said. I closed my eyes and he led me to where we were going. “Ok open,” David whispered. I opened my eyes to staircase that led up to a beautiful white pavilion facing the ocean.

“Wow that’s so beautiful,” I said.

“I knew you would like it,” David said. David grabbed my hand as we started to walk up the steps. The view was just absolutely astounding. The way the sunset bounced off the water, the mountains were a perfect shade of green, wild with beauty. When we got to the top of the stairs I went into the pavilion and looked upon the ocean of wonders. David came behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I smiled and leaned back against him. “It’s almost as beautiful as you,” he whispered in my ears. I smiled and moved to face him. David sat on the railing and motioned me to sit with him. I got up and sat on his lap and put my head on his chest.

“Did you ever bring your wife up here?” I asked not knowing what response I was going to get back. I felt David gulp.

“No, I tried a couple times, but since my wife was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 29 she didn’t want to move much and going up a flight of stairs like those ones she wouldn’t have anything left in her, so I just left her be,” David said.

“Oh, I didn’t know. I’m sorry,” I said.

“You shouldn’t be it’s not your fault that she got cancer it’s not mine either sometimes it just happens,” David said putting his hands through my hair. I glanced up to look at him and he looked down smiling at me. I smiled back even though I could feel my eyes watering I kept looking into his beautiful dark eyes. David leaned in and kissed me on the lips I kissed him back putting my arms around his neck and pulling him into me. Soon it started to rain, we were still kissing but then it started to pour, and the coldness of the rain made me gasp causing David to laugh. “You ready to go?” he asked pressing his lips to my head.

“Yes!” I said grabbing his hand and running. David and I ran down the steps in the pouring rain. Once we got to the bottom David stopped me.

“Would you like to dance?” he asked holding out his hand. My hair was dripping wet my clothes were soaked but I longed for him close to me, so I took his hand and pulled him into me. David laughed spinning me around and dancing with me. He held my face in his hands as it was pouring. Then he kissed me strongly. He let go and whispered in my ear, “Hey you hungry?” I laughed.

“Duh!” I yelled.

“Spaghetti?” he whispered again.

“Let’s go,” I said pulling his hand. David laughed and opened the door for me. When he got in he turned the car on and we drove off. “I forgot did you want to go grab your stuff from your house?” David asked.

“Oh yea, we should do that,” I said. I gave him directions to my house. Once we got there I got out and David followed.

“Do you need my help?” he asked.

“Just stand here for a second I’m just grabbing a few things,” I said. David nodded. My mom and I didn’t have much in the two-bedroom trailer that we had. All I had in my bedroom was a dresser filled with clothes that I could fit in a suitcase and a closet with four dresses and three pairs of shoes in it. I grabbed a suitcase and started packing. When I was finished with packing all that was in there was my bed, a lamp and a desk where I did my homework and artwork at. After I left my room I went into the bathroom and grabbed a plastic container. I opened the cabinets and looked at all my mom’s “prescription drugs” and threw them all away. I grabbed my toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving cream and razor and special hair soap and body wash I had to use. I stepped out of the bathroom and I saw David ringing his shirt out in the kitchen sink. I bit my lip, he looked cute standing over the sink with his shirt off. I walked up behind him and put my arms around his waist. I heard him breathe in deeply. “I didn’t scare you, did I?” I asked rubbing his shoulders and neck.

“Just a little bit,” he said turning around facing me. “Can I help with anything?” he said looking at me. I kept staring at his lips and thinking of how bad I wanted to kiss them. I hesitated then finally said.

“Could you take this to the car for me?” I asked handing him my suitcase and plastic container full of bathroom supplies. David nodded not moving from his grip he had on my waist. He was waiting for the same thing I was. “Just kiss me now,” I said. David smirked and leaned in close to me and smirked again. He didn’t kiss my lips he just stared at them breathing on my skin making me shiver. “Please,” I begged. David inched closer and this time I just crashed my lips into his. I kissed him until I couldn’t breathe anymore then I walked away.

“Alright,” he bluntly said grabbing my stuff and heading to the car. I went back into the kitchen and grabbed my book of vegetarian recipes. After that I went into my mom’s room and looked around. Soon I became very emotional and started crying. David must’ve heard me because he came into the room and hugged me. “You okay?” he asked. I nodded. There was nothing in this room I needed to grab.

“David?” I said.

“Yeah?” he asked putting his arm around me.

“Will you help me sell this place?” I asked.

“Yes, I will,” he said kissing my head. We walked out of the room and back into the living room. “You ready?” he asked.

“I’m ready,” I said. I took his hand and we left the house. We were driving down the road until we came upon a private drive. The road turned to dirt and the only thing that was in view was different kinds of trees, fields and I think I saw a deer or two in the back. I did not see any houses until we got to the end of the road we turned onto a block paved driveway and entered the driveway of a beautiful yellow house. “Wow this is gorgeous,” I said.

“I knew you’d like it,” David said. When he parked, he got out and opened the door for me. I got of the car and followed him to the front door. When he unlocked it and open it a scent of fresh apples and roses hit my nose. I entered the house and David shut the door taking my jacket off for me.

“It truly is beautiful,” I said looking around.

“Do you want a tour?” David asked.

“Uh yeah,” I said. David laughed taking my hand.

“This is the living room,” he said leading me into a room which had a big flat screen TV, beautiful red couches and the color of the room was just beautiful and bright. The next room he led me in was the dining room. It had a breathtaking old-fashioned table and chairs looking like the queen of England lived here.

“Why do you have so many chairs?” I asked.

“When I have guests over, my wife used to have her friends over a lot,” David said. The next room we entered in was the kitchen. There was a stainless-steel refrigerator, stain glass windowed cabinets. The floor was black and white checkered. “Would you like to see the backyard?” David asked.

“Yes, but I’m not sure if you can amaze me more than you did already,” I said. David laughed. He opened the curtains that hid the glass sliding doors, once he opened the doors my mouth dropped. Even though it was dark the lighting off the house and the moon lit up the view. There was a pond and different kind of trails with apple trees and flowers on the sides. “Oh my, David, this is just gorgeous,” I said. David put his arms around my waist and put his chin on my shoulder.

“If you think it’s gorgeous right now wait until the morning when the sun is out,” he said kissing my cheek. I turned my body to face him and I put my hands around his neck.

“Every day with you is the most beautiful day in the world,” I said. David smiled at me and leaned in to kiss me I smiled back leaning in to kiss him as well. I felt sparks flying, then suddenly, my stomach growled. David laughed.

“You hungry?” he asked.

“Maybe just a little bit,” I said. David kissed my head.

“How about I make some spaghetti,” David said.

“Yes!” I yelled jumping up and down. David laughed again. David walked into the kitchen grabbing a pot and filling it up with water. I looked more around the house until I saw a radio. I turned it on and turned on 98.5 a country station. David came out and smiled.

“So, I see you found the radio,” he said.

“Yeah, dance with me?” I asked. David grabbed my hand and started dancing with me. Soon there was a ding.

“The breadsticks are done,” David said.

“Ooh, breadsticks,” I said. I followed David to the kitchen and watched him take the breadsticks out of the oven. “Ah,” I said opening my mouth. David shut my mouth and said,

“Not until they cool off.” I licked his hand. “Do you think that is going to scare me?” he asked. I shrugged my shoulders. David laughed. “I love you,” he said.

“And I love you,” I said back.

“Do you want to grab some plates and silverware? The plates are in the cabinet above the sink and the silverware are in a drawer over there somewhere,” he said. I laughed,

“Wow, very specific,” I said. David mimicked me. I laughed again. I eventually found the plates and silverware; the plates weren’t that hard to find because they were on top of the sink but the silverware I had to look through every drawer to find them and David just stood there laughing at me. I set the table as David comes over with hot pads and the spaghetti.

“You can grab the breadsticks they should be cooled off by now,” David said.

“Ok,” I said skipping to the breadsticks. I picked up the pan and brought to the table. I sat it down next to the spaghetti and I sat down next to David. David fixed himself a plate and so did I. When we were done eating it was half past 12. “Wow I didn’t know it was this late,” I said.

“Yeah me either,” he said. I yawned. “You tired?” he asked.

“Yeah just a little,” I said.

“Come on let me show you to your room,”

“Ok,” I said. I held out my arms, David smiled picking me up in his arms carrying me up the stairs and into a bedroom. The bedroom walls were painted a dreamy light green and the bed was a king size, I laid on the bed and sprawled out on it.

“Unbelievable! I’ve never had a bed this size,” I yelled feeling absolutely comfortable.

“If you need anything I’m right next door,” David said kissing my forehead.

“Night,” I said as he shut off the lights and left. I laid down to go to sleep, but I couldn’t sleep. Today was weird I was happy because I got the man of my dreams, but I was devastated because my mom was dead. I sat in silence for an hour then I went to David’s room. I knocked on the door, but it was already opened. David was pacing around his room. I knocked hard and he looked up.

“Hey, you okay?” he asked.

“Yeah are you? I couldn’t sleep,” I said.

“Yeah, I couldn’t stop thinking I mean I couldn’t sleep either,” he said.

“You couldn’t stop thinking of what?” I asked.

“Oh, you heard that, well um,” he paused. I sat him down on the bed and put my fingers through his hair.

“What’s wrong?” I asked. David looked me in the eyes and said,

“I just kept thinking of how it would feel if I had you in my arms tonight and I kept pacing around my room because I didn’t know if I should go ask you or not, or if you were even awake.” I smiled.

“I’ve been waiting for an hour to hear that,” I said.

“Really, you want to talk?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I said. David laid down on the bed and motioned me towards him. I moved towards him and laid my head on his shoulder and asked,

“Do you love me?” he smiled.

“With my whole heart,” he said.

“Why?” I asked.

“Why? Because I’ve been waiting for you as crazy as it seems, it feels like it has been a thousand years till I finally found you. My wife, I loved her, but I was tired of waiting for her to love me, our marriage lasted for a good five years until it started to break apart. Last year she had suspicions that I was having an affair with one of the other teachers when she didn’t come home until midnight and I came home right after practice. It went on for about six months and I finally couldn’t stand not knowing why she kept coming home so late so I had to get down to the bottom of it, I checked her e-mails and I found out she was having a relationship with a boy ten years younger than her, I mean I wouldn’t have cared but we were married and she was in a relationship with that boy. When I went to confront her about it she got angry and left and that was the last time I saw her before she died,” Tears started to well up in my eyes.

“I felt betrayed and alone after she had left. I broke down when her mother later called me to say she had plans to leave me. I just didn’t know what to do. When I first met you in sixth grade I knew you were going to hate me. Because I did not know how to show my feelings, but as time grew I could feel us growing closer and finally I found you in there, I just had to wait until you loved me,” David finished. I wiped the tears from my eyes and spoke,

“Like you said it didn’t take one snap of the finger to fall for you or to even like you, the first two years I really disliked you, I thought you were a selfish, ignorant, cold-hearted jerk,”

“Ouch,” David said holding his heart.

“But, then I found the man that was in there and I fell madly in love with him. I don’t know why anybody would disrespect you, treat you without care because if they took the time to know you they would think you’re the sweetest man ever,” I finished.

“I hope not I don’t want any girls or women for that matter falling for me, when all I see is you,” he said kissing my head. I looked up into his beautiful dark brown and smiled.

“You know this day was kind of weird, but I wouldn’t change it for the world,” I said yawning.

“Me neither,” he said also yawning. I giggled. “It’s two in the morning we should really get some sleep,” he said smiling.

“I think you’re right,” I said kissing his cheek.

“Night, my love,” David said turning out the lights.

“Night,” I said back. When it was totally dark I reached over and found his chest where I laid my head on and listened to his heart beat, seconds later I was asleep. The next morning, I awoke to the sunlight shining upon my face. I opened my eyes to find David staring at me

“Creepy much,” I said.

“Oh, you know I like watching you sleep,” he said.

“Yeah and I also know that you’re a weirdo,” I said.

“Yeah, but I’m your weirdo,” he said.

“Ehh,” I said.

“Ehh? What is that supposed to mean?” David asked.

“Whatever you want it to mean,” I said.

“Alright fine, I guess I’ll just have to do this,” he said tackling me. David started tickling and I started laughing hysterically.

“David stop!” I yelled.

“Then give me a kiss,” he said. I shook my head. “Ok then,” he said tickling me again.

“Ok, ok,” I said. David smiled leaning in. Once he got close enough I licked his face.

“Eww, you licked me!” he yelled. I laughed running out of the room.

“I’m going to get dressed!” I yelled back.

“Uh huh!” David yelled back. I shut the bedroom door where my clothes were and put on tight blue jeans and a t-shirt that had Dwayne Johnson on it. I stuffed my running gear in my bag then went down the stairs. As I walked down the stairs I smelled pancakes. David was flipping pancakes as I went up behind him hugging him from the back.

“Hey gorgeous,” he said.

“Hey penguin,” I said.

“Penguin?” he asked.

“Yeah when you wear that outfit it makes you look like a penguin,” I said. David was wearing a white button up shirt, black pants and black shoes.

“You are so weird,” he said.

“I know,” I said smiling hugging him again. I loved the way he smelled he didn’t even put cologne on and he still smells like evergreen and peppermint. “Being with you has made my whole life complete, I never knew I could feel this way about anybody than what I feel for you. You have made me see the good in life, thank you.” David turned around putting his hands through my hair and smiled.

“You’re welcome,” he said. I smiled. “Gosh, I don’t know how you are still single Mace, you’re so beautiful,” he said. I smiled.

“I’m not single anymore,” I said.

“You’re right, you are all mine,” he said squeezing me in his arms. After he let go I put my head on his shoulder and said,

“I wish every morning was like this.”

“It will be,” he said leaning down to kiss me. When he pulled away he asked, “Want any pancakes?”

“Oh, no thanks I don’t usually eat breakfast.” I said.

“No, you should eat some, it’s brain food,” David insisted. I hesitated but responded,

“I guess I’ll have one or two.”

“That’s my girl,” he said putting three pancakes on my plate. I took a bite and deliciousness filled my mouth.

“Mm, delicious,” I said.

“You’ve got something on your face,” he said. I moved my hand and he shook his head. “Here, I’ve got it,” he said licking his finger and wiping away the crumbs that were on my face.

“Oh thanks,” I said embarrassed. David smiled at me. After I was done eating I went upstairs to brush my teeth. When I was done, I grabbed my bags and ran down the stairs.

“You ready?” he asked.

“I’ll beat you to the car!” I yelled running out the door.

“Oh, no you don’t!” David yelled back running after me. Before I got to the door David threw his arms around me and picked me up, spinning me around I started laughing.

“David put me down!” I yelled.

“Not until I touch the car first!” he yelled.

“No!” I yelled reaching my hand towards the door. David took my hand in his and said,

“Why don’t we both touch the door?” I smiled.

“Okay,” I said. David put our hands towards the door and put both of our hands on the window.

“Now we are both winners,” he said putting me down and pressing me up against the door.

“Or maybe I just am,” I said putting my arms around his neck and pulling him into me. David smiled kissing me. I put my hand on his chest gripping his shirt and pulling him closer to me.

“We should get going,” he said still kissing me.

“You’re right,” I said kissing him one last time. David let go and spun over the hood of the car. I just laughed while opening the passenger door and getting in. David turned the car on and skidded out of the driveway. Looking at me he held his hand out and I took it interlocking our hands and drove to school. Once we entered the parking lot we got out of the car and walked inside. It was early enough that no one was there. I told David I would be back and walked to my locker.

As I walked to my locker I had a strange sense someone was watching me, so I looked around, but there was no one. I kept walking when a sudden chill blew up against me as if someone opened a door. I looked around again still nothing. When I finally reached my locker, it was open, I was getting scared this time. I nervously put my bag in my locker keeping a close eye on both sides of me. I was about to head back when I smelled this horrible stench. I followed the stench. I followed the smell all the way into the library. I opened the door and the smell got so bad I had to cover my mouth and nose it even made my eyes start watering and I was beginning to feel light-headed. I looked around to see if I could find anyone, but my vision was getting blurrier. Then I saw something move.

“Hello?” I asked quickly recovering my mouth. What my vision could make out was a guy in all black, when the guy turned around he had a knife that was covered in blood. The stench was started to make my eyes fill with water and I couldn’t see the guy’s face. Wiping the blood on his pants the man started walking towards me. I tried to leave but I couldn’t move the guy was moving closer to me, finally I screamed and fainted. When I finally opened my eyes, I was in a bed and I looked around frantically not knowing where I was.

“Where am I?” I asked. When someone heard, I was awake they came to my side.

“It’s me, David,” David said. I sat up to see his face, his face was filled with concern, he asked,

“What happened?”

“I don’t remember. I don’t remember anything,” I said.

“Did you see anything that might have frightened you?” he asked. I gave him a blank stare and said,

“Like I said I don’t remember, all of it was a blur.”

“Okay, I’m going to get a doctor to tell them you are awake,” David said. I nodded. David left and came back a few minutes later with a doctor.

“Hi Macy, I’m doctor Steve I’m just going to ask you a few questions then check your blood pressure just to make sure you are okay to go back to school,” he said. I just nodded. “Are you feeling okay?” he asked.

“I feel a lot better than I did before,” I said.

“What exactly made you pass out?” Doctor Steve asked.

“I don’t know all I remember is coming in the school this morning, I don’t remember anything else,” I said. The doctor checked my blood pressure and then looked at David and asked,

“Who found her?”

“I did, I’m her legal guardian so I drove her to school since I’m a teacher there I went to my class, Macy said she’d be back. After a few minutes about ten, I started getting worried, so I went out to find her. When I saw, she wasn’t at her locker I ran around until I saw feet popping out of the library door, so I ran to her and called an ambulance because she wasn’t waking up,” David explained.

“It was a good thing you were there a few minutes without any more air she would have been gone,” Doctor Steve said. David nodded looking at me. “She’s free to go back to school,” the doctor said.

“Thank you so much doctor,” David said. The doctor nodded and then left. I got up from the bed and then David took me into his arms. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” he said. I squeezed him tighter.

“Me too,” I said.

“You ready to go back to school?” he asked. I nodded. When we got to school David told me it was third hour, I was happy because I was in his class in third hour. When David and I walked into the classroom the principal, Mrs. Waters was supervising.

“David,” she said standing up. When she saw, me she came over to me touching my shoulder.

“Mrs. Waters thank you for keeping an eye on the class for me,” David said.

“No problem, are you doing okay Macy? She asked

“Yes ma’am,” I said.

“Alright I better get going, the class is all yours,” Mrs. Waters said to David.

“Have a good day,” she said to David and me. David nodded. When she left, I looked around for Kate to tell her about everything, but she wasn’t here. When the bell rang I almost fell over. The ringing was piercing my ears, so I covered them. I knelt to the ground in pain as flashbacks of this morning were coming back to me.

“There was a guy, moving with a knife,” I said.

“Macy!” I heard, but I couldn’t speak or move or even open my eyes. Soon I couldn’t breathe, and I passed out again. When I awoke, there were faces upon faces that were unfamiliar surrounding me. I was yet in another hospital, in a hospital gown looking for David.

“Who are these people?” I asked aloud.

“They are your family,” I heard a familiar voice from behind people that were surrounding me.

“These people are not my family, where is David?” I asked. Everybody moved out of the way and I saw David sitting in one of the old hospital chairs. When I saw, him I covered my mouth and shrieked in horror. David had an arrow stuck through his heart, blood was pooling down from his body leaving a blood trail towards the door A familiar voice called out,

“It is a shame he didn’t make it before you woke.” The voice came forward, it was Chris. I sat there in shock as he pulled the arrow out of David’s chest and threw it at me. I woke up gasping, grabbing my chest for air.

“Kate!” I yelled. David rushed to my side. “Where I am? Who are you? Where’s Kate?” I asked mumbling questions under my breath.

“It’s me David,” he said as his hands went up to my face to try to calm me down. I started crying saying,

“I thought you were dead? I thought I was dead,” I said repeatedly

“What are you talking about my love? I am right here,” David reassured me.

“Please,” I started.

“What is it?” David asked.

“Promise me, you’ll keep me safe, please keep me safe, please.”

“Shh, I promise no one will hurt you, not as long as I’m around,” he said coming up behind me and laying on the bed, putting his arms around me. I took his hands and squeezed them. David kissed my head and said, “No one will hurt you.” Soon I fell asleep. Hours had passed and soon there came another familiar voice. It was a girl, but I couldn’t tell if the voice was real or just in my head.

“How is she doing?” the voice asked.

“She’s doing better,” another voice said.

“You’re doing an amazing job taking care of her,” the girl said.

“It’s my job,” the man said.

“I know.” I opened my eyes to find David sitting in a chair next to Kate.

“Kate,” I mumbled. Kate looked at me then walked over to me smiling.

“Hey Hun, how are you doing?” She asked.

“Okay did uh,” I paused then spoke again afraid of the answer. I had chills just thinking of the name. “Did Chris come with you?” I finished.

“Wait Chris? That man from the other night?” David asked shooting up.

“It’s okay he’s my boyfriend,” Kate said. I shot her a look, but David looked more relieved because he remembered who Chris was and sat back down. “No, he left early in the morning, he said he had some business he had to take care of,” she said. I started to think the worse. The room around me was starting to spin, and I couldn’t breathe. I felt my body begin to shake and different visions were coming to me.

“There was a man!” I yelled like many times before. I tried to move but I struggled it felt like me body was being strapped to the bed.

“Knife, bloody,” That was the last thing I said or felt before I passed out for the third time. When I woke up there was nobody, no David or Kate. I was in a white room on a white bed. Everything was white the carpets, the walls, even the door. I walked out of the room and every hallway I approached was a different color. Blue, yellow, green, pink, purple, orange--, finally I heard a scream. Bang! Bang! Bang! The walls before me were black, and a neon red substance was splattered against the walls but there was no gun, no bodies, nothing. Suddenly in blinding flashes I saw him, Chris. He was with David. He snapped David’s neck, then he was gone when I blinked my eyes. In another flash, he was behind me, I spun around he had a gun and he shot David in the head, then he disappeared. I started to run through the black total darkness and a flash came when I wasn’t expecting it and he shot me. I woke up.

I woke up on Kate’s couch where I was two days ago, I was dreaming all this time. I really wish I had better control of my dreams, I said to myself. Chris and Kate were on the couch sleeping. Just looking at Chris disgusted me and gave me the chills. I got up and got a glass of water. I stared hard at the ground to see if I could find an answer. That felt so real, I said to myself again. I sat back down on the chair I was sleeping in. When the time came, Chris woke up. He looked at me.

“Morning,” he said. I nodded not looking at him. “What time is it?” he asked. I looked up at the clock and said,

“5:30 am.”

“I should leave, I have to be at work at 6:30,” he said.

“Alright,” I said. When he left I let out a sigh of relief? Kate woke up when I was getting dressed.

“Hey Macy,” Kate said.

“Hey Kate, I had the freakiest dream last night,” I said.

“Really, what was it about?” she asked.

“It’s really hard to explain,” I said.

“Oh, really was it about, oh I don’t know, Mr. Johnson,” she joked.

“Oh, shut up! Fine I like him,” I said.

“I knew it! I knew it!” she yelled.

“I have to go catch up on some work,” I said.

“I thought you had to see Mr. Johnson?” Kate asked.

“Ugh, don’t remind me,” I said.

“Good luck,” Kate said smiling. I hugged her and left. Cool summer breeze blew against my face. I got into my car and rolled down the windows. I put one hand out the window feeling the light breeze against my hand as flashbacks of my dream kept coming back to me. When I entered the school building, I quietly sneaked passed Mr. Johnson’s room because I wasn’t sure if I was ready to see him alone or not. I unlocked my locker and then went to the library. As I touched the door a ringing noise filled my ears and flashbacks from my dream when I was in the library. I shuddered at the memory.

There was no one in the library but the lights were on and I continued to walk to the computers. I searched the word, dreams. I found dreams of love, grief and terror. I clicked on a link that was called, “Dream Meanings.” The article was written by a psychologist named, Carl Jung. It said, “The dream is a series of images, which are apparently contradictory and nonsensical, but arise in reality from psychological material which yields a clear meaning.” I went down a list of symbols and stopped at a few that looked interesting. ‘To see a killer in your dream suggests that an essential aspect of your emotions have been cut off”. “To dream that you witness a murder indicates deep-seated anger towards somebody”. I just stopped reading after a few and sat in a silent unease. When the bell rang for first hour I grabbed my books and headed for class. Kate was not in my first two hours and time went by too fast, I was not looking forward to third hour. My heart was racing as I slowly walked to Mr. Johnson’s classroom.

“Hey Macy!” Kate called my name. I looked behind me. “Why are you walking so slow?” she asked.

“Well you know how I was supposed to see Mr. Johnson this morning, well yeah I forgot,” I said putting quotation marks on the word forgot.

“Oh, I see, you forgot. Good luck coming up with an excuse for that one,” Kate smirked.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Well you do know he’s not going to let you leave until he gets an explanation,” she said.

“That’s very true,” I said. The bell rang and both Kate and I were tardy.

When we entered the classroom, Mr. Johnson looked up from his desk and shook his head in disappointment. I sat down and dropped my eyes to the desk. Looking at him was only an embarrassment to myself. We had a quiz and when we were taking it, I finally decided to look up once to find Mr. Johnson staring at me. I quickly glanced back at my paper feeling a nervous pain shoot through my body like fire. It was hard being in the desk that was right in front of his, especially with the way I felt. When the bell rang, I tried my hardest to get out of that room as fast as I could, but I wasn’t fast enough when Mr. Johnson called my name,

“Macy!” he shouted. I stopped dead in my tracks. “Where were you this morning? I waited for you, but you never showed,” he asked. I hesitated for a quick second then replied,

“Oh, that was this morning, um I totally forgot,” I lied.

“Is everything okay?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said too quickly. “Everything is fine,” I breathed out.

“Okay, Macy,” Mr. Johnson said.

“Oh um Mr. Johnson, I won’t be at track practice today,” I said.

“Why?” he asked.

“Um because I have to stay after and do some work in the library for English,” I said.

“How long?” he asked.

“It’s probably going to be until four,” I said.

“Can you come and see me afterwards?” he asked.

“I can’t I have to pick my sister up from school.” With that I turned around and sped walked to my fourth hour, not waiting for his reply. I just couldn’t stand lying to him anymore. When all my classes were done, I said goodbye to Kate and headed to my locker. I grabbed my bag and headed to the library. While I was at the library I went to a computer that was in the back, and searched dreams again, but nothing was catching my eyes, so I logged off and searched the bookshelf. I found a book that caught my eye on demonology written by the New Advent. I flipped through the book scanning my eyes through different types of demonology until I got to the basics. For some reason I felt my dream had something to do with the paranormal. I had no explanation for it but as I read about demonology I convinced myself that my dreams were taken control by a demon. I convinced myself that crazy assumption when I read in the book,

“Which these fallen spirits are permitted to tempt and afflict the children of men.” I read it aloud quietly to myself. It was crazy to think that Chris was a demon but that’s all I could think of because of my dream. I soon got really scared for Kate and started to walk towards my hummer dialing her number.

“Hey Macy,” she said. Kate sounded sick.

“Kate, love are you okay? You sound sick,” I told her. Kate cleared her throat saying,

“Oh yeah just got a cough, what’s up?”

“Nothing, I still haven’t seen Mr. Johnson,” I said feeling guilty over the phone.

“Why? I thought you were excited to see him?” she said.

“I had this weird creepy dream last night, it felt so real but then I woke up. I’m just afraid it might come true,” I told her.

“What was it about?” she asked.

“Can I come over and tell you?” I asked.

“Yeah, Chris is here though,” she said. Just his name started to give me a panic attack. I breathed sharply feeling my rib start to ache.

“Why is he over there all the time now?” I asked a little angrily.

“Chill Mace, you just met him yesterday. Are you jealous?” she asked.

“No, I just don’t know him very well and I don’t want to see my sis get hurt,” I said.

“I won’t babe, I know how to hold my own, why don’t you just come over, we can go into my bedroom and talk about it,” Kate said.

“I don’t want to risk eavesdroppers, why don’t we skip Mr. Johnson’s class tomorrow and chill in the locker room, I’ll bring snacks,” I said.

“Deal,” Kate said.

“Alright, I love you I’m going to go home and run on my own because I skipped track today,” I said.

“You’re so bad, I love you too,” she replied. I drove home and entered the trailer and saw my mom passed out, there was an empty vodka bottle hanging from her fingertips and the TV was blaring at 100. I grabbed the remote and turned the TV off. I picked up the bottle and threw it in the trash while I covered my mom up in a blanket and kissed her cheek. I went into my bedroom changing into my workout clothes and started for the front door. I looked back at my mom before I left and mumbled to myself,

“Why do you do this to yourself?” I started my watch and put my headphones in started my ultimate running playlist of mostly Daughtry. I ran for a good 20 minutes until I felt like I needed to stretch I ran down a dead-end road and started to stretch. I was stretching my arms and looking out into a field when I saw a black figure sprinting across the field. The figure was too big to be an animal, so I just stood there trying to figure out what could run that fast. Soon I seen another figure and another. This time I was getting nervous because I couldn’t make out what I was witnessing so I began to run. I felt like I was being followed so I ran harder until I got back to my house and I slammed the door shut, locking it.

“What’s that racket,” my mom mumbled in her sleep.

“It’s just me, mom,” I said breathing heavy trying to slow my heart rate down.

“Oh Macy, my beautiful girl,” she opened her eyes.

“Hi mom,” I said.

“I got a call today from your one teacher, and I think track coach,” my mom said.

“Mr. Johnson?” I asked.

“Yeah, he said he wanted to have me come into the school tomorrow to sit down and talk to him about something that has to do with you,” she said.

“Did he say what?” I asked nervously.

“No, but he sounded nice, so I don’t think it is bad,” she said.

“Oh mom, it’s okay you don’t have to go all the way to the school. I’m pretty sure if it’s really important he’ll email you or something,” I said.

“Are you sure? You never want me to meet any of your teachers,” she said.

“I just know how tired you get and when you drive you sometimes fall asleep at the wheel, like I said if it’s really important he’ll get ahold of you again,” I said.

“Alright, well just let him know tomorrow when you see him that I won’t come in,” she said.

“Okay momma goes rest in your bed,” I said. My mom stood up and latched to my arm as I led her to her bedroom and placed her on the bed. I gave my mom a kiss on her forehead and said,

“Goodnight, momma love you,”

“Love you too,” she said back before passing out again. I went back into the living room and tried to clean up the ashes from my mom’s ashtray that had been spilled on the couch and cleaned up some of the trash she had laying around as well as the multiple bottle of pills. Once I had the living room picked up enough, I went to my room to get some sleep.

Next Chapter: Kate?