‘May we live our lives forever, together, in harmony and in anger.’

That’s how I felt at that point. I was with Darrell, and nothing could break my dream. Nor my hold on him. I was sticking to him like turtles stick to ground when they’ve rolled onto their backs. I was a newly born sappy teenager living the high-life. That’s what I thought, anyway. And I kind of liked it. But… I didn’t show it much.

Jessie was obsessing about my new ‘love’. It was getting annoying, with her going, “Oh my god Ty. How did you get him?! Did you lure him with awesome slutty girl treats? Lingerie, maybe? Were you wearing your bra outside of your shirt? That’s gotta be it!”

“Jess… Shut up.” I was a little bit pissed at her. She wouldn’t shut up. I wanted to live my daydream in peace, thank-you-very-much-annoying-friend-so-please-shut-up.

Jessie wouldn’t shut up, though. As I walked alongside her as we travelled the hallways of our high school, she just kept talking. And talking. And… talking. Talking to the people she knew, talking to those she didn’t know. Talking to her friends, talking to her enemies. Talking to MY friend and MY enemies. She was one messed up child, that’s all that I know.

“So when are you going to see Darrell?” Jessie asked, her voice high and girly. It annoyed me.

“I don’t know… Maybe tonight, if he wants to meet up somewh-…” I couldn’t finish my sentence, because my mouth was gone. Or rather, it was being occupied by something else.

Darrell pulled back and laced his fingers with mine. “I’ve been looking everyone for you. I thought you were swept away by some mad mob.” Oh, the teasing in his voice. It made my heart flutter.

“No, no… I was just waiting for my knight…” Oh my god, how could I be saying this? I sounded like such a… girl! And I’d made a promise to myself to never mingle with conformity, and that I’d never be like the other girls that I knew. Never. Oh shit, I’m screwed.

Darrell’s laugh broke me from my thoughts. “I’m glad you think so highly of me. D’ya wanna go for a walk?” the bell rang just as he spoke those words.

“I’d love to,” I said sheepishly as we hooked arms.

As we passed underneath an oak tree, a leaf fluttered down and settled on my head, intertwining itself with strands of hair. Darrell caught sight of it and brushed it from my hair. He brought his gaze down a nudge so that he was looking into my eyes.

“Your eyes are beautiful, did you know that?” he whispered softly, his breath tickling my cheek. “They’re such a light tone of blue… They’re amazing… It matches your personality perfectly.”

So how could such a popular guy be so nice? They’re usually snotty, aren’t they?

“Thanks… I think…” I said nervously. I didn’t know if he was being sarcastic or not, since of course, the no-experience-with-boys thing.

Darrell laughed again. Oh, god. I love his laugh, too. I rested my head on his shoulder. “You know, I’ve never been in a relationship before… let alone been around a boy. What about yourself? Have you had a relationship before?”

His answer surprised me. “No, no I haven’t,” he said with a childish grin.

I don’t know why, but that made me really happy. I guess because I was his first. That’s maybe why it made me happy.

“Oh, okay.” A silence gradually shifted between us, with what space was left unoccupied.

I was so surprised I hadn’t moved away from him yet. I was usually a dark person, hating everyone’s company but Jessie’s. It startled me that I adapted so quickly. But I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to adapt. And I could possibly make my relationship with Darrel stronger if I followed through with what I wanted. So that’s exactly what I did.

“Dare, I… I need to go.” I broke away from him, a hard expression engulfing my face. Darrel drew away, unsure of what to do. Amazing. He’s uncomfortable around a girl! I’m good, oh yeah. I did a little funky dance move in my head.

“Oh… Okay… Do you want me to walk you home?”

“No thanks.” I can hear the ice breaking now.

“Okay… well do you need anything before you leave?”

“No.” Straightforward answer. Can’t reply to that.

“Okay, well… see you.” Before he could leave a kiss tingling on my lips, I turned around and had begun stalking away. Mission impossible: completed. Good work, Agent Ty.

As I was walking home, I was thinking. Was that a smart move to make? Did I just screw up everything in the end? Probably. As I rounded the block, I saw someone on my porch steps. “P-Paul?” My voice had cracked, and had gone up extremely high.

Paul descended the steps and began to walk closer to me. No no no no no no no no NO! He can’t be here. HE CAN’T BE HERE!

“What do you want, Paul?” I squirmed visibly as he neared.

Paul was my old friend. He had been taken into custody after trying to rape me 6 years ago. He was 21. He had beaten me rather badly before he had been caught. And now, he was standing in front of me.

“Hey, Tree.” He called me that since I stood 6’2. I’d been very tall for my age when we met, so he always called me Tree. I despised that name now.

“What do you want?” I repeated, readying myself for any super-cool ninja attack he might pull on me.

“To say hi. That’s it. Maybe talk.”

“After what you did? After what you tried to do? No way, José. Get out of my face, kthnxbai.”

“Okay. If you want me to.”

“I do. Please, go,” I said, inviting him past me, so he could walk to the end of the earth, slip, and fall off the side, never to return to humanity. Paul strode past, but he had a different air to him. Like he was unhappy. Happy to see me, but unhappy to have to leave. I’m not going to change my mind. I can’t trust him. Not anymore.

Paul turned back to look at me. I stared at him. His eyes were troubled. “Um... Paul… do you want to talk…” I asked, losing my backbone.

“Please? I would love to. You can bring a machete if you want. Just as long as I can talk to you.”

“…Fine… Just let me go get my machete…” I ran towards my house, burst through the door, and dumped my bag on the ground. I picked up my wallet, my cellphone, and my pocketknife. Just in case, you know.

I don’t want to do this…But he needs another chance right?

NO! He does NOT. Both sides of my brain were screaming. I shut them up and ran back to Paul. He was waiting patiently. I couldn’t believe it. He’s actually patient…He MUST have changed…

“Is it okay if I give you a hug, Tree…” Paul asked shyly. I nodded, and he wrapped his arms around me. And then, his body started shaking.