(A/N : From here on out, I don't own any of the songs used. These are just songs that relate to the topic. All rights go to their rightful owners. Thank you for reading. And please review. xXFan-FanXx)

******

***************

*************************

*********************************

Topic ; Love

Song: Far Away

Artist: Nickelback

*********************************

*****************************

*******************

**********

“This time, this place, misused mistakes, too long, too late, who was I to make you wait?”

He was speechless as she floated down the red carpeted path. Her clear heels made no sound on the hard marble floor of the church we were in. Even behind a veil, its mesh hiding her face. He could tell her rosy lips – probably painted a bright red – were in a smile. Her hand clutched a small bouquet of pure white lilies with a hint of soft purple from the sprigs of lilacs. Music filled the chapel, it echoing off the high ceiling. Everyone stood as one in the pews, and turn to see his blushing bride.

He straightened his dark blue coat, random buttons and seals on it to display his rank in the Marines. He was sweating underneath his white hat; he could feel the beads of sweat on his hairline, threatening to fall. He dried his sweating hands on his crisp white pants. Black boots – freshly shined- finished the ensemble.

She took another step, and inwardly he cursed. Why was the march so slow? Again, he wiped his hands on his pants, trying to stay calm. ‘Damn,’ He thought, holding back a smirk, ‘Three years and she can still make me feel like this.’

In sixth grade, he didn’t pay much attention to girls. However, that all changed when he reached Seventh grade. He was more mature. More intelligent. And more important, he found his first chest hair. He was proud. He was the first one in his group to get the marking into manhood.

Seventh grade was also the marking time in his life. Mainly for one fact. It was where he would get his first crush. She was tall, blonde and didn’t want one thing with him. He liked a challenge; it made the catch all more exciting when he had it in his grasp. .

“Not a chance.”

He turned to look at his best friend and next door neighbor. She was short, and slightly overweight Her dark brown eyes held mysteries behind them, and her dark blonde hair had tuffs of brown interlaced. Her arms were crossed over her Linkin Park t-shirt, a pair of black jeans finishing off her look.

He lowered his gaze at her, “Yeah, and who says?”

She scoffed, “Oh come on Jake, it’s common sense. She’s popular, you’re not.”

He crossed his arms, “Just you wait, I’ll have Amber in my arms.”

He smiled. She was half way now. His hands were sweating more now, and were fidgeting. He just wanted to get this over with, and be married. He wanted her to be his, now and forever. Through sickness and health and all of those vows.

In tenth grade, his promise came true. Amber was his. She was the head cheerleader, he was the star quarterback. They were the picture couple. Their arms were always looped around each other. Their bodies were always touching in someway.

“Congratulations.’

He closed the door slightly to see her. Not Amber, this was one of the few times that they weren’t here. No, it was Vanessa, his next door neighbor. She had grown taller but she wasn’t as slim as Amber. She wore wireless glasses in front of her face, her eyes done up in mascara and eye liner. She was dressed in black, still. She wore a black shirt with white and black long sleeves underneath. Plain black jeans were accompanied by a studded belt.

He scoffed, by subconsciously, he was looking around to check if anyone saw him with her.

Vanessa raised an eyebrow, “What? Making sure I don’t wreck your rep?”

Jake sighed, “It’s not like that.”

“But yet it is,” She said, lifting her hands, “I understand. Well, I guess this is farewell Jake. Good bye.”

She was almost here and his heart began to race. Soon, she would be his, and he couldn’t be happier.

“Amber, it’s over.” Jake sighed out on the phone.

“What?” Amber’s voice rang out, “Why?”

Jake’s murky green eyes hardened, “You mean finding you sprawled under some man, moaning and shit isn’t a reason to break up?”

He heard Amber stumble on her words on the other line. “Good bye Amber.” He said, before hanging up, not wanting to hear her pointless excuses.

He sighed, his head bowed slightly. He felt so stupid. To think Amber, a girl who could have any guy in the school, would choose him. Gently, he lifted a framed picture. It was him, roughly four, with his father. His father stood tall and proud in his Marines uniform, but one key piece was missing: his hat. The white cap was nestled on Jake’s head, covering the good half portion of his head, but one thing was visible, the large smile that he was wearing.

His eyebrows knitted together when he heard his phone vibrate. He rolled his eyes and ignored it, thinking it was Amber, attempting to plead her heart out. I sighed and stripped myself of my shirt, planning on getting ready for bed. I sighed again when my phone rang. He glared at it, and picked it up. “Amber…”

“No doofus,” Snapped the voice, “I heard that you broke up with princess.”

“Vanessa, how do you know that?” He asked suspicious.

She chuckled, “You’re window is open dummy, and you speak very loud. Are you sure all those tackles haven’t affected your hearing?”

He sighed, “Vanessa…”

“Hey, I’m just trying to cheer you up football head,” She said, “But, if you much rather wallow in your own misery, then be my guest.”

He chuckled, “Movie, my place?”

“I’ll be there in ten.”

He smiled as she stopped by his side. She handed her bouquet to her younger cousin, who smiled softly at her. She looked up at the priest with her head held high. We both stood, looking at the man.

“I’m leaving.”

She looked up with shocked eyes. “What?”

Over the years, she’s thinned out, and looked beautiful even in a large t-shirt with sweatpants.

I sighed, ‘I got deployed.”

She looked down at her hand, “Oh. When are you leaving?”

“Next month.”

She nodded, “Where?”

“Germany,” He replied, “For nine months.”

She nodded mutely, but he knew what she was doing. She was trying to hold in her tears. He sat down next to her, a sigh escaping his mouth. “Vanessa,”

She shook her head, “No. I knew this could happen. I just, wish it wasn’t.”

“You and me both,” He whispered.

She turned to look at him with watering eyes, “You have a duty to your country, now go fulfill it, just like your father did.”

He nodded mutely. “Thank you.” He whispered, pecking her forehead gently.

“…Each person has written their own vows,” The priest said, nodding towards Jake, who smiled.

“Vanessa,” He said, gathering her hand, “I’ve made some mistakes with my heart. Following someone for the sake of looks, but I had you there all of the time. I mean, who was I to make you wait? Vanessa, I love you. I have loved you all along. I missed you for those long months, and I was far away for far too long. So please forgive me for that, and more that may come. But always know that I love you, and I would withstand all of hell to hold your hand.”

Vanessa smiled, tears threatening to fall. She felt the cold metal of her new wedding band slip over her knuckle, forever binding her with him. It was her turn. Shaking, she gathered his hand, “Jake, I keep dreaming that you’ll be with me and never let me go. And even though I’m standing on this alter; taking your name, and saying vows, I still can’t believe this. I was the odd girl in high school, and was always over seen, but when you held me, and kissed me for the first time, I knew I found love. If I don’t see you anymore, I’ll surly stop breathing for I would be crushed without your love. And you know, I wanted you to stay. Because I needed to hear you say, I love you, I have you all along. And I forgive you for being away for far too long.”

The priest nodded and continued with the vows. It was too long that two ‘I do’s’ filled the air, and the priest announced, “You may kiss the bride.”

Flipping the vial over her face, Jake gathered her face and gently applied his lips to hers. Releasing her, they look at each other, in a slight daze, maybe not believing that they were finally wed. They were so dazed, that they didn’t even hear the priest yell in glee,

“I now introduce Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Greer!” Until rice rain down from the skies, and people were clapping of the union of two friends, two loves, and one soul.

Final Word Count : 1, 471 (Not including lyrics and intro)