--Forever Yours--Chestnut hair spilling down into thick ringlets, ending just before the shoulders. Vibrant zinnober eyes with fiery specks of orange and gold surrounding the pupils, always filled with humor. Skin slightly darker than eburnean. Light rose coloured lips always curved up into a smile, displaying perfect teeth. That's Landon. Well, at least what you see at first glance. That's right. First Glance. Not the second or third. If you could even just glance at him. But just glancing at Landon is practically impossible. Every girl has tried to just glance. It never quite works out the way they plan.

"You know Emily, if you would stop staring at me so much, maybe I could accept the fact that I can't not like you."

Point proven once again. I feel my face flush as I try to think of a good comeback.

"Well, you know Landon, if you weren't so darned gorgeous, maybe I could stop staring at you. So, in all truth darling, it's your fault," I say as I close my locker.

I start to walk towards the cafeteria, knowing he will follow me and end up being late to math class at the other end of the school. It's just one more detention.

"Wait! Emily, are you really saying that I really had a choice in ending up this attractive?"

I turn around quickly and see him only two people behind me. I push my way over to stop at the water fountain, hoping he looses sight of me. Of course, it doesn't work.

"Emily, you better explain what you just said to me back at our lockers," Landon insists as he pulls my hair lightly.

"Well, if you weren't as attractive as you are, I wouldn't stare at you as much as I do. Consequently, I would not like you as much. It's the rather simple law of parsimony, Landon," I explain trying to avoid his eyes.

But naturally, my karma sucks.

"Emily, are you saying that if I were not as attractive as I am, you wouldn't like me? Because that's what I'm gathering from what you said. Look me in the eye and tell me whether that's right or not."

He knows my number one trick. It's bad enough that I naturally don't look into normal people's eyes. But Landon's eyes are much more difficult to look into. Not only because of the amazing colours they hold, but also because Landon has a special power. He sees something in everyone's eyes. Something they do not even know they are revealing. He sees the truth or the lies they contain. Whatever is present is what Landon sees.

"Emily?"

"I can't answer that question right now Landon," I retaliate still refusing to look into his eyes.

He bends his head down to mine and gently pushes my bangs out of the way. Eventually, I give up, knowing he won't let me go to Lunch and he himself won't go to math until I look at his eyes. For a second, I gaze into his mesmeric eyes. But, I become uncomfortable so I take a long blink.

When I open up my eyes, Landon is not standing in front of me. I look both ways down the hall. He is nowhere to be found. I walk to Lunch, only to find out that it ends in seven minutes. How could I have spent over 30 minutes in the hall? Better question. What did Landon see that made him leave me there in the hall alone?

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"Emily?"

I look up to see who said my name. It doesn't help that everyone is looking in my direction.

"Emily, they want to see you in the office," Mrs. Westerly, my English teacher, finally says after a long awkward silence.

I grudgingly stand up; gather my things and start heading out the classroom, feeling 19 pairs of eyes follow me out the door. As I walk down the stairs, I start to wonder why the office would want to see me. I haven't done anything wrong. Not since I was expelled about two months ago. All I did was tell another student how I felt about him. Of course, I used some expletives, but at least I didn't hit the guy. I open up the office door and go up to the counter.

"Hello Emily. Landon Carter went home sick and told us that you would be able to get his afternoon assignments for him. Is that okay with you Emily," Mrs. Miller, the secretary with the big hairy mole on her upper lip, asks me.

Landon? No. He never gets sick. He left me in the hall after looking into my eyes. My mind tries to make a connection between the two events. It makes a solid connection, but I won't accept it.

"Landon went home sick? No. I just talked to him about an hour ago. He seemed fine. Are you sure it was Landon Carter ma'am? Landon Zane Carter. About five foot seven, one hundred thirty nine pounds? Brown curly hair. Green eyes. Real pale skin. That Landon Zane Carter?" I blurt knowing it sounds jumbled.

"Yes Emily. The only Landon in the school. He went home sick. Are you going to be sick dear?"

As much as I want to rip her head off for her overflowing kindness, I know I would be sent to jail for that, and I don't want to do that without talking to Landon first. I put on my fake smile, and go through the motions.

"No Mrs. Miller, I won't be sick. I'm fine. But, may I get Landon's assignments now please," I ask calmly.

"Of course dear. Have a good day Emily," Mrs. Miller replies handing me Landon's papers in a dark blue folder that has "Get Well Soon" written on it. It's almost enough to make me sick despite what I told the secretary.

The last bell rings. I rush out the main doors, not even bothering to go back upstairs and visit my locker. There's no reason to. Landon isn't there. I walk in the opposite direction of my house. Towards Landon's giant mansion.

I open up the folder. In the front, I see an envelope. It has my name on it written in Landon's sloping handwriting. I peel the back flap up and find a letter. I open it up.

Emily,
I am so sorry I had to leave you. I need you to come to my house as soon as school lets out. We need to talk. Please don't be mad at me.
Remember. Go around back.

Landon Zane Carter

I feel my stomach twist and turn. My feet slow to a stop. I reread the letter. Twice. My mind is filling with thoughts so fast. I bolt into a run towards Landon's house. Right turn. Left turn. Only two more blocks. Finally, I reach his white castle of a home. I slow down and start to walk on the path leading to the sprawling backyard. I open up the door and am greeted with the inviting smell of cinnamon. I forgot how good Landon's house smells. I stand in the kitchen not knowing what to do.

"Landon," I call shakily.

"I'm in the basement Emily."

I open up the door that leads down into his cellar.

"Can I come down?"

"Yes you can come down Emily," Landon replies laughing.

I walk down the steps. As I come to the last step, the smell of Landon fills my nose. I breathe it in slowly and try to savor it.

"You okay there darling," Landon interrupts my smelling, looking at me.

"As okay as I'll ever be."

"Don't say that Emily. You're perfect."

"Cut the crap Landon. You wanted to talk. I came to talk. You're lucky I even followed your instructions, and came to your house," I say trying to sound annoyed.

"Stop acting like that Emily. I know you're scared."

"Why would I be scared Landon?"

"You tell me Emily. Why are you scared?"

"Why don't you give me your theories, Landon? Tell me what you think," I snap.

"I think you're afraid of living."

I am living. I am breathing. That's all that matters. He thinks he knows everything. But he's wrong. He's completely wrong. I start to turn around. But Landon takes hold of my hand.

"Please don't leave. Not just yet Emily. You told me to tell you what I think. I want to tell you. So don't leave me. Please Emily," Landon's voice shakes.

I turn around to face him slowly. I manage to look him in the eye somehow.

"I'm sorry," I whisper.

"It's okay. Do you want me to continue?"

I nod not able to speak.

"Sure you're breathing. You're barely breathing, but you're doing it. You don't want to live. You don't want to feel. Whether what you're feeling is pain, or happiness. I can see in your eyes that you had a bad past with someone that was close to you. You blame yourself for what happened. Most of you has stayed together, but you're ready to break. I want to find the pieces of this puzzle called Emily, and put them back together."

I cannot breathe… My whole body has gone numb. I know he is right. I just don't want to admit it. I feel a tear fall down my cheek. One tear. That's all it takes, and I begin to bawl.

"Emily? Emily, I didn't mean that to be critical. That's what I saw in your eyes this afternoon," Landon explains, while pulling me into a hug.

"That's why you got sick. You got sick because of me. Didn't you," I cry softly.

"Don't be so hard on yourself. It was my fault really. I already knew how you felt, I just wanted conformation. I felt sick to my stomach, after I saw how sad you were. I wanted to help you so badly, but I didn't know how. All you did was stand there in the hall staring off. I figured you were just angry with me, so I went home. I didn't mean to leave you there alone. Honestly. I didn't. I was just scared. I was scared that I would be… too late."

I stop crying. I'm slightly confused.

"What would you be too late for Landon?"

I feel him tense up and shake his head. I finally realize what he means by "too late". I don't want him to say it. I don't want to say it. I don't even want to think about it anymore.

"Thank you, Landon. For everything," I whisper.

"Leaving so soon, Emily?"

"Yeah. Sorry Landon but I gotta get going," I admit pulling away from his hug.

"If you ever want to talk, you know where I'll be," Landon says smiling.

"Yeah. Oh, here's your homework," I add handing over the blue folder. Landon takes the folder and smiles as he reads the message on the front.

"How cheesy can those secretaries get? Goodbye Emily," Landon calls up the stairs as I leave.

"Bye Landon."

I leave his house. Walk home. I finish my homework, get a shower, and go to bed. As I look at my ceiling and try to fall asleep, I try to remember anything after I left Landon's house. Nothing is there. I can't remember.

I fall asleep. But I don't dream. I just see darkness. Darkness I can't crawl out of.

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I go to school. I try to remember my combination as my head throbs. Is my combination 21-9-37? Or is it 37-9-21? Finally I get it. As I open my locker up, a yellow envelope falls out and lands on the floor. I pick it up and realize it's from Landon. The same sloping writing from the other letter. I open the envelope and unfold the letter.

Emily,
I'm sorry I couldn't' make it to school today. I'm still not feeling very well. Alright, so I skipped. But everyone is entitled to a few days off. Just wanted to let you know that you can still call me.
I needed to tell you that so you wouldn't worry.Landon Zane CarterWhy does the boy do this to me? It's Friday! Well, I guess I will have to make it through the day without him. I might have been able to do it without the terrible migraine I have. But it will be a pain in the butt to deal with today. I make it to Spanish just before the bell rings. Here's when I realize I should have just stayed home. I forgot there was a loud and obnoxious fiesta happening today. Stupid Spanish people just need to have parties almost every week. Don't they?

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Three classes and a fiesta later, I'm ready for my siesta. Ha! I might not be in a good mood, but I am still funny. Well, to me I'm still funny. I sit down at the table where nobody else sits and take a nap. A nice nap…

DING! DING! DING!I yank my head up and grab my backpack off the chair next to me. Shuffling to History, I am pushed and shoved. Every once in a while, I retaliate by telling someone they are number one. Not with my pointer finger, but they seemed to get the idea. History flies by. As does English. Before I know it, I'm en route to home. I take comfort in the idea of a nap until dinner. Maybe I can just sleep 'til morning. I ignore my homework, and just lay down on my bed.

I dream of the darkness again. Only this time, Landon's caring eyes are there. I stand and watch them slowly fade away. I wonder if maybe he will be too late. I sleep in until 10:00 the next morning. After I wake up, I get a bowl of cereal, and turn on the television. I watch "The Weather Channel" until I know what weather will be in every part of the country for the next week. I figure the mail has come by now.

I walk out to my mailbox bare-footed. I open up the hideous green monster and pull out five envelopes. Four are bills addressed to my dad. The last one is yellow. It just has my name on it. No return address. I recognize the handwriting after a little studying. I am starting to enjoy these letters Landon is sending me. Once again I open up the envelope and unfold the letter. This time, I notice it's longer than the last two combined. I start to read it as I go back inside.

Emily,
There is no telling you how much you mean to me. I know I haven't seen you since Thursday, but that day defined what we were. It let you know what you are to me. You are much more than a friend. I just hope I can be more than a friend for you. I hope that this won't ruin what we have. I also hope that you can forgive me for what I'm about to say. No, I hope you can accept me for what I'm about to say. I guess it would be write not say. Huh? Well, there is no denying it anymore so I just have to get it out.I LOVE YOU…I wrote it down on paper. I think it's more permanent when it's on paper. But, if you want me to say it, then you will have to wait until the next time we see each other. I promise you I will say it. And don't bother calling me because I refuse to say it to you other than in person. I am old-fashioned that way. I love you Emily. I always will. Just remember that please.
Am I missing too much exciting stuff at school?Landon Zane CarterI feel something I haven't felt in a while. Love. I feel good about feeling love. I almost feel like I deserve it. I feel as though I'm living not just breathing. It is nice.

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I feel so good; I end up not remembering anything else from that day. I fall asleep. Once again, I dream of the darkness. This time, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I watch Landon's eyes, expecting them to fade away, but they don't. They are bright and clear all the way through. I wake up with a smile on my face. The sun is shining, and for once, I don't resent it for doing so. I don't bother to look at the clocks. I run downstairs and outside. I twirl around in my driveway, feeling warmth from the sun. I like sun. It brings joy. It makes me smile. I jog to see if the mail has come yet. It has.

Just as I expected, there's a yellow envelope in there for me. I open it eagerly. It's nowhere near as long as I thought it would be.

Emily,
It's another day without seeing you. I need you to know that just because I don't see you, that doesn't mean I don't love you. Just please remember this. I have a feeling that you'll need some reassurance on this sometime. I love you so much. Don't let this stupid boy get you down. You just keep on smiling like I know you will.
Forever rings mean something.

Landon Zane Carter

Landon can be so random at times. The last bit about Forever Rings confuses me. But, I follow his instructions and I don't let the stupid boy bring me down. I do keep on smiling. It's hard not to. Once again, I can't concentrate on anything else but the letter I know I will get tomorrow at school. I might not get a letter because Landon will be there. But, I like getting the letters. It makes me feel important. I get a shower and go to bed. I don't dream about the darkness. Instead, I dream about Landon. I dream that everything will work out between us. I dream that he pushes me gently on a swing. I dream that the darkness is gone. I dream everything will be okay.

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I run into the school, hoping to find Landon. I jog upstairs and to my locker. I open it with a shaky hand. As I had hoped, an envelope falls out and onto the floor. Nobody else is around so I feel safe reading it. I open up the strange red envelope and unfold the paper. The letter, is long. So I start reading.

Emily,
By the time you read this, I will be gone. Not dead, love. I'll be erased out of the schools' computer systems. I hope that while I was around, I helped you. In fact, I hope I've taught you how to live through these letters. No man should ever have to do this to his love. And no woman should have to suffer because her love was stupid and made mistakes. Don't worry Emily, you never made a mistake. I did. You are my first and always will be my first Love. I hope you can find it in you to eventually forgive me for causing you pain and suffering. I can also only hope that I helped you live. Live, Emily, not breathe. While you needed someone to show you once again how to live life, I needed someone to show me how to care and love. You, Emily, showed me that. Whether or not you knew it, you were teaching me every time I saw you. I am indebted to you for that. Please remember. I LOVE YOU EMILY. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE. Put the first word of every last line in each letter beside one another. You will get a message.
Yours Truly.
My hands shake as I pull out all five letters and do what it says. I gasp as I look at it all put together.

Landon Zane Carter

Remember. I Am Forever Yours.

That's the message Landon wanted me to get. I got it. I sure got it…

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A/N: So, I wrote this for English as the summary says. My teacher told me that she almost cried. It's most deffinately not my best work. It's jumpy and not very descriptive. But, it was long for the assignment given.
Uhh. If you guys could maybe tell me what'cha think, I would feel better about writing it.
Like I said, not my best, but...
PLEASE REVIEW!!
For some reason, people like to favorite or alert a story, but they end up not reviewing. And that seriously urks my taters. It's like a troubling pet peeve. So, if you're going to be nice enough to favorite or alert it, at least tell me why.
That's all for now. Thanks for reading!

-MGS-