She told me to put her story in a book, so I did.


When I first met Jesse Swanson it was an unbelievably cold day in December. My hair was blowing in the wind and my cheeks were flushed with red from the cold. He was in a Los Angeles Starbucks with my best friend Stacie. I opened the door and the smell of coffee and baked goods came to my nose. When I spotted them I saw his chocolate-brown eyes and hair that I wanted to run my fingers through. He was sexy but also had a goofy sense that made me think he probably had star wars posters on his walls.

I walked to their booth and Stacie stood up and kissed by cheek. "Hey Stace." I said smiling at her. "Ooh, look at you." She said motioning to my black and white maxi skirt, black long sleeve v-neck, and scarf. My long, chestnut colored hair (with blonde highlights) was in loose curls and fell to my mid back. I was healthy and happy in my twenties. I didn't think I needed more. That was until I met her cousin. "Hi, Beca I presume?" He said standing on his feet ready to shake my hand. He had a smile that made you melt. It was kind and made you feel a sense of home and warmth.

"Yes, hi. You must be Stacie's cousin. I've heard a lot about you." I said smiling. I wanted to hit Stacie. The cousin she described was geeky and nerdy and sounded like he played with light sabers in the dark. Sure, this guy had a geeky sense but nothing like I imagined. As if Stacie read my mind she whispered in my ear, "Puberty, huh?" I laughed and Jesse curiously looked at us. "Stace, are you telling her embarrassing stories from when we used to live on my dad's farm?" I choked on my frappichino, "You're the cousin who nearly shit his pants when he almost had to help a cow give birth?" Jesse scratched his neck making him look more attractive than possible and playfully glared at Stacie, "Thanks Stace. I was actually going to make a move on this girl."

"Oh but you're charming nonetheless." I said sarcastically. "Thank you, gorgeous." He said flashing a smile. I bit my lip and smiled. Stacie pinched my right thigh from under the table. I hissed at her and said, "Ouch, bitch." She just winked at me and smiled. I rolled my eyes. "So, Jesse, how long are you staying in L.A?" I asked kicking Stacie's foot and this time she was the one to wince in pain and call me a bitch. "I'm actually going to be living here. I came here to find an apartment. I actually found one in the same complex as Stacie." He said and flashed a smile at her. In her head she screamed, "Yes!" but on the outside she kept a straight face but smiled. "And me." Jesse smiled back. "You live in the same apartment complex as Stacie, too?" he asked. "The same apartment actually."

"That's great!" He cheered. Stacie just laid back and let us talk. She later said that we were "too cute." I bet she knew it would turn into something more.


After hours at the coffee shop, Jesse went home with my number. He literally had to get down on one knee before I finally promised to give it to him. We wrote each others numbers on out coffee cups. I kept that coffee cup in a box full of things that he did/made for me. A rose that he gave me on our first date, the lily that he presented me with when we walked through a garden, the cards he gave me for my birthday, our anniversary, and Christmas, the necklace he bought be for my birthday with the B&J on it, and this journal that someone is most likely reading somewhere. It can all be found in my closet inside of a shoe box marked "Jesse."

~I told him to put my story in a book. I knew someday, he would.~


Beca died of leukemia ten years later after their first date. He found this journal in her shoe box in her closet.


This story was written on a rainy day. No better setting to write a story.