He said quietly, as he looked up to search for her response. It was four in the afternoon and the sunniest day everyone could remember in Denver, Colorado. Afternoon classes had just ended and the only ones left in West Eastman High school were the ones involved in club activities or sport practices. The chipmunk who had just spoken walked forward to embrace the chipette who seemed to be in her own world, painting an entire mural for the school's Arts night.
"Hmm..." She looked up, as she felt the tenderness of the strong hands holding her from behind. "Did you say something?"
She smiled, as she stared at the chipmunk's breathtaking pair of blue eyes. It was genetics; God- given. Everyone in his family had a pair of eyes just like his, but the way it sparkled when he looked at her made it even more beautiful. He chuckled at her answer. Using his index finger he gently wiped the paint that resided in her face and then he clasped his hands firm to get her undivided attention. Her confused face made the boy chuckle once more.
"I said... Let's get married." He watched in amusement as her big brown eyes widened, processing the information given to her just second ago.
"Simon Seville!" Her whimsical voice was higher than usual. She was surprised, astonished at his proposal. She looked at him, and their eyes intertwined. He produced a small smile that revealed his intention - that he was serious. "We've been together since sophomore year. We're senior students now, graduating next month. I thought it's about time I popped the question." He calmly responded, his hands clasping tightly to hers. She listened to him - then she squeezed his hands. "We are still too young, Simon."
"I know, Jeanette... but..."
"What did you say you wanted to be when you grow up?"
"Your husband."
He laughed.
She pinched him. "I know you've always wanted to be a doctor, Simon. You've even gotten yourself a sweet scholarship from Cambridge - that's all the way in UK!" She looked up through the window. "Marriage isn't something we should talk about..."
"Yet."
She stared at his sudden interruption. "You're right. Marriage is something we shouldn't talk about yet."
Jeanette giggled at him. "I love you, Simon. But marriage isn't something we should talk about at the moment. You have a great future ahead of you, and I don't want anything to ruin your future. Especially not me."
Upon hearing her last word, he suddenly pulled Jeanette in his arms so fast that she never saw it coming.
She noticed the strong pair of hands that she came to know all these years were wrapped around her at this moment, trembling. "Sim-"
He planted a kiss on her lips. Then he looked at her.
The chipette he first fell in love with at seventh-grade had become even more beautiful over the years that they had been together. To be honest, she was never his type to begin with. He preferred easy, dumb girls that could offer him something more physical. Simon Seville was known to be the only heir of Thomas Hotels and Industries. As the only heir he was expected to follow through with his parents' footsteps. It was after a brief meeting between seventh-grader Simon Seville and seventh-grader Jeanette Miller that helped Simon decide what he wanted to do in the future - and he demands this girl to be in it.
"Jeanette Miller, you will never ruin my future because you helped me create it. Now I want you in it. Be my strength, Jeanette."
Softly, she touched his face. "I will, as soon as you give me your PhD."
"It's a deal."
"I can't believe we are out of this school!"
Theodore screamed out, tossing his cap up and down. The graduation ceremony had just ended and everyone was waiting for the banquet hall to finish its preparation. West Eastman High was just like every other high school - except they were known to throw majestic graduation celebrations fit for a king.
"Calm down, cowboy. We got the point."
Simon yelled back, with Jeanette in his arms. The three had been close since high school started, and now the relief of school being finished had everyone fired up. "Dave wants us to take a picture together, come here Therodore!" Jeanette took Theodore's hand and dragged him back to where Simon and Dave were standing. For a second Theodore's hand stiffened, but he finally gave up. He could never win against her. Against Jeanette - against Simon's girlfriend. After several hours of picture taking and celebrations, the day had ended. They were officially finished high school.
"Man, I still can't believe it." Theodore sighed, relief plastered on his face. He was relaxing on one of Simon's beach chairs, out looking the big body of water where others have decided to take a swim. The graduating class decided to go straight to the beach after the formal banquet, where they could spend one last time as a class. Since the nearest villa was owned by Simon's family, they decided to hold it there.
"I know. Everything just feels surreal." Simon replied, handing Theodore a cold soda then plopped himself down on the chair next to Theodore. After a comfortable silence, Theodore spoke up.
"So what's the plan now?" He asked, as he looked out on shore. "I know your family's hard-headed when it comes to your future and you being the only heir they have. Heck, we shouldn't even be talking about things like this as if we're already kids so-"
"I'm going to Cambridge to become a doctor." Simon replied, with no quiver in his voice. He tried to remember the countless arguments he had with his father, and a grin plastered on his face when he remembered when his father finally approved of his decision.
"He agreed to my plan on becoming a doctor as long as I don't forget to act like an heir once in a while." Theodore slapped Simon on the shoulder. "Good Job, man. I didn't think I had it in you to fight your old man." Simon laughed as he waved at his favorite redhead from the beach. He turned to Theodore. "I didn't. But Jeanette... She believed in me." Simon laughed, then patted Theodore goodbye as he went to approach his girlfriend who was walking up to them.
Theodore was never the type to stay with one chipette. He never cared about their feelings either. There was only one chipette he cared about. But she was already happy with another guy, and he was happy for them as well. With a smirk, he slapped himself in the face and went up to advance on a blonde with a skimpy outfit on.
"To celebrate my graduation," he thought.
The next few days were spent by going to the movies, picnics, and swimming in the beach. Jeanette couldn't be any happier than to spend the days with Simon. He was everything to her, and she was everything with him.
"You're leaving in six days, right?" She asked him, their hands interlaced with each other as they walked through the newly-built Jericho Mall.
"Seven days," he corrected. Then they were silent. Jeanette can feel Simon tighten his grip on her fingers so she gave him a quick squeeze. It snapped Simon in his trance of thought. "I'm sorry," he mumbled.
"Are you scared?" She asked. They were now sitting in front of a man-made waterfall created as the main attraction of the mall. Jeanette was glad that nobody else was there so they could get some privacy.
"I am." He admitted. Usually looking at her alluring purple eyes helped him calm down, but his worry right now was too big. "My grandfather is coming tonight because he heard about my decision from my father. He is not too happy about it. And he's one heck of a stubborn man - much stubborn than my father. He wanted me to focus on the family business and nothing else. "
Jeanette giggled. Slowly she planted a kiss on his forehead. "I can't believe for a big guy, you sure act like a girl." She looked at him. Only a few words can describe how handsome he is. Simon Seville had such a fair-fur, without a few scratches he received from Basketball matches a few weeks ago. His short hair was as dark as midnight, and it slightly covered his pair of blue eyes. He works out a lot; she can definitely feel his toned upper body when she hugs him. She secretly likes the feeling.
"You know, I can come with you to dinner today, if you want. If things go wrong then I can say something to help our case," she smiled.
"You've met my grandfather. He tried to eat you alive before. He'll probably finish what's left of you." He sighed.
"I know your grandfather seems to have an edge, and he may be kinda mysterious seeing that you only see each other once every two years... but I'm sure he's a good man on the inside."
He looked at her as if a rabbit had just seen his long lost carrot. For him, he found hope. This chipette, who he had always relied on for years, had lent her shoulder once more.
"I love you, Jeanette."
"I love you too, Simon."