James Diamond.
When you hear this name, you think things like: Conceited, self-centered, only cares about himself.
He wasn't always like that. At one time, James cared so deeply about someone that you wouldn't recognize him.
Skylar Clarkson.
The blonde haired, blue eyes girl who James' heart belonged to.
10 Years Ago
Six year old James Diamond sighed as he hopped out his father's van. "Buddy, why don't you take a walk down the road? Take a look at the new neighborhood." Mr. Diamond suggested to the young boy. James shrugged and started down the cracked sidewalk.
"Hi" James spun around to see a small girl. A smile crept on to James' face as he stared in to the girls clear blue eyes, her golden blonde ringlets framing her pale face. "Hi" James smiled "I'm Skylar, Skylar Clarkson" the girl held out her hand which James hesitantly shook "James Diamond".
"Did you just move here?" Skylar asked, slowly starting to walk down the sidewalk. James quickly followed and wacthed the girls small bare feet as she purposley stepped on each small crack. "Yeah" James nodded, "I can tell" Skylar giggled. "How?" James asked, turning to Skylar "I don't know" she shrugged "I just can". "Where did you move from?" Skylar asked "Nevada" James replied, grinning "This is Iowa, that's a long ride" Skylar pointed out. "I know" James shrugged "My dad moves around a lot". Skylar simply nodded "Where do you live?" she asked "Right there" James pointed to the tall white house and Skylar nodded.
"My sister is probably looking for me, see you tomorrow" Skylar smiled as she ran back to the tall cream colored house. "See you" James called, smiling.
~ ... ~ ... ~ ... ~ ... ~
The next morning James jumped out of bed and threw on his clothes, hurrying to see Skylar.
"James, where are you going? It's 8 o' clock." Mr. Diamond called "To see a friend" James smiled as he closed the door.
Running down the sidewalk, James beamed as the house came in to view. Slowing down his pace and catching his breath, James knocked on the front door. A tall dark haired girl answered the door and smiled "Hi, is Skylar here?" James asked "Yes she is, the little early bird. I'll go get her". The girl disapeared and moments later, Skylar appeared.
"Hi James" Skylar smiled "Do you want to go to the park?" she asked "Okay" James smiled. Skylar closed the door behind her and started down the steps, James imediatly following her. "There's a park?" James asked "Sure, it's just about 10 minutes from here" Skylar shrugged.
After the expected ten minutes, James and Skylar arrived at the playground. "What do you want to go on?" Skylar asked "Do they have swings?" "Of course they do" Skylar smiled and grabbed James' hand, pulling him towards the swings.
~ ... ~ ... ~ ... ~ ... ~
Six Years Ago
Skylar knocked on James' front door, smiling as the door opened and James stood there. "Morning James" Skylar beamed "Morning Sky, ready?" James asked, closing the door behind him. Skylar nodded and adjusted her Elmo flat rim hat on top of her golden blonde curls as she followed James down the steps.
"Ready to get your butt whooped?" Skylar teased, shoving James' shoulder. James chuckled and shook his head "I don't think that's going to happen". Skylar stopped in her tracks, dropping her duffle bag and hocey stick on the sidewalk, and turned to him, placing her hands on her hips and raising an eyebrow "Oh really?". James did the same and brought his face close to hers "Really".
Skylar smacked his arm and stuck her tongue out at him, beginning down the sidewalk once again. James chuckled and shook his head, following Skylar.
As the two entered the ice rink, Skylar sat down on one of the benches. Lacing up her ice skates and taking James' hand, Skylar stepped on to the ice and smiled, releasing James' hand. "You ready?" Skylar asked, holding a hockey puck in her hands "You bet" James nodded.
The small girl smirked and dropped the puck on the ice, quickly hitting it with her stick and sending it flying in to the net. "That's no fair" James teased, skating farther out on the ice and quickly retreaving the puck. The two began their one on one game and by the end, both sat on the ice laughing so hard the tears streamed down their cheeks.
"We done?" James asked, standing up "I think so" Skylar shrugged. James held out his hand to Skylar, the smaller girl gripping his hand tightly as he pulled her up. The two unlaced their skates and headed out of the rink, beginning down the sidewalk once again.
"Hey Sky, why don't we go to your house?" James suggested, Skylar's face paled and she slowly shook her head "I don't think that's a good idea" she mumbled. James simply nodded "Do you want to head over to my house then?" he asked. Skylar nodded and smiled "Yeah".
The two continued down the sidewalk, Skylar purposely stepping on each crack as always while James kicked the pebbles crossing his path. Looking up from the pavement, James entire body stiffened, Skylar followed his gaze and she clenched her fists.
"Hey, Diamond! You got your girlfriend with you, I see!" Elliot Stark called, approaching the two. "Just shut up, Stark" James growled, Elliot mocked James' facial expessions "Just shut up" he mimicked. Skylar stepped forward and raised her fist "Unless you want your face re-arranged, I would shut up and screw off" she threatened. Elliot backed up slightly "You don't mean that" he squinted his eyes. Skylar stepped forwards and brought her fist higher in the air, causing Elliot to stumble backwards.
"Let's go" Skylar giggled, taking James' hand in hers and leading him down the sidewalk.
Most people might think that Skylar was a tomboy. She was exactly the opposite though. She was some-what self consious of her hair and always left it down in it's perfect ringlets. Sure, she loved Sesame Street themed flat rim hats and was obsessed with Nike sneakers but she still only wore skinny jeans, short shorts denim shorts, and chain neclaces like any other girl. She was tough, and hard to get close to. Except, that is, for James who was truly the only person in the world that she trusted.
Arriving at James' house, the two dropped their duffle bags off in James' bedroom and headed to the back yard. "Hey James, are you going to enter the talent show?" Skylar asked, picking up a basketball. "I don't think so, what would I do?" James shrugged "You would sing" Skylar comfidently stated "You have an amazing voice" she insisted "No I don't" James shook his head.
Skylar dropped the ball on the ground and walked to James, placing her hands on either one of his shoulders and bringing her forehead to his. "James, you are my best friend and I'm going to tell you the truth. You have the most amazing voice I have ever heard. You could be famous" Skylar stated, her bright blue eyes shining.
"Hey James, Skylar, would you guys come here for a minute" Mr. Diamond called from the back porch. Mr. Diamond led the two in to the living room and instructed them to sit on the couch. "I thought it would be best if I told you two together" Mr. Diamond began "James, we're moving to Minnesota".
Skylar and James' faces dropped and James took Skylar's hand in his. "W- what?" James asked, voice shaking "I'm sorry, Buddy. But I got offered an amazing job position in Minnesota and I couldn't turn it down." Mr. Diamond explained. "When do we leave?" James whispered, clutching Skylar's hand tighter "Tomorrow morning at eleven".
Standing up without another word, James led Skylar to his room. Skylar sat down on the bed and tears threatened to spill as James brought his forehead to the wall. James spun around and sat on the bed, pulling Skylar close to him. The smaller girl immediatly wrapped her arms around his shoulders and burried her face in the crook of James' neck, finally releasing the tears.
"Sky, I can't leave you" James choked out, pulling Skylar closer to him. Skylar couldn't reply. She only latched her arms tighter around James' neck and the tears fell harder and harder.
The two sat there on James' bed, holding on to each other tighter by the hours that passed. "Sky, stay the night?" James whispered, tears slowing down. "Course I will" Skylar nodded. The two slowly pulled apart and Skylar brought her thumb to James' cheek, wiping a single tear.
The Next Day
"Hey James, you ready?" Mr. Diamond asked, hopping in the truck. "Be right there" James called, turning back to Skylar. "I can't believe you're leaving" Skylar frowned, her voice just above a whisper "Don't worry Sky, I'll never forget you" James cooed, wrapping his arms around Skylar.
As the two pulled away, Skylar rested her forehead against James' and a single tear fell down her cheek. Slowly, Skylar brought her lips to James' savoring the last touch. As Skylar pulled away, she brought a had to James' cheek and kissed him quickly one more time.
"I love you, James"
"I love you too, Sky"