She sat on the swing in the park with tears silently falling down her face. She had thought she was alone for the most part, that was until she heard movement behind her causing her to turn around as fast as she could. He walked up behind her and sat down at the swing next to her. He could tell he had scared her.

"Hey Amanda...sorry I didn't mean to scare you" He explained

"Its okay Jeremy I just wasn't expecting you that's all"

"I just wanted to see you. I stopped by your house and Emily said you would probably be here" His voice was quiet and shy. Jeremy had been pinning after Amanda for months but he was too afraid to ever make a move.

"Yeah my dad and I we kind of got in a fight. I usually come here when I'm upset or mad"

"What did you two fight about if you don't mind me asking?"

"Just about school, finals, college, pretty much everything really. There are just some days I hate being the daughter of a Colonel" She told him.

"Yeah I know exactly how you feel. It isn't always easy being Major Frank Sherwood's son."

"I just I find it so impossible to talk to him. Everything I try to say just gets twisted around. Its like he's not even listening to what I say. I just wish he would stop treating me like a child. I feel so suffocated in that house."

"I think that's all how were feeling. All these rules to follow. Its like none of us have any freedom ever. I do not want to go to West Point. But its like you said I feel so suffocated like I have no choice or say in any decisions..." Amanda listened intently and couldn't take her eyes off of Jeremy. As he was finishing his end of the conversation, she quickly leaned in and kissed him taking the young man completely by surprise.

"What was that for?" He asked

"I know I'm sorry I shouldn't have. I just couldn't help myself. I like you Jeremy I can't hide it anymore I'm sorry if you don't feel the same way." He laughed lightly and looked to the ground before looking into her big green eyes once more.

"What may I ask is so funny?" She asked slightly offended.

"Amanda I have wanted to kiss you ever since kindergarten when your mom dropped you off. You wore that blue summer dress that came down to your knees with a pair of light blue stretchy Capri's underneath so that at recess, you could play on the jungle gym. Your hair was in tight curls and you wore 2 barrettes one on either side of your hair" Amanda was stunned by what she was hearing.

"Jeremy how on earth do you remember that?! That was like 12 years ago"

"When you meet someone as beautiful as you, you don't soon forget even the littlest details" He said as he leaned in closer towards her. She nodded her head lightly letting him know it was okay.

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"You know Michael sometimes I think you are just too tough on her. I hate seeing the two of you butt heads like this all the time" Claudia Joy stated.

Michael sighed and ran his hands through his hair. "I know, I know sometimes I just get too carried away. Were both such stubborn people its impossible to ever agree on things or even reach some sort of a medium. Maybe I should go talk to her" He suggested

"Here" She said handing him a ten dollar bill.

"Go out get some ice cream with her have a good chat. Get to know your daughter Michael she's leaving in 3 months" Claudia reminded him. He nodded his head and walked up the stairs to her bedroom. He noticed the door was shut and proceeded to knock before entering.

"Amanda can I please come in?" He asked. There was no response. He opened the door and found her room dark and unoccupied. Her window was open slightly and her curtains blew slightly with the summer night breeze. He shut the door and walked across the hall to Emily's room. He knocked lightly and she turned around from her computer facing her father.

"Yes daddy?" She asked

"Do you know where your sister is?" He asked

"I think she went to the park. She seemed pretty upset" She told him. He sighed feeling badly about their argument.

"Okay thanks"

"Your welcome" He walked back down the stairs and grabbed his keys from the kitchen.

"Where's Amanda?" Claudia Joy asked.

"She wasn't in her room. Emily thinks she might be at the park. So i'm gonna head down see if I can find her. Then we'll probably go for ice cream" He explained.

"I'll be back later"

"Alright I'll see you later then" She said as she kissed her husband goodbye.

He got into his truck and drove down to the park. The whole time thinking about how badly he felt yelling at Amanda the way he had. However when he pulled up to the park, his emotions quickly changed. The trucks headlights shown brightly on the two teenagers sitting on the swings hands linked together. Michael pulled the keys out of the ignition and walked out of the car. Jeremy knew he was in trouble for sure. As he saw Amanda's father walking over, he tried to plead his case.

"Mr. Holden sir if you could just lis--"

"Shut your mouth right this instant. You have no right to speak right now and better yet you have no right to be around my daughter. Amanda get in the car now"

"Daddy I"

"This is not up for discussion. Get in the car Amanda" He stated sternly. She grabbed her purse and walked off into the car leaving Jeremy behind with her father. Michael waited until she was in the car before he turned back and looked at Jeremy.

"If you are capable of hitting your mother, I don't wanna know what you are capable of doing to my daughter. How am I supposed to know she isn't going to get you mad about something one night and your not going to turn around and smack her in the face? You stay away from Amanda is that understood?"

"Yes sir" He stated sheepishly.

"Good" And with that, Michael walked back into the car angrier than he was before. It was going to be a long night at the Holden house that was for sure.