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- Chapter one -

Love is always easy. Right? Not exactly. Not matter how hard you try, love is never as easy as in the movies and the fairy-tale endings just don't happen.

Now don't get me wrong, love can be great and wonderful and uncomplicated, simply a wonderful thing, all I'm saying is that it's never easy. Love doesn't fall from the sky in the form of a beautiful girl programmed with every single quality you adore. Sometimes it just takes a little bit more effort than that.

Having said all that , I am now going to contradict myself quite a bit. Mainly because I have the perfect relationship. The perfect girlfriend, beautiful, amazing, funny, kind, and on top of al that, she is also my best friend.
She didn't fall from the sky though, and we did struggle a bit to get together, but since we did, everything has been absolutely brilliant. We talk everyday and even if we don't, its not the end of the world, cause I still know that she feels the same about me.

It's a good feeling to know that you always have someone who's there for you, very reassuring. Now I know that this makes me sound like my girlfriend is my only friend, which isn't really true, I have loads of friends, but she's just special to me. I don't know if that makes any sense, but I cant describe it in any other way.

Anyway, like I said, we spend a lot of time together but we never seem to get bored of the other ones company. In fact, someone once told me that a true friend is someone who you can sit in the same room with, both reading a book, neither speaking, but still enjoying and treasuring each others company.
And that's what I have in her, plus a girlfriend whom I love. Things doesn't really get any better than that.

This is going to be a bit of a rant about love, if you haven't noticed already. But I'm in love, so I could care less.

Love, is funny in a way. Such a short word, that means so much etc…I'm blurring this bit out, mainly because I cant be bothered to transform my thoughts into something understandable right now. I'm happy and in love, and I'll just leave it at that...

So, back to reality maybe, I thought as I caught myself drifting away once again. I desperately tried to focus on the book I was reading, but it wasn't really working. All I could think about was Erica. A small smile played on my lips when I thought about what I had planned for her tonight, and I couldn't help but chuckle at all the excitement I was feeling.

I had been planning this night for weeks and I was certain that it would go exactly as planned. Not that I had any reason to believe otherwise, things that I plan for me and Erica always seem to go great. Except for that time when the waiter at the restaurant managed to pour an entire jug of water over me, but strangely enough, Erica only found that highly amusing. I still believe though, that if it had been her with all that freezing cold water, things would have been less funny. But, that's just me.

As I leaned over to my nightstand to find a pen my eyes found the picture standing on it instead. It was one of my favourite pictures of me and Erica, and just by looking at it now I felt like laughing out loud.
It showed us curled up on a couch, almost entirely covered by a blanket, and since it was taken with night-vision you can even see the shocked smiles on our faces when we both realised that Danny snuck the camera under the blanket to take the picture. What it doesn't show though, is the seconds later when I chase Danny half-way around the house with a ice-cream scoop as my weapon of choice, trying to get him back for sneaking up on us.

I remember it like it was yesterday…

'Tom! Are you home?' Erica shouted from her spot by the door.
When I didn't respond she fished out the spare-key and slowly unlocked the door before letting herself in. 'Tom?' she said again 'I know you're here, your stupid car is outside and I known you never go anywhere without it'
'Damn' I whispered quietly, trying my hardest not to make too much noise. That girl knows me all to well. 'I'm in here'
'Where's here then?' Erica asked while I heard her jumping up the stairs on at a time. 'I'm not that clever you know'
'Trust me' I said with a snicker 'I know'
'Hey!' she said as she stuck her head in the room 'And hey'
'You said it first, I'm just agreeing' I continued 'And hey to you too'

As she walked up to my bed, where I was currently residing, she dropped her jacket on the floor and kicked her shoes off, leaving them where they were. I couldn't help but frown just a bit at the mess, which she obviously noticed straight away.
'Oh come on Tom, that is nothing' she laughed as she jumped on my bed 'Danny is much worse than I am'
I lifted the covers up and let her slip in before responding 'Yeah, but I cant do anything about him, you on the other hand, I can still control'
'Keep dreaming Tommyboy, keep dreaming' Erica said with a sigh as she nuzzled into my chest. I wrapped my arms around her and gave her a tiny kiss on the top of her head. I couldn't help but letting out a content sigh.
'Is Katie coming over tonight to?'
'Yeah, she said she'd be here around seven' Erica murmured sleepily 'Why?'
'I think Danny fancies her'
Erica looked up from my chest and met my eyes, with a curious smile on her face 'Really?!'
'Yep, haven't you noticed how he lights up when they're around each other, and opens the door for her and stuff'
'Course I have' she giggled 'I think Katie fancies Danny too'
'Really? This is awesome'
'In know, bloody brilliant'

Later that night Erica and Katie burst through the door from the kitchen, arms filled with ice-cream and bowls, giggling and laughing at something Danny and I obviously wasn't in on. Danny just looked at them with a smile of mixed amusement and confusion, and I figured I probably had the same one on my face. I shrugged my shoulders and gave him a knowing look before I stood up and grabbed the bowls from Erica.
'Which taste did you get?' Danny said excitedly standing up as well. 'Oh, mint and chocolate-chip, my favourite!'
'Danny' Erica said seriously 'How could you think that I wouldn't bring the chocolate-chip, who do you think I am?'
'Sorry' he chuckled, not taking his eyes of the ice-cream that Katie was holding up in front of him, following it with his eyes as she moved it up and down 'I should have learned by now'
'Scoop up people, I cant wait anymore' Katie said as she pushed Danny onto the couch behind him, and then taking a seat next to him 'This ice-cream needs eating, like now'
Danny nodded 'Mmmm' while rubbing his stomach 'That all you'll hear from me from now on; Mmmm'

As we finished distributing the ice-cream we started the movie and everyone disappeared into their own little sugary-induced state. I leaned back on the couch and Erica climbed over me and took a seat so that she was sitting in-between my legs. I wrapped my arms around her and she instantly laced her fingers together with mine.

After about half the movie I felt her shiver slightly and realised that I was cold too, and quickly wrapped a blanket over the two of us. Erica nuzzled even closer and gave me a small kiss on my cheek as thank you, and for a second I was thankful for the semi-darkness that covered my blushing cheeks.

I still hadn't fully comprehended the fact that she was actually my girlfriend, and that I was allowed to kiss her and hold her whenever I wanted to. I mean, we'd only been officially together for a week, but we had fallen into a very comfortable routine rather quickly. We'd see each other every day if possible and if not, then we'd talk on the phone for hours instead.
And with Danny delaying his return home with another week, the three of us, and Katie most of the times, had spent pretty much every waken moment together.

As realisation hit me I couldn't keep it in anymore. I looked over at Danny and Katie who were now sitting almost on top of each other and Danny had his arm placed around her shoulders, with a sort of half smile on his lips. Concluding that they we're completely into the movie, and each other, I fished out my phone and quickly typed up a short text.

Seconds later Erica's phone beeped and I watched her reaction as she read it what it said, half expecting her to say something. But she didn't, instead she turned her phone away from my as she typed an answer.
When my own phone beeped again, I flipped it open and at that moment I had no idea what to expect. As I read her response, well, lets just say it didn't make things any clearer since it only said "Chicken"

Just as I opened my mouth to ask her what it meant, my phone beeped again. "But…I love you too"
I gently squeezed her hand as I pulled her even closer and I could feel her giggling as the vibrations from it spread to me as well.
'What are you two giggling at?' Danny asked suddenly and both me and Erica turned towards him.
'Ehm' I began, not really sure what to say.
'Tom just told me that he loved me' Erica said happily.
Both Danny's and Katie's jaws dropped upon hearing this, which made them look kind of stupid, which only lead to me laughing even more. 'No way!' Katie finally said.
'Yes way, actually' I nodded.
'You hadn't told her before?' Danny asked apparently surprised.
'No, what? We've only been officially together for a week'
'Yeah, I know that' he continued 'But you guys have been like "in love" since day one, I just assumed that you were already past that'

To this I decided to not say anything. Suddenly words, especially when trying to reply to one of Danny's wisdoms, seemed rather useless.

'Danny! You stupid , what have I told you about sneaking up on us?!' I yelled as I jumped off the couch. Facing each other, on either side of the couch, I grabbed what I could, which happened to be an ice-cream scoop and when he grinned at Katie I seized my moment and threw myself at him.
'Too slow, Tommyboy!' Danny yelled in triumph, as I landed with a thud on the floor. 'You know I'm to fast for you'
'Never again Danny, never again!' I responded and ran after him resulting in him letting out a rather girly squeal.

I caught up with him when he, as always, tripped and fell on the rug by the door, and in an effort to keep him still I threw myself at him before wrestling him to the floor. 'Say it'
'No'
'Say it!' I repeated as I held the scoop closer to his face 'Say it or this goes in the hair'
'No!' Danny gasped 'Not the hair!'
I laughed evilly 'Oh yes'
He made one last effort to wriggle his way out of my grip before giving in 'Fine. Thomas Fletcher, master of the universe and all others that may be beyond. I will never obey a direct order not to sneak up on you or use the night-vision on my camera to catch you in any incriminating positions'
I grinned at him before quickly rubbing his hair with the remains of the ice-cream.
'AHhh! I said it, I said it!'
'Yes, but you said it wrong. It should be: Thomas Fletcher, honorary master of the universe and all others that may be beyond. I will never obey a direct order not to sneak up on you or use the night-vision on my camera to catch you in any incriminating positions' I paused, taking a breath 'You missed honorary'
'I always let you pass when you miss a word' he answered with a pout.
I grinned at him 'That's because you're to stupid to notice'
'Right' he nodded 'But…I'm not to stupid to do this!' he finished and swiftly pushed me over on my back before half-choking me on the floor. 'Haha, who's laughing now!'

'Those two spend more time in that close proximity with each other than we do with them' we suddenly heard Katie say, and both our heads snapped towards them, where they stood in the doorway.
'I know' Erica nodded 'I don't know how to feel about that'
'Me neither'
'It makes you think though'
'It does indeed'
'Danny' I said, although it came out rather muffled, mostly due to the fact that he was still trying to choke me. 'They're emasculating us'
Releasing his grip he sat up straight 'You know what that means' he said pointing at them both with an evil grin on his face 'You take that one and I'll take this one!'

Danny quickly sprang up from the floor and chased Katie into the kitchen 'Nowhere to run! You can never get away…' he began but was interrupted by Katie whispering something in his ear 'Ok' he giggled 'Ok'. Katie flashed me and Erica a smile before Danny grabbed her by the hand and dragged her upstairs.
'You are so weak!' I yelled after them before turning to Erica again 'She's got him wrapped around his finger'
'Yeah' she nodded 'She's learned from the best' she continued with a smile, while wrapping her arms around my neck, planting butterfly-kissed on my jaw.
'Huh? I totally missed that' I whispered, mostly because at this state I just stood there with a goofy smile on my face as I pulled her even closer.
'Oh, nothing, nothing at all'

'Oh Katie, that feels so nice' Danny's voice came muffled through the door, the sound causing me to stop dead in my track.
'Tom!' Erica said as she bumped into my back 'What the hell, why did you stop like that?'
'Shh' I said leaning closer to the door 'Did you hear that?'
Erica leant closer too before asking 'Hear wha…' being interrupted by another moan from Danny, followed by a giggle from Katie. 'Oh'
'What the hell are they doing in there?' I said in a rather panicked voice.
'It seems quite obvious to me'
'But that's my bed!' I responded stomping my foot on the floor.
'Yeah, so…' she said with a smile on her face.
'That's my bed! Danny is naked in my bed! The bed that you're going to sleep in tonight'
As realisation hit her Erica's eyes doubled in size and her jaw dropped, before she started jumping around, wrapping her arms around her 'Eww, eww get him out, get him out!'
'I'm not going in, you go in' I said crossing my arms in front of me.
'He's your friend, you go in'
'He's your friend too' I said as she tried to stare me down. 'That wont work here missy'

We stood like that for a few seconds, but as we heard another moan from Danny, we both threw ourselves at the door, screaming 'Stop!' as we burst through it. 'Danny what have I told you about having…' I quickly scanned the room in front of me and found that Danny was indeed shirtless, but nothing more. Katie was simply giving him a massage 'Eh, hi'
'Hi' Katie said with a small wave, as both her and Danny looked at us with rather startled looks on their faces. 'Why are you two screaming like that? And did you just kick the door open?' Danny asked confused
'Eh…' both me and Erica said at once.
'Yeah' Katie agreed 'What did you think we were doing?'
'Nothing' I said quickly while glancing at Erica who was shaking her head. 'Absolutely nothing'
'Ok…'
I grabbed Erica's hand 'We should go, we've got things to, eh, do'
'Yeah' Erica nodded again 'Gotta go'

I dragged her out of the room and didn't stop until we reached the guest-room. I closed the door and leaned against it, Erica copying my movements. We stood like that, breathing heavily before I let out a quiet snort, soon followed by a chuckle.
Erica looked at me with a quizzical look but from her glistening eyes I could see that she was close to laughter too.
'That' I started, fighting to keep the laughter inside 'was…'
'Yeah' she agreed before looking down at the floor. I placed my hand around her shoulders and I could feel her shaking.
'I really hope that's you laughing' I said as I felt myself close to exploding with laughter.
Erica looked up at me with a huge smile 'Duh', and that second I let go and broke into a completely hysterical fit of laughter, soon enabling the function of my legs and forcing me to the floor, where Erica was already sat.

Erica

'Katie' I said with a pout 'Where is he?'
She shrugged her shoulders 'I don't know'
'I can't believe that he isn't here' I continued wallowing in self-pity. 'It's our one year anniversary and he isn't even here. How could he forget something like this?'
'Aww, honey' Katie said taking a seat next to me 'He probably has a great reason for being late'
'I mean' I continued not taking any notice to what she said 'The boy told me that he loved me for the first time in a text…'
'Which was incredibly romantic though' Katie interrupted.
I glared at her 'I know, I can't be mad at that, but still, why isn't her here? I know we said half seven'
'Go over to his place then' Katie replied giving me a light push 'Find him'
'I don't know'
'Erica!' She continued sternly 'This is the boy who's kisses, after one year together, still sends shivers down your spine. Isn't that reason enough to go and find him?'
I flashed her a small smile as I though about Tom 'I guess so'
'Go, go go go' Katie sang to herself as I left her alone in my room. 'Oh, wake me up before you go-go, don't leave me hanging on here like a yo-yo…'

As I got out on the drive-way I fished out my car-keys and pressed the unlocking-key, and let out a little giggle as the lights flashed. Might seem silly, but on this car, it just looked stupid. I opened the door and noticed a small, white envelope lying on the drivers seat. Curiously I picked it up and examined the outside for any clue to who it was from, or to. Well, I figured it was for me, since it was in my car, but I was pretty sure that it hadn't been there when I parked it this morning, meaning that someone had been in my car.
In any other situation I'd probably been a bit worried, but I had some sort of vague feeling that I knew who it was from. I opened the envelope and quickly read the words scribbled across it.

'Ye who have little faith…I can't believe that you thought I'd forget.
Left, left, right, round the corner and right
Tom

That boy only gets weirder by the day, I thought to myself as I turned the ignition and drove out of my house and turned left.

I slammed the car-door shut and looked up at the house in front of me. It was a huge stone-house and I honestly had no idea where the hell I was, but I was pretty sure that I was at the right place. At least I hoped that I was.
I took a few careful steps along the gravel-path before fishing out my phone and quickly sending a text to Tom. Fine, I have little faith. Can you at least tell me if I'm at the right place?
The answer came only seconds later Around the back silly, there's a trail and everything…geez
At this I looked down I noticed a very obvious trail formed of rose-petals, aww, I thought, how romantic. And how lost am I not to notice…

I followed the petals around the back and after a few feet I stepped onto the grass and walked up to a blanket sprawled underneath an apple-tree. 'Tom?'
'I'll be right there' I heard him say and I looked around to try and pin-point where the sound was coming from, but failed. I shrugged my shoulders and popped down at the blanket, leaning back on my elbows.

It wasn't until now that I realised just how beautiful this place really was. I lay back completely and continued to gaze up at the blue sky through the branches of the tree.
'What are you doing?'
'I'm looking at the sky' I said as I looked up at him 'What are you doing?'
He flashed me a smile 'Preparing your surprise'
'Oh' I said sitting up 'I like the sound of that'
He flopped down beside me 'Now how did I know that?'
'Because I'm predictable' I chuckled 'As are you dear boyfriend'
'I know' he nodded moving closer 'That's why we make such a good couple'
'Oh come on, kiss me already' I giggled and pulled him down with me. He stopped, his lips inches from mine and as he spoke the vibrations reached mine instantly 'I love you'
I smiled 'I love you to' before allowing him to press his lips on mine in a gentle kiss, that, as always, sent millions of shivers down my spine.

'So…' I started about five minutes later 'What's my surprise?'
Tom gave me a knowing look before answering 'Don't rush me, It's for desert, and you ain't seeing it until then'
'Ain't? Who died and made you go ghetto on me?' I said with a chuckle.
'Ha…ha' he smirked 'Are you hungry yet?'
'Tom…I'm always hungry'
'Right' he said as he got up and started unpacking various food-items from the basket next to us. I looked over his shoulder and let out a small, exited squeal as I saw the sandwiches, a knowing look at the strawberries and a 'really?' and the can of cream.
'What?' he said with a laugh 'We can't have strawberries without cream' I smiled at him before sitting back again and allowing myself to be served.

Roughly an hour later we were both lying on our backs, staring up at the now a tad bit greyer skies talking about nothing much. 'Oh, I almost forgot' I said suddenly 'I've got a present for you'
'Now that I think about it, I have a present for you too'
'Really, but you've already done all of this for me' I added while giving him a quick kiss on the cheek 'I'm in no need of presents'
'I know but I couldn't help myself' he smiled and retrieved a small packet from the basket 'Here'
I took the small box from him and looked at the red bow tied around it. 'It's so pretty' I said as I carefully untied it 'I almost don't want to open it, but…not really…Haha…this is so exiting…Oh, and I love how I keep talking to myself, even though you're sitting right next to me…Brilliant…and Oh Tom'
'Is that a good "Oh Tom"?'
'It's the best possible Oh Tom' I said as I fingered the small silver heart that lay inside. I carefully picked it up by its chain and held it up in front of me, admiring the tiny letters covering its front. I read the words quietly to myself, Never Ending, as I looked up at Tom again 'Its beautiful and I love it and I love you even more'
'Here' he said leaning closer 'I'll help you put it on'

Tom

'Can you believe we've already been together a year?' I asked Erica as I finished packing away the food.
'I know' she answered with a smile 'It's been the best year ever'
I put my arm around her shoulders 'Are you happy?'
'I honestly couldn't be happier' she said and hugged me back. Right at that moment I felt a water-drop on my cheek and as I tilted my head upwards the sky opened up and it started to pour down. I quickly stood up and grabbed Erica's hand. 'Come on' I said laughing 'We have to find some shelter or something'
'Can't we just go inside?' she yelled back to try and over-shout the rain that was now thundering down.
I shook my head 'I haven't got a key. I didn't think we'd have to go inside'
'Lets run for it then' Erica replied and pulled me closer 'I'm already soaked, a few more minutes wont do any harm'

I gave her a gentle kiss before grabbing her hand again and starting along the gravel-path. Forgetting about both of our cars we ran along the street until we reached a bus-stop were we stopped to catch our breaths.
'This' I took a deep breath 'Is not going exactly the way I planned'
Erica wrapped her arms around me with a huge smile 'I think its going even better'
I pulled her as close as possible, stroking the wet hair out of her face with my free hand, gently cupping it instead. I leaned closer, to the point where our foreheads were touching before I whispered 'Happy anniversary baby'
'Happy anniversary' she whispered back before out lips met in a passionate kiss. After the kiss came to a natural end, Erica laced her fingers together with mine and pulled me out of the shelter, into the pouring rain 'Let's take a walk out in the rain'
I looked at her, a look mixed with amusement and confusion, but then decided to just go for it and followed her along the pavement, jumping in the odd puddle that we passed.
'Hey, stop splashing' I yelled as I tried to avoid the wave of water Erica sent my way.
'Why? It's not like you can get any more wet'
'Fine' I huffed 'Waterfight?'
'Bring it on' she said with a smile, before letting out a small squeal as I ran after her along the road.

We ran down street after street, screaming and laughing, not caring that it was getting darker and darker by the second, and, soon the streetlights' small circles were the only light left around us. I caught up with Erica where she was standing underneath a tree and I quickly grabbed her around her waist and hoisted her up on my shoulder. 'I'm freezing'
'So am I' she giggled, trying to squirm her way out of my grip.
'Fancy a ride home?' I said and motioned towards the bus just coming up the hill.
'Absolutely' Erica replied 'To the bus'
'To the bus' I chuckled and set off towards the bus-stop closest to us.
'Tom?' Erica said in a serious voice.
'Yeah'
'This has been the best day ever'
I nodded 'I know'
'I love you' she said and I felt her slip down a bit on my back.
'What are you doing?' I giggled, as her hands found their way around my waist.
'You try hugging someone from behind, and up-side down, its not that easy you know'
I let out a small chuckle before putting her back down and hugging her, the normal way 'I love you to. Always have and always will'
'Forever-ever?'
'Forever-ever'