Prologue

We've been best friends ever since kindergarten. We met when a kid stole my crayons in class one day and Chase came and got them back for me. Ever since then, we've been inseparable. He had always been a rebel and he always wore black. He wasn't goth...but black seemed to suit him. I, on the other hand, was so different. My parents were conservative, so I guess that made me a goody two shoes. We both came from such different worlds, but we were the best of friends.

Our parents never minded our friendship. Sure, they didn't approve, seeing that we didn't exactly have the same goals and morals, but they were okay with our innocent friendship. Until one day, it wasn't just a friendship.

I'll never forget that day. We both agreed to meet up at a huge tree that was in the middle of our two properties. We lived a few acres away, but found out that the huge oak tree in the middle was the perfect spot to meet. I saw him already waiting for me, and when I got there, he just smiled at me.

"Hey Mary," he said, as he leaned against the tree.

"Hi," I said smiling back. He was quiet for a moment, but soon he turned his body to me and spoke.

"We've been friends for a while," he said. I nodded. "You're the one person I can talk to about anything and everything. You're always there for me."

"And I always will be. Just like you're always here for me," I told him.

He smiled again and continued. "I have to tell you something."

I waited, saying nothing.

"I love you."

Silence. I didn't know what to say. My best friend since we were kids declared that he loved me. My heart started beating faster and my mind tried to comprehend the words he just spoke. Love. Such a strong word. Especially for two seventeen year olds who had been friends since the age of five.

"I love you, too," I said as he reached for my hand.

Well, of course I loved him back. I guess I just hadn't realized it until now. We didn't say anything for a while. We just sat there, together, looking up at the blue sky and hearing the birds sing. It was everything I had wanted. But better. It was everything I had wanted...with him.

He turned to look at me and asked me something that would change our lives forever.

"Can I kiss you?"

Breathless, I nodded. "I would love that."

And just like that, our friendship took the next step. Of course, we didn't know that it would cause this much trouble.

Our parents were furious. No, they didn't mind a friendship, but they absolutely forbid a relationship. We tried to tell them that we were old enough to decide what we wanted, but they didn't buy it.

My parents were probably more against it then Chase's parents were. They thought that Chase would hurt me. Cheat on me with some other girl. I knew Chase. He would never do that. Ever. End of story.

But he did get into a lot of fights. And my parents didn't like that either. Which I can understand. I hated it too. But only because I hated seeing him get hurt. Sure, he was tough. But he always insisted on fighting guys much tougher than he was. He would call me to meet him at our tree, and I would nurse he wounds.

It was hard. I barely got to see him. I would see him at school, and sometimes at our tree, but he wasn't allowed to come over. I mean my parents knew I was still dating him. They couldn't stop that. But they didn't like it. At all. It was like a daily struggle. I trusted Chase to make the right choices and I wish my parents knew him like I did.

Why does it seem like the whole world is saying no? When a love like this feels so right, yet nobody seems to understand. They don't get it. I love him. He loves me. That's it. That's all there is to it. So why are they trying to break us apart?

I just wonder how many more accusing stares I can take.

Chapter 1- Us

There he was. My best friend. My boyfriend, Chase. Waiting at our tree for me, smiling as usual.

"Hey gorgeous," he winked.

"Don't call me that," I laughed.

He made a sad, pouty face. When I reached the tree, he stood up and kissed me. Leaning in close to my ear, he whispered, "I missed you."

I felt myself smile. "You saw me two hours ago," I whispered back. He just hugged me tighter.

"Two hours too long."

It was perfect. Too perfect. I mean, this stuff just doesn't happened to girls like me. Girls, who are expected to make good grades, always go to church, be the perfect little daughter. I'm not exactly that pretty. And I'm not just saying that to get more attention. But Chase doesn't always see the outside. Okay, with other girls, yes. He stares at their outside. But with me...he stares at my heart. He sees me for who I really am. And he apparently likes it.

Not that I'm complaining.

"I brought you something," He said as we pulled away.

"What?" I asked intrigued, biting my lip.

"Close your eyes," he smirked.

"Come on Chase!" I whined.

"Come on. Just close your eyes," he insisted.

Finally, I gave up, and closed my eyes like he wanted. After a few seconds, he said, "Okay. Open them," When I opened my eyes, I saw it.

He was holding out to me, a single, red rose without a single thorn.

I smiled, and pulled him in for a kiss. "Thank you!" I said breathlessly.

"Anything for you," he replied, obviously enjoying the kiss.

"I'd better get going. Mom will freak. Plus I have tons of homework," I said, backing away. But he pulled me back in and whined, "You would rather do homework than kiss me?"

I laughed and pushed him off. "Of course not. I'll see you tomorrow!" I said, waving as I left. When I looked back, I saw him leaning against the tree, smiling to beat the band.

Oh, Chase.

When I got home, my mom was in the living room, reading.

"Where were you?" she asked, not looking up from her book.

"Out," I said simply. I really wanted to just go upstairs to my room.

"With...him?" she asked, making a face, still not looking up from her book.

"Maybe," I said, as I shifted from one foot to the other. Finally she put the book down, took off her glasses, and looked at me. Actually, she stared so hard I thought she could see right through. Like she was looking at all of my secrets.

"Honey. You know I love you, right?" she asked with a motherly face. I nodded, not saying a thing. Where was she going with this? "And you know that what your father and I said about that boy is only to protect you, right?"

"His name is Chase," I said.

"Yes, I know," She glanced down and saw the rose in my hand. "Is that from that bo-I mean, is that from Chase?" she asked me.

"Yes."

"Oh," She stood up and walked over to me. She reached out and rubbed my arm. "Honey, I know that you two have been friends for a while...but...he's trouble."

I stared up at her and took a step back. "I love him."

Her arm dropped. "I'm sure you do. But he's just going to break your heart and move on. Forget all about you. And I know what that feels like. It hurts. And I don't want to see that happen to you," she said.

"Chase is different! You don't even know him! He loves me and he would never do that!" I yelled, and with tears I ran upstairs to my room.

We had this conversation every day. Every. Single. Day. She tells me she doesn't think he's good, and I say he is, then I run away crying. I hate how this always happens. I love him. I really, really love him. Why can't she just be happy about it? And dads no help. He just agrees with whatever mom says.

Once I got to my room, I shut my door and lay on my bed, staring at the moon outside of my window. It shone beautiful through my lace curtains, filling the room with it's light. Finally I got up and walked over to my desk to write in my journal.

I switched on my lamp on my desk and grabbed my favorite pen. I opened my book, rereading all my other entries. I smiled to myself as I read about all the wonderful things Chase has done for me. Not only as a couple but as best friends. He really did make me a better person.

Chase and I met at our tree as usual. But he surprised me with a rose! And of course my mom got upset again and tried to talk me out of seeing him. But she can't. No one can. I love him. Which, in a way, is funny. We were best friends for so long. When people used to tease us about being a couple, we would both gag and say no. But now...now we are. It's so weird. But I love it. I love him. Maybe I'm even… obsessed.

I shut my journal and sat there quietly, just thinking over everything. Finally I got into my pajama's and slipped into bed with Chase's words repeating in my mind.

A/N

Hey! New story! I actually posted this story on another website, but I wanted to see if you guys would like it! Thanks :) Enjoy!