Chapter 2

The next few weeks were amazing. Jonathon enrolled at NPHS and we saw each other every day. On the weekends we would plan to go to the mall, or the movies, or just hang out.

I had yet to tell him how I felt. I didn't have the slightest idea about how he'd react. I decided to wait a bit. I watched his actions, his words, everything, to see if I could get a simple clue.

Weeks went by, but I still had no clue. I gave up. I would wait until either I got more clues from him, or he said it first.

Now, months had gone by. Those three words remained unsaid. Jonathon's last year of high school was coming to an end. I knew I needed to say it, and he needed to hear it. If he left before he knew how I felt, how would we end up?

The day before Jonathon's graduation, he and I decided to go out to dinner. He picked me up and we were off. It was the night I was going to tell him that I loved him. It was my last chance.

We had a wonderful dinner. We talked all night and had a great time.

"Jonathon," I said, taking his hand. "There's something I've wanted to tell you."

His face seemed to light up. "Me too! But I gotta say mine first. If you don't mind."

I nodded for him to go on.

He began by putting his other hand over my already clenched hand, and looking into my eyes. He spoke very softly, "We have been together for a long time now; it all seems like a dream. But soon I 'm going away to college, and you're still in high school. I can think of only one thing to do…"

My heart sank into the pit of my stomach.

Is he breaking up with me?

He can't! I love him!

I gripped his hand tighter but noticed he was reaching into his jacket pocket with his one free hand.

What is happening?

"Samantha Elaine Love… Will you marry me?" he said. He pulled out a little velvet box, and opened it. A glistening ring sat in front of me. I was in complete shock.

My silence must've worried him because he began to ramble.

"I love you. I know it's sudden but since I'm leaving... I can't lose you. I love-" he interrupted me.

I held up one finger to his lips, and he was quiet. Slowly, I took the ring from the box and put it on. I leaned across the table and kissed him ever so softly. I pulled only millimeters from his lips as I whispered, "I love you too…"

I sat back in my seat, wanting to see his expression. It was more than happiness, more than excitement. It was something I've longed to see looking back at me. It was love.

The next day was Jonathon's graduation. I sat in the front row and smiled as I saw him proudly walk across the stage to accept his certificate. After it was all over I met him in front of the school. He picked me up, twirled me around, and kissed me, as if from a movie.

"Someone's excited!" I laughed as he set me down.

"How could I not be? I graduated high school! And I'm going to marry the love of my life!" He said, kissing me again.

We had a long, passionate kiss, until we were interrupted by a voice behind us.

"MARRY?" We turned to see Jonathon's sister and mother standing there in disbelief. Their eyes were wide and their jaws were so dropped, they might as well have just fallen to the ground in disbelief.

"Shit…" Jonathon muttered under his breath.

He slowly let go of me and began to explain to his dumbfounded family.

"Mom, Sam… We love each other… I proposed yesterday. I was going to tell you, but…" He tried to explain calmly.

His mom wordlessly pulled him out of hearing distance. I watched them, trying to decipher what they were saying from their expressions. Every once in a while I'd see them glace over to me.

After a couple minutes, which seemed like years, Jonathon started coming my way. He looked anything but happy.

"Samantha, meet me here tomorrow at noon. Don't ask anything. I gotta go," he whispered.

He kissed me, and walked back to his waiting mother and sister. I watched him walk away, and he turned back. Our eyes locked, and I blew a kiss. He reached out to "catch" it and held it to his heart. "I love you" He mouthed slowly. We watched each other until the moment he was out of sight.

The rest of the night, I kept my phone by my side and my laptop in sight. I could not miss it if he tried to contact me. The whole night I didn't get anything from him. Not one word. So, I decided to go to sleep. Too much was on my mind to sleep, though.

Was I ever going to see him again?

What did his mom say?

I gave up, and fell asleep. When I woke up, I quickly grabbed my phone and checked it. "0 new messages."

I sighed in disappointment until I read the time.

"Oh my god! It's 11:30! I'm almost late!" I jumped out of bed, and rushed to get dressed. Once done, I rushed to the school and to the spot where I had last seen Jonathon. No one was there, so I looked to my phone.

Only 11:45. I sat down on the soft grass. I got almost no sleep the previous night, so when I laid my head on the grass I quickly drifted off.

"Baby. Baby wake up!"

I slowly opened my eyes to see Jonathon standing above me. He smiled at me and I smiled back

"Hey there, Sleeping Beauty." He said as he pulled me up.

I rubbed my eyes, "Why'd we have to meet here? Will I ever see you again? What did your mom say?" I was so confused and worried.

"Whoa there, Sherlock!" he laughed. "Let me explain. My mom, well she disapproves."

I knew that already. It was obvious. His mother always had a slight distaste for me. But I could never figure out why.

He continued, "She told me that I wasn't allowed to see you anymore, but I don't care. We're running away together. I need you, Samantha. I can't live without you. I won't! Please, please come with me." He took my hands.

Without a second thought I looked to him, "Of course I will." As I realized my decision, my mind raced.

"Thank you! You've made me so happy! Oh Samantha, we're gonna be so perfect together! So happy together! Forever! Samantha? Samantha!" His voice was the last thing I heard. Then everything went black.

When I woke up, I looked around. I didn't realize it, but I was in the hospital.