I DO NOT OWN FALLEN!

Three: Beloved

Helston England, September 1854

I silently walk through the long halls of my house. This house is much larger than the one my family and I had previously lived in, miles away from this town. I had even gotten lost throughout the first few weeks living in this new residence. This mansion had once belonged to a noble man that had been my great grandfather who had passed away about a month ago. My father having gone to great lengths as to prove his lineage was derived from the noble man, had inherited this very mansion as well as a large amount of money so that he and mother could live here happily. I did not oppose as to moving homes, because I loved seeing new areas of England and really hoped to travel the rest of the world when I am older.

This mansion has many rooms filled with old family heirlooms that are all currently ours now. There were many dresses in a wardrobe that I had found on the third floor in a very decorative room, that probably belonged to my great grandmother. She had very exquisite taste. Most of the dresses had hand sewn flowers and vines in them like this white one that I have chosen to wear tonight. It has white flowers sew all the way to the bottom of the dress that falls about an inch or two off the ground. The flowers very closely resemble my most personal favorite, white peonies.

Reaching the end of the long halls I find the stairs that lead directly to the front doors. The large doors stand about two times the height of myself and have beautiful hand carved designs of angels and babies engraved on them. I try my best to open the large wooden doors without making too much noise and miraculously succeed. I step out of the polished floors of my house and onto the cold concrete floor of the front steps. Even through my flat footed cleats I could still feel the grip of the cold night grasp the bottom of my feet.

I carefully close the large doubled doors with them just making audible creaks that I am sure my parents cannot possibly hear from the third floor of the mansion. I look out into the night sky and see that the moon is full in its gorgeous illuminating light. The stars bring forth smaller rays of light that are a beautiful compliment to the moon's. Together they light up the pathway the leads directly to the town park in an almost grand but delicate entry. It is surprisingly not such a cold night especially now that it is nearly the end of September. I begin to walk along the pathway to the town park, guided by the stars and moon's very small but noticeable rays of light on the path. The park from where my house is located, is only about a three minute ride by carriage but I do not mind the walk. It will give me plenty of time to think about what he has said that he had really wanted to show me.

A few days after my family and I had moved to Helston, I had noticed a boy that was painting right by the lake. Although I could not see his face, I knew that he had possessed beautiful features. The arch of his back was very poised as he had studied the sun setting behind the mountains creating the most lovely twilight against the oncoming grey clouds. His hands that had held the brush and ink board had a very strong and unique bone structure, he probably even plays the piano like I do. But the moment after he had turned around to face me, his beauty was far beyond what I had composed. As I had taken in and deeply admired his fair golden hair and wondrous violet colored eyes, I had worried at how long he was gazing back at me. The sun was almost set and he wouldn't be able to finish the heavenly realm that he had painted on his canvas. But as he had looked back at me, the look in his eyes had seemed as if he found something far more precious to paint on a canvas.

The next day I had brought a book to read under a tree that was in our large front yard, and a sudden shadow had blocked the sun rays from casting a natural light on the faded pages. when I had looked up I realized that it was him again, but this time I had been looking at him from a much closer distance and his features were much stronger and those eyes of his more wondrous. That was when he had formally introduced himself. He had told me that his name was Daniel, and that he had actually lived with a few of his relatives in the other large house that was across from my own. He also told me that he had hoped to see me again, and that we should spend some time together in town. When he had spoken, his voice was so soft yet so strong and deep that if he would have sung, angels would have descended from the heavens just to hear his soulful and captivating voice.

We had began seeing each other more often in the passing weeks, and eventually our emotions towards one another had blossomed into an even more passionate flower than a red rose in the spring. One afternoon he had taken me to the gazebo that is at the far end of town with the most beautiful view of the lake. When twilight had come and the sun had shown its last full rays, he had told me that he loved me. He had gently placed his hand against my cheek and looked into my eyes with those ominous yet beautiful violet ones of his. He had slowly brought his face closer to mine, and then placed his soft and warm lips to my own and we had shared our first kiss.

I can see brighter lights in the near distance given off by the small town shops that are always open even until midnight. That is right when I see Daniel. He is standing right in the gazebo where we had shared our most precious moment together. The gazebo is surrounded by a beautiful array of lamps and candle that shine brighter than the stars above me. He wears a very expensive and handsome suit that strengthen all of his features. His golden hair looks more silken, his eyes look more mysterious, his facial structure more angelic, and his shoulders more broad.

"You look absolutely beautiful this fine evening, would you care for a dance my lady," he says in that deep beautiful voice of his holding out a strong hand to me.

"Why thank you very much kind sir, and yes I would very much love a dance," I say back to him while giving a small curtsey.

About a minute after we begin to dance, I hear a chorus of violins and a cello. I look over just outside of the gazebo and see that two violinists and a cellist are seated playing a piece that is as soft and delicate as the calm waves of the lake. The moon is just above the water's surface and casts a breathtaking reflection. Something like this would have appeared to me as a dream before I had even met Daniel, but I am still here with him. We had dance for what had seemed like an eternity and then the music started to become slower and more settle, I could tell that it was reaching its end. The last note that is played is so high and longing, that its sorrow feels as though it could transcend even the most vile of curses inflicted on those who are so innocent. One tear from my eyes follows that note into its end, only to be caught and wiped away by Daniel's hand before it can fall.

"Did you not like it?" he says in a sad tone.

"No," I answer him back, trying to control my emotions that threaten to break free. "I... I love it." I smile at him.

"You do?" he asks, "Then why are you crying?" He gives a small but sad smile back to me.

"Because it was so beautiful, so beautiful that there are no words in existence to describe just how much it was," I reassure him, "Did you write that?" I say to him in amassment.

"I had began writing it the day after I first laid eyes on you," he says to me. "Not once in my entire life have I ever witnessed something so pure and beautiful, it was nearly impossible to write anything that could express my feelings towards you." He gently strokes my cheek with the back of his hand ever so gently.

I look deep into his violet colored eyes and know for certain that he means each and every word. But one thing that I am not so sure of is how his emotions toward me feel so longing. His face at this moment reveals so much sorrow and almost grief. He gives off a feeling that we will never be together, and that maybe this night might be our last one with each other. Just before I am about to feel more worried, he speaks softly.

"Happy birthday Lucinda."

"How.. how did you know?" I say back to him with an astonished smile.

"I over heard your parents when they were in town, they were contemplating on what they wanted to give you. They mentioned that they only had a few more weeks so I had narrowed it down to tomorrow, or today sense it is already past midnight." He gives me a warm smile of reassurance.

I return his smile and lean in to him wrapping my arms around him as I rest my head against his shoulder. He raises his strong arms and returns my embrace. He feels so warm and strong that I am left with nothing else to feel but comfort and security. Although, I cannot help but feel that there will be something that will tear the both of us apart. That this strong and passionate love we share will not last forever. But right now that does not bother me, because I am right here with him in this beautiful and everlasting moment. What ever it is that is doomed to separate the two of us, it will never change the fact that we were here and that we were deeply loved by one another. Our love will continue to live on in this world, even when the two of us are no longer in it. Always, and forever.

This time when I woke up from the dream, my breath was not lost.

I woke still not entirely aware of what exactly I saw. I knew that I had seen the two of them share a special moment together and it was not cut short like the last one was. Could this be because I had confessed my feelings to Jack. I had thought. Maybe that was the case. Every time I had a dream about them I would always think of him. There was no one else that had reminded me of that boy but Jack. Thinking of his name helps draw me back to my senses. What happened after I told Jack that I loved him?

I gather all of my surroundings and feel that I am lying on top of someone big and warm. I motion my head upward and see that I am resting on Jack's chest, the lettering of his Red Jumpsuit Apparatus T-shirt readable underneath my chin. He is sound asleep, just as I was about a minute ago. Seeing that I had not waken him, I snuggle back into his chest, taking in his sent that is still fresh and ripe as it was this morning at school. Me silently doing this causes him to wrap both of his large arms around me in a secured and comforting embrace, as he takes a deep breath and drifts back into his peaceful slumber. I look over at the clock in our kitchen and see the time. Three-forty seven. I had been asleep for almost two hours. As I closely think of the time that passed while in the dream I had that could have lasted for an eternity, I can remember more clearly as to what had happened after I told Jack that I was in love with him.

He had pressed his soft and warm lips to my own. My eyes were still open when his lips had connected with mine, but his were gently closed. I leaned in to him more and returned his kiss. When we had broken apart I had looked into his eyes with deep admiration and so had he in my eyes. Then I had wrapped my arms around the back of his neck and pulled him into a more passionate kiss. His tongue had glided against the bottom of my lip, begging for entry which I had gladly offered him, and his tongue had traced mine in a passionate dance. I had given in to his kiss, while savoring the sweet and minty taste of him and yearning for more. As our passionate kiss had continued on in it's intoxicating wake, I had struggle for breath but did not want the kiss to end so soon. My lack of oxygen soon took over and I broke away from Jack trying to regain my lost breath. The next time we had broken apart we were both breathing heavily as we had taken the others breath away. After we had shared our second kiss together, I had rested my head against his large toned chest while he wrapped an arm around me holding me securely, and slowly I drifted into a soundless sleep. That was when I had the dream. The boy and the girl had shared a very special moment together, and I had seen it all without it being cut short and wondering how their story truly concluded.

Seeing the time approaching nearer to four o' clock, I knew that my mother would be home soon and that Lucie should have been here by now. I slowly sat up from Jack and rubbed my eyes to better my vision. This had caused him to regain consciousness and stretch out his limbs with a silent yawn. When he had opened his eyes and saw me, a wide grin had appeared o his face. He had slowly gotten up from the couch pillow he was resting on and brought his face closer to mine, planting a soft kiss on my lips. When he broke away this time, he put a good amount of distance between us as if we were good friends again.

"Hey," he said.

"Hey," I responded with a small laugh.

"Didn't know a kiss could knock you out, maybe I should be kicked out of the prince charming industry."

"Sorry," I said with a laugh at his joke, "I just haven't had that much sleep in a while."

"So... what does this mean?" He asked, with that smile of his still visible.

"I guess this means that we're... together now," I said smiling back at him.

He raises his right hand and rests it against the side of my shoulder. This gesture automatically makes me think that he is about to lean in for another kiss, but then he trails his index finger to the black leather chord of my pendant that is revealed through my loose buttoned shirt. He pulls the pendant that he had gotten me for my Fourteenth birthday out from under my shirt and smiles at me. It was actually a friendship necklace that went with the one that he would always wear as well. Looking at the bottom of his own neck I could see that a black leather cord peeked through the side of his shirt collar as well. The entire pendant was in the shape of an oval about two inches long of a full moon and of a wolf howling to it that was cut with a small waved patter in the middle. There was also a quote engraved on the back of the pendant that said, Although I may never be able to reach you, no amount of distance from you is stronger than the bond we share..

Jack had the part of the pendant with the howling wolf that said the first part of the engraved quote, and I had the part with the full moon in its waking light with the other half of the quote. Jack had even told me the day I had opened and saw the entire pendant put together that he had written the quote himself. As he took out my half of the pendant, I had slowly reached over and took out his part by the leather cord underneath his band T-shirt and I returned his smile. Together we had brought the talisman together again as one, and reunited the two departed pieces. Jack takes his eyes off of the rejoined pendant and looks right into mine with those pure forest green ones of his and recites the first line of the engraved quote.

"Although I may never be able to reach you..." Jack begins. "No amount of distance from you is stronger than the bond we share." I finish, and give him a small smile.

Then without hesitation, he brings himself closer and wraps his arms around me in a secured warm embrace. He tightens his hold on me, and memories flood into my thoughts on the day he first held me like this.

It was a late Friday afternoon when I had stayed after school to practice for choir and band back in eighth grade. It was almost six-thirty and I had taken a shortcut in an old alley with two-story bricked walls to get back to our previous home. It was then that I had seen three older boys following me about a few yards behind me. I had assumed that they were going the same route as I was, but then they had picked up their pace and were right on my trail. I had not noticed that one of them was right in front of me with a very ominous look on his face. It had looked as if he had been stocking his pray and now he would be going in for the kill. I had gotten a better look at all three of them and could make out that they were upper class men in High School, Juniors or maybe even Seniors. The tallest of them had stepped forth first, he was about the same height as Jack but the look in his eyes had made my heart begin to beat in panic.

"Hey there cutie, what's your name?" he said in a husky voice, while the blood thirsty grin on his face grew.

I didn't need time to think. I had grabbed hold of my pack and began to run, only to be caught by a death grip and roughly pushed against the brick wall of one of the buildings. I was facing him, and he looked me in the eyes with those compelling ones of his trying to persuade me that he meant no harm.

"Woah now," the tall one said, "we haven't even introduced ourselves yet," he said, while rubbing his hand up my chest underneath my shirt.

I cringed away from him trying to escape the firm grasp that he had on my hand and tempted to use the other to push him away. It was futile, he had gripped my other arm in an even tighter death grip, and raised them above my head and held them close together so he could hold both of them with one large hand. I had held my eyes shut to block out the numbing pain from his grip and finally opened them to face him while trying to erase some fear to show him I was not afraid of him. But in doing so had only made his glare more fierce, as he had strengthened his grip on me causing me to moan out in pain, I looked up at him once more and saw him slowly lick his lips.

"You're so hot," he said while moving his other hand to the groin area of his black jeans, "I could fuck you right here and now."

Using what strength I had left in me, I had positioned my knee and thrust it forward slamming it into his crotch, causing him to wail out in pain. I had immediately used this opportunity to escape, but was quickly shoved to the ground with the one hand that he still had a grip on. He had gotten on top of my back and slammed my head onto the concrete floor causing me to see stars. I could feel a warm trickle down my face and knew that my forehead was bleeding. By now I had began to panic. What would they do to me? Rape me? Kill me? What did I ever do to deserve this?

He gets up off of my back and picks me up by the back of my shirt. Once I am on my feet again he shoves me back to wall he had pinned me against, only this time my back was to his chest. He pins both of my arms up over me and against the brick wall. Then, he suddenly starts to unbutton my pants and then slips his hands into my underwear and grabs me. An involuntary moan escapes my mouth only adding to his sense of pleasure and he continues to fondle me. He came closer to my face and licked the side of my cheek. I groaned and cringed away from him, causing him to grip me harder. He had reeked of cigarettes and alcohol.

"What?" he said, adding length to the vowel sound, "don't tell me you're not enjoying this." he said.

"PLEASE, LET GO OF ME!" I said, unable to control the scream that escaped with my plea.

"WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!" I yelled again.

Then I was thrown to the ground and stumbled to the wall. I heard a pop and then an inhuman scream followed by another pop and then the howling scream immediately stopped. My vision was blurry from being thrown all over and I couldn't gather all my surroundings at once.

"What the fuc-!" one of the other boys had said. They were completely cut off from saying the next sound when an almost chocking sound had escaped their mouth then I heard a loud thud from the ground. Was someone here to help me? Or were they taking out these juveniles and taking me for themselves? The last of the boys had made a quick yelled gasp and I saw him on the ground clutching his side and then fell on his other side unable to scream out in pain. That was when I had seen a large dark figure standing above me. It was getting darker by the minute and I couldn't entirely see their whole of his face. I had raised my hands over my face in what little strength I had left to protect myself, and then I was brought into a crushing embrace.

That was when I had smelled the familiar spice of his cologne and the fresh mint smell of his breath, there was also a small trace of body odor that was probably because he was at football practice. These small mementos of him had always made me knew that it was him, and right now not only did they help me realize it was him, it had also helped me realize I was safe. The minute I had finally realized it was Jack, I brought my arms up and hugged him back with all the remaining strength I had left in my body.

"Jack," I had said with tears falling on to his shoulders.

"Oh Lucian," he said in a sobbing tone, "I'm so sorry I wasn't here sooner, then none of this would have happened. Did they-"

"You're here now," I had said cutting him off, not wanting to mention anything else. I was safe now in Jack's arms, and that was all that I had cared about in that moment.

"I'm here." Jack said reassuringly, while tightening his hold on me.

I'll never forget that day. Not because it was a day that I was hurt, but because it was a day that I was saved. A day that I was saved by Jack. After the events of that day I had begun to realize that I didn't do anything at all for what happened to me, but I probably must have done something to be saved.

A few minutes later the police had arrived when Jack had called them with the three boys still unconscious. They were all taken in by ambulance and into custody at the same time for precaution. I was taken into a separate ambulance with Jack even though I was not mortally injured. I only needed to get a butterfly stitch that wouldn't cause any scars on my forehead where I was bleeding from. I remembered most of the conditions the other boys had faced from Jack's furry. One boy had a broken jaw with a few missing teeth, the other had four broken ribs, and the biggest of the three had a dislocated shoulder and a shattered knee cap. The police had told us that all three of them had records and there was no need at all to question them, and knew that all the damage done to them was self defense. One police officer had also noted how incredible it was for Jack, an eighth grade student to do a tremendous amount of damage to three upper High School students.

"Well done son," one of the officers said, "really know how to take care of yourself and others."

Jack was with me the entire time when I was brought in for questioning because I had to tell them what those High School kids were doing to me. Even though they would automatically prosecute the boys they still needed to know what they had or were going to do to me. Jack had a secured grip on me with his hand over my shoulder as I had answered each and every question. It was very difficult and painful to relive the atrocity that was inflicted upon me, but I knew that once this was all over I could move on with my life and put this moment behind me. Then the female attorney was a very nice lady and had taken the questioning with ease and tried not to ask very blunt questions. After about a half hour she had finally said that we were done and smiled at the both of us and looked at Jack.

"Are you his brother?" she asked Jack with a warm smile.

"Yeah," he said back to her, returning her smile while securing me to him closer.

Jack had stayed with me that entire weekend and even the first couple days of the week. That was the day he refused to sleep in the guest room and share my bed with him. I could feel that he had a strong arm protectively wrapped around me while I had slept in his warmth, and for 5 nights I had slept in complete peace and serenity. I had always been the one to look out and protect Lucie from the cold dark horrors of the world, but it was very pleasant to know that I had a protector of my own and I was even more thankful that it was Jack. That was the day our friendship had taken another course and we had ended up mostly like brothers. Of course Jack was the older and overprotective one and had made sure that every day he would walk me home from school. About seven months later, I had received a birthday gift that would be the very pendant that I wore now, with Jacks words engraved on the back as well as on my heart.

That relationship we shared then was very special, and the one that we were about to share now would be even more precious as time continued on.

Coming back from the old memories, I pull away from Jack's embrace and planted one more kiss upon his lips and sit up from the couch.

"You know," I began, "we're going to have to tell everyone else."

"Don't worry," he responded while smiling, "I know that you and me being together won't change the way that they already feel about us. In fact, I think it would make their love for us even stronger because of how much you and I had already cared for one another in the past." He looks up at me from the couch with his warm smile. Jack had never failed to comfort me even in the most serious or awkward moments like this one we were about to face.

"Yeah," I said, "you're right." and I returned his smile.

"We've been out for almost two hours," Jack says, bringing me back to my senses after I awoke from my peaceful slumber.

"Yeah, I should text Lucie and see how things are going." I pull my iPhone out from my front pocket and walk into the kitchen and text her.

Hey Lu, everything alright?

Lucie: Yeah, Em's been telling me all about her crazy family reunion and that Matt will be coming back soon. We've been at the library since we left the park about an hour ago, everything alright with Jack ;)

That wink face seemed a little too peculiar, and Matthew was Emily's boyfriend that had went to study at another school for a scholarship over the summer. He was studying to become an oncologist. Matt's younger sister had died of leukemia when he was only twelve years old and had wanted to help people that would face similar conditions. Me and Lucie had always given him our best support, even with our own personal experiences with cancer.

Hey Lucie?

Lucie: Yeah?

Jack and I are .. kinda together now ..

Lucie: As in "together" together 3?

Uh .. Yeah ..

Awwww, I'm happy for the both of you ^.^ I know how much you two love each other, and how cute you two must look together. ^.^

A smile appears on my face at her comment. I knew that Lucie loved Jack, and that she wouldn't be bothered by our new relationship. Then I text her again.

Mind spreading the word?

Lucie: You bet, bouquets and all :D

Jack steps into the kitchen behind me and gives me a hug from behind while resting his chin on my shoulder. He tries to look over at what I'd been texting Lucie but I have already locked my phone, along with my confession to her.

"What are you smiling for?" he asks.

"I told Lucie about us" I answered.

"What was her response?"

"I think she'll be planning the wedding soon." I said.

"I take it that means she loves us even more?"

"Yup." I said

"Well the only one really important we have left to tell is your mom." At that remark I was beginning to shake a little. I had never really told or even discussed with my mother about my own sexual orientation. Ever since dad died it's been hard finding a love like that at all, not since I had found Jack as a friend. Before I even have time to fully gather my thoughts on a coming out to my mother, I hear the door unlock.

Inside walks my mother with her work bag and lets down her long wavy brown hair. She had been working at a local business for computer programs that paid very good money. As she walks into the kitchen she is surprised that Jack is here with me and gives her warm welcome smile.

"Oh, hi Jack, I haven't seen you in a long time," she said in her usual sweet voice, " hope everything was alright over the summer."

"Oh no worries Sarah," he said, directing her always by her first name, " just thought that Luke could use a break from big brother old me." He winks at me while placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Well its good to see you again," she said smiling at him, " how's Marry doing?" Marry was Jack's mom who had divorced about a couple years ago due to an affair.

"She's been great, she's currently been seeing this one guy for a couple months now. He's a really great guy and I think he really loves her, he just might be a keeper." He said while holding up a thumb to her.

"That's great Jack. What about you, have you been seeing anyone new lately?" my mother asked. She had also heard about Jack's recent failed relationship with Richard. Which brings me back to mention what he had said to me earlier.

"Oh mom, I've been meaning to tell you something as of today," I begin trying to gather the correct words. She looked at me with a worried expression for cutting off their conversation.

"Sure hon, what is it that you need to discuss."

"Well, umm..." I began, already knowing that my face was turning a shade of red, "Jack... and I... we're... together." I tried my best to not make it sound too awkward, but probably had done the exact opposite. But then, Jack steps right next to me and gently takes hold of my hand where my mom can see. And then, her brown eyes light up brighter than the sun.

"Oh Luke," she begins, while placing clenched hands over her mouth covering what I presumed was a big smile, " I'm so happy for the two of you." she comes up to the two of us and gives us a big hug. When she pulls away, there are tears of joy in her eyes.

"All I want is for you to be happy Luke," she said and looks at Jack, " and I know that Jack will make you more than happy." she kisses my cheek as well as his.

"Jack why don't you stay over for the night, It'd be nice to finally have someone over once in a while." my mother said.

"Sure, I'd love to." Jack said.

"I don't have to be worried about you two being in the same room now do I?" my mother said in a defensive tone.

"Moooooom," I had groaned, only to see that she was trying to hid a huge grin.

"Sarah, how could you think so low of me," Jack said sounding a bit betrayed, "I haven't even taken Luke out on our first date yet."

"Then I suggest you two discuss decide on where you plan to have your first date tomorrow. I'll be home about an hour and a half later tomorrow because of a bigger project planned this week at the office." my mother said.

"Okaaay mom," I said to her, and began guiding Jack to my room.

"You two kids be safe," my mother warned.

"Don't worry Sar, we will," Jack said while giving her one last grin and stepping into the hall towards my room.

Inside my room, I always noticed my bookshelf first because of all the memories it had carried with it. It was always nice looking back at books almost as if they were lives that I had once lived. Jack had walked over to the bookshelf that stood almost as tall as him and glided his hand against a row of my collection of Jodi Picoult books. Growing up together for almost four years now, we both had read the same books and had very similar tasted in literature. Of course with me having almost no contact with him for nearly three months now, he had not seen that I had gotten quite a few more books since the last time he was here.

"Your collection is growing by the days," Jack said, "I think you'd make a very good author." He looked in my direction with light in his forest green eyes.

"What makes you think that?" I asked, trying to hide a blush.

"Well, you have really good taste in books," he begins, "and, you also have a very beautiful perspective on the world as a whole. I always love listening to you speak about how you believe that all the authors you've read taught you to live out your life to the fullest. Even when things don't go so according to how you perceived them to be. And that the heart breaks that we face in life are only here for a moment, when we begin to look on to a better future for ourselves."

Wow. I had thought. I never really knew that Jack paid attention to all of the things I would talk about forever in a particular book or author. I had presumed that only Lucie was the one who really went in depth with the books that she read the way that I did. But now hearing Jack say all of these kind words to me, it showed me that I had introduced him to a whole new way of reading a story and trying to find its message from the author. I could completely see now that Jack really loved who I was as a human being, which only made me love him even more.

He walked back towards me and gently placed his hands against my cheeks securing my face, and drew me in to a kiss. It was very nice and considerate of Jack to begin to take things slow between the two of us, but in some way offensive too. Jack should be more than familiar with me and not afraid to at least make one small intimate move. Then without warning him, I push him onto my black covered queen sized mattress and sit atop his lap while our kiss is still intact. I slowly begin to deepen the kiss and try to take full control over our now more passionate moment together. He moans as the kiss become more intimate and places both of his hands on the back of my shoulders and rolls me over on my back so that he is now on top of me, refusing to be dominated. Now things are going to become more interesting. I thought. I wrap my arms around the back of his neck and run my fingers through his thick and soft brown hair. His hands trail underneath my back, pulling me closer to him. I could feel the warm and hard muscles in his chest and arms flex as he presses himself closer to me. We made small breaks in between kisses to regain quick amounts of air and dive right back in to another long and passionate kiss, drowning ourselves in each others intoxicating presence. Before I could even think of how much further we would explore one another, Jack breaks our breathless kiss and slowly pulls away from me.

"You realize that your mom is in the kitchen just down the hall," he said, looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Says the guy pounced on top of me." I said back to him with a grin.

With a groan Jack rolls off to the side of me on the bed disappointed that our moment together had to be paused. He stares up at the ceiling lost in thought. I could probably think that he was wondering how things had come down to today. Not three months ago had we been the best of friends and shared a bond of almost like brothers and here we were now in this moment together. His lost stare had also made me think of all those things as well. Not once did I ever imagine I would ever feel this way about Jack. I knew that he was gay and I never had a problem with it. I never really gave that much thought to having a long term relationship because of how many times I had seen this type of love fall apart in books. But at the same time, I had seen through heartbreaks come new relationships and fresh starts. That had helped me realize that even though love can fall apart, it has a way of repairing itself over time, we just have to give it that time.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked softly.

"Us," He answered back, "well, more like what's going to happen from here on out. I mean, I never really thought that you and I would be in a relationship like this. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, just that, I don't really know what's going to happen from here on out." He looked back at me with a wondrous look in his eyes.

"Yeah," I said back, while sitting myself up on the bed by my arm, " it's kind of nice though. Not knowing how things will turn out, because in the long run that's pretty much how life is. Unexpected." He smiles at my response and looks back at the ceiling again.

"So... where do you want to go?" he asked with a grin, "for our first date."

"I don't know," I answered back shyly, "there's not much to do in a small town like Savannah."

"I know a place!" Jack said sitting up with his grin widening, "the juice bar, down the block from here."

A small smile of recognition crosses my mind. The juice bar was the very first place that Jack and I had hung out together when we had first became friends. We had first gone there when we stayed from school practicing a song together we had rehearsed for almost a week. We ended up playing the very song with his guitar and the upright piano they had for karaoke, and together we sang the song and received a standing ovation from the crowed. Jack had always loved singing and playing his guitar there whenever we had a chance to go. It would be perfect place for a first date! I had nearly wanted to say aloud. A place where we could spend the first day of a new relationship in place where we had spent time with an old one.

"I'd love to go there for a first date," I said smiling at him, and sat up on the bed and drew him into a hug. He wrapped his arms around me and inched his face closer to mine, planting a soft kiss against my lips.

"Great," he said pulling away, and gazed at me with a loving look in his eyes, " and I'd love to sing a song for you there too."