A/N:Hello! I've returned for a short visit to finish up this story for the few that were reading and really wanted me to continue. Only I think you're going to be surpsied at just how much as changed and the direction this story has taken now. I hope that I will gain a few more readers in these two new chapters I've added and that the old readers like the new name of this story as well! Pretty please review and tell me what you think!
Chapter 4
Weeks faded into months and months quickly became years. Daphne Blake had healed nicely from her head injury from her younger years and was now a radiant young woman of 19 years old. She had never spoke of the words that the blond boy had secretly told her. She never got the chance to tell the young misunderstood boy that she accepted his apology, by the time she was conscious again her parents announced to her that Fredrick Jones had chose to go to a boarding school for boys and wouldn't be back anytime soon.
"Daphne dear, how were your classes?" Her mother, Nan Blake greeted out in the garden.
"They went pleasantly well today." She answered looking down at her floral printed dress as the gentle spring breeze lifted her red hair.
"That's splendid darling." She said, not at all listening to her daughter as she directed gardeners to plant her pots. Daphne sighed. "Well I'll be going for a walk now.." She said as she slipped out the gate of the 'secret garden' of her mothers and onto the streets. She walked down the peaceful neighborhood street, her mind lost in her thoughts. College was overwhelming and she was so ready for the summer break. She focused her eyes down on the ground. Lost in train of thought suddenly she slammed right into something, or someone..
Her face a burning red she looked up to see the face of the strong muscular arms that had caught her. Completely embarrassed by what happened she quickly apologized. "I'm so sorry I didn't mean to-"
"Are you alright Miss?" A strong voice said. She glanced up at met the eyes that were looking into hers. A deep ocean blue pair of eyes that complimented his blonde hair was the appearance of the person she'd ran into.
"Miss Blake.." She said stumbling on her own words. "Miss Blake you'd better be careful before you hurt yourself." The compassion showed through his voice, seeing the still rose pink cheeks he felt sorry for her.
"I can take care of myself Mr..I'm sorry what's your name?" He grinned before letting his grip off her arm. "Mr. Jones" he answered. Her eyes widened. "Fredrick Jones?" She said letting the surprising tone of her voice surprise him. He nodded. "I'm Daphne Blake" he suddenly regretted telling her his name. "I haven't seen you in-"
"Nearly a decade." He finished. She nodded, scanning him. "Why haven't you grown up." She said with a hint of laughter in her voice. He smiled. "Yes, I've changed, for all the better." He assured her. She smiled. "No more pranks and dirty tricks, hmm?" She quizzed him jokingly. He shook his head. "No ma'am." He said. "And you, Miss Blake, you've changed quite a bit yourself."
"How so?" She questioned. He scanned her for a few moments before answering. "Well some things haven't changed. You're still much smaller than me." He started. "Your eyes are still that vivid violet blue color, and your hair still red." She grinned. "But now you're a young woman. And you're no longer carrying those silly dolls around" he teased. "I see somethings of you haven't changed either Fredrick. Still teasing me." She said. "But all harmless, of course." He added. She shook her head.
"What are you doing here?" She asked. "I came home to see my parents for a while." He answered. "How have they been?" She innocently asked. "They've been doing well I guess." He said, she could hear the hesitation in his voice as he shifted awkwardly. "I don't really know much because I've been real busy and all" she looked at him softly then proceeded to walk along his side down the street. "Busy with what?" "Eh, work. I don't get to see them often. In fact they don't even live in town anymore. They live in another city a few hours away. "
"Oh I hasn't realized they'd moved. After you left I didn't really see them anymore. I guess our parents kinda parted ways seeing that our friendship wasn't going very well .." She recalled. He nodded. "Why'd you chose to go to that school Freddy?" ..Freddy? Did his ears hear right? Did she just call him that? It made a knot in his stomach for an unknown reason.
"I..I thought it suited me well. I was nothing but trouble. It just felt right to leave and take away everyone's problem..me" he said letting a tad bit of laughter out at the end. She glanced up at him, oh how he had changed. "You were never a problem to me" she said gently. "If you're trying to make me feel better, it's not working well" he teased.
"I'm serious. You were a close friend of mine. I enjoyed time with you..in a very special way" she said, trying to think of the right words. He put his arm on her shoulder. "Let me get this straight. You enjoyed spending time with me? All those fights, injuries and then...staples. You actually like that?" He questioned, confusion filled his voice. She laughed. "What am I suppose to say? That you were a misery to me?" He sighed. "I'm sorry, about that by the way.." He said shyly. She grinned. "Didn't you tell me sorry already?" She asked. He looked into the eyes that stared at him. "Uh, err..I don't think I ever did." Hesitation in his words.
"I remember differently..." She said, stopping dead in their tracks, smiling softly at him. "I remember a young boy crying near my hospital bed. Confessing his feelings and guilt to a girl he thought couldn't hear him."
His face lit red, the embarrassment wasn't a feeling he was use to.
"You heard that..I guess I'm glad that you did. You needed to know how sorry I was. You changed my life. Ha" he started. "I think I straightened myself up"
"You certainly appear to have. I'm sure a beautiful wife is near by?" She asked. Fred shook his head. "No ma'am. I haven't settled down quite yet " he replied, disappoint was evident. "I see." She said.
"What about you?" She sighed. "No, no I'm a full time student at a university near by..guess I'm much too busy to hold a relationship down." She explained. "Do you wanna get some ice cream? There's a great little shop on the corner a few blocks away." She requested. He smiled. "I could go for ice cream."
Daphne's dipped her spoon into the delightful deep chocolate sundae, it melted in her mouth almost instantly. "So how long will you be sticking around?" Daphne asked, diving her spoon in gracefully before taking another bite. Fred licked the melting vanilla ice cream that was dripping down the cone. She smiled. "A few weeks. I'm renting a house on the beach."
"Oh that's nice! Are you on vacation?"
"I guess you could say that." He answered. "Well I hope you have a great time." She said kindly, smiling brightly at him. He smiled back. "Thank you. Will I be seeing you around?" He asked, a hopeful sound carried through his voice. She tried to hide her satisfaction in the fact that he had asked her that. "You may, I get around town." She said jokingly. "I enjoyed this visit Fred." She complimented. "it was nice seeing you again, Daph." He said, sending a flock of butterflies through her stomach. "You too." She said nervously, flashing a grin before turning to the door and walking out.
Fred's heart skipped a few beats seeing her leave, he couldn't resist wanting to meet up with her again. But he knew better than let himself slip. He couldn't like her, he just couldn't...but what if he couldn't help himself. His heart tugged to get to know hers better.
Don't stop reading now! There's another chapter ahead -
