PREVIOUS CHAPTER…

I stared at my calendar.

'Today is… Thursday… June 15th…' My eyes popped out.

"What!" I blinked, "Tomorrow's the dance! How could this be!" I guess I was too busy dealing with my problems, that I never took noticed of how time went by… So fast…

- (!#$&) - - - (&$#!) –

Chapter 10: Change in Luck and What I Learnt

Okay. Mental break down. I'm going insane! "Oh gosh! BROOKE! How could you do this to me!"

"Aww! No worries, Faith! You should thank me instead!"

"Brooke… I know you're my friend and all… BUT HOW COULD YOU NOT AT LEAST IMFORM ME LIKE AT LEAST A DAY OR TWO!"

"Cause," she began to explain, "You'd totally chicken out. And plus this is your moment to shine! And maybe win somebody back."

I rolled my eyes at her. Okay, let's flashback to a moment, where it'll explain everything.

A week ago, Monday.

"Brooke… We're never going to study like this, if you keep going on about Allan. Anyways… I'm gonna go take a washroom break."

As Brooke saw me off, she got bored. She had nothing to do, now that the only person she could talk to about Allan, had just left her for a washroom break. And so what does she do? She searches through my bag.

"Ouu… Nice CDs! Eh?" Brooke's eyes locked onto one that said, "Faith – The Water?" A grin grew onto her face as she slipped the CD into her bag, "So Miss. Faith has been secretly writing and recording under my nose eh! Oh, I'm beginning to smell a plan…"

And that everyone! Is what basically happened. You see… I had written a song called "The Water" and Brooke had listened to it. She fell in love with my song and somehow gave it to the student council committee, who's organizing our dance. They agreed that I'd perform this song as one of the slow dance songs. This explains how she got me a ticket… Which explains why I couldn't find my CD before at school (I assumed I forgot it at home). And now it's the day of the dance, I find this out in the morning, therefore meaning I only got a day to practise! Oh, can't I back out and not go to the dance? Well, I tried… But Brooke said it was too late, and it wasn't possible. Ah. Friends. Who said you couldn't hate them for a moment or two!

"Brooke! I have no back up, no nothing! I can't just sing this song with no music!" I began to panic like a freak.

"Oh, I solved that problem for you. Travis agreed to play the acoustic for you. Skye and him figured out the melody of your song, made up notes and BAM! Now you got back up!" she smiled at me, "Aren't I the best? C'mon! You just gotta love me for that!"

"I only love you now, because you helped me with that problem. This wouldn't have happened if I didn't leave for the washroom…" I was starting to regret not bringing my bag along.

"I'm going to ignore that. Anyways, Travis is going to practise with you at lunch! And there's going to be a run through of everyone playing, to double check everything will be just perfect! So, meet us at the usual table," she gave me a quick hug, "Good luck, hun! I've been rooting for you since the day I met you."

- (!#$&) - - - (&$#!) –

RINNNG RINGGG! 'And there goes the bell,' I thought, 'Practise time…'

I quickly dropped off my stuff in my locker, seeing I wouldn't need anything for the rest of the afternoon. However, I grabbed my lunch. I squeezed through the crowded hallways and made my way to the cafeteria. It's been a while since I've ate in there. When the weather had gotten much warmer, I ate outside.

I walked in and tried to search through the hundreds of faces. I saw someone's hand waving in the air.

I sighed, "Oh, Brooke…" I closed my eyes tightly for a second, "Please, don't let there be no awkward moments."

I slowly made my way over to their table. Whose face did I see first? Take a guess.

"Hey, Faith!" Travis greeted me with a warm smile, "Ready?"

As I was about to reply to him, I had been observing Joshua. He looked… I couldn't put my finger on it. But he seemed a bit happier I guess. I sighed. He was probably thinking about that rumoured girl everyone's talking about.

"Yes. Oh and thanks so much, Skye and Travis! I really appreciate it," I gave them the best smile I could, but it was a weak one.

I took one last look at him, before I'd rehearse with Travis. His expression changed. He seemed a bit sad?

Travis and I had practised, what felt like hundreds of times, in the music room. I had loved the music they had made up for my song. It was beautiful. Before I knew it, I felt as if I was ready for this performance.

"That's it, Faith! You're going to be great," he smiled at me before he looked back down at the floor, "I'm sorry about what happened between you and Joshua…"

"It's no biggy," I said, "You don't need to apologize."

"But I do. I'm Joshua's best friend. I could have done something at least."

I smiled at him. He was such a nice guy, "Thanks, Travis. I appreciate it. I appreciate what you guys have done for me. But honestly… I rather have it that Joshua and I solve this on our own."

"Figures. I understand."

Then there was a screeching sound from the P.A system, "Arcane Affections and… The special performer for the slow song, please report to the hallway outside of the music room. As well, teachers if you know anyone that is on the student council committee, it would be appreciated if you'd let them out as well. Thank you."

Travis and I started cleaning up a bit. Putting back the chairs, and making sure we weren't going to leave anything behind. I grabbed my bag before we closed the door behind us.

He gave me a reassuring smile, "Well, I know for a fact I'll be playing with my band before I play with you. So, I gotta find them! Practise over the song if you want, I'll be back in no time. You're going to be great tonight." And with that he hurried along to his band members.

I looked around and saw the people from the student council. Looks like they were going to prepare the gym with all the decorations. I mean it was obvious, carrying boxes with balloons and other colourful stuff. So majority of them were doing that and then I saw two people enter the music room. I'm guessing that's the President and Vice President.

I walked to the end of music hallway, where the closest exit was and no classrooms were, and decided I would sit there and sing so I couldn't disturb anyone. As I walked there, Joshua came to view. And before I knew it, we were staring right at each other. Now that was the first time I've seen Joshua actually look at me, after all these long months.

"Hey… Faith," he said his first words to me.

I managed to say hi, "So I see you're on your way to the music room."

He smiled a bit, "Yeah. I was wondering. Have you heard the rumours about me and this girl?" his expression changed.

I wasn't sure what to say. But me being dishonest was not one of them, "Who hasn't heard about it? Everyone knows. She must be one darn girl... Which makes me wonder, who is she?"

His face lightened up at what I said, "Ahh… Everyone is assuming. Whenever I'm with a girl, they assume I'm with her. Then when they see me with other, they think it's her. But what they don't know is when the very, very FIRST rumours began about that girl… It's her…"

I was beginning to feel jealous inside, "You still haven't answered my question."

"Ahh… Impatient, I see. How about this? At the dance, look for me in the crowd when you're singing and you'll see." And before I could ask or say anything else, he walked right pass me… I could feel the slightest touch between us.

I walked back the opposite way and sat right across from the door that was blocking between Joshua and I. Were we going to be okay? I wouldn't know. I wasn't sure… I sat there thinking and trying to absorb everything in. By the time I was at my normal state, I whispered the lyrics to my song over and over again…

And before I knew it, Travis called for me, "Hey Faith! Time to go rehearse one last time."

- (!#$&) - - - (&$#!) –

"Finally, home!" I threw myself onto the couch. It had been a long afternoon. And it was going to be a long… Night. 'Would I be ready?' I wondered. I hoped so…

I decided to take a shower. So as I was taking my shower, I had come up with a decision. No, it doesn't relate to the dance or Joshua… But it relates to my grandma's journal. I was going to finish that entry she wrote, that I wasn't able to continue reading… Plus, I had about less than 3 hours to waste before it was 5:45 and I had to leave the house. So since that's a lot of time to spare, I thought… Why not?

I picked up her journal and flipped to that one page. I was nervous to find out what would happen. If grandma didn't get married to Syaoran, then it seemed like there would be no hope at all for me. I closed my eyes for five seconds, and gave a little prayer…

- (!#$&) - - - (&$#!) –

'June 5th… Today was the wedding day for both me and my fiancé… And it's not to Syaoran… Sadly, it was to my parent's good friend's son… Ryo. So, there I was sitting here and the wedding was about to start.'

Tears were trying its best to fall down my face, but I tried my best not to. I tried to think as positive as I could. But how could you do that, when you're not marrying to the one you love? There was a sudden knock on the door.

"Come in!" and with that Tomoyo and Eriol's faces appeared.

I smiled at the sight of them. I also envied them. They were too, had fallen in love with each other… And were going to get married soon.

"Sakura!" Tomoyo yelled as she hurriedly hugged me, "I'm so terribly sorry!"

I hugged her back as I shock my head no.

"It's not okay, Sakura… Not only do we know that, you do too…" whispered Eriol with sympathy in his eyes.

"But there's nothing we can do! Syaoran doesn't even know about this wedding. I didn't even know it was going to be today!" I began to feel something wet. Tomoyo raised her hand as she wiped away my tears.

"Sakura!" my mother called, "The wedding is going to begin!"

"You don't have to go through this," said Eriol.

"No," I replied, "I will…" and with that I headed out the door.

"Where could that cousin of mine be at, at a time like this!" exclaimed Eriol.

Tomoyo sighed, "I don't know, but we better get going since you're suppose the best man, and I'm the maid of honour…" she paused for a moment, "Sakura, looks beautiful in that dress… But she'd be more beautiful emotionally, if she were to get married with Syaoran instead."

Eriol hugged his dear fiancé and made their way to the door, "I know… I know… I feel terrible being Sakura's best friends and we're not able to do anything… Well, maybe…"

And when Eriol said those two words, Tomoyo gave him the most curious look ever, "WELL, MAYBE!"

'Who would have thought I'd cried so much during my own wedding day…'

I held onto my father's right arm as I walked down the path. With each step, my future dreams tore apart, a part of my heart shattered. I looked in front of me, where my future husband was standing. He was smiling at me. However, I couldn't do the same for him…

Then, I stood next to Ryo and the priest began to speak, "We're gathered here today to witness these two people—"

"Wait! Not so fast!"

The whole crowd turned their heads to the voice that was heard from the back. Heck, even I turned around. There stood a man wearing a black tux.

"Syaoran!" I yelled!

He flashed me one of his sweet smiles and as he spoke his eyes were still staring at me, "Sorry, everyone. But I will not allow this marriage to continue any further!"

Ryo's father furiously got up, "Why you little brat! You have no right to—"

"How did you get here?" questioned my father, who had cut off Ryo's father.

Syaoran crossed his arms, "One of my dear cousins sent his butler running to my house early this morning. And oh my, you should have seen it. It was a sight indeed."

Tomoyo turned her head to her fiancé, "So that's what you were talking about!" she smiled at him, "Gosh, I love you even more now."

Eriol smiled more, "I know, dear. I know."

'From Syaoran crashing the wedding, to his explaination… And I heard really was someone saying, "Syaoran… Hmm... Syaoran… Syaoran…" And then…'

"Syaoran! I remember now!"

The crowd then turned their heads back to the front, and their attention was on Ryo.

Syaoran gave him the most puzzling face ever, "Eh?"

Ryo smiled at Syaoran, "I remember you now. No wonder the name sounded so familiar. I should have guessed!" he continued to smile to himself.

My expression had changed, "You… Know him?"

Ryo laughed, "Of course, I do! Syaoran was my best friend, when we were very young. And I still say he's one of the best of the best friends I've had."

Syaoran thought for a moment and then it seemed like a light bulb lit up, "Ryo!"

Ryo laughed more, "Of course, Syaoran. Oh my, oh my," he turned to the priest and apologized then he turned back to the crowd, "I'm sorry, everyone. But I can not be wedded to my best friend's sweetheart. Sorry, father. But I do hope you'll understand," he then turned to me and gave me a little peck on the cheer. Afterwards, he made his way down towards the seats.

"What is going to happen now!" said someone from the crowd.

"I agree. And to think I was here for the food…" said another.

'After the huge commotion, my mother came up to me and whispered something into my ear. When she finished, we both smiled at each other and my father smiled at us.'

My father made his way to Syaoran and whispered, "I trust you to take good care of my little girl, Syaoran." And with that, he ran towards me. When he reached me, he lifted me up into the air as tears of joy fell down my face, "Remember our promise, Sakura!" he put me back down and held both of my hands, "That Christmas, we'd promise to wait for each other. And through any circumstances that we'd end up with each other?"

I giggled as he wiped away my tears, "Yes, I do." The crowd went in awe.

"Then we've waited long enough because today will finally bring us together," he went down on one knee, "Sakura, will you marry me?"

I waited for so long for this moment, "Yes, I'd love to." The crowd cheered.

"Father, would you please wed me to this lovely lady?"

The priest smiled, "It would be my pleasure."

'And that was my wonderful, surprising wedding. I'm married to the one I love. I'm going to share an even more wonderful future with him! And all thanks to Eriol. I'm sure Tomoyo had to do something with this. Well, she did mention something… How she was complaining to him about how she wouldn't dare to get married to him, if I were to be wedded to Ryo. Now… I can not wait for what the future has in store for me.

Especially, every summer. With the smell of the summer breeze… Bringing back old past memories. With tears, joy and love. Of course, bringing new adventures and moments to go through as well. Through fall, winter and spring, it'll always be worth the wait for that summer essence. School is about to end. A chance to find a summer love. A chance to have heartaches and heart breaks. Time to have the time of your life… And to live it worth while. I truly love the summer time.'

- (!#$&) - - - (&$#!) –

I closed her journal with a satisfied feeling, "I'm so happy, grandma… So happy for you…"

I laid my head on the pillow. I then tilted my head to my left side and when I opened my eyes I saw the time. As I jerked up, I fell off my bed which caused the journal to fall down with me.

"Gotta get ready… Argh… My back…" as I picked up the journal, I saw a piece of paper that had slipped out… "Where did this come from?" I turned the blank side to see a picture.

I stared at it closely… A boy… A girl… They looked like they were in kindergarten… And an old woman… "Grandma—Oh, wait… That girl is me!"

I stared closely at the picture. It was me, with my grandma. And that boy… No… Way… It couldn't be…

"Joshua!"

The more and more I thought about how this was possible… The more and more I began to remember…

"I can't believe this… Thanks so much, grandma…" I said to no one as I also cried to myself.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

"What… Is that?" I questioned, "And why is it still beeping?" I began looking for where this sound was coming from, "What in the world…?"

- (!#$&) - - - (&$#!) –

Yes! Another update! (celebrates) Okay, you guys are like lucky. Cause as I was thinking about this from the day I started, I knew when it would end. And Chapter 10 was supposed to be the last chapter. But thanks to my wonderful imagination and inspiration at random times, this is ONLY the second last chapter. Yes… Bad news is… Next update is THE last chapter for Summer Essence. Anyways, I hoped you ENJOYED this chapter as much as I did when I was typing it up. I apologize early for any grammar errors. (Dexter wanted this up asap LMAO here it is, Dex. Have something to read after you come back from pulling those weeds out of the grass.) This has been officially the longest chapter yet. With over 3,000 words. big smiles Or so the program says so… LOL : Oh and about that song "The Water" it's a song I recently wrote. (weird idea when I went grocery shopping) Anyways, for the ones who've been reading up to this point, I appreciate it and I thank you OH soooo much! I guess that's it for now! So until then!

- Velvet Teal