Chapter Twenty

"Get up! Get up! Get up!"

I was woken up suddenly by someone shaking me violently. I groaned and turned the other way. I pulled the covers up my face, and I snuggled into myself in a fetal position.

"Get up!" I heard the clattering of shoes being thrown to the floor. The bed began to move, making a squeaky noise in the process. Someone was jumping on my bed. I hugged myself tighter. The jumping had abruptly stopped but it was replaced by an annoying weight on me.

"LOREN!" Irritated and furious, I pushed the covers down. I was fuming; bad idea to disrupt my sleep. I was breathing heavily and I stared at Melissa dead in the eye. "What. Do. You. Want?"

She observed me for a few moments, not fazed at all. A huge grin began to take its form on her face. "Guess what."

I looked at her in disbelief. My eyes narrowed and I sighed in irritation. "Get off me."

"Guess first."

"Get off me." I repeated with an edge on my voice. Melissa simply smiled, "No. Guess and I will." I stared at her for a few seconds before I fell flatly on my bed again. I kicked Melissa off and pulled the covers up. "Ow!" She landed on the floor and slowly got up. I smiled underneath the covers and was soon falling fast asleep. I was remembering last night events and Eddie's lips. My eyes were half way closed when the covers were taken off me; the cold, unpleasant air took over. I shivered at the sudden change. I moved frantically around the bed as I tried to find my blankets. When I couldn't find one, I forcefully sat up and crossed my arms around my chest in aggravation. Melissa had a smirk on her face. Her arms were crossed and she was stepping on my beloved covers.

"What do you want?" I said hopelessly.

"Guess what just happened."

I averted my gaze from the covers to Mel. I sighed and desperately thought of something. "Um, that after today we say goodbye to High School and hello to college? Yeah?" She shook her head. I sighed. "No…"

"No." She repeated. She began to squirm and not able to contain her excitement, Melissa began blabber while walking around the room .

"-and then he took me to this nice restaurant… So sweet… then I spilled soda all over-so mortifying but he just smiled… and he didn't mind my endless rant… he just listened there with the most genuine interest in me… OMG! And then he took me home and he-he-he-he-"

I carefully listened to her talk and laughed at how deep she has fallen for Ian. She's better after her break-up with Adam. The next day after the 'late lunch', she didn't want to go to school at all. She wanted to avoid Adam this whole week. I convinced her to come and that I'll be there when she needs me. Like Mel, Adam avoided her too. Every time I saw him walking the opposite direction he would turn the corner. It has been like that for the past two days. My mind detracted back to Melissa, I chuckled and looked at her with completely amusement.

I got up from bed and walked over to her. "He-he-he-" she repeated sounding like a broken record.

"Mel, breathe." I grabbed her shoulders. She nodded and closed her eyes. Exhaling and inhaling, she was able to calm down.

"Okay. So what happened?"

She bit her lower lip; and with her feet never leaving the floor, she bobbed up and down. "He was going to kiss me."

"Get out!" I sat back down on the bed. The smile widened on Mel and she quickly nodded.

"I swear he was. One second he was a mile away from me; the next he was only a few centimeters away. He was leaning in! But so slow, it was killing me! You know how much it took me not to tackle him?"

"Okay, okay. What happened next?"

"I was closing my eyes and he was just so close, so close," she sighed and pouted. "But it was all too good to be true. My dad opened the door and that wonderful moment went down the drain."

"What? No!" I stated disappointed. "Your dad?"

"Yes! I know, I bet he was looking through the window with my mom and she being so over protective, pushed him to open the door before it happened."

"Do your parents know Ian is over twenty?"

She laughed whilst shaking her head as if I just told the world's funniest joke. "No. I would be dead right now."

"Mel, it's better if you tell them before they find out."

"I know. But do you really think my mom would allow me to? Lisa for the past few days has been on my case. She thinks I'll end up like her druggie sister, Beth."

It has been hard on Melissa for the past weeks. She found out her mother had a long estranged sister whom she never heard of. And what's worse is that every time she brings it up to her mom, Lisa turns her back on her and ignores her. Mel found out, with Adam's help, that Beth was a problematic child. She was on drugs, alcohol and stole from her grandparents. She disappeared. Gone, no trace of where she could have gone to. That's all Mel knows. She would've further her investigation but Lisa found out and put an end to it. Melissa doesn't know what's going on and their relationship is getting worse. With Phil being accuse of stealing and moving out of the house to Mel leaving to college. Several times she has come crying through that door, not able to take it anymore.

"Can we switch mothers? You have Lisa and I'll be happy with Nora." I chuckled. "So you and Ian?"

"I really like him Loren but…"

"Oh-Oh. Here comes the big but." She narrowed her eyes and I shrugged it off. "But I just broke off with Adam two days ago. Things are just going too fast."

"Too fast? For you?" I raised my eyebrows incredulously. "From all the years I have known you, you go anything but slow."

"Loren I'm serious. My heart tells me to go for it and be with Ian. But then I see Adam and my mind tells me I'm being cruel and unfair to him."

"Who are you and what did you do to Melissa?"

"Loren…" She warned sitting down on the bed. I followed suit and sat beside her.

"Does he make you happy?"

"What?"

"Answer me. Does Ian make you feel special?"

"Yes…" she whispered.

"Does he make you happy?"

"Yes…"

I stare at her smiling warmly. "Then follow your heart and go be with him. He's your happiness; he's where you belong and you just need to hold onto him."

Melissa looked at me before gradually nodding. She got up and did me the favor of picking up my covers. I jumped off the bed and went straight to the bathroom. Before I got in, I turned around and smiled at Melissa. She looked at me curiously and I felt the blush creep on my face. "What's wrong with you?"

I bit my lip and squealed at the memory of yesterday. I walked up to her and said, "Eddie kissed me."

"What!" She clutched my arms. "How? When? Tell me!"

"Yesterday, at my spot. It just happened." I said, whilst leaving the other events out.

"Oh my god! Is he a good kisser?" I nodded with the blush engraved on my cheeks. Melissa squirmed, "I told you he likes you! Now go take a shower and I'll plan your wedding."

"Wedding? What-Why? I don't get the point." She pushed me towards the bathroom. She closed the door and I stood in the middle of the bathroom and stared at the door.

"I can't believe this! My best Friend and Eddie Duran! Dreams do come true!"

I laughed. I shook my head and began to take off my clothes. I went in straight to the shower. The smile was on my face as I began to hum the song Eddie sang to me yesterday.

He makes it all better. Life is kind of sweeter now that he is part of it. And that's enough, he is all I want... all I need and I wouldn't have it any other way. Nobody compares to him and nobody will. So I'm going to enjoy every moment spent with him like it's the last one. I'll hold to those memories and never let them fade away. Eddie's my first love...

"So he just kissed you? That's it? No hot makeout sesh?"

I blushed and reminisce all of it. "Well-"

"Oh my gosh. Get some girl!"

"Mel, it wasn't like that."

"Whatever you say." She muttered

*Baby there you go again, go again making me love you.*

We both jumped, startled by my ringing phone. I picked it up and smiled. "You really need to change that ringtone." I rolled my eyes at her and answered the phone.

"Hello." I looked at Mel. Who is it? She mouthed.

"Good morning."

"Hi!" I instantly face-palmed. Mel smirked and nodded. Could've I said that any more excited? I heard Eddie chuckled lightly. "Um, so what's up?"

"About yesterday…" And just like that I thought of all the worst possible scenarios of what he means by that. He regrets kissing me. He regrets everything that happened yesterday. He feels sorry for me, that's what happened. Or maybe he considers me like another fan and nothing more. Maybe it was just too good to be true. I shake all this pessimistic thoughts away but they still linger and I grow nervous. My hand clenched and Mel looked at me from the corner of her eyes curiously. I looked towards the window, watching the houses pass by. "Yeah?" I was able to say.

"It was, honestly, one of the best I've had in a long time."

I smiled in relief. What was I thinking? Eddie is not like that. I looked over at Melissa. Are you okay? I nodded and smiled at her reassuringly.

"Mine too, Eddie." And to all of its honesty, it is.

"Are you doing anything today? Maybe we can go to some place."

"I can't. School."

"Really? Ditch and come with me."

I giggled lightly. "I wish but I have to go."

"Aw, maybe another time."

"Mmhmm." I agreed.

"Loren? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I'm worried about you. Yesterday you-"

"I'm fine, Eddie."

"Good. I just wanted to make sure."

I bit my lower lip and Melissa parked the car in the parking lot of the school. She looked at me patiently. "I feel better. I was just going through something rough but you helped me, so thank you for being there for me."

"Loren, I'll be here for you. Always."

"I appreciate all you're doing for me. You have no idea how much it means to me."

"You're the most important person in my life. I want to be there for you when you need it. I'll be there when you need someone to talk to. I'll hold you when you feel like you can't take the world. I will always be by your side." He sighed. "I really, really like you."

My were instantly filled with a pink twinge and the smile broadened. How long did I wait for him to say this? Ever since yesterday, all my questions were answered. The knot of confusion that had me tied down is gone. He likes me and it sounds nicer when he says it.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

I felt Mel nudged my arm gently. I turned around to look at her and she moved her head in the direction of the school. I hear the third to last bell ring. I put my hand up to signal her to wait. I grabbed my book bag and quickly got off the car.

"Hey, I gotta go. I'll talk to you later?"

"Definitely. See you."

"Bye."

"Bye Loren."

"Okay." I pressed the end button and shook my head with the smile still etched. "You idiot. You're love-struck look is just awesome."

"You should see yours whenever you're around Ian."

"I didn't hear that." She walked the opposite direction I was heading to and went inside the building. The last bell rang and I sprinted to my class. I stop half way there. Why the hell am I running for? It's the last day of school. I can afford to be late once. I turned the corner and began walking towards my locker. Once I got there, I tried opening it but to no avail, I couldn't. I struggled for a couple more minutes when I heard someone cough beside me. I glanced to the left and I smiled for a mere second before turning my attention to the locker.

"I didn't peg you would be the one to be late to class."

"Hi Cameron."

"Loren." I was about to open the locker when Cameron, unexpectedly, pulled me into an embrace. I patted his back uncomfortably, not knowing what to do. "Um, so how was the game last night?" I asked suddenly as my attempt to change the direction of this encounter. I parted from him rapidly and went back to my locker.

"Game? I didn't have a game yesterday."

I opened my locker and organized everything in the little bin to take out later. I fumbled with it nervously. "Oh. Yeah, sorry I forgot. Well bye." I walked past him but he caught up to me. "So I was wondering maybe we can go catch a movie tonight."

"Um, sorry. I'm busy; maybe another time."

"Oh, okay." He said while placing his hands on his pockets. He seemed disappointment; I looked at him curiously. "Are you okay?"

"Me? Yeah." He disdained my gaze. I nodded apprehensively."Good. Well bye, gotta get to class." I tried making a fast escape. I just wanted to get away from him. Like it was a gut feeling, telling me something will happen.

"Loren wait!"

Shoot. I stopped and slowly turned around. I looked at him questionably.

"Look- I…" He looked at the ground frustrated. I sighed. Just walk away Cameron; it'll be easier for the both of us if you do. Suddenly, he turned his gaze to me with full determination in his eyes. "Loren, I really like you."

My heart dropped and I smile at him painfully. "Oh. Cameron I-I-"

"I know I just-just… we just met and only one date but if we hang out more we can-I don't know, see where it goes."

I bit my lip. "That's-that's a great idea if only I-Look, I don't feel that way towards you."

"Not now, but if we spend a little more time with each other then maybe… just maybe." He looked at the ground and exasperatedly took his hand out of his pocket.

"I don't think it'll work…"

"Just give it a chance." He pleaded. I clutched my binder. "It won't... because I like someone else." I whisper. In fact, I love someone else. Perhaps if I hadn't met Eddie, then something would've blossomed between us two. But I met him and I fell in love. I don't dare to look at Cameron. I turned around and kept walking.

"Loren…" He said. "I hope he treats you right just like how you deserve to be treated. I hope he makes you happy, and never breaks your heart. I hope he looks at you just like how I would if you were mine." Then I heard his footstep fade away. I kept going forth. I soughed, I hope he finds someone who will love him like he deserves to be. But I'm not meant for him.

The day was haste. Melissa shed a few tears saying her goodbyes' to everyone she possibly knew. I hugged some friends and visited the teachers I will dearly miss. Melissa and Adam said their goodbyes with an awkward hug. But their feelings are mutual and I'm glad we can move on from this. Cameron at the end came and hugged me tightly. He left rapidly; I was not able to say anything else to him and he either.

We were walking towards the parking lot when we heard a honk.

"What was that?"

"A car."

"No shit Einstein, but where did it come from?"

"How should I know?"

"You're the one with 20/20 vision and the hearing of a hawk."

"It's true. It's true. They come in handy when eavesdropping."

I shrugged and we kept walking to Mel's car.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

"I hear it! Where is it?" Melissa quickly spun around.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

"Where the hell is it coming from?" She got frustrated and stomped off to her car. I was about to follow her when a pair of strong arms wrapped around my abdomen. The said person kissed my neck lightly and a spiral of shivers crawled down my spine.

"Eeep!" was my response.

"No PDA!" Melissa shouted from her car and shut the door. I turned crimson and spun around to look at Eddie with a smirk. He frowned at the sudden distance between us and pulled me closer to him, closing the space amid. I smiled at him and nonchalantly draped my arms around his neck. He pushed me back slightly before pressing his lips against mine. I returned the kiss eagerly. "Get a room." I pulled away from him to see Ian wink at me whilst he made his way towards Mel's car. "Make a move!" I shouted back. Ian turned to look at me confused, I pointed at Melissa and at this, he turned beat red. I gave out a light chortle but Eddie interrupted me by crashing his lips on mine again.

"Hey you." He smiled and I parted away from him; then I noticed flashes of bright lights blind me. Oh crap. We were suddenly surrounded by a mob of people. Girls had their phones out taking pictures and gaping at me; some were approaching Eddie with a notepad in hand. He smiled at them and that caused them scream. He began to walk backwards towards me and soon my hand was encased in his. Some guys were whistling and shouting: "Go get some Loren!" and "Damn Baby!" I looked at the crowd and I noticed Cameron looking at Eddie. And pain was clearly noticeable on his face.

"You want to go?" Eddie whispered. Without another word, I quickly turned around and we both quickly walked to Mel's car. "Where were you two?" Melissa turned around to look at us, interrupting whatever she was talking with Ian.

"People noticed him, and they caught us…" At the sudden realization, I looked at Eddie. "I'm so sorry." He gazed at me confused. "For what?"

"They took pictures of us kissing… I don't want to cause trouble for you…" I stated. He smiled at me and cupped both of my cheeks. He leaned forward and kissed me softly. "So let them know. Let the whole world know just how lucky I am to have you." I squeezed his hand and a smile appeared.

"Okay you love-birds, I'm starving!"

"So mate," Ian looked at Eddie. 'Mate's girl." He nodded at me and I nodded back. "Are you ready to let the world know you both are one?"

I looked at Eddie and he stared back at me. "I'm ready when you're ready," he said. I smiled at him and nodded.

"Good because right now those pictures and videos are spreading through the internet like wild fire. Now, enough chit-chat and lets go eat."

Melissa began to drive away and I rested my head on Eddie's arm. Our hands were still intertwined, the idea of letting go never crossed our minds. He leaned down and kissed the top of my head.

"I'm yours," he whispered.

So how was it? Mel and Ian? Yes! Poor Cameron though. Ah he'll get over it... anyways I hope you liked it and as always, I love you.:)

Sincerely,

Me.