One day before he was supposed to leave Jessica was sitting outside in the back yard on the swing Miguel had made for Charity. She felt so restless as she dug her toe into the ground under her. "It isn't fair." She said for the tenth time that day. She couldn't sit still so she stood up and walked around the back yard, her bare feet smushing the cool grass below her. She had all of this pent up negative energy inside and it was driving her out of her mind. She went back into the house and upstairs where she changed into some sweat shorts and a tank top. She decided to take a long jog.
She could hear her shoes pound against the pavement as sweat collected on her forehead and upper lip. She stopped for a minute to collect her breath and then kept going and going and finally she stopped and she was at her and Reese's little cove. She collapsed on a tree stump and caught her breath. She felt like beating someone up, or anything to get rid of all of frustration, Reese had been trying to convince his parents to let him stay but they had been persistent in their decision and wouldn't relent.
Jessica stood up and walked to the beach where she sat down in the sand. All of a sudden she started making a sand castle, she didn't know why but it helped her feel better, everything was quiet except for the soothing sounds of the waves and the sounds of birds singing in the woods. When she was done she layed back in the warm sand and closed her eyes. After a while she heard someone approach and she had no doubts about who it was. She sensed his presence as he layed down beside her and it was quiet and peaceful and then she broke the silence.
"Hi," she whispered, her eyes growing moist at the thought of him leaving.
"I promise I'll come back and see you whenever I can," he replied and she knew that he knew her every thought and she didn't even have to utter a word.
"I know, but for how long? You'll have a life in New York, you'll make new friends, meet new people, you'll get caught up in your life and it will be like Harmony never existed," she said rolling over on her side so she was facing him.
He did the same and looked her straight in the eye. "You know that's not true, what ever my life is like my home will always be here because this is where my heart's at."
Jessica smiled, a genuine smile and he greeted her with one of his own. "I thought you would probably be here," he said sitting up.
She sat up herself. "I'm going to miss you so much," she said, but she was really thinking, 'I love you, don't go' but she couldn't get the words to pass her lips.
"I'll miss you too, but there's Thanksgiving break, and Christmas, and my parents said I can come back for the whole summer next year," he said, adding enthusiasm in his voice for her sake.
"But it won't be the same," she said boldly reaching over and holding his hand.
She was amazed at how gentle but strong his hands were and how perfectly they fit together. He brought her hand to his lips and gently kissed it, and to Jessica it was the most sweetest and romantic thing possible and she ached for the courage to reach over and replace her hand with her lips.
"Will you go out with me tonight?" he asked.
"Promise you won't stand me up?" she asked smiling.
"I promise."
"Well, what do you want to do?" she asked.
"It's a surprise, but wear something very casual and shoes you can walk in. I'll pick you up at eight-thirty."
"That's two hours from now, I'd better get home and wash up." She said standing up and brushing sand off her back.
"Okay, I'll see you then."
Jessica stood in front of the mirror and played with her hair, trying to get it to look perfect. She looked at her khaki capris and her light blue shirt with a butterfly on the front, she looked nice, but nice wasn't good enough, she had to look perfect. She touched up her make-up and applied some lip gloss and pressing her lips together she looked back into the mirror and smiled. Just then the door bell rang and she tore down the stairs before someone else could answer the door, but she was to late, because there stood Kay, the door open in front of her.
Jessica walked to the door and smiled when she saw Reese, he had a plain black shirt on and a pair of shorts and he looked absolutely adorable.
"Hi," said Jessica with a gigantic smile on her face.
"Hi," he replied as Kay stood there, forgotten at the sight of Jessica. "So, where are you guys going tonight?" asked Kay nonchalantly.
"None of your business, but I think we should be going now," Jessica said walking past Kay as she and Reese walked to his car.
"So where are we going?" she asked as he held the door open so she could get in.
"It's a surprise," he said getting into the drivers seat where he handed her a blindfold.
"You don't expect me to wear that do you?" she asked with a laugh.
"Do you trust me?"
"I trust you," She replied without any hesitation.
"Then wear it," he said smiling.
Jessica took the blindfold and slipped it over her head. The car ride was full of laughter and jokes and Jessica would have been content to simply drive around all night. Soon they stopped and Reese helped Jessica out of the car.
"Can I take them off yet?"
"Just a little while longer," he said and they started to walk.
Reese smiled as she grabbed onto his arm and he led her through the woods to the place they had been only hours before.
Jessica tried to calm her heart as it beat loudly in her ears with anticipation, finally they stopped. She felt him stand behind her and then he gently took off the blindfold. It took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust to the light and then she saw that they were standing in their special place, and in front of her was the most beautiful sunset that she had ever seen. Jessica felt his arms wrap around her and she leaned back against him. "It's beautiful." She whispered.
Ten minutes later, all that remained of the spectacular sunset was a few strips of light on the horizon and everything was being cloaked in a velvety dark blue.
Jessica was disappointed to have Reese's arms leave her as he walked towards the right. Her eyes followed him but soon she disappeared. All of a sudden there was a bright light and her mouth opened in awe as a tree light up with what looked like a million tiny white lights.
Illuminated by the light was a table and two chairs and soon two candles were lit. Jessica could do nothing but stare at the beautiful lights and the man who seemed to make all of her dreams come true.