When I finally reach home, I don't want to talk to anyone. I don't want to see anyone. I just want to go upstairs into my room and listen to music. Daddy calls out to me when I enter the house, but I tell him I'm not feeling so great and proceed to my private abode. I walk over to my mirror, glancing at my reflection before bending down to pick up the picture of my mother taped on to the reflective glass.

I stare down at the worn picture, tears filling my eyes. I think how much it would help to have a mother to talk to about this, to stay up late at night eating ice cream and talking, to go shopping together and give each other manicures. As much as I love my father, he can't do that stuff with me. And he also can't accept Landon.

*Does that mean you finally have? Have you fully admitted your feelings and accepted Landon? Is he really right, do you really want to be with him?*

Jamie sighed. There was that voice again. The voice telling her what she and Landon both knew. Jamie taped the picture back onto the mirror and gave herself one good long stare. Then she flipped the lights off, turned up her radio, and crawled in bed, ready for some extremely depressing thoughts.

~~**~~**~~

I was sitting on the porch swing reading when I heard the footsteps. I had gone almost 12 minutes without thinking about Landon. And who had to show up? No one other than him. As I glanced up I felt my heart drop and begin to beat faster than normal. I didn't know what to say.

"You", I stated. It wasn't a question.

"Me", he confirmed, looking me dead in the eyes.

I closed my book. He held up a bag that I hadn't even noticed he was holding. He gestured to me with it, as if presenting it as a gift.

"What is it?", I asked, uncertain of everything I was feeling.

"I got you something" he replied, holding it out closer to me.

"Thank you" I said, the manners that I had learned as a child kicking in.

"Well, I'll see you at school", Landon said, and I wanted to tell him to stay. I wanted to tell him everything. I wanted to know everything about him and I wanted him to spend time with me again, willingly. But I just nodded.

"Kay" I told him, a l bit less than impressed with my answer. He gave me another long look before turning and walking towards the steps. I started to pull out the gift from the bag.

"Mr. Carter?" I heard my fathers voice, but didn't pay too much attention, transfixed by what I saw come out of that bag.

"Later Reverend", Landon replied, reaching the steps and walking to his car.

I looked down and ran my hands over it.

Landon had gotten me the most beautiful pink sweater I had ever seen.

I realized then how I really felt. I was in love with Landon Carter.

As Dad prattled on, about boys having expectations and the rules not changing, I told him I would go cook dinner. I know he noticed the change in me. The sweater covering my shoulders was a dead give away.

~~~**~~~**~~~

A/N: Whoohoo! Updates! I'm sorry, but real life has been a pain in the butt, and the stories have taken a back seat. Please Please review, your feedback is appreciated!! --FS