Chapter 12 - Here I Am
Well, wonders never cease. Now I've been told that I am needed at my grandparents' house for almost the whole month of July. Since they don't have constant Internet access, I better finish this story as quickly as possible.
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Standing in the doorway was Amy. Although Otto knew it was the same girl, she looked quite different compared to how she was a few months ago. She had regained her flowing brown hair and her eyes once again looked youthful and lively. She was wearing a sky blue dress that almost perfectly matched her eyes and the sequins on the front were enough to catch anyone's attention. Otto couldn't believe what he was seeing. The last time he saw her, she was pale and ghastly. Now she looked spectacular. To him, she was as beautiful as an angel.
"What are you doing here?" Otto asked, still shocked.
"I had to come and see you. You're my little miracle boy. Because of you, my cancer is in remission."
"But...why couldn't I contact you? I was worried sick. I thought you weren't getting any better."
"Remember when I said I would walk a thousand miles for you?"
"Yeah, so?"
"Well, I did. That is, me and a bunch of volunteers. I did it to raise money for cancer research. I also did it to fulfill my promise. To surprise you, I asked that nobody in the state of California mention what I was doing."
"Wow. That was very awesome of you. I just have one thing to say, Amy."
"Sure, Otto. What is it?"
"You're beautiful."
With that, Amy smiled and everyone could notice a slight blush appearing on her cheeks. Although she loved Otto, this was kind of awkward. To end the situation, she suddenly blurted out to Otto, "Well, are you going to stand there all night staring at me or are we going to dance?" With that, Otto took her hand and everyone returned to the floor of the Shore Shack.
The DJ, per Amy's plan, pulled out a particular CD from his collection and placed it in the stereo. Otto recognized it immediately. He knew what the words were and he suddenly realized that this was their song. He wrapped his arms around Amy's waist and she laid her head on his shoulder.
Making my way downtown
Walking fast
Faces pass
And I'm home bound
Staring blankly ahead
Just making my way
Making a way
Through the crowd
And I need you
And I miss you
And now I wonder....
If I could fall
Into the sky
Do you think time
Would pass me by
'Cause you know I'd walk
A thousand miles
If I could
Just see you
Tonight
While they were dancing, Otto couldn't help but smile. He felt as if he could cry right then and there. Amy, the girl to whom he had been hostile with when he first met her but had grown to like and eventually love, was alive thanks to him. And now she was back in California, at his side, dancing with him under a clear star-lit sky. This night could not have been any better for him.
But for someone else, there was one thing that could make his night. Or one person, for that matter.
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Twister watched Otto and Amy dance. He felt great for Otto. He had lost his best friend, and then found her only to almost lose her for good. But Twister felt a sense of emptiness within himself. If only he could be close to a girl like Otto was. There was one girl Twister felt close to but wasn't sure if she felt the same way. That girl was Reggie. He had lived by the Rockets' house all his life. His opinions of Reggie evolved from a source of "cooties" to a talented playmate to an inspirational and strong young woman. She was able to do so much despite losing her only female role-model to cancer. As both she and Twister grew, he began to think more of her. He loved the way she looked, the way she acted towards everybody, heck, the way she did everything. Unfortunately, Twister was never able to admit his feelings. First, he felt that he would never be worthy of her; he was too clueless most of the time and she was so wise. Then when Sam moved in to town, the two created an almost instantaneous bond due to their interests and academic prowess.
His feelings had built up too much. She needed to know that he loved her, and now was his chance. She was standing on the pier outside the Shack, staring at the beautiful night sky.
It's always times like these
When I think of you
And I wonder
If you ever
Think of me
Earlier he had told Otto about his predicament. He wanted to know if Otto thought that Reggie would even consider an offer to dance. Otto had taken a few minutes to think; after all, his best male friend was making an advance on his sister. Then again, he hadn't had too many problems with Sam being around Reggie so much. Besides, he knew his best friend and although he may not have been the brightest boy in town, he knew that he really cared for Reggie and that he would do anything to make sure she wasn't harmed.
"Go for it, bro!" Otto encouraged.
Twister walked around the group of dancing couples and made his way outside.
'Cause everything's so wrong
And I don't belong
Living in your
Precious memories
He felt very nervous, but he knew it was now or never. He took a deep breath and began.
"Uh, hey Reg."
"Hey Twist."
"Uh, it's a lovely night, isn't it?"
"I think so."
'Cause I need you
And I miss you
And now I wonder....
"Uh, there's something I want to ask you."
"Sure, Twist."
"I...uh...I....uh"
If I could fall
Into the sky
Do you think time
Would pass me by
Twister suddenly couldn't get the words to come out of his mouth. Then he remembered Otto's encouragement.
"I was wondering, uh" Twister continued as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "if you would like to dance with me."
'Cause you know I'd walk
A thousand miles
"Oh, Twist. I'd love to dance with you. That's so sweet." Reggie replied while smiling. Suddenly, Twister didn't feel as nervous as before. However, he was so happy that she had accepted that he sort of just stood there as if he had forgotten what she had just accepted.
If I could
Just see you
Tonight
"Well, Twist, let's go." She grabbed Twister's hand and the two of them ran to the dance floor. Twister had never done a slow dance before so Reggie showed him where to place his hands. Despite Twister's inexperience, he soon got the hang of the whole routine and Reggie, like Amy, rested her head on his shoulder. Twister smiled in response while admiring her beautiful face and wavy purple hair.
And I, I
Don't want to let you know
I, I
Drown in your memory
I, I
Don't want to let this go
I, I
Don't....
Making my way downtown
Walking fast
Faces pass
And I'm home bound
Staring blankly ahead
Just making my way
Making a way
Through the crowd
And I still need you
And I still miss you
And now I wonder....
If I could fall
Into the sky
Do you think time
Would pass us by
'Cause you know I'd walk
A thousand miles
If I could
Just see you...
Ray looked out from behind the counter and couldn't help but smile. His two children were turning out to be responsible young adults. Sure, they made some mistakes in the past, some more serious than others, but he always helped them learn. Now they were growing up, perhaps too quickly. Each had found interest in the opposite sex. Believing that he had to capture this moment to reflect on in the future, he pulled out his camera and took a quick snapshot of both his children and their dance partners. If only his wife could be there to see this, he thought.
If I could fall
Into the sky
Do you think time
Would pass us by
'Cause you know I'd walk
A thousand miles
If I could
Just see you
If I could
Just hold you
Tonight
At the end of the song, Amy and Otto stared in to each other's eyes and slowly brought their heads together in to a meaningful kiss, something they had wanted to do since they had been reunited in Michigan.
Meanwhile, Reggie lifted her head off Twister's shoulder, but both teens kept their arms around each other.
"That was very thoughtful of you, Twist. I really enjoyed that. Thanks," she said graciously.
"Me too." He paused a second, and then thought. "I love you, Reg. I know you're very close with Sam, and I understand that. I just wanted to tell you how I feel."
Twister expected that Reggie's smile would fade in shock, but it didn't. "Bah, Twist. Just because Sam and me are close doesn't mean that we are going to get married. It's too soon for anyone to make any commitments. I do love Sam for who he is, but the truth is, I love you too."
With that, Twister went for it. He brought his mouth to hers, and to his surprise, she didn't resist.
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The night seemed to carry on forever. Amy and Otto danced, talked, and walked outside to admire the beautiful night view of the shore. While they were outside, Amy thanked Otto again for saving her life. "Otto, you'll always be my angel and there will always be a place in my heart for you," she added. Otto replied that he felt the same way about her. With that, Amy produced a small box. Inside was a tanagella shell, the type that Otto and the gang had once considered to produce good luck, that was attached to a necklace. Otto examined the shell and found a message inside, a message that seemed to fit Otto very well.
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Finally, it was time for the last dance. This time, Otto had a request for the DJ. While he was usually in to heavier music, he had heard this song during the whole ordeal with Amy and it almost brought him to tears. The song expressed how he felt at this moment and he wanted Amy to hear it.
Here I am - this is me
There's no where else on earth I'd rather be
Here I am - it's just me and you
Tonight we make our dreams come true
It's a new world - it's a new start
It's alive with the beating of young hearts
It's a new day - it's a new plan
I've been waiting for you
Here I am
Here we are - we've just begun
And after all this time, our time has come
Yeah, here we are - still goin' strong
Right here in the place where we belong
It's a new world - it's a new start
It's alive with the beating of young hearts
It's a new day - it's a new plan
I've been waiting for you
Here I am
Here I am - next to you
And suddenly the world is all brand new
Here I am - where I'm gonna stay
There's nothin' standin' in our way
Here I am - this is me
After the party, Amy and the four teens walked towards Ozone Street and the three houses that the gang called (or used to call) home. At that point, Otto excitedly inquired about Amy's plans.
"My father says I can stay the week. He's at a hotel but he dropped my stuff off at your place."
Otto replied, "Awesome. We can hang out together. It'll be like old times."
Amy agreed, "Yeah, I can't wait to feel the ocean again."
Finally, they reached the top of the hill. Twister and Sam wished everyone good night and walked to their houses. Otto, Reggie, and Amy entered their house and got ready for bed. Otto gave Amy his bed and he slept on the floor. Before he turned out the light, he assured her, "Amy, I promise that this week will be one that you will never forget."
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Well, there is one more official chapter to go. Thanks for your patience.
By the way, the last song is "Here I Am" by Bryan Adams. It was used in the movie Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.