Chapter 5

For the whole rest of the day I all but avoided James. I didn't talk to him once at lunch and in all the free time we had I spent it in the girl's dormitory talking with Caitlyn. Now finally it was dinner time. I laid down my utensils on my now empty plate. I looked over at James. He was slowly moving his food around his plate. I could tell that he was nervous about what might happen at the oak tree. I mean how can you blame him? He basically proclaimed his love for me and I am making him wait. I giggled realizing that James is at my mercy. I looked over at Caitlyn, whom I had told my whole plan and she nodded slightly. I stood up quietly and walked out of the great hall, barely hearing Caitlyn's soft good luck. I walked out into the cold air, through the snow and then I settled myself at the trunk of the tree. No more than two seconds later I saw a figure walking down towards me. I looked out at the lake the moon reflecting on its surface. I felt more than saw James sit down beside me. We continued to look out at the lake for a few minutes, when finally he couldn't take it anymore.

"What did you want?" I could hear the slight waver in his voice and it was all I could do to try and stifle a giggle.

I turned and looked at him. His eyes betrayed what I couldn't hear in his voice he was confused, worried. I instantly felt a little bad and looked away quickly avoiding his eyes. I knew that that would just add to his panic but I couldn't stand to see the pain in his eyes. I realized again that he was at my mercy and felt that I didn't really enjoy it.

"I need to talk to you." Oops wrong words. Oh am I ever going to learn?

"O-okay."

"James I realized something today. When I saw your gift to me, this beautiful bracelet and that ridiculous poem," I laughed softly. "I never knew it but when I saw your gift I knew."

I was met with silence. Well no wonder I wasn't really giving him anything to respond to. So I decided to just cut to the chase. I leaned forward and caught his lips in a kiss. I could tell I caught him by surprise because he instantly stiffened. But as the kiss went on he responded more warmly. It was a long loving kiss and neither of us wanted to let go. But soon enough we had to come up for air. We broke apart and I leaned my forehead against his looking deep into his eyes. All that I was planning to say was wiped from my head so I let my heart do the talking.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

I just looked steadily at him and said, "I know."

We kissed one more time and then he pulled me into his arms. We spent the rest of the evening leaning against the oak tree, holding each other tightly against the cold December wind. I knew that this was where I belonged for the rest of my life. I guess that if you think official is an actual agreement then maybe we weren't officially boyfriend/girlfriend but you know what happened this evening was about as official as you can get. James and I shared an understanding that didn't need words to convey. That was all we needed.

"They have you."