*October 21, 1989

Ernest really kept his word. He walked me to all of my classes just to make sure I would be okay. It was really sweet of him honestly.

Everyone would see us together and just whispered or just stare at us in disbelief. Some of the girls would try to flirt with Ernest right in front of me to get a reaction out of me. But I didn't really care because he had no interest in them anyways.

The bullying ceased after the first week but nobody was really going out of their way to talk to me except Ernest and Kevin of course. I even started becoming friends with the guys from the basketball team. They were a lot nicer than the football jocks any day.

As for my dad he stubbornly refused to let me see Ernest at all. Sneaking away with him at school was difficult enough, as long as he didn't see us together. It was hard for us to go on any dates when my dad dragged me back home after school was over.

He looked upset at me all the time but there was also a hint of sadness in his eyes as I glared at him and refused to say a word to him.

This was my new life I guess. Only thing that was the same was my slowly declining health.

During free period I walked with Ernest to basketball practice, with his arm around my shoulder and him whispering things into my ear. I think he said something like, "Sneaking away for a date so he can hold me and kiss me a lot."

It made me flush bright red.

"Hehehehe, Ernest stop it."

"You look beautiful today."

"And you're looking very cute today."

"Just cute?"

He tickled me in the stomach and I fought back the laughter but I giggled a bit.

"Hahahaha okay fine you're handsome happy?"

"Very. I'm just messing with you Via."

Ernest started calling me that lately. That used to be my nickname in primary school, so I haven't heard it in a long time.

"I like it when you call me that."

"Just like when I call you beautiful. Which is a fact."

I laughed again before I bent upward to kiss him. When we pulled apart it made a cute little noise and we both laughed as we headed into the auditorium all lovey dovey.

A couple of guys whistled when they saw us enter.

"Aren't you two a hot mess of a couple?"

"Shut up Trevor."

This made the guys laugh but they waved politely at me as usual.

"Kim! Stop making out with your girlfriend and get dressed for practice already!"

"Yes coach. See you after practice Octavia."

"Okay."

We gave each other a quick peck before he ran over to the dressing rooms to change and I sat on the bleachers to study a bit or read a book.

I caught up with my homework fairly fast and pulled out my favorite book to read, Alice in Wonderland.

I would read my book for a couple of paragraphs, look at the practice for a few minutes before going back to reading. I couldn't read much today though because the ball kept getting flying over to the bleachers.

The new freshman are honestly really bad. I put my book away just as the ball came flying over to me.

"Aaahh!"

"Sorry!"

It barely missed me by an inch.

"Gavin! Go give and me 10 laps around the court! Spencer you alright?"

"Yes I'm alright Coach!"

He's one of the few teachers that knows the full extent of my condition. He was there during my trip to the hospital all the way back in middle school. He was even kind enough to bring a get well basket after my father had a conversation with him about my health.

He's hard on the students but he's really a nice guy honestly.

I saw Ernest looking over at me worriedly but I waved at him that I was okay. He nodded in understanding and went back to practice.

It went more smoothly after that and no more balls were sent flying at least.

I waited for Ernest after practice was over and he looked like he just came out of the shower. I gave him a quick hug.

"You looked so good today! I can't wait to see you during your first game!"

"Thank you Via. Say umm would you be willing to sneak out after school to go on a date with me?"

"I don't know Ernest. I'm still grounded and dad will flip his lid when he finds out I left school to go on a date with you."

"Just this once. He'll never have to know."

"How? He'll see us leaving together."

"We'll just make sure he doesn't. Come on please babe."

"Fine, but only because you called me babe."

~

After school was over I met up with Ernest on the back of the school so dad wouldn't spot us leaving through the front entrance. We were about to get into his car when we spotted dad in his car at the far end of the line.

We both ducked behind Ernest's car to make sure he didn't see us.

"Shit he almost saw us."

"Looks like we're safe."

I peeked and ever so slowly entered Ernest's car avoiding to be seen. He started it and we left the school through the teacher's exit.

Once we were out of sight, we both heaved a sigh of relief.

"What should my excuse be after you drop me off at home before my dad finds out?"

"Maybe you walked to school or you hitched a ride with one of your friends?"

"I can't think of anything else. I hope it works."

"Want to grab a bite to eat?"

"Sure I'm starving."

We both went through Dairy Queen's drive thru and left to go somewhere after we got our food.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see. It's a very nice spot."

Ernest said as he pulled off the main road into a dirt road in the woods. I have never been here before but I was eager to find out what Ernest wanted to show me.

Eventually he parked the car right in from a small cliff overlooking the entire town. The light of afternoon sun looked so beautiful.

"Do you like it?"

"I love it. How did you find out about this spot?"

"One day I was driving around and I noticed the dirt road. I followed it and it eventually led to this spot. It was the first time I felt at home since I moved here. And now I get to share it with you."

"Awww. Let's eat our food already so we can watch the sunset."

We sat on the hood of the car watching the sun slowly set, eating our food and enjoying each other's company. I turned to look at Ernest and caught him staring at me.

"What?"

"I feel like I'm so lucky to have met you. I think I would have been miserable if I didn't."

"But don't you have friends in the basketball team?"

"Yes but it doesn't feel the same when I'm with you. You make me laugh, make me feel very happy, and you're my best friend that I can tell anything to."

"Ernest."

"I had a girlfriend once a long time ago and I thought it was going to work out but it didn't because we disagreed a lot and we were too different people. I was actually more like Tom back then if you can believe it."

"Like Tom? You? I don't believe that."

"It's true. I used to be a quarterback that spent time with people like Tom and Stacy at my old school. We had fun sometimes and I really thought they were my friends. Until I realized how shallow they really were and how unhappy they made me. All they did was pick on others to make themselves look better. Me included. So I thought about changing my whole perspective which became easier after I moved here. And then I met you and now I feel happier than I ever felt in a long time. You made me realize I was looking for someone that was my true friend, as well as you, and I felt in a way we were the same. And now you're my girlfriend and I can honestly say there is no one I would rather be with but you."

"Ernest. That's-"

I wiped the tears out of my eyes and faced him with a growing smile on my face.

"That was the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me. I- I don't even know what to say. Just that you made me so happy."

"I think I'm falling in love with you Octavia."

"I can't say anything else except me to. Now come here."

I pulled him in for a kiss and we started making out passionately. Eventually the car hood started hurting my back so we moved to back seat of the car.

Nothing happened too extreme we just made out for a bit longer and cuddled in each other's arms in the back seat. I think neither of us was ready for you-know-what.

But this was still very nice.

"Ernest?"

"Yeah?"

"I hope we can be together for a long time."

"I hope so too."

We kissed once more as I giggled in my throat and looked at the sun. Only realizing now that the sun had long set and it was now nighttime.

"Ernest!"

"What? What?"

"It's night."

"Night? Holy shit!"

Ernest practically vaulted out of his seat and ran to the front door. I climbed over to the front and started nervously tapping my fingers realizing how much trouble I was about to be in.

He held my hand once he drove us back to the Main Street and I couldn't stop shaking. When we reached home we gave each other a worried look and sure enough we saw the front door open and dad told us both to come in.