Chapter 5

It had been weeks since the negotiation between us and Jonathon's step-father. Jonathon had moved back into his parent's place from his friends. We were just going to spend our summer together, before he had to go away for college.

We went everywhere and anywhere we could think of. It was a summer neither of us would ever forget.

The summer of our lives.

The day that Jonathon had to go came nearer and nearer. It was a day we both feared.

We packed in as much time together as we possibly could.

When the day finally did come, all the time didn't seem to be enough.

"Don't go…please…" I said through tears.

He wasn't crying, but he was seconds from it. He knew if he cried, I would cry even more.

I was enveloped in his arms, and mine were around him too. I dreaded letting go, knowing that I wouldn't be able to hold him again for a while. He pulled me in tighter.

"Samantha, I have to… You know that… I'd take you with me but you have school next week."

Another thing I was dreading.

"But, I don't want to lose you…" I muffled into his chest.

"You won't. We've gone over this! We'll text, instant message, talk on the phone, video chat, anything we can think of. I'll visit whenever I can." He kissed my forehead.

"But…There are so many pretty girls there… parties…" I pulled closer; if possible, "I can't lose you…"

He pulled back a bit, looking at me inquisitively. He seemed startled. And confused.

I had never admitted to the jealousy swelling inside of me. I heard about my cousin in college. He went to parties, he would sleep around, and he'd brag about all of this to my other cousin. He would tell stories about the "hot chicks" on campus. Jonathon was so amazing; I couldn't help but be cautious.

"What are you talking about?" Jonathon questioned, still looking puzzled.

"Just… The girls there are gorgeous. And actually your age. And so on… I just don't want to lose you to one of them." I said, looking away. I couldn't look at him in the eye when I said that.

He tilted my chin gently towards him so I faced him. His eyes looked so comforting and soft. I turned away. I felt bad for just thinking what I did, much less saying it.

"Babe, you need to look at me. I'm not mad. Just…" He paused.

I looked to see why and was caught by surprise by a kiss. It was so gentle, and so adoring at the same time.

"Worried," he said in almost a whisper when he pulled away.

"Why are you worried?" I asked, in a daze.

"Because you think I-the man who's in love with you-would leave you-the most amazing, loving, beautiful girl I have ever known-for some random chick I meet in college."

I tried to hold back a goofy grin, but I couldn't do it. The biggest smile spread across my face like the sun coming out from the clouds.

From that one sentence, I felt loved. I felt comforted. I felt safe, and cared about, and so much more…

I leaned in a kissed him one more time. I slowly pulled my arms from him. He did too, letting his hands run down to mine. He wrapped my shivering fingers in his warming hands.

We said our last goodbyes, and he boarded the train that would take him to college. He walked in, and sat at a window seat.

It was a cold day, so he let out a long, hot breath on the window. He drew a heart in the formed steam on the glass. I smiled and blew a kiss towards him.

My heart sank to my stomach when the train started to move. I almost felt like I was in one of those movies, where the girls chase after the train carrying their loved ones away from them. I didn't want to embarrass myself, so I turned and walked back to the car.

While walking, my phone rang in my pocket.

I pulled it out and read, "Hey… I miss you already(:"

I smiled through the forming tears.

"I've missed you since the day I found out you were leaving..." I typed slowly.

We texted the whole way home. We texted all night long. We texted until the minute I fell asleep. We missed each other more than ever, and it hadn't even been a day.

The next morning when I woke, I urgently looked to my phone. I had orientation for school that day!

It was 8:45AM. Good, orientation was at 9:30AM. I jumped out of bed and got ready. Before I left, I texted Jonathon.

"Good morning sweetheart(:"

With my phone in hand, I drove to school. I got there, and met up with some friends. We all walked into the school gym for the orientation presentation.

I kept looking at my phone the whole time, but no reply from Jonathon. He must be asleep.

I was clicking through my phone when I accidentally bumped into someone. I looked up to apologize, when he caught my eye.

A tall, shaggy-haired junior stood before me. I smiled.

"I'm sorry, I'm a big klutz," he laughed.

I laughed too. "It's okay! I'd probably kill someone if I didn't watch myself sometimes."

What was I thinking? Why did I say that!

He's gonna think I'm insane…

"Ha, cute. How about I take you out for a proper apology? As friends of course." He smiled.

It's just as friends…

That isn't bad, right?

No! It's not. He's just a friend.

I gladly accepted. He gave me his number and went on his way.

The whole orientation, I couldn't help but think about him. His brown shaggy hair, his blue raindrop-like eyes, his smile, all of it.

Then I started to think about Jonathon.

Why isn't he replying? Did I do something?

Is he doing something?

I sighed. Only one day and I'm already freaking out.

I decided to just push it to the back of my mind for today. I would focus my attention on the orientation.

It was working perfectly until my phone vibrated.

It must be Jonathon! Thank God!

I pulled out my phone, but there wasn't a message from Jonathon. Instead it was from a random number. I read it.

"Hey, I'll pick you up at 7. Text me your address. Don't kill anybody! "

I laughed. I replied with my address and we talked for a bit. I still didn't know his name, so I asked.

"I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. ;)" was his reply.

I laughed a bit. "Hey! That's my job!"

"Haha I'll let you know my name tonight. I gotta go now. I'll talk to ya later, Mrs. Klutz."

"Oh great, I already have a nickname," I thought to myself.

By the time he and I stopped talking, I had gotten home. It was around 4pm and I started to get ready.

Unfortunately, I still hadn't gotten a text from Jonathon. I pulled out my phone to send another to him.

"Baby, where are you?"

Within minutes I got a reply.

"Sorry! One of my dorm mates was showing me around. She's real chill."

That one word stood out like a sore thumb.

She…

He was already meeting other girls. I let out a deep sigh and continued getting ready.

I let Jonathon know about the junior. I made sure he knew it was just as friends too. What worried me was I didn't get the same reassurance from him.

Does he think he doesn't also need to explain?

Oh well…

It was 6:30pm, and I was just putting on the finishing touches when the doorbell rang.

I rushed out of the bathroom to check who had knocked. It was him! He was early! I raced to the door.

"You're early… why?" I quickly glanced at his choice of clothes. He wasn't dressed too fancily in only a button-up shirt and jeans.

I was in black skinny jeans and a loose-fitting v-neck shirt. I curled my hair slightly, which I usually never do.

"Is there such a thing as being fashionably early?" he teased.

I laughed as he led me out to his car. It was a gorgeous jet black Corvette convertible. When I climbed in, I examined the car from top to bottom. The black leather, the sleek structure of the interior, and the Corvette emblem displayed proudly on the steering wheel.

"I hope you won't be more into my car than me tonight…" he said sarcastically.

I looked up from the car with a sheepish smile.

"Sorry, I'm a car nerd." I apologized.

"Now there's a desirable trait in a girl," he said flirtatiously, as he revved the engine.