This chapter was originally published on September 25th, 2009. It originally contained two scenes, but I decided to split this chapter up and include the second scene in the final chapter. Other than removing this scene, I made minimal edits: once again, mostly commas.

The original author's note is as follows:

I apologize most sincerely for about how late this is getting out. You see, I"m in the Marching Band AKA I have no life. But I hope you enjoy this!

So, where did I leave off? Oh right. James and I were kissing passionately in the forest.

"Sarah, my dear, what in the world are you doing kissing Mr. Hiller?" I immediately extricated myself from James's lips and stood behind him. I slipped my hand into James's.

"Peter," I breathed, breath quite ragged from the excitement. "It is no business of yours on whom I should bestow my kisses, for they are mine to give. Where is Hope since you seem to love her now?" I added tartly.

"I do most certainly believe it is my business," he retorted, "as I intend to marry you, and I will not have you stolen by this impertinent young man."

"Wait a minute," I cut in. "Marry me?" I pushed past James to confront him. "Mere hours ago, you banished me from your side!" I jabbed my finger into his chest. "Yesterday, you proposed to Hope!"

"Yes, well… you didn't let me finish," he explained. "Something came over me. I don't know what. Perhaps Miss Johnson is a witch. But I love you, Sarah." And with that, he stepped forward and crashed his lips against mine. Where James's kiss had me in raptures, thinking of fireworks and rainbows, Peter's rained on my heart. I quickly pushed Peter back and ran to the other side of the grove.

"Oh, this is all too confusing!" I moaned. "What on Earth is going on?" Suddenly, an ugly thought entered my brain, as if I had jumped into an icy river.

"Oh, I see!" I insinuated. "Neither of you love me. You're mocking me. Well, I can tell you, it won't work!" It occurred to me at this point that I might have been jumping to conclusions, but in the heat of the moment, my thoughts became words, and no matter how much I wanted to change them, I could not make time travel backward.

"Sarah, what are you talking about?" James asked, puzzled. "I love you; truly, I do. My love for you is deeper than the deepest ocean."

"I know naught of which you speak." Peter interrupted him. "My love is triple the amount of this poor fellow's."

"Again, with these falsehoods!" I cried.

"Sarah, why don't you believe me?" James asked me. "I've loved you since I first laid eyes on you."

"All lies!" Peter accused, "I tell you. This man always tries to steal that which I deem precious." Once again, they left me feeling hopelessly confused. I knew that Peter could not possibly love me because earlier that night he'd professed his extreme hatred of me. And James . . . I did not know what to think. Could he really have been in love with me all these years?

"James, there you are," Hope exclaimed as she walked in on our argument. "I thought a wild beast had gotten you!" James groaned when she attempted to drag him off. Hope was momentarily detained from her mission by James's obstinancy, yet she persisted. It took five almost pulls before she finally realized James wanted to remain.

"James, dear, whatever is the matter?" She asked.

James cleared his throat and answered, "Hope, I don't love you. I love Sarah."

I cringed, knowing the torrent of anger she would likely release against me, but she just laughed.

"Ah, James… how you are a kidder," she giggled and punched him playfully on the arm.

"Kid about what? I'm being perfectly serious!" Hope stopped mid-chuckle when she saw his solemn visage.

"I don't believe you. I want proof." She said. James wasted no time in providing her evidence. He embraced me and brought his lips against mine. I felt myself beginning to melt again. Thank goodness James broke the kiss at that moment, or I would have been putty in his hands.

"There," he said, voice husky and breathing ragged. "What more proof could you want?"

Hope's lip quivered, and then she burst into tears.

"Whatever happened to your promises?" she whimpered.

"Promises?" James exploded. "What promises?"

"Kiss me, my sweet!" Peter cried, advancing on me.

"I'm so confused!" I shouted to the sky. Everything was happening so fast.

"You…" Hope turned toward me, a viper in the grass. "You did this! You've stolen my love!" She moved toward me with flaming eyes.

"I see how you did this. It is because you are so tall, is it not?" She accused.

"I have no idea what you are talking about," I commented, shaking with fear.

"I'll rip your eyes out!" She screamed. I ran and hid behind the two men.

"Gentlemen, I pray you not let her any closer. She will not hesitate to claw me if she comes any nearer."

"I'll protect you, Sarah," James assured me.

"Ha!" Peter laughed. "This lily-livered snake could protect you as well as a cabbage. I'll make sure you stay safe."

"You want to duel on that?" James challenged.

"Bring it on!" Peter accepted. James glared at Peter, and the two ran off, staring at each other with beady eyes. With no one left to protect me, Hope giggled maniacally and charged, hand poised to scratch my eyes out. I flew away, daring not to look back.

Unfortunately, my speed was my downfall. I tripped over an abnormally large tree root and sprained my ankle. I couldn't walk; the pain was too much. So I just sat on the dank ground, bemoaning my fate.

I sat there for a while, listening intently to the sounds of the forest for any signs of human life. When nothing happened, I began to cry, and the rhythmic beat of my tears lulled me to sleep. My subconscious wandered near and far, in strange dreams of night. But the memory that recurred was of James proclaiming his love for me. I wondered, could he really be enamored of little old me? The girl he always poked, prodded, and annoyed?

Notes:

Thank you for reading! Next chapter is edited and should be posted tomorrow.