Ch 1
*Katie's P.O.V*
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to announce to you the class of two-thousand and four," said the principle as everybody threw up their hats. I look every where for my boyfriend Nathan but, I called him Nate. Nate has been my best friend since birth. We grew up together as friends but that friendship had soon turned into a serious relationship. When I finally caught sight of him, I ran up to him and gave him a hug, looking up at him I say.
"Can you believe it? We finally did it! We graduated high school!" Nate looks a little uncomfortable.
"Yeah, I know it's nice, but...uh...Katie, we need to talk. Nate took me by the hand and led me into the hall, sitting me on a bench.
"Amy, you know I love you, right?"
"Yes, I know that and I love you too. You know that, right?" Nate half laughed and said.
"Well, that's the problem."
"What do you mean. Why is that a problem?" I ask getting shaking, my eyes starting to tear up.
"Well, you see.....uh...you know...." Nate couldn't seem to get the right words out. After a moment he took a breath and looked at me straight in the eyes.
"I want to break up. It's not because I don't love you anymore because I love you more than anything in the world. It's just that I'm going to be going to a college that is more than a thousand miles away. Please, can we still be friends?"
Without a word I got up and walked back into the gym to join my friends. I look around for my friends but they found me first.
Lauren came up to me first and gave me a big hug that almost sucked the breath out of me.
"Congratulations, Katie!"
"Yeah. Congrats."," I say sadly.
"What's wrong? You were looking forward to leaving this school since we started. You walked in the door in ninth grade and you said that you couldn't wait until you graduated."
"I know. It's just that Nate just broke up with me." I couldn't hold it in anymore. I started crying in front of everyone but, by that I really didn't care.
"You mean after you were going to......."
"Yeah." I say which made me sob even more. I took out the small, square box that held the gold ring (I hid them in my gown) I turned it around in my hands, playing with the ring.
"I guess this is a sign that women cant propose. Want to come over tonight?" I ask looking at Lauren.
"Sure, let's go. I'll take your mind off of him." she says slinging her arm around my shoulder.
"Come on we will get your car later," I say as Lauren follows and I speed off.
I get to my street but, instead of turning right. I turn left to a special place. Lauren realizes I was going the wrong way but, didn't say a word. I pull up to the park, got out, and walked up the hill. Lauren ran after me, when she finally caught up she said.
"Katie! What are we doing here? I thought that we were just going to hang out,".
"Sorry, I had some business to take care of first."
"OK, but can you at least tell me what we are doing here?" Lauren asks me.
"Don't you get it? This is the place.The place where I first met him. The first date, first kiss, first everything. I was going to propose here! I'm just going to bury the wedding box here. Then we can be on our way," I say as I dug a hole and carefully placed the box in the small hole.
Standing there for awhile I look at the box and take a breath. Finally, I placed the dirt over it and with a final pat, I step back to examine my work.
"He doesn't care for me anymore. He promised me months ago that if he made it into the college in New York, then we would stay together," I say crying into my hands. Lauren watched me and decided not to do anything this time. I got up, brushed the grass off my shirt, and walked over to one of the trees. There were carvings that the two of us did just a few days ago..
Finally, I walked down to her car and started to head home. Lauren followed me not saying a word. Lauren and I talked all night about the memories we shared in high school and what we were planning to do in the future.
"I think I'm going to stay and work here. I just can't seem leaving Oklahoma. I grew up with my friends and family. I can't possibly seem to leave all of these wonderful memories behind," I say laying on my hands.
"Yeah, same here.", Lauren said sighing.
My phone started buzzing. Grabbing it I look at the screen. It was a text from Nate reading:
"Katie, I'm sorry for hurting you so bad. I thought it was the right thing to do regarding the distance between us. Please know I will never forget you. I will still love you no matter what. Can we still be friends?" I texted Nate back and said.
"Yes. I would love to still be friends." I wiped a tear that was streaming down my cheek. Lauren and I finished the night just talking about everything and anything.
Lauren left early the next morning because, she had to get to work. After saying good-bye to Lauren I closed the door and looked out the window thinking of all the good times I had with Nate. Like the time we came home from the senior homecoming dance. He stood there, on my porch, saying goodnight. That was the night he said the exact words:
"Amy, I had a really good time. After high school, I know we will be the lucky couple to stay together forever." I wiped my eyes and walked upstairs because, I too had work today and I had to get ready.
While I was at work I ran into Dave. Dave was another really good friend of mine.
"Oh Dave I'm sorry.I wasn't paying attention. I guess I'm still upset," I say.
"Why, what happened," asked Dave.
"Nate broke up with me. I was going to propose but, I guess it wasn't met to be," I say walking to where I needed to be.
It was a very slow day for me. Eventually, someone walks in her aisle as she starts scanning the persons items.
"Nate" I say quietly.
"Yeah," asked Nate.
"I thought you had to leave today," I say not looking at him.
"I do I'm leaving as soon as I leave here," Nate says not looking at me either.
"Oh," I say quietly. "Well your total is seventy five thirty two," I say having to look at him with a "happy friendly customer happy smile" as my boss would say.
"Okay, here you go," said Nate handing me exact change.
"Bye," I snap at him
I watched as Nate leaves my life, I knew deep down inside Nate would never talk to me again or so I thought.
Its had been three years since I saw Nate, he hadn't contacted me in anyway. I had just about given up on him, finally realizing after all these years that it was just making my life too difficult.
In the past three years I really didn't change I was still four foot eleven inches and weighed ninety-eight pounds. Nate was still six foot three and weighed one hundred and sixty pounds(by what his friends told me).
No one knows this but a few days after we graduated I found John. John was five foot eleven and weighed one eighty pounds. Every, year on the day that Nate broke up with me, I would go to the park alone and dig up the ring and check on it.
John was my boyfriend and knew the story of the ring. Today is John and I's second anniversary. I was getting ready when I heard a knock on the door. I run to the door in my robe.
"Hey babe I was done early so I thought I would come talk to you," said John smiling at me and walking in. I close the door when suddenly he shoves me against it and lands his lips on mine. We kiss for a few minuets and he parts before, we go in full make out mode. Knowing exactly how to tease me.
"Well, I was kinda wanting it to be a surprise. You know how I'm dressed.," I say looking up at him.
"Okay, cool I will just wait for you down here on the couch and then when your ready I will go outside and knock on the door and pretend like I just got here," said John trying to make me smile.
"Why, don't you just go driving around for awhile," I suggest sounding upset but, I was really hoping he wouldn't see me like this.
"Baby, whats wrong," asked John worried wrapping his arms around me.
"Its just...um..well I think I'm falling in love with Nate again," I say feeling terrible about it.
"Katie, shh please forget about him. He broke up with you. I love you and I will never leave you like he did. Please forget about him," said John looking deep into my eyes and leaning down kissing me slowly. The kissed started to get more passionate and he wrapped his arms around me more, pulling me more closer. I slowly push away from him.
"I...I cant I'm sorry. Not right now. Can I just have some time alone please," I ask looking at him.
"Sure.... I will give you plenty of time and um.....oh yeah its over" said John storming out of the house and slamming the door shut. I look down sadly, got changed into my pj's and went to bed.
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