Missing You

Chapter 1: Mama Said

Rachelle's P.O.V.

I had been thinking about what to do all night. I couln't sleep. I decided to just tell Alex. It couldn't be that hard, right? Wrong.

I sent him a text and asked him to meet me at the pond. He agreed and said he'd be there soon. I got there decked out in blue jeans so light it's like I washed the color out of them, a red tank top, and some flats. After about five minutes, I decided to lay down and listen to some music. Thank God for iPods.

I didn't realize that I was dozing off when I was brought back to reality by a pair of familiar lips on my own and a beautiful body blocking my sun.

I looked up at him and admired him like I had many times before. He never ceased to amaze me with that genuine smile. He stood at almost 6' even, with tough (but soft) tan skin, sweet brown eyes, brown hair, and had a great body. But he'd never listen to compliments about his physical appearance. He was self conscious that way.

He scooped me up off the ground and into his strong but gentle arms and smiled at me.

"What do you wanna do today, baby?" he asked me in that sexy Southern accent.

"Be with you," I said back, leaning into him.

I could feel the frayed edges of his used-to-be long sleeved shirt tickling my arms.

"Happy to oblige then, seeing as how you are, in fact, with me now," he said laughing.

God, he was such a smart ass. But he was mine.

"Word," I said throwing my arms around his neck to kiss him.

I laughed at the stunned expression on his face. I was never the one to make the first move.

But my laughter quickly stopped when I remembered the whole point of him meeting me here today.

"What's wrong?" he asked, noticing the look on my face.

"We need to talk," I said slowly.

"Okay," he said. I could tell he was getting nervous.

"It's nothing you did," I said, reassuring him.

"Okay," he said back. "We can talk now."

"I'd rather go someplace more private," I said.

"Well, my folks won't be home 'til late, and Stace [his sister] is at a friend's house for tonight. So, my house is empty."

"Perfect," I said. "Can we go now?"

"Sure thing, baby girl." And with that he carried me to his big truck.

God, I would miss this truck. I remembered when we had our first date. I was just fifteen, he was sixteen and had gotten his license. We drove all around town, laughing, and talking, and listening to music the whole time. And, when he went to drop me off at my house, we kissed in the truck.

By the time I was done reminiscing, we had arrived at his house. He led me upstairs to his room. I had been there so many times before. We sat on the old, beat up couch in his room and got settled. Then, he looked at me seriously.

"Alright, darlin'," he started. "What is it that we need to talk about?

"Well," I began. "I don't really know how to explain this."

"Then just do your best," he said, sweetly.

"Okay... Basically, my mom thinks we're getting too serious. She wants to move and take me away from you. She thinks we'll end up like her and my Daddy."

"What?! She can't do that!" he said.

"She can, baby! And she is! I've been trying to reason with her, I truly have, but the woman is just so damn stubborn. She won't listen to anything I have to say. My opinion means nothing."

"Look, Rachelle. We'll talk to her, okay? Together. And maybe if we do that, she can understand how much we really mean to each other. Then maybe, she'll let you stay."

"Do you really think that would work?" I said, calming down a little. I was really at my breaking point with everything, but Mama always taught me to be strong, like her.

"Yes, baby, I do." he said, kissing me on the head.

"Oh, Alex," I said, melting into him. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, baby."

Then I started to cry. Beacuse I was relieved. Because I was happy. Because the pressure of everything was starting to feel better. Because I could. Mama always told me to never let anyone see you cry. She never did. I'm pretty sure she's never cried. She was cold. Emotionless. She showed me that my whole life.

But I have Alex now. And he's more than enough for me.