"Mom, I really don't need this right now!" I screamed, tears running down my face. She always started fights when she wasn't feeling well, and it only got worse after my dad divorced her. "Oh, and you think I need to clean after I get off of work? Quit being so lazy!" She fired back. "Mom, do you know how stressed I am right now? I'm trying to keep my grades up, I'm trying to graduate. I really don't need you yelling at me! I'm going out." I mumbled the last part, but she still managed to hear. "Oh, that's right, run off and go with your little boy toy." She said with a smirk. "At least he actually pays attention to me. He loves me in a way that Dad never loved you." I regretted the words the moment they left my mouth, but there was nothing to do now. I grabbed my keys and walked out. There was less than a month until graduation, and it was all so overwhelming. I drove to my old elementary school, which was abandoned after they built a new one. I walked over to the tall grass, sitting down in it. Sitting down the grass reached over my head, and I felt hidden from the world. I pulled out my phone and called him. "Jaime?" I whispered. "I need you." I started crying, the stress of school and my home life overflowing. "Say no more, where are you?" I told him and laid down, closing my eyes and trying to get myself together. It was so quiet out here since there were no homes around, and I could hear the faint chirping of crickets, signaling the beginning of summer. I heard a car in the distant turn off, and I knew Jaime was here. A few moments later I felt his body lay down next to mine and him grabbing my hand. "Hey, what's wrong?" He gently asked while wiping my tears away with his thumb. "Everything's changing so fast, Jaime. Growing up scares the shit out of me. I mean, just look at this place... Remember how it used to be? And look at what time is doing to it. What is it going to do to me? To us?" I asked. He sighed, pulling me close. "Honestly? I don't know. But what I do know is that I'm gonna be here every step of the way. And I promise that one day this," he squeezed the finger that had the promise ring he gave me, "will turn into a wedding ring. We've been dating since our eighth grade year, and no matter how much time passes I'll never stop loving you. You're my girl, I love you." He kissed my forehead and ruffled my hair. We both looked up at the stars, enjoying the smell of early California summer and the noise of the crickets. We spent the rest of the evening laying out in the grass with Jaime pointing out the different constellations and him giving me the occasional kiss. I laughed when I heard his stomach growl, and asked if he was hungry while patting his stomach. "Well now that you bring it up..." He said. "Its Friday night, you deserve a night away from studying. My parents are out of town visiting one of my many aunts. We can get some junk food and watch a movie. How does that sound?" I nodded and smiled as he stood up and helped me up. How did I end up with someone so amazing? We drove down to a small convenience store and we went in to buy our food for the night. We each had an armful of food, and the when we put it down on the counter the cashier just raised her eyebrow at us. "Oh! I forgot your favorite gum, I'll be right back." He kissed my cheek and walked away. I felt a tap on my shoulder and when I turned around a saw an elderly woman behind me. "Young woman, you're so lucky to have found someone who loves you so much. I saw the way he would look at you when you weren't looking and it was a look of pure love. Never let him go." She said with a smile. "Thank you, I don't plan on parting ways anytime soon." I smiled back. Jaime came back and kissed my cheek and I saw the old woman smile at us. Once we paid and our food was all bagged, we walked out and to our car. The old woman walked out as well, only having bought a bottle of water. I watched as she walked to a car. The drivers side opened and an old man walked out with the help of a cane, and opened the door for his wife. He kissed her before helping her in, smiling. Jaime was watching them too and squeezed my hand. "Maybe one day that'll be us." He said with a grin. We drove to his house and once we were settle in his bed with the movie on and food surrounding us, I felt at peace. I started getting into the movie, but then I remembered what the woman said about him looking at me. I quickly turned my head and saw him smiling at me. I could see a faint blush across his cheeks, embarrassed to be caught. I kissed him and nuzzled into his neck. "I love you Jaime." I murmured. "I love you more, and I promise I'll always be here to love you." He whispered into my ear. He put his arm around me and we watched the movie until I heard the soft snores coming from Jaime. I chucked softy, grabbing the remote and turning off the TV. I knew that as long ad he was beside me, I could get though anything life threw at me.
