Wishing on Dandelions

Chapter 9

I pass houses and trees, suddenly I found myself at the park. I collapse on the ground, breathing heavily. I really hope there isn't ants right here. After a few minutes, my breathing returns to normal and I open my eyes to see Adam sitting next to me. Crap.

"Jolene..."

"Adam, stop. This is for the best, okay? If you don't deal with me now, it won't hurt as much when I die. Okay, I can't hurt you Adam." I stand up, getting ready to walk away again.

"Why not?"

"Because.....I love you."

"Then why can't we be together?!"

"Because I'm going to die!!!!" Thank goodness, no one's here or they would just see Adam screaming at nothing.

"So what? Jolene, do you ever think about the present? You can hurt me all you want, I want to be with you, even if it's just for a second. Please Jolene."

Tears are streaming down my face, and I don't know what to say, I don't want to hurt him.

"Jolene..."

My voice has left me so instead of speaking, I nod my head and hug him. I finally stop crying, and I pull back and notice him staring at my lips. I close in the gap and stop worrying about the future. The kiss seems even better the last one, somehow we get even closer together, deepening the kiss, which I thought would be impossible to do. Soon my fingers are running through his hair and his hands move around on my back, causing me to have goosebumps. We pull back and I curse our need for oxygen. My previous thought pops up in my head-Mom.

"Adam, can you please drive me to the hospital?"

"Sure," we walk back to his house and get in his car.

"So you never answered my question- will you be my girlfriend?"

"Yes." A smile pops up on his face and one appears on mine.

***

I go to my room at the hospital and found my mom sitting there staring at me. Her mascara has run down all over her face and I see fresh tears brewing....Is it possible that....she actually cares about me? I'm so confused now. Nothing she has ever done has been for me, nothing. She just popped me out and that was as far as her motherly love went. I remember taking care of myself since I was 5. I leave the hospital and get into Adam's car telling him everything, why I stayed at the hotel that night, why I don't trust my mom, everything. This time, no tears come out, I think I dried my eyeballs out. I don't want to go home, "Can I stay at your house?"

"Sure thing. Hey, Jolene?"

"Huh?"

"Are you going to cry anymore?"

"No, why?"

"Because you are far too pretty to cry."

My mood automatically flips and a smile arrives on my face.

"Thanks for everything."

"I love you Jolene."

"I love you too."