August 23

August 23 2013

Friday came and the second week of school had come to a close. It was the first night of the fair and we were all ecstatic to go. The flashy lights, the rides towering over us, the music pouring out of the amphitheater. Everything about the fair brought life to our dull desert. It was a fun change from our usual tumbleweeds and Joshua Trees.

The night was warm and the atmosphere was exuberant. My friends, Jacob, and I were pumped to have our first outing together. The night was long we stayed at the fair until nearly midnight. We rode everything and ate as much as we could stuff into our mouths. I walked hand-in-hand with Jacob the entire time. As we stood in line he wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his head on my shoulder. I leaned against him and a crinkling noise came from his shirt pocket.

"What was that?" I asked as I turned to face him.

"Nothing," he replied too quickly. I reached for his pocket, but before I could look inside he gently swatted my hand away. "Don't worry about it. It's nothing really." He kissed my forehead and changed the topic. "Is there anything else you want to ride before we have to go?" He asked the gang and me.

"Actually I wanted to get on the big Ferris wheel!" I squealed like a little kid.

"To the big Ferris wheel it is then."

We walked across the fairgrounds and got into line. The line was enormous. It would definitely be the last ride we could get on. Caitlyn and Joseph got in the carriage before us, then it was our turn. Jacob and I slid into the carriage and fastened our seatbelts. He scooted as close as possible to me and the ride began to turn. I lost my breath when his leg brushed against mine. I felt so giddy and stupid. How was it possible for a person to make me feel so many emotions when he did so little? I couldn't comprehend it. He took my hand in his and looked me in the eyes.

"So, we've been talking for nearly two months now," he began, "It's not a very long time I know, but it's longer than some people." He pulled six origami hearts out of his shirt pocket, the source of the crinkling I had herd earlier. He handed them to me and continued, "It may seem too fast, but I know what I want. This is me officially asking you to be mine."

I couldn't believe what was happening right in front of me. I just smiled, giggled, and nodded like an idiot. "Of course," I mumbled. I was completely incapable of forming a proper sentence. He grabbed my face and kissed me. His lips danced across mine so elegantly, as if they belonged there. We stayed kissing at the top of the Ferris wheel as the world below us faded away. In that moment there was nobody else around, just us. The world fell silent and the only sound came from the beating of our hearts. The ride began to move again and it was only then that we broke our kiss. We stepped out of the carriage and reunited with Caitlyn and Joseph once again. We headed for the entrance and I told them of my news. They hugged me and congratulated us both. Wishing nothing, but the best for us.

Finally I was home. I showered and laid in bed examining my origami hearts. As I held them up to the light I saw they had writing in them. I shot up and hastily unfolded one. It couldn't be what I thought it was.

"Dear Samantha Gonzalez," I was in awe. He had really written me letters. I opened them all trying to identify the first one, finally I found it.

Dear Samantha Gonzalez,

We have been talking for a little over a month now and it has just been amazing. I also apologize for this letter because it's the first I've ever really written for anyone. I don't really know what else to put on it because it's so plain and just looks so ugly and stupid. I have had the best of times talking to you and I hope it never ends.

Jacob Salazar

My heart was racing. I couldn't believe he had hand-written me letters. I had written him a few letters a few days back, but they were nothing like this. All I talked about was what I had for lunch and how annoyed I was with my third period teacher. These were heartfelt letters. I picked up the next one and read on.

Once again I am writing a letter to tell you just exactly how you can make me feel. When I first see you I get so nervous and my heart starts pumping fast until that moment where you are standing right in front of me smiling and telling me "Hi". When you smile at me it feels as if there are hundreds of thousands of butterflies in my stomach. I could get lost in your eyes and just spend an eternity sitting there and staring deep into your eyes. When I hug you I wish we could stay like that for as long as we wanted and never let go. I love how I have to bend over to hug you too. I love the moment when our lips are so close, but we don't kiss each other instead we smile and stare at one another. The way you run your hands through my hair relaxes me so much and I could just fall asleep in your arms. The way my legs feel like jelly and so many thoughts go through my mind in the very moment that our lips are together is just so perfect.

Jacob Salazar

Tears were streaming down my face, but I was smiling from ear to ear. I continued to read the rest of the letters and eventually got to the last one.

Samantha,

In this final letter to you I wanted to tell you a few things. I really do love and enjoy talking to you and I hope that it never stops for any reason. You make me feel like butterflies are living in my stomach and you make me feel so amazing. I respect you in every way shape and form as the woman that you are. You are my one and only Babe, forever and always. I honestly do believe we will last a very long time and hopefully even longer than that. I will be loving, caring, supportive, romantic, respectful, protective, defending, faithful, and true. I promise these things to you for I will keep my word. You truly are so perfect, amazing, beautiful, gorgeous, kind, funny, and just everything. I am so lucky to have you.

Jacob Salazar

The tears didn't stop. They ran in a steady stream down my cheeks. I was unconditionally happy. It was a type of happiness that I had never experienced before. It was completely indescribable. I sat in bed rereading the letters over and over. Every time I read the words penciled onto the paper I felt an overwhelming flood of emotions. I cried myself to sleep that night. Not because I sad, but because I was unequivocally in love.