Forever Yours

chapter twenty-nine

I stare at him in awe for a minute. We don't usually talk about our parents, mostly because it makes me upset. But of course, it should make me upset. Our parents dating means there shouldn't even be a Joel and me. And I don't know what or why he's suggesting we think about the possibility. It should not even be a thought that crosses through his head. We're together, plain and simple. Nothing is going to ruin that.

But those are only the first thoughts that run through my head. Now, it's that maybe Joel is right. Dammit, he's always right.

"Earth to Willow," Joel says after seeing that I've been quiet for a good five minutes. We've gone around the Ferris wheel twice in my silence.

I blink at him, "Yeah... I...guess we can. But what is there really to talk about?" He grabs my hand and rubs small circles on the back of it with his thumb. He's trying to stay calm, but I can tell he's just as upset as I am.

"Well, I guess just the future. Like if they never break up, are we going to have to?"

I think this over for not even a second, "No, we just keep doing what we're doing now."

"But then what if we're together when we're much older and I'm ready to marry you and they're still together? What's going to happen then? We can't do this forever. Look, I know you don't want to hear this. But either we tell them what's going on between us, or we're going to have to..."

Break up? That's what he was going to say, I know it, but I interrupt him. "Don't finish that sentence."

He doesn't finish his sentence; he just watches me. I look at him and I can't even begin to think about breaking up. My whole world would crumble. I don't want to think about being without him. It would kill me.

I finally realize I'm crying when Joel brings up his hand to wipe the tears from my face. "Willow..."

"No! I don't want to think about it Joel," I say through sobs. "I love you! I want to be with you forever. If I can't have you; oh my god, I don't even know. I'll die. I swear to God Joel, I'll die without you!"

He rubs his hands up and down my arms trying to calm me down. "Shh babe, it's okay." He brings me in for a hug. We've gone around the Ferris wheel at least ten times now. "I shouldn't have brought it up. I'm sorry. We don't have to think about it."

I pull out of the hug and wipe my running nose on the back of my hand. "No, it's okay. You're right, we have gotta do something. But tonight, let's just be us." I sigh, "I love you so much Joel."

He runs his fingers through my hair and smiles at me. "I love you too Willow. With everything I am..."

I cut him off to finish his sentence, "And everything I hope to be." We kiss for another two rounds on the Ferris wheel before finally getting off.

Once we're off the ride, we go find Mia. She's with Hank, eating a churro. They laugh at something she says, and I hope to God he likes her back.

"Hi friends!" Mia says when she sees Joel and me approaching. "Did you guys get stuck on the Ferris wheel? It's been like an hour." Mia is so sassy and I'm grateful because it makes me laugh. I needed a good laugh.

The rest of the night is filled with carnival games and roller coaster rides. Thankfully no one makes me go on the Ferris wheel again. Around three thirty in the morning, Mia pulls me aside.

We see a little stand where you can get your face painted and Mia lights up. She begs me to get a matching design with her. And of course, I give in because there isn't anything I wouldn't do for my best friend.