Winning Skylinn

3

We had two hours til Denver's departure. Just 120 minutes left with the love of my life, until he'd be gone for what seemed like forever.

He wouldn't be back for Thanksgiving. Obviously. That was only a week away. He wouldn't be here for Christmas, either. Or my birthday in April.

I tried to focus on the two hours we had left.

It was kind of awkward, though, because Jonny was there. It's not like we weren't used to having him around-he was often a third wheel, and he seemed to like Denver. But even though Jonny was my best friend, I kind of wished he wasn't there to witness my last moments with Denver.

~~

It was just a normal Monday at Eastwood High. We'd just come back from the weekend, so everyone was tired or grouchy.

I wasn't expecting that we would have a new student in English that day.

He was five minutes late. Mrs. Williams had already started her lesson. But since she was a nice teacher, she made it less awkward, and allowed him to introduce himself to the class.

His name was Denver Rowley. He had gorgeous hazel eyes and wavy brown hair that curled around his ears. He had a pretty muscular build, which I liked, and he was wearing a plain maroon T-shirt. Maroon was already my favorite color, and he made me like it 1000 times more.

"Sit wherever you'd like," Mrs. Williams told him.

It turned out that there were only two empty seats: one in the very front next to the weird kid nobody liked, and one next to me. Even though Greg Thomas was your stereotypical "weird, smart kid," complete with glasses and asthma, I thought it a miracle when the beautiful creature named Denver came to sit beside me.

I was 103% nervous, and self-conscious of my appearance. Thank the Lord I'd decided to shower and shave my legs that morning! I could've looked better if I'd had time to curl my long, dark hair, but at least I wasn't wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt when the cute guy came to school.

As Mrs. Williams continued her lesson, I heard a "pssst" from the seat next to mine.

My eyes flitted over to Denver, who whispered, "Do you have an extra pencil?"

I didn't. But I gave him the one I was using.

And when he whispered back, "Thanks" and threw me a smile, I knew I was a goner.

~~

"Flight 48! Boarding now. I repeat, flight 48," said a voice over the loudspeaker.

"That's my cue." Denver stood up, and grabbed his carry-on.

"Do you mind staying here?" I whispered to Jonny. He nodded, and I managed a weak smile. This was it.

I walked with Denver to the boarding station, where we were to say our goodbyes.

I scanned his face, trying to memorize it so I'd never forget. I saw the old familiar scar near his left eyebrow, the one he got when he was three, playing T-ball. The tiny birthmark on his chin, the dimple in his right cheek.

Tears sprung to my eyes as it dawned on me that I wouldn't see that face for more than a few months. I'd known it going in, but that was the moment it finally became real.

"I guess this is it, huh?" I said, trying not to choke on the words.

"For now," he replied. "But I'll see you soon, okay?"

I nodded, unable to speak.

"Don't you worry, Sky. I'll be thinking of you all day and all night. And one day, I'll see you again."

Again, I nodded.

I didn't want him to leave. This couldn't be the end. We were supposed to go to college, get married, live happily ever after! It couldn't end like this. I wouldn't let it.

So, I wiped the tears from my eyes, and cleared my throat. "Denver, I need you to promise me something."

"Anything."

"Promise me you'll come back. And marry me."

He did a half-smile, pulling me closer. Then he kissed me, gently, slowly.

"I-is that a yes?"

He sighed, looking at me intently. "How bout this? If you keep waiting for me, and you don't let any other boys steal you away, I'll come back, and I'll marry you."

"You say that like there's anyone but you out there." I kissed the scar on his eyebrow and wrapped my arms around his torso.

"You never know."

"Well don't think like that. There's no other fish in the sea for me."

He laughed at that.

"I'm serious!"

"I know." He kissed my forehead. "I know."

"Last call for flight 48!"

I latched onto Denver, hugging him as tightly as possible. I wanted to yell, "Please don't go!" But I knew that I couldn't. This was his dream. And I wasn't going to stop him from living it.

He tilted my face up to his and gave me one last kiss. "I love you, Skylinn."

"I love you, too. Oh, I almost forgot!" I pulled an envelope out of my purse. On the back was Denver's name scrawled in my best cursive, along with a giant heart. "For the plane ride."

"You're the best." He kissed my forehead again and picked up his bag. "See you soon, Sky."

"See you soon."