Searching for Paradise

Chapter Two

I sat at my desk and waited for first Class to begin. A few other people mulled around the room looking bored or half asleep. I blew my bangs out of my face and stared at the clock. The bell rung and people filed into the room looking for seats next to friends. Danica didnt have this class with me so I was stuck sitting here listen to a teacher drone on about civilization back in the day. I was aware someone was watching me but I didnt know who until he sat down next to me. Collin. He smiled at me and took out a notebook.

I sighed and tried not to make eye contact with him. The teacher  walked in and cue the boring lecture. I didnt understand why we have to learn this stuff. It happened almost a hundred years ago. Maybe they just wanted us to realize how lucky we really were to have the Union, the safety, the walls, everything. 

A small piece of paper hit my desk. I already knew who threw it, I didnt have to look to know Collin was watching me. I unfolded the note and read it.

So what did he do?

I was confused. I looked at Collin and shook my head. He gestured to my hand. Then I understood. He wanted to know what Reeve had done. I quietly ripped a piece of paper out of my nothebook and wrote:

None of your beezwax. And stop bothering me. Your going to get me in trouble.

I made sure the teacher wasnt looking before I passed the note to him. It was only a couple minutes later when another note hit my desk,

Not trying to pry, just get to know you.

I scoffed. He was definetly barking up the wrong tree.

You dont want to know me. Trust me.

I threw back the note and ignored him when he tried to throw another one to me. I kept my eyes forward avoiding him. I started to drift off halfway through class, so I laid my head down to try and take a quick nap.

"Throw it to me Reeve!" I screamed happily in my high pitched five year old voice. Reeve chucked the ball at me and I watched it sail through the air. I jumped up and caught it. Reeve jogged up to me a smile on his face. "Good catch." He said and high fived me. "Reeve! Gabriella! Lunch!" Mrs. Lassiter called from the house. Reeve had a sly smile on his face. "Race you!" He said and took off running towards the house. "Cheater!" I cried trying to catch up to him. Reeve beat me to the house and was waiting for me as I trudged up the steps out of breath. "Took you long enough." Reeve laughed. "I wouldve beat you if you hadnt cheated." I stuck my tongue out at him. We both laughed as we went inside to the kitchen where our lunch awaited. We finished eating and ran back outside to play. ":Lets play on the swing!" Reeve said running towards the old tire swing that had been hanging in the tree for as long as I could remember. 

"Here," Reeve said. "Get on and Ill push you." I climbed up into the swing and positioned myself as Reeve started pushing. After a few good pushes I was going a little too high for my liking. "Reeve, not so high." I yelled but it was too late. The rope on the swing snapped and then I really did fly. For about three seconds. I landed hard on my back and the wind was knocked out of me. I could faintly hear Reeve calling out asking if I was ok. I slowly stood up and brushed off my dress. Reeve ran up to me laughing.

"Ok," He said. "I know that was probably really scary, but it was also really funny." I licked my hand and rubbed it on his face. "So was that!" I laughed. He laughed along with me for a few minutes, when suddenly he got very serious.

"Hey Gabriella, when we grow up, lets get married!" He exclaimed. "W-what? Why?"  I stuttered my face getting red. "Because were best friends ofcourse!" Reeve explained. "O-ok." I said. "Pinky promise!" Reeve said holding out his pinky. "Pinky promise." I said locking my pinky with his.

I was jolted awake by the bell clanging loudly signaling the first half of School was over and it was now lunch. I shook my head trying to get the memory out of my head. It had been over nine years since Reeve and I made that promise, and we were just kids. I shook my head and gathered my books and left the room. I tried not to think about the dream as I picked at my food. A tray was set down across from me and my friend Danica sat down with me. 

"Whats wrong sugar?" Her southern twang lifted my spirits. "I just..." I sighed. "I had this really wierd dream.. Except it wasnt a dream. It was like.. A memory o f me and Reeve, when we were kids, and we made a promise to get married when we grew up. I didnt even remember the promise until now." I sighed heavily and laid my head down on the table. "I dont think it means anything." Danica said with her mouth full of spaghetti. "Really?" I said lifting my head. "Really. If anything its just a stress induced dream from all the drama between you and Reeve." She said shoving in another forkful. I thought about it. It would make sense. I couldnt think of any other reason I had the dream. What Reeve did to me could never be fixed. It was humiliating and painful.

No matter what promise we had made as kids, pinky promise or not, nothing was going to make me and Reeve become friends again. Nothing.