Flame of Hope

Chapter Three: Undescribable Moments

Before we knew it, it was midnight already. We had spent the night visiting and telling each other different stories we hadn't shared with the group since we last saw each other. Mom had gone to bed an hour ago, so it was just my six best friends, my boyfriend, and myself.

At the moment, we were talking about Tiffany's and Justin's upcoming wedding.

"Have you thought of what kind of theme you want for your wedding?" Brooke asked Tiffany with a bright-eyed smile.

I smiled as I watched Brooke as she talked to Tiffany and asked her different questions about the big day. I knew she wanted to get married, but not just to anyone. She's been hoping that Jonathan would pop the question to her for months now. I've thought about talking to Jonathan about it, but I didn't want to risk the chance of the idea of marriage scaring Jonathan and him breaking up with Brooke. Although, I have this tiny inkling that Jonathan wants to ask her.

"Um, well I've narrowed it down to just picking two of my favorite colors or doing a spring wedding with bright colors and tons of flowers," Tiffany replied, answering Brooke's question.

"Jeez, where's Justin? He's sure taking a long time to get ice," Caden said before Brooke could ask Tiffany another question about her wedding.

Tiffany straightened in her seat like she just realized that Justin was still gone. "Huh, that's . . . weird. I'll go see if I can find him," she said and started to stand up.

"No, it's ok, you stay here and keep talking about your special day that's coming up," I said and winked at her. "I'll go find him."

Tiffany rolled her eyes and went back to talking about her wedding. I nudged Aiden's arms that were wrapped around my waist. "Are you going to let go of me so I can go find Justin?" I murmured to Aiden.

Aiden groaned quietly. "Do I have to?" he whispered and tightened his hold around my waist.

I chuckled. "Yes, you do, but don't worry, I'll come back," I said, smiling up at him.

"You better," he replied and reluctantly loosened his hold on me.

I stood up and kissed him on the cheek before walking out of the hotel room. I looked left and saw the dead end of the hall. I looked right and started walking. It wasn't long till I came across the opening in the hall with the elevators and the ice machine. My eyebrows scrunched up in confusion at seeing no one in front of the ice machine. Where is he?

I walked back to the room next mine and the girls which was the boys's room. I knocked and waited for a moment but no one came to the door. I walked back down the hallway to the elevator and rode it down to the first floor. I didn't think that he would be down here, but there was no where else I could think of that he went, unless he got in his car and drove somewhere. I decided to go to the front desk and ask the receptionist if she'd seen him walk by. I happened to glance out the double door entrance to the hotel, and paused when I saw Justin sitting on one of the big rocks they have outside for landscape decoration. I sighed in relief and changed my course in the direction of the double doors.

Once I was outside I shivered from the slight chill in the air, what with it being just after midnight. I should have gone back to get my jacket. Either Justin didn't hear me approach or he thought it was another guest at the hotel, he didn't turn around.

I sat on the rock across from Justin's and tried not to shiver from feeling the coolness of the rock seep through my pants. "Aren't you cold?" I asked him, seeing as he didn't have a jacket on either.

Startled, his head jerked in my direction. "Oh, hey, Livi, I didn't hear you approach," he muttered.

I was surprised by his solemn response. It was a big difference from his usual cheery and joking around attitude. I smiled at his appearance. "In your own little world, are ya?" I said, a hint of teasing in my voice.