Hidden Close (Jr. Year)

Chapter 60

Part 60 Of The First Draft

There's no point to it. My life isn't ever going to be normal again, so why do I even pretend? I won't get a job after high school, I won't go to college, and there is a good chance I'll never leave Knoxville. My heart is his, and I won't ever need to say that I'm not happy. I'm thrilled, in fact, to have a boyfriend who didn't give up on me, at least completely. I'll forever be his, that is, if he let's me. My love for Becky was trivial. How could I ever love her when he was out there, somewhere close but far, mirroring his dark and forbidden thoughts of me?

There is so much that hasn't been resolved. I'm finally seventeen, and I've had my fair share of adventures this year. Between the watchers, Carlita, Ignitro, and Danny, I'm lucky to be alive. To think, I didn't die against them, but the moment he left, I nearly died, both inside and out. My heart and soul was in anguish when he and the others left for Atlanta, him disguising it as another one of Grace's white deeds. I'm not upset with her, at least not any longer, but she did leave me to die and stole my love away. When we had found him, that spark came back, and my dream has came true, at least in part, with Perry staying ever so close to me each moment of the day. This isn't just reality, it is my dream.

One thing bugs me still. Carlie is still living with us, and she grows ever so distant from everyone each and every day. She's deep into depression, that's for sure. I wish that I could take her pain away, but I'm just a girl. I can defeat all sorts of supernatural foes but I can't reverse time and undo all of her scars. She wants my mother, I can tell. She wants nothing more for it to be the two of them learning about their power all over again. She wants to be having adventures with my mom just like Perry and I have been engaging in ever since we met. How romantic were they, I wonder? Even still, my heart tells me that one day Carlie will leave us, wishing to experience life on her own again, and when she does, it'll be a sad day, because quite honestly, I'll miss her.

Today’s a day in which I wish I could disappear and remain hidden away from all of those who would judge me. Perry has taken me from my insanity, and I feel, now that he is back, I can finally breathe again. When it came his turn to present me with a gift, he did so in a grand manner, giving me a small box that held what represents eternity,

“Perry! Where did you get this?”

The diamond on the ring was the appropriate size and sparkled in the light. The band had an engraving that marked our initials and “2017.” I slid it on my ring finger, and was amazed at how perfectly it fit. Perry smiled at me, and explained,

“I figured that your folks found out, and I didn't come back to not be with you. It doesn't matter what my mother thinks or does, as she even knows that we can't keep us from seeing each other. I love you, Mindi Jacobson, and I fully intend on marrying you if you deem it so....”

My mom couldn't help taking a picture or two here. I nodded, and Perry gave me a quick kiss. My mother, not to be outdone, gave me my present next, which also came in a small box. I opened it up, and found a small slip of paper. It read,

“Your gift is outside, in the front.”

I rose up, excitedly going outside. I'm sure you could figure out what it was, but there was an awesome twist to it. Outside my new car was Brad and Grace, both dressed in formal black attire. Grace explained,

“Both your mother and I went halfway on the price. I figured I owed it to you, but your mother insisted she pay for half of the price. Oh well. I had Brad check it out for you. He is quite talented, isn't he?”

This is where Brad stepped forward, and talked about my new black pickup,

“It’s not the fastest, but it rides like a dream. It's almost brand new, go figure. The only thing I would suggest is to make sure that you don't drive it at night. This truck is just too nice to show off to all of the lowlife of Knoxville. They'd boost it in a second.”

I ran forward and hugged Grace, and I told her,

“All is forgiven, just please, don’t take away my Perry again. Losing him nearly killed me.”

When I released Grace, the look on her face told me that she knew I wasn’t kidding around. I then approached Brad, and told him,

“Thank you, Brad. I’m glad you are back, so you know. Go find Lana. She's missed you so bad since you left. She wanted to take you home the other night along with Perry and Renee. I know she's broken, but....”

“But what, sis?”

Lana was right behind me, still wearing her work uniform. I smiled, and finished my previous sentence,

“She’s sexy and my best friend.”

Grace and I returned inside together and sat down to share in some cookies my mom had made for everyone. They were superb, too. I couldn't ask for a better birthday. When the sun finally set, I cursed the fact that my birthday had to fall on a weekday. I wanted nothing more than to spend even more time with Perry. Nights with him are the best nights I or probably even anyone else could ever experience. It's times like this I am so happy to be alive. This is what birthdays should be like, a time in which you are just so happy to feel....alive.