Juniper's Story

        The cold spring air was beginning to envelop me in its blanket as the green grass around me traced my every outline. It was twelve o'clock at night, and I was still lying down here, staring at the stars decorating the sky.

        "He should've been here already." I checked my phone and continued calling him. He hasn't even replied to my messages. "Ridiculous," I mumbled.

        I mouthed each and every word, memorizing the words in his voice recording.  "Hello there, sorry I couldn't answer your call! Please leave a message at the beep!"

    "Hey, this is Juniper. I'm still here at the meadow and was wondering when you'd come. Call me when you have the chance, bye!"

    I put down my phone and sighed loudly. The meadow around me was dead silent, not a single sound dared to be heard but that didn't stop the thoughts screaming in my head. Why hasn't he come? Where is he? What happened to him?

        No matter how many times I'd check my phone there would be no messages or replies. The only thing I'd see is my lock screen, which showed Thomas and I making stupid faces. What's the point of having a phone and not using it? Frustrated, I threw my phone over my head.

"You know what!? I don't care anymore!"  I groaned.

        "Don't care about what, Juniper Sutton?" A boy with light blue eyes towered over me. His eyebrows were furrowed, and lips were pouted. I quickly stood up on my feet.

"Thomas, you're late!" I yelled at him. My fists lightly pounding his chest, "Why didn't you reply to my calls?"

    "Whoa, calm down! Haven't you ever heard the phrase, 'No texting or calling while driving'?" He grabbed my hands to calm me down, and whispered, "Did you miss me?"

I escaped his grasp and stuck my tongue out at him. "Ew. Who'd miss you?"

Thomas chuckled, cupping my face with his hands. "Come on, Juniper. You know you missed me."

    I rolled my eyes. "And if I did, why would that matter?"

"Because it's not everyday I get to see you, Darling." He leaned closer into my face.

    "Fine," I mumbled, "I missed you but I'm not giving you a kiss."

When Thomas looked down at the ground, his dark brown hair covered the glimmer in his eyes. "No kiss?"

    "Nope."

Disappointed, he let go of my face and fell onto the ground. His chest slowly rising from the deep breaths he was taking. I sighed and did the same, falling right next to him.

    "Darling, while I was away I missed your snappy attitude."

I laughed and looked at him,  "Is that so?"

    He moved on his side, smiling at me. His bright blue eyes, which always seemed to beam with happiness, made me forget his time of arrival.  "Yup, it's the one thing I love about you."

I smiled and traced his fingers with mine. "So how's Princeton?"

"It's a great school and all but it's not like high school, you know?" We intertwined our hands together and looked up at the stars once more.

"I understand what you're saying. I miss the old days too."

"But at Princeton, there is this  Astrological Society devoted all to the study of astrology!" For a dramatic effect, he waved his left hand at the sky. "One of the speakers, Marula, told us about one of the constellation Hydra's stars."

He pointed to one of the stars, "See that really big star right there, Juniper?"

    I followed his finger and saw a star with an orange glow. The star was shining bright but in a modest approach. In a way, it seemed friendly.

    "Yes. I see it, Thomas."

"That right there is Alphard. Alphard is the heart of the constellation Hydra and he is my favorite star. You know why?"

    After I thought about it, I nodded. I've never been in love with the stars like Thomas. "Nope, I know nothing."

        He sat up. "Alphard is the loneliest star, and yet he shines the brightest. He reminds me that no matter how lonely I feel, how dark it may seem. There will always be a light, showing me that I'm never really alone." He looked back at me "Juniper, I want you to know that I didn't want to leave you. I didn't do it on purpose."

        Looking at Thomas, his shoulders slumped, and his eyes began to sadden. "Hey, what are you saying? I know that."

        "Juniper, I love you and I didn't ever want you to be alone but you ended up being alone." He kissed my forehead.

"Thomas, you only went to Princeton. That's only thirty miles away."

He squeezed my hand and my heart tightened. "Do you love me, Juniper Sutton?"

        I stared at him and leaned closer into his face. The butterflies in my stomach weren't fluttering, they were kicking. My heart was skipping a beat as I kissed him on the lips. His lips tasted like strawberries, his favorite fruit. I couldn't help but smile while we were kissing. Everything about Thomas made me smile and I don't know how I can manage without him. As we pulled apart I whispered, "Thomas I-."

    Suddenly, I heard ringing. My eyes shot open and I scanned the area.

"Thomas?"

        Was it all a dream? My head was spinning, I was searching for Thomas but he was nowhere to be seen. Frick, what is that ringing? I patted the grass until I found my phone.

"Hello? Who is this?"

Silenced answered back.

"Hello?"

A raspy voice answered, "Hello, is this Juniper Sutton?"

"Yes, this is her." I scratched my head. Who is this?

        My heart was pounding hard in my chest. The tears began to swell up in my eyes. I tried to gasp for air but there was nothing to prepare me for what he was about to say.

"I'm sorry to inform you. Thomas Evans was killed in a car accident."