Now & Then (A Newland High School story)

10:00 pm

I don't know how long I've been sitting here, but I can't move. I can't take my eyes off the single piece of paper in front of me. It's not so much about the paper itself, it's a simple white, 8 1/2 by 11 inch sheet folded neatly into thirds to fit into the envelope it came in.

But the words written, so neatly...they change everything.

My gaze is ripped away when I hear a tapping on my bedroom window. I know who it is before my eyes meet his.

I place the paper face down on my desk, next to the lesson plan I'm teaching at Bible school next week, before stepping over to let him in.

Gripping onto the glass panel, I slide it up—it moves easily from all the frequent use it's gotten in the last few months.

"Aric, what are you doing here?" I whisper. He throws one leg inside before bending over to let the rest of his body in. "My parents are still awake."

He stands to his full height, and I see that he is wearing a white polo shirt and khakis. "And why are you dressed like that?"

"Shh." He cups my face in his hands before leaning down. "I couldn't wait to see you." He presses his lips to mine gently. "I'll be quiet, I swear."

The pleading in his eyes makes it impossible for me to refuse him. I sigh, giving up the fight without much struggle. My arms circle around his neck as my feet raise onto my toes, bringing us closer. Our mouths once again find each other, kissing like it's been months—rather than the twenty-four hours it's actually been.

He moves to my neck, nudging my chin out of the way to give him more room, leaving kisses and licks up and down. The hot and cold sensations force me to bite down on my lip to keep from moaning.

I'm not sure where this intensity is coming from, but I'm not complaining.

We hear a voice calling from the hallway, "Lilly?"

My dad. We rip away from each other, and Aric doesn't hesitate to fall to the ground and shimmy his way under my bed. His foot is just under the bed skirt as my dad swings my door open—not knocking of course.

"Hi Dad," I say. A smile is plastered on my face, and I'm hoping it's enough to hide the fact the my lungs and heart are currently working overtime.

"Did you hear something? I thought I heard some rumblings by the garbage cans, but when I looked, nothing was there. Your mom thinks I'm hearing things."

"Oh?" I put my hand on my hip, attempting to look casual but realize it's having the opposite effect. I drop it and meander my way back to my desk, sitting down smoothly. "I was just finishing up. I didn't hear anything, but maybe I was too distracted."

He nods. "I suppose that's possible. I'll just tell your mom you had your headphones on." He winks, and I shake my head, forcing out a laugh.

It must have been convincing because he begins backing away, out into the hallway. I feel my tension easing with each step. My dad's never actually come in my room when Aric is here, and I didn't know if maybe a sixth sense would tell him his daughter's keeping secrets.

He turns away, but then stops himself. "Don't stay up too late. We have to be to church early tomorrow."

I give him a smile. "Yes I remember."

As he shuts the door behind him, I exhale the breath I'd been holding. Aric scoots out, hair sticking up in all directions, but stays on the ground with his hand over his chest. He must have been just as nervous as me.

"The trash cans?" I ask, glaring down at him.

"What?" He sits up. "It's the only way to get onto the porch roof. I wasn't any louder than I usually am."