Violentine- Forever and Always

Check Yes or No

Violet's Pov:

It started way back in third grade. I used to sit beside Clementine Everett. She wore her jean jacket, baseball cap, and her ponytail. And that particular day something amazing happened.

We were lined up to get on the school bus. I and Clem usually sat together on the ride home. First seat on the right, since the back of the bus usually filled up first.

Clem grabbed my hand and we climbed aboard and sat in our usual seat. I was by the window and Clem sat next to me, our backpacks by our feet. But Clem kept hold of my hand, which I loved.

That day Clem had been pretty tired and on the way home she ended up leaning her head on my shoulder. Which I didn't mind. But inside I was freaking out. In reality, I actually had a bit of a crush on the nine-year-old girl. She looked so cute with her curly hair pulled back and placed under her baseball cap that she always wore. And her eyes were amazing. Like two pools of liquid amber.

But I just smiled as I stared out the window as the bus traveled past all the houses in the neighborhood. Then Clem asked me a question. "Violet, we're friends right?"

"Best friends?" I asked and I saw her smile.

"Yeah." She said but didn't give me time to reply. Instead, she asked, "Do you believe in true love?"

I thought about it for a minute and slowly nodded. "Yeah, I guess so."

"Do you believe that anyone can fall in love?" She asked.

I felt a little nervous getting asked this. Was she implying that she was in love with someone? Did she know about my crush on her? I replied in a shaky voice. "Um...y-yes."

Then I asked a follow-up question. "Do you love someone?"

My heart hammered in my chest as I waited for an answer. I saw Clem twiddle her fingers in what I assumed was nervousness. Then she slowly nodded her head. "Yeah."

That's when the bus let out a squeal as the brakes were hit and the doors opened as we came to a stop. We were at Clem's stop.

Kids lined up to get off the bus, but Clem was hesitant to get up. "Bye Clem," I said.

When she didn't say it back I looked at her. And that's when she leaned in and I felt her lips hit my cheek in a quick kiss. Then felt her hot breath tickle my ear. "Don't tell anyone."

Then she quickly grabbed her backpack and hopped off the bus.

I couldn't believe it. She kissed me on the school bus but told me not to tell. I touched the spot where she had kissed me as if I'd just been kissed by an angel. Which in retrospect, I kind of was. Then I smiled to myself as I watched her walk away.

The next day I chased her around the playground. I followed her across the monkey bars to the merry go round. We ran across the wood chips to the swings and back around. She giggled as I tried to catch her. Then I followed her down the slide.

We were having fun chasing each other and all I could think about was that kiss from yesterday. Could she really like me?

That's when the whistle blew and we had to line up to go back to class. I followed her back inside and she grabbed my hand once more, guiding me along. I felt my cheeks flush at the contact, but I was happy. I had kept my promise and told no one about the kiss. I hadn't even brought it up to Clem herself.

We made it back to class and took our seats. Then our teacher started her lecture about multiplication. I wasn't paying much attention, however, as I drew little hearts around the edges of my notebook paper. I stole a glance at Clem and I figured she was taking notes as she scribbled on a piece of paper. But next thing I know, I was being passed a note.

I unfolded it, but it caught the attention of the teacher as Clem stared back at me. Clementine had got caught passing me a note. But before the teacher took it, I read what she wrote.

"Do you love me? Do you wanna be my friend? And if you do, well, then don't be afraid to take me by the hand, if you want to. I think this is how love goes. Check YES or NO."

I only had time to read it as the teacher approached and I quickly hid the note in my desk. Then I pretend to write something down in my book, acting like was paying attention the whole time. The teacher walked by, keeping a sharp eye on the two of us. I kept my head down and focused on the notes on the board.

The teacher gave me a suspicious look with an eyebrow raised but didn't say anything. I gave a sigh of relief as she walked back to the front of the classroom. Then I carefully pulled out the note Clem had given me. I read it once more, my heart racing. She actually liked me!

I took my pencil and placed a checkmark on the line by the word YES. Then I watched for the teacher to turn her back. Once she went to erase the board I quickly passed the note back to Clementine.

I could see Clem's face light up as she looked at my response. And I smiled to myself. She looked back at me and I winked at her. That's when the teacher cleared her throat and we whipped around to stare back at the board. But I couldn't wipe the smile off my face for the rest of the day. She actually liked me! I was so ecstatic.

20 Years Later

Now we're grown up and she's my wife. Still like two kids with stars in our eyes. Ain't much changed, I still chase Clementine. Up and down the halls, around the bed in our room.

Now tonight was special. It was our twentieth anniversary of us being together. And me being me, I wanted to do something special for my wife. So I took her out in a white limousine.

"Ready, babe?" I asked as she just finished putting on her makeup.

Clem was wearing her black dress that reached just past her knees. She looked unbelievably beautiful, especially with the way her hair hung down to her shoulders in wavy curls.

I, however, wore a light blue dress shirt with some black slacks and dress shoes. A black-tie accompanied me as well.

"Yep, let's go," Clem said as she slipped into her heels.

I opened the door and held it open for her and we stepped out onto the porch. And what she saw next rendered her speechless.

The white limousine stood at the end of the driveway, illuminated by our porch light. The driver stepping out and pulling open the door for us.

Clem playfully hit me. "Violet you shouldn't have!"

"Only the best for you my love." I grinned at her. Then I took her hand and kissed it. Then I helped her and walked her down the steps towards the driveway.

Once we reached the limo I helped her inside and handed her, her purse before climbing in myself and shutting the door.

I couldn't believe how long it had been. Twenty years together and she still gets to me. I can't believe it's been that long ago when we got started with just a little note.

"Do you love me? Do you wanna be my friend? And if you do, well then don't be afraid to take me by the hand, if you want to. I think this is how love goes. Check YES or NO."