Stevie awoke in the middle of the night to the sound of something hitting against her window, "What the hell?" She sat up and slowly shuffled over to peak out. Lindsey was standing below her with a basket and a few blankets, "Come with me!" He whispered
"Are you crazy?" she asked, looking around. Her parents had been watching her like a hawk lately. Lindsey shrugged, smiling up at her. He was so boyish and handsome, she couldn't resist. "Okay, give me a minute." He nodded and she quickly got dressed.
Stuffing a few pillows under her blanket she chuckled at her handy work, it really looked like she was still in bed.

"I'm ready!" Stevie climbed down, Lindsey meeting her with a kiss
"Where are we going?" Stevie asked.

"You took me to your hide out, lets go to mine" He gave her a devilish smile and she nudged him.
"Lead the way, Mr. Buckingham." Stevie took the blankets from him and held his hand.

"Did I wake you up?" Lindsey asked, kissing her hand

"Yes, but I haven't been sleeping well anyways."

"Is there anything that I can do to help?"
"I don't know...I just need someone to make me tired enough to sleep, I guess"

"Oh, well, I have an idea." He grinned and she snorted with laughter.

"I know what you're thinking"
"It's not a bad idea," Lindsey shrugged, "Its been a few weeks."
"It has..."

"And I miss you"

"I miss you too. Always. I just got off punishment and you want me to get in trouble again" She giggled.

"I'm sorry, bad idea"

"No, I...I don't mind getting in trouble, at least not with you."
"We'll see," he smirked, leading her into the woods. "I found this when we first moved here," walking a good ways before seeing a small stream
"This is beautiful, Lindsey"

"Only the best for you" he said and she chuckled. "I heard it in a movie"

"It sounded romantic."

"I tried" he said, shyly. "I want to be a good boyfriend. I've never done this before."
"You're perfect, Lindsey," Stevie kissed his cheek

"I'm so thankful for you, Stevie...." he said sincerely
"And I'm thankful for you. These past few weeks have been bliss, even with me being grounded. Just knowing we're together is enough for me."

"You're the best girl in the world, Stevie." He leaned in and kissed her temple.
"I wouldn't go that far...I just love you." She blushed

He laid the blanket out on the ground and helped her sit. "I didn't know what you liked so I brought a little of everything."
"You're so thoughtful!" she said, kissing his cheek. "Looks delicious!"

"I'm hungry. Wanna dig in?"

"Sure!" She scooted closer to him, plucking some crackers from the basket.
Lindsey kissed the side of her head, wiping a spot of jam from her lip
"So how are you?"

"Good"

"Are you really going to be homeschooled? I couldn't bear not seeing you at school."

"Dad said he's going to wait it out."

"I see"

"But you're a good influence, mom says"
"She's not mad that we made love?"

"Oh yeah," he nodded emphasis
"Oh..."

"But she says she can see that you really care about me and that I really care about you."

"We love each other," Stevie nodded, "I have never felt this strongly about someone."

"I didn't think girls would find me handsome..."
"But you are. I told you, you're gorgeous, Lindsey, absolutely gorgeous."
"Not just looks...but with brains too," he looked away, taking a bite of his sandwich
"I know you don't think so, but I mean it, I really do."

He looked at her, swallowing his mouthful. "You really think all that about me?" She nodded.
"You're so creative and kind...give yourself some credit, stud." She nudged him playfully

"I could write a whole book o how I feel about you."
"Wouldn't it be easier if you just tell me?" she asked and he shook his head.

"It's hard. My mind just...scrambles. I see your face and I..." He looked at her, trying to gather his thoughts. "I..." Stevie waited patiently, rubbing the back of his hand gently with her fingertips. Suddenly, he leaned forward and kissed her passionately. His hands held the sides of her face.
Stevie wrapped her arms around his neck as he helped her lean back. "I think I'm in love..." Lindsey whispered in her ear
"I think so too" she replied.

He smiled, kissing her repeatedly. "You're in love?"

"Mm-hmm."
"I'm so happy to hear that..." Lindsey beamed, "I was scared that you wouldn't."
"Of course I would, honey" Her fingers played with the curls at the base of his neck, her tongue begging for entrance as they began to kiss and touch more passionately.
"Stevie-I- we don't have protection...." he sat up on his elbows, staring down at her flushed face
"It's okay" she said, trying to pick up where they left off.

"Stevie...you said..."
"Lindsey, it's okay!" She chuckled, kissing his neck, "I really want this."

"Well I won't deny you it then,"'excited himself that it was happening again
He pushed the fabric of her dress up her thighs and pulled her panties down. She clumsily worked on the button and zipper of his jeans.

"Ready?" she asked him and he nodded.
Lindsey buried his head in her neck as he joined them together, "I love you, Stevie."
"I love you too, Linds" She felt the confidence in his movements this time and he did everything just right. He was intuitive, as if he could read her thoughts. "Mmmm, there" she moaned, kissing his cheek before capturing his lips.
Lindsey rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes, "This feels better than last time..."
"I think so too" she agreed. Their lips met, sighing as he finished. "Oh Lindsey..." She kissed him again.
"That was amazing," laying his head against her shoulder as he struggled to catch his breath
"Uh-huh" she agreed, catching her breath as well.

"Stevie, whatever happens with us..." he began and she put a finger to his lips.

"Let's not think about that now"
"Just know that I won't leave you for anything in the world," he planted a kiss on the top of her head
He took his place beside her, both of them staring at the moon, it's otherworldly glow filtered through the trees. "Tonight was perfect" she said, feeling for his hands. Their fingers laced together and he pulled it to his lips, kissing her knuckles.
"We should go home soon before our parents wake up," Lindsey pulled her into his arms.

"I know...but I don't want to."
"A few more minutes, then we have to go."

They lay there in the silence, wrapping in each other's arms.
"Let's go, Stevie," he sat up, packing the basket and folding the blankets, "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow feels so far away" Stevie said.

"I know" He nodded sadly. The couple stood, kissing and caressing for a few lingering moments. Neither wanted to part.
"Come on, honey," taking her hand and guiding her back through the woods
They came out on the street and he walked her back to her house. He gave her one last kiss and stroked her hair back from her face. "I love you. Try to sleep."

"I love you too" she whispered. She stroked his chest through his tee shirt. "Sleep well."

"Dreaming of you" he said and she smiled. He watched her climb up until her room and shut the window, waving as he went back to his house, basket in hand.
"Young man," a voice came from behind Lindsey as he crept through the door...it was his father
"Y-yes?"

"Where were you? And what on earth are you doing with your mother's knitting basket?"

Lindsey looked down at the basket in question and knew he was caught red handed.
"I was with Stevie..."

"Lindsey I don't think it's a good idea to hang around her. She's made you do things that you normally wouldn't..."
"That's not true! She hasn't made me do anything. Mom likes her and I love her! I want to be with her."

"She's bad news"

"No she isn't! She's a good girl. She makes good grades, she makes me feel normal. You don't understand."

"Lindsey, I will not be spoken to this way."

"If you want respect, you have to give it first. That's what you always tell us." With that, Lindsey went to his room and shut the door.
Laying down on his bed he closed his eyes, the smell of Stevie still lingered on his shirt
He could almost feel her there, laying in his bed with him. He thought about the time he had run away, gone into the woods and how she had found him and brought him home. How he wished he would have just stayed there in their sanctuary, alone with Stevie.

The sun was coming up, his mother would be awake soon, or maybe she was now, being told all about his misbehavior. He sighed, drifting off to sleep.