The next morning as Gem was getting ready to go to the university since the new semester had started, she was stopped by her mother's voice.

"Are you going dressed like that?" Makawee asked Gem.

"What do you mean?" Gem asked, looking down at herself.

"Well, that blouse is a bit worn out, old. Besides, it doesn't match your shoes." Makawee said.

Although she was perfectly content with her choice of clothes, upon hearing her mother's comment, she started doubting herself.

Once again, like many times before, she went back to her room to change her clothes although she didn't have enough time for that.

She hated it when that happened because she would always have to run so as not to be late for her bus. In the past, she had tried to ignore her mother's comments, but knowing they were good-natured, she would usually just change her clothes.

After all, her mother wanted only the best for her. The problem was that she didn't think they had the same ideas about what was best for her.

Sometimes it felt as if her mother wanted to create a small replica of herself but better. It was exhausting for Gem to try to live up to those expectations, and that was the reason she was usually failing.

There was also the rebel side of Gem's personality that wanted to be free to make her own choices, free to be different. That sometimes led to even more problems and arguments, since from time to time, she felt an uncontrollable need to do or say the opposite of what was expected of her.

For example, that was why her mother thought that Gem was against marriage. Gem believed that if the right person came along, she would get married, and she would do it happily. However, she wasn't ready to get married just because it was expected of her.

If she never found the right person for her, she would rather not get married at all. Marrying just because everyone else did that was pointless, in her opinion.

Explaining all that to her mother proved impossible so, at one point, she let her ugly side out. She told her mother that she never wanted to get married. Gem did it because she was tired of her mother bringing up that topic again and again, saying that marriage was the purpose of life. Of course, her statement wasn't well-received by Makawee.

Since then, Gem tried to control her temper as much as she could because she didn't want to see her mother's pain ever again. Not only did she avoid arguing with her mother, but she also tried to please her in some small ways, since she couldn't do what her mother so eagerly awaited.

It was ridiculous, but Gem couldn't help but try to make her mother feel better by doing some things that were expected of her since she couldn't do all of them.

After all, Gem was all her mother had left, and no matter how suffocating her love could be, sometimes Gem just couldn't disappoint a woman whose heart had been shattered by her husband's death. It wasn't healthy for either one of them, but Gem wasn't sure what to say or do to improve the situation.

Her mother would probably be really happy to learn about John, but Gem didn't want to tell her yet, she wasn't ready. She knew her mother well enough to know that she would be too involved in their relationship, too protective. That was the last thing Gem wanted.

She needed to get some alone time with John, to figure out what she truly felt for him, and she didn't need her mother clouding her judgment with her worries.

Once Gem arrived at the university, her thoughts shifted back to John and how real and honest he was. What also preoccupied her mind was the passionate kiss they shared.

Kissing John was the most alive she had felt in years, and although she was scared, she wanted to feel like that again. Having all that in mind, she couldn't very well focus on the lectures, so instead of trying in vain, she pulled out her cellphone.

A huge grin spread across her face when she saw a message from John. He was thinking about her as much as she was thinking about him. So, she spent the rest of the lectures secretly texting, and pretending to listen to the professor.

After all, it was an introductory lecture, and all the information about it could be found on the sheet the professor gave them at the start of the lecture. Gem wouldn't miss anything of crucial importance.

At that moment, what she needed more than anything was a big healthy dose of happiness, and John was always able to provide that even through text messages.

Whenever she was feeling down, it was enough just to remember John, and everything felt so much better. After imagining his kind face smiling at her, she felt she could overcome any obstacle in her way.

It was so strange for her because she had never felt like that before. She did find some guys cute or intriguing, but no one had the type of power that John had over her. The power to make her smile, even when he wasn't by her side, to make her feel better with just his words.

Just the memory of him could carry her through the day, and it was an amazing feeling. Besides, knowing that she would see him after classes made the time fly by.

When she exited the university, she scanned the nearby benches carefully looking for John. She spotted him standing under the huge oak tree, her favorite one, and his eyes seemed to light up when he noticed her.

It was as if she was a ship lost in the storm, and he was her lighthouse beckoning her home. The feeling of being drawn to him was so strong that she decided not to resist it.

She approached him, and without any hesitation, hugged him, tightly deeply inhaling his overpowering deodorant mixed with the fresh scent that was one hundred percent John, and that was difficult to describe.

To her, it just smelled like home. A home she was looking for, for such a long time but was also afraid to find.

When she finally released him from her bear hug, she slowly lowered her lips to his in a gentle butterfly kiss that was just enough to say hello but not sufficient to stop them from craving more. Just like that, they were ready to go on another adventure, together.