7 years before incarceration

Sandy brown curls tickled the sides of my face as the most beautiful woman in the world rested her face over mine. Those hazel eyes looked so amazing under the light of candles. The summer storm outside that knocked out our lights, forcing us to live by candle light for a few hours, was beautiful, but it was nothing like her. Nothing.

I barely noticed Bambi's weight in my lap. She was so light, like a feather. My hands rested under her thighs. She was wearing jeans, but even if it was a dress, I would've been a gentleman. I don't ever push myself on her and that's part of the reason her parents haven't burned me in their stove yet. As scary as I can look, I'm really just a teddy bear. I swear.

"Stop it!" She giggled as I started to peck her neck, "Your hair is tickling me."

"Sorry." I chuckled, "It's getting out of control. I should just get rid of it."

Bambi turned her head to the side as she looked at me. God, she was fucking perfect. She combed her hand through my hair, somehow not getting her fingers caught in the jungle of knots. "I like it this way. You should leave it."

I sighed and ran my own hand through the mess, "Yeah? You think? It doesn't make me look like too much of a fag?"

"Ryan, stop listening to those assholes." She knew exactly who I was referring to.

I'll never understand it. I'm a quiet kid. I keep to myself, keep my head down. Yet, half the football team wants my head on a stake. Sometimes I think it's because they don't like that me, some punk metalhead, is dating a cheerleader. They make me feel like I don't belong and I know they're right to do so.

"Why do you even like me?" I asked, "You could have any guy in the school and you waste your time on me."

She put her hand under my chin, "I like you because I like you. It's as simple as that, and I don't want anyone else. Now, will you stop being such a negative Nancy?"

Her and her little phrases. They sound like something a Midwest soccer mom would say. Somehow, they're cute and not annoying when they come out of her lightly glossed pink lips. I grabbed her hand in mine, swaying it back and forth for no real reason. Just because I wanted to enjoy holding her hand. I looked her back in the eyes, then glanced at her lips.

Bambi beamed that gorgeous smile that I would die for. She gentle set her small hand on the side of my face and brought her lips to mine. This girl could kiss like an angel. It was amazing. I felt like I was in another world when we kissed. Before it got too deep, I broke it off.

"You're sure your parents aren't coming home tonight?" I asked.

"They're halfway across the country. I promise." She giggled at my worrisome mind.

I can't help but worry! Her parents are still weary of me but they're willing to give me a chance. I don't want to blow that chance. Bambi means a lot to me. It's bad enough the jocks at school are constantly trying to steal her from me and place doubt in my head. The last thing I need right now is for us to become a Romeo and Juliet situation. Being at her parents' place is the only time we get peace and quiet.

"I know," I sighed, "I just don't want to screw things up, and... I've been talking way too much tonight."

"Yes, yes you have." She teased me, then giggled.

Her laugh made me melt. All the nerves and bad thoughts go away when I see her perfect face. She never wore a lot of makeup but she didn't need it. Her skin was flawless and her eyes were as bright as the sun. What did I ever do to deserve you? That's all I constantly think. That, and well, I worry that I put too much concern into not screwing up that it'll cause me to screw up. Don't screw this up, you fucking dumbass.

Bambi shut me up the easy way by kissing me. It turned into a French kiss pretty fast. We've been together since winter formal, when I got the guts to ask her. It's June now and we're close to graduation. I'm terrified of pushing her but these past few weeks, she's been the one trying to push me. It's obvious she wants this to happen and tonight is the perfect circumstance for it. There's no TV or phones to distract us. The setting is romantic, and no parents. We're not going to get this lucky again.

She started to play with the bottom of my shirt. This isn't my first time. I know when a shy girl does that what they want. We are seniors and she is the most beautiful girl in school. I'm not going to assume that she's a virgin, even though she was never slutty. She's only had one boyfriend before but I'm sure they had sex. She wouldn't be this pushy for it if she didn't know what she wanted. I'm okay with that though. As long as she is sure she wants it.

2 years later

The books piled up in my backseat, for once, were not my top priority. I try to put my schooling first but tonight was a special night. Learning can fucking wait when it comes to the truly most important thing in my life. The rain poured down on the beautiful lights of The Electric City. This place, it might be old and dirty, but I'd never want to leave. Not when I have her to show me how beautiful those lights can be.

As I pulled up to her apartment building, I made sure to check myself in my mirror. My hair was getting annoyingly long but every time I go to cut it, she begs me not to. Bambi loves my long hair. I love her enough to love whatever she loves. If this is the way she wants me, so be it. She oddly was never into my tattoos when I started to get them. To keep her happy, I wore a long sleeve shirt. It may have been summer but I wanted today to be as special as possible. It was her birthday, after all.

I didn't eat for a week just to be able to afford to get her some roses. Nothing compares to the way she spins on her heels from happiness when I give her a dozen red roses. She's always so happy, compared to my pessimistic ass. I need her in my life to keep some balance. If we could afford to live together, I would. Someday I'll get to know what it's like to wake up next to her every single morning. That's like a dream at this point but I know we'll get there.

At least I have a key to her apartment so I can surprise her on nights like this. Her roommate doesn't care. She's usually locked in her room anyways and doesn't even notice when I'm there. Or, well, maybe it's just because I tune out the rest of the world when I'm with Bambi. Fuck, I can't wait to see the look on her face when I surprise her.

I climbed the stairs up to the second floor. Her apartment was just around the corner. When I opened the door, I was surprised to see she wasn't in her usual place. On a Tuesday night, she's usually on the couch studying and watching The Hills or one of those cheesy chick shows. Her roommate wasn't even here, which was odd. I walked towards her bedroom and heard her voice. Followed by... a man's voice.

She had left the door cracked. My heart was beating through my chest, knowing where this could end. Have faith. She's never hurt you before. She'd never cheat on you or anything... She's a good girl... I thought she was anyways. The sight in front of me not only made my heart break, it made it fall out of my chest completely.

Her tanned legs, of which I've kissed up so many times, were spread as she sat on the end of her bed. Another man's head was between those legs. She gasped as she realized I had walked into the room. Bambi quickly covered her breasts with her arm.

"Ryan!" She yelled my name, "What are you doing here?!"

"Who're you?" The hipster looking asshole scoffed.

"Her boyfriend. Or at least I was." I muttered. Then I took the flowers in my hand and tossed them at her. She squeaked in disbelief as she felt the thorns rain down on her naked body. "Happy Birthday." I numbly said.

I should've listened when they told me she was too good for me. Every rose has it's thorns.