Dedicated to:2002anushkanandi

Thank for always voting, supporting me and for being a really dedicated reader!

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"I realized I was thinking of you, and I began to wonder how long you've been on my mind. Then it occurred to me: Since I met you, you've never left"

~Anonymous

Gina

I dropped face first on my bed after Caleb left through the window. Unable to stop smiling, I kept twirling the blood-red rose with my fingers.

I still wasn't sure if forgiving Caleb was the right thing to do but at that moment, I couldn't think straight. Everything was a blur except his beautiful face.

I realized I loved him and I needed him no matter how much of a dickhead he is, I will always fall for him again.

Recollecting that he had handed me a letter, I hopped of my bed and walked toward the desk where the light-pink envelop sat. I lifted it, examined it a little bit and then pulled out a paper out of it.

I unfolded the paper and my eyes were greeted by Caleb's handwriting. He had written a long essay and I couldn't help but squeal when I saw the adorable drawing of hearts and teddies he had made on the sides.

I started reading, grinning all the way till the end. He had invited me for dinner. The location, according to him, was a 'secret' and he wanted me to get ready by 7 pm.

'Don't dress up like you dress for prom. Keep it simple because you look beautiful in anything you wear ;) I'll be there at your porch by 7 :*'

I chewed on my lip and my heart fluttered with glee. I pirouetted across the room like a lovesick puppy and danced my way to the cabinet. I pulled the doors open and rummaged through the contents to find the dress I had recently bought.

**********

6:50pm

I fiddled with my fingers, curled my toes under my shoes and swayed from side-to-side. Caleb would be here any minute. I was going on a date with him after a long time and just the thought of seeing him started numerous explosions of butterflies in my stomach.

I stood very close to the door and as soon as I heard a car pulling into my driveway, I forcefully thrust the door open.

Up front stood Caleb, hands in his pockets, a bright smile plastered on his lips and his hair neatly combed into place.

And he was wearing-

My lips parted as I closed up on him "This jacket..." I trailed my fingers down its collar. It was a jet-black leather jacket that I had once gifted him.

He clasped my hand in his "Hey there beautiful" and he kissed my palm "Let's go, shall we?"

"Wait" I grinned and immediately ran my hands through his hair, messing his hairstyle "Now, we can go"

"What'd you do that for?" he chuckled.

"You didn't seem you with that formal hairdo, now you look more like the Caleb that I fell in love with"

He just smiled and intertwined our fingers together, leading me to his car.

**********

It wasn't a long way to our destination but I wouldn't have minded a long ride because I got the opportunity to stare at his beautiful face while he drove, tapping on the steering wheel and humming along with the radio.

I stared around once we reached - it looked like a forest.

"Where are we Caleb?" I asked when he held my hand as he helped me out of the car.

"Trust me, you'll love it" he beamed, lacing an arm around my shoulder.

We walked down the forest floor, my heels cracking the twigs all the way "Is this where you kill me?"

He laughed and held me tighter "You bet"

I wouldn't mind getting killed by him though.

We strolled some more until we were finally there. He didn't need to tell me that, he just let me stare as my imagination came to life in front of me.

There was dining for two by a tree, numerous bright tangerine-orange lights affixed on its branches. Dazzling orange lamps surrounded the dining, illuminating the scene intensely. Up front, a wide lake stretched reflecting the bluish tinge of the late evening sky. When my eyes directed towards the heavens, a cluster of stars came into view, shimmering and shining - welcoming a new beginning.

It was just like I had imagined. I remembered expressing my imagination to Caleb but...I never anticipated he'd actually do it.

I was blown away.

"Caleb..." I whimpered "...h...how?"

He ambled up behind me and wrapped his strong arms around my waist from the back "Since, the day you told me the kind of date you've always wanted, I was determined to make it come true. Today is the day" he placed a kiss on my cheek.

I turned to look at him so he was facing me "This must've been so expensive"

"Don't worry about the price -I could spend everything I own to make you happy, Gina, after everything that I did to you"

I tried to push the tears back in as I wrapped my arms around his neck "Thank you so much Cal!"

Connor

A very violent, shrill and loud metal song blared through the car radio. Damon was behind the wheel, singing, more like yelling along with the song. Besides him on the passenger's seat, sat his new girlfriend - Laura, accompanying him, nodding her head with the beats.

I sat in the backseat. On my left sat Alberto, tapping his head on the window while cursing about how boring this song was. On my right sat Kim, burying her face in her hands and screaming over the music, asking Damon to turn the volume down.

"He won't hear you!" I yelled back at her.

Suddenly, she lifted herself off the seat and tapped Damon on his shoulder then grabbed it and shook him till he finally turned the radio off.

"What is it, Kimberly?" he asked.

It was abruptly very quiet and the heavy metal sounds still rang in my ears.

"Umm...Connor and I would like to get off" she replied. I threw a confused glance at her.

"Aren't you guys gonna come to the party?" Laura posed, turning back.

"No..." Kim smiled at me "We'd like to have some 'we' time. Just drop us on your way there, I'll tell you where to stop"

"All righty" replied Damon.

He slowed the car down as instructed by Kim and we got off the car. Before getting off I whispered to Alberto "Enjoy third-wheeling"

He threw a disgusted look and pointed his middle finger at me. I laughed as Damon drove away and Kim and I were now alone on a vacant sidewalk.

"Come on" she grinned, holding my hand and leading me into a park behind us.

As the surroundings came into view, a sense of familiarity arose within me. I knew this place but I couldn't quite point it out since it was too dark at night with very less street lamps around.

My eyes widened as they adjusted to the darkness. I recognized the site as our old kindergarten school as the ramshackle building came into view. My lips instantly twisted into a smile, squeezing Kim's hand gently "I knew you'd bring us here"

"Where else would we go?" she came closer to me "This is 'our' place"

I was bursting with euphoria as we entered the building. We made our way to the back where we sat down, resting our backs to a huge broken slab of a wall, facing the lake.

The moon floated above the lake, the lake reflecting its bright white light. It was the perfect view, the perfect weather, the perfect time of the year with the perfect girl.

I turned my gaze toward Kim. She was staring intently at the scene and whispered "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yeah" I replied but little did she know that the beauty of the scene was nothing in front of her. I could stare at her forever and still want more.

"Connor...?" she asked, meeting her glance with mine "I want to ask you something"

"Yes?" I asked worriedly, recognizing the slight change in her tone.

She scooted closer to my side, caught my arm and wrapped it around her shoulder. When her head was tenderly resting on my shoulder and her hand was interlocked with mine, she spoke up "What if you graduate and...and you leave this country for university? What about me? What about us?"

I licked my lips. Her voice was muffled and shaky. Seemed like she was holding this question in for a long time and finally unleashed it. I had an answer for her.

"I knew you'd ask me this someday, Kim" I kissed her forehead "I wanted to surprise you on my graduation day but, now that you've asked..."

"Surprise?" she lifted her head to look at me, squinting her eyes.

"Yeah" I cleared my throat and dusted my jeans "I am trying for the same university as you. I already have all the applications and forms ready. Just waiting for my final exams and graduation to arrive"

For a moment, all she did was glare at me and suddenly she squealed, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck.

"Oh my God! I love you! Why didn't you tell me? I'm so happy right now! Thank you so much!...." she kept on chanting so quickly that it became hard to comprehend what she was saying. I laughed in her arms and gently shifted her to look at me.

She was crying.

"Kim..." I wiped her tears away.

"I'm so happy right now, Con" she smiled at me "But are you doing this just because of me?"

"You are one of the reasons" I nodded "The great thing is that this university that you're going to is one of the world's top 50 universities and it's also really close to this town. Advantages...advantages..."

"You have no idea how happy I am Connor!"

"There's just one little problem" I shrugged pursing my lips "The university cut-off is too high. I mean, you're an A* student Kim but we're talking about me right now. I don't think I'll able to score that well"

"Connor" she rolled her eyes "Don't make predictions so fast. Leave it to me. I'll see to it that you are very well prepared for the finals! I'll make sure we end up together" she kissed me on my cheek.

I hugged her close to me, inhaling her intoxicating scent "I love you Kimberly Westbrook"

"I love you back Connor Parker" she brought her face close to mine, nuzzling her nose on my cheek.

And then...our lips met.

It was then when I realized that I loved this girl to the moon and back.

I would die to spend the rest of my life with her.

She was home.

My home.

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This journey has been a wonderful one guys! Thank you so much for supporting me! I just don't seem to be able to stop thanking all of you T_T

An Epilogue, the last chapter of Twin Tussle, will be up soon!

And my first book will come to an end! I'm excited and sad at the same time...and I love each one of you!

Keep voting, keep commenting, keep making people happy!

Love, K.

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