It’s a big pink box with a little piece of paper attached to the top. I sit on the ground and pull the box into my lap. My cheeks hurt, my smile is so big. I pull the little piece of paper off of the box and unfold it. It says, you didn’t choose. I open the flaps on the top of the box and look inside to find it filled with colorful wrapped pieces of candy and dozens of colorful flower petals that are as soft as silk. I don’t even realize I’m crying until I see the tears dropping from my cheeks and splashing onto the flower petals inside the box.
I look through the broken fence but he isn’t there. I fish through the box and open a piece of candy twisted in green cellophane. I pop it into my mouth and practically roll my eyes as I let my tongue roll it around in my mouth. It tastes so good. I turn the small piece of paper over to the blank side and dig my pen out of my pocket. I tap the pen on my lip. What should I write? Immediately, I know what I want to ask him.
I write thank you and then sing or dance?
CHAPTER 3
Amy
I run down the path towards the elm with the goofiest smile on my face. It’s muddy from yesterday’s rain, but I continue to splash through the mud, unable to contain my excitement. As soon as I come to the end of the path, I see his note sticking out in between two of the wooden boards in the fence. I can’t even hold back the giggle that escapes from my mouth. I take a quick peek through the fence, but I don’t see anyone so I sit down with my knees bent to my chest, leaning against the tree, holding the tiny piece of paper in my hand. I open it slowly, my heart beating faster and faster. It says dance. I stare at the little piece of paper, and if it’s possible, I think the smile on my face gets bigger. I was hoping he would say dance.
I settle against the tree and fidget while I sit with my book, trying to concentrate on the words I’m reading, but I can’t stop thinking about Dillon. I eventually get pulled back into the story of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.
I read for several hours and decide I have to take a break. I fold the corner of the page over and close the book. I close my eyes and lean my head against the tree, letting the breeze tickle my face. I think about the books I’ve read versus the things my mother has told me. I know my mother is sick and bad things have happened to her. I know she is telling me the truth about there being evil in the world, but I also believe in love. I believe there is a Mr. Darcy out there in this world. I imagine a boy loving me with so much passion, his touch would electrify me. He would be so in love with me that we would become one. We wouldn’t be able to breathe without each other. It wouldn’t be dirty. It would be absolutely thrilling and wonderful. I imagine Dillon loving me like that.
Noises interrupt my daydreaming. I quickly open my eyes and squint through the fence. I finally see him and my heart starts to pound loudly again, but then I see her and it stops. She’s beautiful. She looks….normal. Her denim is tight to her legs and the pockets have shiny jewels on them. Her white shirt is thin and flowy underneath a denim jacket. She wears a cowboy hat like his, only hers is feminine and pretty. Her long wavy blonde hair bounces from underneath her hat as her horse gallops towards the trees. Dillon hops up on his tan horse and gives him a gentle kick and they both ride off. It’s romantic. I try to picture myself being that girl, but I can’t. I’ll never be like her.
I’m crushed. My heart aches. I desperately long for his companionship, but why would he want to talk to me when he has her? She’s normal and beautiful. I try to continue to read my book, but tears are pooling in my eyes. I must stare at the same page for an hour, because when I hear noises on the other side of the fence again, I realize they’re back. I slowly hide myself behind the large trunk of the elm and watch them as Dillon lifts her by the hips off of the horse and into his arms. She swings her arms and legs around him like a child and then she places her lips on his, for a very long time. When they break away from each other, I swear he glances over towards the elm tree. I quickly duck back behind the tree and try to calm my frantically beating heart. He will definitely think I’m a loon if he catches me watching his private moment with a girl.
Just as I’m about to sneak down the path to go back to the house, I hear footsteps. I stop dead in my tracks and turn my head towards the fence. I see Dillon walking quickly in my direction. He’s alone now. I remain hidden on the other side of the tree with my back against it, trying to control my heavy breaths.
“Amy!” he calls, just on the other side of the fence.
He stands there waiting.
I stay perfectly still, holding my breath, hidden behind the tree.