• Why did you let him leave God!? Why did you let him go!? He was innocent!? And now he is gone. Gone forever!! And he left a little life growing inside me. Why!? Why did you do this to me!?!? I banged my fist on my desk and cursed in pain because, both physically and mentally, it hurt.
    I dropped my head into my hands and began to cry....

    “My name is Zoee Henderson.” I said to my new homeroom, trying to look and act confident, but inside I was shaking like a butterfly in the cold. This is so stupid. I said thinking to myself, secretly wishing I was back in Minnesota with all my friends. “Why don’t you tell us a little about your self dear” Um….Well I am from Minnesota and I am excited to be here in California. Not. I said to myself wishing I could escape. Suddenly the bell rang and I gladly escaped the classroom. Walking out of the classroom I pulled out my schedule a looked over it trying to memorizing it and I accidentally bumped into the cutest guy I ever saw. He had brown black hair and bright green eyes. He was tall and slender but still looked athletic at the same time. Plus he had dimples. I am so sorry”, I stammered helping him pick up his books that fell from our collision. “Hey that’s okay” I needed an excuse to be late anyway he said flashing me a boyish grin. I smiled and extended my arm. “I am Zoee, Zoee Henderson”. “Yeah I remember you! The new girl from Minnesota.” “Yeah”, I said my heart sinking, “the new girl”. My name is Andrew, Andrew Jackson but just call me Andy. Well Andy, I said Brightening up, what’s up? Well, he replied scanning me as we talked, nothing really. But I guess meeting you has made me a little curious! He said, flashing me another grin. I couldn’t help but smile. “For that conversation we are going to have to sit down to talk!” Ok! He answered grabbing my hand and leading me towards the Cafeteria. Oh my gosh!? He is holding my hand!!! But we just met!? I argued back.
    But he is cute! Oh get a grip Zoee he probably has no interest in you at all. I haven’t had any one interested in me in my fifteen years of living so why would it be different now??? Hey you ok? Andy asked me, causing me to snap out of my little argument and return to the real world. “Yeah” I said a little embarrassed. I noticed my hand was still in his. In my opinion I wanted to keep it that way. Well sit down and I will get you some lunch and will finish our conversation, He told me. “Okay” I said a little disappointed when he dropped my hand. I sat down and closed my eyes enjoying a few seconds to relax.
    “So?” Andy said when he returned with our lunches. “So, what?” I answered devouring my food. So why did you move here? I looked at him, pain searing in my eyes.
    Let me start from the beginning, momentarily putting down my food. “When my mom and dad got married they found out they couldn’t have children, but they ended up having me as there one and only child. We were happy as any family could get…That is until about two month’s ago. Both my parents we killed in a car accident. I started crying and couldn’t stop. Suddenly I felt Andy beside me and the next thing I know he is hugging me while I cried my soul out. While I was crying I realized something, I loved Andy. As crazy and weird as that sounded, I really did love him. “I am so sorry.” I said to him finally lifting my head from his shoulder staring at his tear stained shirt. “Its okay.” he replied softly “Sometimes we just got to cry it out.” I nodded unable to speak. “Come on lets go.” He said, gently urging me to come. I got up and walked silently beside him. I felt a little better when he grabbed my hand and held it tight. While we were walking more tears started to fall. Andy glanced at me and then stopped, hugging me tightly while I was crying; He told me it was going to be okay. After a couple of minutes, I stopped crying and we started walking again. Thanks Andy. I said suddenly. You’re welcome. He said, smiling at me. I managed a small smile and quietly told him where I lived so he walked me home. Are you ok? Andy asked me once we got out of the school. No I don’t think so; I answered glad he was beside me. I am sorry about your parents he said looking unsure if it was going to help. You know its kind of funny….I said being careful about what I was going to say. I just met you and I basically told you my deepest secrets and I cried in front of you. He chuckled. I guess that’s how it works, he replied. When we finally arrived at where I was staying, I told Andy that I was living with my aunt that wasn’t married and didn’t have any children. I took the key she had given me out of my pocket and unlocked the door explaining to Andy that she would be home from work at 7 pm. I didn’t show him the house or any thing I just took him outside to the back yard. Being late in fall the trees were bare and colorful leaves littered the yard. I lead Andy to the tree where I always sit when I am sad or confused or mad. “Are you sure you ok?” He asked me again, clearly concerned. “I will be I replied” I looked at Andy and wished I could kiss him. I needed someone to love badly. I had my aunt, of course but, I wasn’t going to go around kissing her. Breaking the silence Andy said, Now that I know about you, how about me? He asked. Sure. I said. Leaning my head on his shoulder He began.
    So, let’s begin like this. My mom and Dad met then had my older brother, Darious and then had me. Darious is married now though so I am home alone. The end. I looked up at him. Your family seems awesome. “Really?” He seemed surprised by my answer. “Yeah, I mean you had a sibling and your parents are alive and…. And then I started crying again and I kept crying and crying. Its okay Zo, it’s going to be alright he said trying to comfort me. I stopped crying and looked at him. You called me Zo. Yeah I …. Yeah I did. Say again I said closing my eyes. Okay….Zo. I love it when you call me Zo; I said burying my head in his lap wishing I could stay there forever. I glad you, do he said softly cause, I love saying Zo. Suddenly my aunt came out the door. “Hi sweetie.” She said. “Who is your friend?” “Oh hi Aunt Kate,” I said lifting my head up from Andy’s lap. I recognized her plump figure and motherly tone. “This is Andy. From my new school.” “I take it you already told him?” She said softly speaking of my parents. “Yes Aunt Kate” I said back, while Andy helped me up. “Hi Ms. Henderson,” said Andy as he extended his arm. “Oh, pish, posh she said, just call me Aunt Kate, dear.” “Alright, Aunt Kate then,” he said grinning. “Will you join us for dinner Andy??” My aunt questioned. “Sure he said. But let me call up my parents to let them know where I am.” “Do you mind if I use your phone Aunt Kate?” “No problem Dear it’s in the hall.” When he left my aunt said to me, “So how was school honey?” “Well I lived.. I answered”. She chuckled. “And I met Andy.” I said. “Yes, I can tell he is a good person”. “Yeah” I said a little too dreamily. You like him don’t you! She accused. Yes Auntie. Yes I do. I answered. I didn’t anything else on that subject because Andy walked in at that moment. My parents said that would be fine Aunt Kate. Oh good! She answered obviously excited.
    I have dinner ready in about an hour why don’t you two hang out down stairs. Ok Auntie. I grabbed Andy’s hand and lead him down into the basement.
    “Your Aunt is really nice Zo.” Yeah she is Andy, I replied back. You know I am glad I met you Andy, I said to him. Yeah me too. He said back. Why is that? I asked, curious. Well, first of all you had enough strength to cry in front of me, a little while after

    We first met! You don’t know how much strength you have Zo. You are the strongest person I know and I hardly know you! Plus….Well this may be to early in our relationship but, the moment I saw you I knew I loved you. So what I am saying is…I love you Zo. I really do. I stared at him. Did he really say what I thought he said!? He loves me! He really does!! Well Andy let me tell you something. I love you too. I watched the emotions play on his face. First disbelief, then shock and then love. True love. Then his lips pressed to mine and he kissed me. I loved every minute of that kiss. When he let me breathe I felt like I was going to melt to the floor. How was that? He said chuckling. Unbelievable! I said gasping for air as I clung to him. He laughed, and kissed me again this time I think I would have really melted if he hadn’t had let me breathe when he had. Ok Andy, enough before I pass out! He roared with laughter. What!? I said. I couldn’t possibly imagine what was so funny. I love you that’s what, He said still shaking with laughter. I know you do. I said as-a-matter-of-factly. He laughed again. What is so funny you two? My aunt asked interrupting our conversation. Oh nothing, I said glancing at Andy. Alright then, she said still looking suspicious. Well its time to eat. We are have Baked potato soup. We will be up in a sec, Auntie I answered back. Ok but hurry up or the soup will get cold. Ok I answered. I looked up at Andy. He didn’t seem to want to move. “Come on sweetie,” I said trying to get him to move. Kiss me, he said, and then I will move. I rolled my eyes, but kissed him gently and lead him upstairs. Thanks, he said. For what? I asked. For kissing me. He answered. Oh well I would have kissed you anyway. You would have? He asked trying to get an answer out of me. Yeah Andy. I answered. I love you. Oh- right. He said as if to make sure I really did. Of course I do, Andy. I always will love you! Good. He said. I grinned and kissed him again.
    Thanks for dinner Zo, Andy said to me as we reached his house. We walked to Andy’s place after dinner so that he could spend some time with me. Your welcome Andy. When we arrived at the front Door Andy kissed me and said goodnight. I knew from that moment every thing was going to be alright.



    Three Years Later
    Love ya Auntie! I yelled to her as I ran out the door towards Andy’s car that was waiting in the driveway. Suddenly a hand grabbed me. Aw, Andy let me go! Not until my morning kiss, he said, I grinned and kissed him. I love you so much, I said after he let me up for air. You should! Andy replied back. So miss 18 years old what are we going to do today?? Well I don’t know. I didn’t know it was up to me to know what to do on my birthday! Well know you know! He answered back, grinning his all too familiar boyish grin. Why don’t we go too the park, Andy suggested. The park was one of our favorite places. Sure why not, I said jumping into his car. Then to the park we go! He replied.
    On the way there he asked me how school was going. I was currently in my last year of college. I had skipped ahead the first year because I was way more advanced then the rest of the students. Andy 19, had already been to college and graduated with honors. It’s okay, I said sighing. I love it but the work is very stressful. But I am determined to stay until I graduate. That’s my girl! Andy replied. I grinned. It was hard to be upset around Andy. I guess that was good for me. I mean, me being through a lot he has helped me not go into depression. When we got to the park we got out and walked to our favorite spot. It was by an old oak tree. Happy birthday Zo, he said as we sat down. Thanks Andy. I kissed him lightly but enough to let the feeling get to him. I have a present for you! He said getting all excited. I rolled my eyes. I told you not to get me a present. Since when do I listen to you? He said playfully. You might want to stand up for you present he said he eyes shining with excitement. I stood up and he pulled something out of his pocket and got down on one knee. My eyes got wide. Zoee will you marry me? He said, proposing to me. Of course I would I said to Andy recovering from shock. Does that mean yes? He questioned. Yes Andy! Yes I will marry you! Good he said as he slipped the ring on my finger. I love you I said and pressed my lips to his.
    For the next few months Andy and I planned our wedding. My aunt was very happy we were getting married as well as Andy’s parents. Of course I was excited.
    I was getting married to Andy. I loved him and I knew he loved me. We had enough money saved to buy a house. ( Most of it was covered by me because my parents left me all that they had.) We bought a house that had three bedrooms and was fairly remodeled so we wouldn’t have to do any work to it. Andy had a steady job as an Architect and was getting more than enough money to help us pay all the bills. His job was only five hrs a day and once a week he would work from home. Meanwhile I would be a stay at home mom, I mean wife-for now. Andy and I wanted to have a family so we wanted to make sure we could pay the bills and every thing before having kids. The wedding was scheduled to be next year the month after I graduated college. Andy said he wanted every thing to be perfect at our wedding. We agreed we wouldn’t spend too much. Then I had to hunt for a wedding dress. You might as well have sent me to hell. I hate wearing dresses. Andy was fairly okay with that. Come on Zo, He pleaded. I wouldn’t care if you wear jeans and a T- shirt but my mom wants you to wear a dress. But Andy…. I begged. Please Zo… I love you forever if you wear a dress. Andy said. But Andy you already do. Oh he said, as if he forgot. I am going to have to think of more bribes.. He said biting his lip. I laughed. Fine.. Andy I will do it for you… I knew you would do it he said giving me a quick kiss. Why do I always fall for that. Because you love me. He answered as-a-matter-of- factly. I giggled. I kissed him again. I would wear anything for Andy.