WARNING: SLIGHT ! BUT NO KISSING OR IS INVOLVED! JUST MENTIONING!

   Tears cascaded down my cheeks, when David told me the worst thing a girl could fear. I abruptly stood up and walked out of the band room and straight into Tyler. He was the last person I wanted to see at this moment. I shoved past him, marching down the hall. The tears flowed heavier now and the sobs shook every fiber of my being. I stumbled upstairs towards my first period class, chemistry. I wiped my tears onto my over-sized hoodie and took a seat at the back of the small classroom. Looking out the door of the room, I saw Tyler walk pass with David. Tyler looked over and saw me. He gray-blue eyes filled with sorrow and many apologies. I averted my gaze as tears forced themselves into my blue eyes. David looked to where Tyler had shifted his attention to and fell upon me. David smirked and tugged on Tyler's jacket and yanked him towards his anatomy class.

      Thirty seconds later the bell rang, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I didn't want to have to see them until I had to. I struggled to focus during chemistry, elements showed no fun and I understood everything. Chemistry was a new thing to me, yet the subject came naturally.
Soon enough, the bell rang again and I slowly cleaned up my belongings and headed towards the door. Mrs. Sayer cleared and said, "Anastasia, lately you seem distracted. Is everything alright?" I smiled and shake my head yes and then wave goodbye while quickly escaping class.

   Second and third period whizzed by and before I knew it, I was standing in front of the band room. I shook from the fear of facing Tyler and David, but I still strode in and went straight to my flute locker. I grabbed my old flute case and music binder, and then walked over to my chair to put together my flute.  My bottom lip began to tremble and my whole body shook. Ashley, my best friend, noticed this unusual behavior coming from me and began to worry.  I could hear her footsteps approaching from behind me, when I turned to face her, a tear slithered down my cheek. Ashley threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly. I breathed a sigh and gave her a sad smile. She gave me one of her own. She knew what was going on without me even telling her. She’s my best friend and soul sister.

   Class started just like any other day, Mr. Carpenthor started us on scales, then on our concert band music. Christmas was only days away and so the Christmas concert. We were playing Celtic Carol, Last of the Wilds, and our favorite A Crazy mixed up Christmas Song.  I put all my emotions into my music and I allowed myself to silently cry. I attempted to recall everything David had forced me to understand.
 

~Flashback to before the emotional mess~

“Good Morning, David!” I smiled brightly. I was wearing my plaid-blue flute pajama pants, black converse, and my favorite over-sized black
hoodie.  

“Morning, Anna. How are you?” He looked up at me from his chemistry homework.

“I’m awesome! Last night, I talked with Tyler and I told him I had a crush on him. He likes me too! Now I’m just waiting for him to ask me out.”  I jumped around all excited.

“About that. Sit down, Anastasia.” My eyes filled with confusion. No one ever used my actual first name, besides my teachers.

“Anastasia, Tyler is Bi-ual. Over the summer, Tyler and I dated. We are still in love, so please try to understand that you can’t date him.”

   So many emotions pulsed through me all at once and I just sat there dumbfounded. I stared down at my lap, when one emotion settled on my heart. Sorrow.

Tears slowly filled my eyes, and streamed down my cheeks. “Anastasia, please don’t cry.” Abruptly I stood up. The tears flowing were more heavily now. “It’s your fault, David, you are heartless.” I said with a seemingly venomous hiss.

Then I left, and ran into Tyler.
 

~End of Flashback~

   I regretted what I had said to David in the end, but now it was too late. Everything I had confessed to Tyler could now be used to blackmail me.  That crying sensation I had been trying to suppress, came flying back full force. Luckily, the bell rang, releasing everyone. I looked back to see David clinging to Tyler’s side. I hated David for loving Tyler, but David was still my best friend.  I slowly put away my flute and dragged my feet to my locker. Everyone had already left the band room, or so I thought.

   I felt two strong arms circle around my waist, pulling me close. “Anastasia, don’t listen to David. I love you. When I look at you laugh, I want to be the one the makes you laugh. When you smile, your blue eyes sparkle like the night sky. I never wanted to be the one to cause you to cry. I’m so sorry.” Tyler breathed in my ear.  I stood there wide-eyed.

   Suddenly I burst out laughing, startling Tyler. I gasped for breath and said, “Every night I dreamed of you whispering sweet things in my ear before I fell asleep. This can’t be real; everything David said seemed so true. It’s true isn’t it?” I quietly whisper.

   Tyler nestles his face in my dark brown hair, and kisses my neck before saying, “Mostly, David came on to me and begged me to give him a chance. At that time I had a girl whom I really liked, but I knew she would never notice me. So I gave David the chance. He was awkward and I never truly loved him. David only told you that because he was angry with me. Angry that I love you with all my being.”

   I spun around in his arms to stare at him in disbelief.  After processing everything he had just said, my face quickly turned a bright red. “T-Tyler” He ever so slowly bent down and his soft lips brushed against mine. I eagerly reach up to meet his lips; then the bell rang again. Tyler and I walked down the hall, hand in hand, to lunch. When Ashley laid her emerald green eyes on us, she squeaked and hugged me.

   The new talk of the school, that’s what Tyler and I were. I hated all the attention, but Tyler soaked it up and smiled. I felt it looked bad because I’m a freshman dating a junior. Tyler always was there holding my hand and sneaking quick little kisses on the cheek.

   By the end of the day, I was tired and sick of people; yet there was Tyler walking towards me. My blue eyes soaked in his wondrous looks. Tyler’s dirty blond hair was wild like he had recently woke up and his eyes swirled with happiness, excitement, and maybe even a hint of lust. I smiled at him and waved. His whole face lit up as he swooped me up into a hug. He made me forget the terrible events of the morning and yearn for tomorrow.

“Anna, how was English?” Tyler asked as we walked out to the buses.

“Pretty boring, I was thinking of you the whole time, Ty.” My face grew warm and my cheeks were a little pink.

“Ty, hmmmmm? I like it. Anna-bear.” He smiled.

I giggled at his pet name for me. “Anna-bear?! Oh Ty! Well I have to go, see you tomorrow!” I gave him a peck on the lips and got on my bus.

~ 1 year later ~

It was the day Tyler and I dreaded, Graduation. It means he would off the college while I stayed behind and finished high school. Many nights I would cry until I fell asleep. Tyler was completely oblivious to the constant crying. Today, though, I put all my depression aside and focused on Tyler.

He seemed excited, I was glad, yet something told me that things would never be the same. Right when Tyler walked on the stage to accept his diploma I burst into tears. Of course they were tears of happiness, but sorrow swelled within my heart. This would be the last summer I would be able to see him every day.

Hours seemed to pass before I felt a warm hand rest upon my shoulder.  I looked up into the warm gray-blue eyes of Tyler; he wiped away a few tears that had slipped down my cheeks. His face was full of concern and love.

“Anna, why are you crying?” He looked like he could see straight into my soul.

“I’m just so proud of you, Ty.” I tried to smile at him, but he could see easily through it.

“Liar, I know you have been crying at night. I know how upset you really are. What kinda of boyfriend would I be if I couldn’t see that you hurting? Anna-bear, I will always be here.” He pulled me to him and kissed me. It wasn’t a deep, passionate kiss like the ones we often shared; it was a gentle, loving kiss.

“How will I know whether or not you’re always gonna be there?” I asked.

“Because of this”, Tyler got down one knee and opened a small jewelry box, “Anastasia Lilith Smith, the first time I ever saw your beautiful blue eyes, I fell in love. Will you join me in the life of love and marry me?” My hands flew to my mouth and more tears welled in my blue eyes.  Slowly I withdrew my hands from my mouth to show the world’s brightest smile.

“Yes! Yes, Tyler Logan Nickels, I will marry you!” I jumped into his warm welcoming embrace. Everything seemed so perfect. Tyler placed a beautiful silver ring on my hand. As I inspected it, I noticed in the center of a heart were 2 medium sized gems, one an emerald, the other a ruby. Our birthstones, around them were little diamonds. The ring was so perfect. I looked up at him and threw my whole body at him. He caught me and chuckled.

I was right that our lives would change, but they changed for the better!