Paper Cranes

I woke up with a slight headache and my eyes felt like it was stung by bees. As I rubbed my eyes, I looked around my surrounding. It took me a few seconds before I remembered where I was and what I was doing there and what happened last night. I groaned as I got off the bed, my head felt heavy. It was then when I saw the note. There was a note left on the carpet floor. I took it and on it was written, 'Go brush your teeth and follow the trail.'

There was a trail of daisies' petals lined neatly towards the bathroom. Still with my morning blues, I followed and went to the bathroom where a new toothbrush and towel was laid out waiting for me to use. I washed my face and brushed my teeth, combing my now short hair. My eyes were red and they looked swollen. I sighed and continued with the game. The trail led me to the back door and outside the house. I slipped on the pair of large slippers and it was then when I realized where the trail was bringing me.

In the middle of the backyard, Shannon was positioned in front of a Japanese drum, two large drumsticks in hand and he started to hit it when he saw me approaching. He was wearing a white singlet along with white shorts and a white bandanna tied around his nose and mouth. Tomo was there too, with the same outfit but he wore a short sleeved t-shirt instead. And there was Jared, undoubtedly. Jared was in all black, unlike the other two. I was getting nearer when Tomo started to jump around and began to pretend to punch Jared which Jared acted as if he was really hit hard.

"You are an asshole, Leto! You hurt a very nice girl's heart!" Tomo yelled as he air-punched across Jared's face. Jared fell onto the grass. "I'M SORRY! I REALLY AM! I KNOW WHAT I DID WAS WRONG! I WAS A DUMBASS!" Jared shouted in reply.

Tomo air-kicked Jared as Shannon's drumming grew more furious and intense. The play continued as I watched in a daze. I couldn't help but laugh at them. As the drum beats came to an end, Jared had moved all the way in front of me as he knelt in front of me. "I'm sorry, Rowena. I really am. I knew I shouldn't have done what I did last night. I screwed up. But I am asking you for another chance," Jared begged, his blue eyes sparkling in fear. "Another chance for me and you. For us," he ended and took out a bouquet of daisies wrapped around a red ribbon. He held it up for me. I stood there, still staring down at him, wondering what to say or do. I glanced up to Shannon and Tomo who were both smiling, nodding their head in encouragement.

I turned back to Jared who was waiting for me expectantly. I rolled my eyes and took the flowers. "I am such a fool for doing this," I sighed as Jared stood up and hugged me. His arms were wrapped around me tightly, as if we hadn't seen each other in years. I could hear him chuckle as I buried my face onto his shoulder, mumbling incoherently. "I hate you, Jared. I hate you."

He pulled away. "And I love you, Rowena Harris. I. LOVE. YOU," he said, smiling. He had his hands on the side of my face, framing it as he pulled me in and gave me a peck on the lips. I knew what he was about to do and I pulled back. "I'm just… not ready to… to kiss you yet," I whispered. There was a glimpse of sadness on his eyes but it was immediately replaced by understanding and guilt. "It's okay."

I smiled weakly at him as he gave me a kiss on the tip of my nose. He wrapped his arms around my waist as we faced the other two. They grinned and jumped in joy. "WOOHOO!" Tomo yelled. I chuckled. "Thanks guys for that," I said.

Tomo walked over and gave me a hug. Then, Shannon who also gave me a hug and whispered, "Thank you, Ro. He really means it."

I smiled. "Come on, let's go inside and get something to eat," Jared said, his hand on the small of my back as we went back into the house. I was seated on the dining table as Jared rummaged through the fridge and cabinets. He was searching for something. Shannon and Tomo had somewhat disappeared. They must have planned it.

"What do you want? Cereals? Pancakes? Waffles? Toasts?" he asked, standing behind the counter.

"Cereals will be fine," I said. Jared smiled and took out a box of Apple Jacks with a bowl and spoon and milk. He placed the bowl in front of me and began filling it with cereals. "Is that enough?" he asked. I nodded. "He poured the milk into it and sat down beside me as I took a spoonful of the cereal.

He rested his chin on the palm of his hand as he watched in silence. His eyes fixated on my ever single action. His hair was combed neatly, he obviously hadn't shaved for today and the dark circles underneath his eyes were evident. I couldn't help but feel sorry. I knew I shouldn’t after what he did but I just couldn't help it especially after what I heard last night from Shannon and now that Jared was facing me. He looked so dreamy, so out-of-it. I took a spoon of the cereals and raised it to the level of his mouth which seemed to have woke him up from the dream of his. He grinned and ate it. I took another spoon and fed him.

He was smiling all the way through, radiating with happiness. I knew he was really sorry for what he did; I knew he was happy now. I knew I was too. I couldn't deny the factor that I was. I was always happy when I was with Jared. Just his presence around the place made me feel complete. I gave up hiding it all, I gave up and let the feeling burst through me like I was some crazy woman.

I got out of my seat, Jared watched me cautiously. I had a playful smile on my face as I went towards him and sat on his lap. He was surprised. Without another moment wasted, I plunged forward and attacked his lips with mine. I wrapped my hands around his neck and pulled him closer. He was shock but he was fast at catching up as his hands wrapped around my waist and back.

I pulled away, breathing heavily but smiling proudly. "Jared," I said between the ragged breaths. "I- I love you! I love you so much!" I planted another kiss on his lips.

He was grinning away. "I need time to get used to this Rowena," he said. "But I sure like her," he continued and kissed my nose. "I love you too, Ro. I don't think I've ever been this in love before," he confessed.

I blushed. I felt my cheeks grew warm. He touched them with his cool hand, slowly traveling to my chin and neck, trailing to the round collar of the t-shirt. "You're just an angel to me, Ro. You're an angel," he whispered as he glanced up again. His blue eyes penetrated through mine. Those blue whirlpools which always got me in such a way that I felt like I was falling into another dimension.

"And I am never, ever, going to let you go from me, Rowena," he said. "I am sticking to you like glue," he said with the same serious expression. I brushed his hair away from his face, touching his cheekbones, his jaw, and his neck and rested on his shoulder. I couldn't remember anyone telling me that before and I knew Jared was true to his words. I could see it through his eyes. His clear blue eyes.

"Without you, Ro, I don't feel right. Without seeing your eyes, I feel wrong. Without your presence, I miss you. After last night, I realized how much I couldn't stand without you being there," Jared poured out.

"What are you saying, Jared?" I asked, my eyes locked with his.

"What I am saying, Rowena," he inhaled a sharp breath. "Is… will you move in with me? Will you come and stay in LA with me?" he asked, smiling expectantly. His hand was holding onto mine tightly.

I stared into his eyes, searching for an answer. I waited for my gut to tell me what to do. Did I want to move in with him? Was I ready? What he just said, all those words were exactly how I have felt. I knew deep down what the answer was and so here it all goes. "Yes, Jared."

"What?"

"I said yes! I will move in with you!" I exclaimed in excitement. Jared carried me, bridal style as he stood up. He spun me in circles as both of us laughed and chuckled in what was about to happen, in what we both discovered, in what we both had. We had a relationship, a love which would last and we would both cherish forever. As he stopped, out of breath, my grip around his neck wrapped tighter as I pulled him closer to me and our lips met for an unforgettable kiss which would sealed this love for eternity.