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Love Is Forever

By: jeLLo
imagination domain

He'd only talked to her 2 times before on the phone. They'd seen each others pictures through snail mail. And their best friends were both having and sharing a long distance serious relationship with each other. Nick wished he could have met her so much sooner. Thanks to his friend Jas, he got to know her. Brian was ever so grateful to Jas, as well. Without her, Brian would never have fallen for Jen. And he was so happy with her. They'd met once. True love is what he called it. Or, calls it.

Jen and Janelle shared a 2 - story house in California. The place was on a nice quiet street. Jen's cousin, Jas, lived up in north Cali with 6 other people she cared about, on a quiet place out in the country, so to say. It wasn't that busy, just nice and peaceful. She shared a house with her husband, Mike, and on the same block, lived other friends she'd gotten to know dearly. Two best friends, Nick and Brian as I mentioned, lived in a 2 - story, alike Jas and Mike. Kevin was married to a woman named Fatima. Howie lived in a one story, while Aj had a connecting house, sort of, with him. Jen and Jas: extremely close cousins. When Jen left to visit her for a week, Janelle couldn't go, because she was working on a few paintings for people she was selling them to. Jen was a good lawyer, and didn't have any cases. And she was given some time off. So she got to visit Jas. When she met Brian, the 2 automatically clicked. Instant love. Brian had felt so much for her, and the 2 kept in touch for a year. They didn't see other people, in fact.

"I'm going out!" Janelle called from the door. Jen was in the kitchen, attempting to make inside out eggs. For some reason, she still didn't get it…..
"See ya!" she called back, eyeing the egg. It looked like aneye. Jen sighed, and decided to eat it. She got out a plate and actually had to scrape it off. This gave her a bad feeling about the egg, and she threw it away. clump.
It actually CLUMPED. Jen poked it with a fork. Hard as a rock.
Delicious…….
Jen walked around. She didn't have a case that day, and was going to stay home. Jen glanced at Janelle's Playstation. Plopped inside was one of her many games: Pocket Fighter. Jen's goal: BEAT JELLO AT IT!!! Now was her chance to try and get better. She plopped on the oriental cushion on the floor and was going to turn on the game, but the doorbell rang. Jello must have forgotten something, she thought. man, I'm never going to get to beat her………. Jen sighed and got up. She walked to the door and looked through the eyehole.
"Who is it?" Jen called.
"Who else is it?" the voice called back. Jen felt an excited chill go up her back.
"Really?!" Jen shouted excitedly as she opened the door.
"Yep!" Brian said, smiling. She swung to his open arms.
"Hiiiiii!" she greeted him. He gave her a long kiss. The two walked into the house.

-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

BAM!!
"Gotcha!" Jen said, smiling. She was playing Tomb Raider 1, while Brian sat and watched. "Are you sure you don't want to play?"
"No, no," Brian said. "I'd die. Nick always hogs up the controller." Jen laughed. They heard a door slam.
"Hallooooo! Me is back!" a voice called.
"Oh! Yay! Jello's back. You'll get to meet her," Jen said, standing up. She turned the game off, and grabbed his hand, leading him into the hall.
"Hey, Jello!" Jen greeted her. Janelle turned around before she went up the stairs.
"Hi, Jen! What's - " Janelle stopped. "Hello, what'syourname."
Jen laughed. "Jello, this is my boyfriend, Brian. Remember? I don't think you two have met." Brian shook his head, and held out his hand.
"Hi, Jello," he said, grinning. Janelle blushed at the name and shook it.
"When did you get here?" Janelle asked.
"This morning," he answered. "I guess I arrived when you were gone or something." Janelle nodded.
"Well, excuse me, you two lovebirds," Janelle said. "I have to go upstairs and check some of my work." She smiled and headed upstairs. Jen turned to Brian.
"See? She's nice!" she said.
"Yeah! She is!" Brian said.
Janelle stretched as she walked up the stairs. All she wanted was to take a nice warm bath. She went, turned the bath on warm, and left to her room. Janelle got her clothes, and locked the door.

1 hr later……

"So, got any….queens?" Brian asked Jen.
"Go fish," came the reply.
"AGAIN??" he asked. "Awww, man……." He picked up the card. "HA!" Brian laughed and put down 4 queens. Jen was practically sleeping on the table, sort of her upper body laying on it. She was leaning her head on her hand, bored.
"Brian…." Jen muttered. "I put down all my cards 20 minutes ago."
The 2 were sitting at the kitchen table, playing "Go Fish". Jen had won, but Brian had kept asking questions so he'd get rid of all his cards.
"So? I got rid of the cards at least!" Brian smiled. "Am I good or what? Do I get a little prize?" Brian leaned across the table. Jen smiled, and rolled her eyes before planting a little kiss on his nose.
"What?? My nose??" Brian said. "Oh, well….."
"Um…..what are you doing?" Janelle's voice popped up. The two looked up, and saw Janelle standing there.
"Hey," Jen said. "What's up? Nice job on the hair." Janelle beamed.She had natural curly hair, but always blowed dried it straight. It was layered a little by her shoulders and chin.
"Thanks, I finally got it straight," she replied.
"So, anyways, mind if I join you two?" She sat down with them at the table.
"Go ahead," Jen said. "Want to play……hearts?" Hearing this, Brian frowned.
"We might need one more person, it kind of works out better," he commented.
"Mind if I play?" a voice popped up. The 3 looked up. Brian and Jen smiled.
"Hey, you finally got up from your nap!" Jen said. She looked at Janelle, who looked confused.
"Oh," she said. "Jello, meet Nick." Jen looked back and forth. "I think you two might know each other."
Nick looked at Janelle. He was stunned. She was perfect, just like in the pictures, except better than he imagined; short brown hair, sparkling green and brown eyes, that had an almost symmetrical shape. He could tell she was part Asian: her eyes…they had a different shape almost. Plain face, no make up applied, and she wore the simplest clothes, yet they still looked stunning on her. As she stood up with the other 2 to greet him, Nick couldn't help but stare at her. Glamour, yet so …….. simple.
"Hi," she said quietly, smiling and holding out her hand. A cute and shy smile, he liked it! Nick held out his hand.
"Hi," he echoed as well. Nick took her hand and gave it a small kiss. Janelle blushed. Obviously, she wasn't interested in that kind of way, but was still flattered.
The now - 4 sat down at the table. Nick made sure to sit next to Janelle. Jen and Brian sat next to each other, and held hands. Nick wasn't sure what to do, so he scooted a little closer to Janelle, but she didn't seem to notice. As they talked, Brian noticed Nick becoming more and more interested and drawn in by Janelle.
"So, where are you two staying?" Janelle asked.
"Oh," Nick answered quickly. "Jen said we could staying here."
"Wow, cool," she replied, giving a small smile still. She looked down at the card she was still holding from earlier. It was the ace of hearts. Janelle sensed something from the card, but didn't really notice.
"So, what do you guys want to do tonight?" Brian asked.
"Hmmm….." Janelle thought out loud. "I might have to -"
Riiiiiiiing!
"Oh, hold on a second," Janelle said. "Excuse me." She got up and picked up the phone. Jen and Nick started chatting, but Brian was listening closely to Janelle's conversation, since she was slightly arguing with somebody. She hung up the phone and came back into the kitchen.
"Sorry," she apologized, taking back her seat next to Nick, who scooted over a slight.
"What -" Jen started.
"It was Eric," Janelle answered stiffly. Nick's smile disappeared, but she looked upset, he felt worried. "He wants to meet me tonight at the park." Jen frowned.
"Jello,are you sure?" Jen asked. The other 2 sat there, looking lost. Jen explained,
"Eric is this guy she's - well, sort of dating."
"He and I are just having some little problems," Janelle added. Jen gave her a hard, hard look.
"Janelle, he slapped you countless of times and left some bruises on your arms," Jen said, giving her a hard look. "And you call that problems?"
"What?!" Brian & Nick exclaimed.
"He's moving to Wisconsin!" Janelle defended herself.
"He did that??" Nick said. He hated physical abuse.
"Yeah," Janelle muttered, flipping around the card again. "No big deal."
"No big deal," Nick repeated, making Janelle look at him and nod. "Janelle, you and I have been writing back and forth for 2 1/2 years, but you never mentioned this. Personally -"
"Personally," Janelle cut in. "I have a head-ache. I'm going to go lie down. If the doorbell rings, it's Eric. Tell him I'll meet him at the park at 7 like we planned."
Janelle got up and left. When she was out of ear-shot upstairs, Brian looked at Nick.
"You are totally sprung!" Jen said before he could. Nick shrugged and blushed, now fiddling with the card Janelle was holding. Brian was about to say something when the doorbell rang.
"Oh, great…." Jen muttered. She got up and Brian followed her. As Jen opened the door, Brian found a medium-sized, brown-haired guy standing in the way. "She's resting, Eric," Jen said tiredly. "She'll meet you at the park, 7, like you planned."
Eric made a face. He was about to snap something when Brian shifted and crossed his arms, indicating, Say it, I'll smack you. Eric smirked and left. Brian glared after him.

Janelle lay in the dark on her bed, looking up towards the skylight, which was open. She didn't have any windows in her room, instead, one light and a skylight above her bed. The stars were sparkling.
"Hey, it's dark," a voice popped up. Janelle looked to her right at the doorway. Nick was standing there.
"Yeah, but this is relaxing," she answered softly. Nick took that she was still shy around Brian and him.
"Wanna join me?" she asked, scooting over to the end. It was a big bed, and Nick joined her, closing the door behind him. The 2 laid on their backs, looking at the stars.
"So….." Nick murmured. "How long have you been with……"
"Eric?" she finished. "Only 6 months, we met when we were jogging." Nick nodded. "Hey, how long are you 2 staying here?" she asked.
"Brian's staying a week, I'm staying 3 days," he answered. "Not that long."
"Oh….."
The 2 laid silently, looking at the stars.How can I get her to notice me……? Nick thought. He lay, wishing right then he could wrap her up with him and never let go, protect her from any more harm.
"Hey, I gotta get going," she realized, sitting up. Janelle sat, looking into the blackness in front of her, with Nick looking up. She turned her side towards him.
"I'll be back," she told him. "It'll only be 45 minutes or so."
"I think I'll stay here," he answered. "This is comfy." The two smiled, and she gave a small laugh. Janelle got up and got off the bed, climbing over Nick, causing him to crackle of laughter from the tickling. She laughed. Before she stood up, Nick grabbed her hand.
"Hey," he said. "What are you doing with him tonight?" Janelle hesitated. "It's okay, you can trust me," he assured her. "I've known you longer than you've known him." She smiled.
"Breaking up with him," she said. Nick nodded.
"I've never been all interested for a couple months now." Janelle gave his hand a pat, and let it go. "Bye," she called, closing the door.
"Bye," he whispered to his angel. He knew she was, even if she didn't know.

8:00 PM. A knock came on the front door as Brian and Jen were sitting in the room next to the hall. Jen got up and answered it, and gasped.
"It doesn't hurt, really," Janelle explained, rubbing the mark on her cheek. There was a red mark on her arm, too.
"Jello! Wha - how - he - ??"
"I'll get some ice," Brian said quickly, running into the kitchen. Jen took Janelle's hand and led her upstairs.
"We'll be in her room!" Jen called to him. When they made it there, they opened the door, and Janelle remembered Nick was there. Jen turned on the light.
"Did you beak up with -" he started, but stopped, staring at her marked cheek.
Janelle burst out crying. She was in pain, and Jen and Nick knew it. Janelle ran and sat next to him on the bed as he put his arm around her. She buried her face in her hands on his shoulder. Jen understood: he was her 2nd best friend, but he was a guy, someone who she can hug and stuff. Besides, Jen knew that Janelle really wasn't into hugging a girl and stuff, so a guy was the first best thing to cry a shoulder on.
"I hate him…..I hate him….." Janelle muffled. Nick brushed her head softly. He pulled her back slowly and looked at her cheek.
"He took it that hard?" Nick asked. She nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. Nick placed his hand on her cheek and stroked away the tears with his thumb. Brian came rushing in with some ice in a wash-cloth.
"Thanks," Nick said to him. He looked at Brian and Jen to leave. Jen was going to object, but Brian put his hand on her shoulder to back off. They left.
"Here," Nick told her, placing the ice on her cheek.
"Ow….." she muttered.
"Oh, it might hurt," Nick joked, and they gave a small laugh. The 2 sat for a bit, as Nick held the ice on her cheek. After a bit, he took it off.
"Hold on…." she standing up. "I have to change to my ……" she picked up her t-shirt and sweats.
"Oh," he said, and turned to the wall.
"All right," she said a couple minutes later. He turned back around. Janelle sat back down with him.
"Hey," he said to her. "You have to lay down and get some rest." She nodded, and laid back. Nick was about to get up, when Janelle grabbed his hand, like he had hers.
"Nick," she said softly. He shifted his position right next to her, so he was looking right down to her.
"Yeah?" he asked. Janelle took a deep breathe.
"Thank you, so much," she thanked him. Nick smiled.
"You're welcome," he said. He was about to tell her something, but he decided not to. Instead, he got up and left, closing the door softly behind him.

next morning……

"Bye," Janelle said to Jen. She was going to stay at Brian and Nick's with Nick for a week, and come back after Eric moved (one week, as you can see). It gave Jen and Brian a week for themselves, and less risky for Janelle, in case something happened. Jen would pick up Janelle after he moved, and would drop off Brian.
"Bye," Jen said, giving her a hug. "See ya in a week." Nick and Janelle headed out the door to the car. Brian and Jen stood at the doorway, waving as the two drove off.
"So," Nick said as he drove. "What do you want to do for a week?"
Janelle thought and answered, "Worry…." Nick laughed and she smiled.
"Come on," Nick said. "Don't be so shy around me and Brian anymore." Janelle rubbed her neck, feeling bad.
"I'm sorry, really," she apologized quickly. "It's just - "
"Yeah, it's okay," Nick said. The two talked a bit for the long drive to the house.

That afternoon:

"Here it is," Nick announced, standing next to the car. Janelle smiled on the other side, holding her suitcase.
"It's really nice," she commented.
"Come on," Nick said, walking towards the doorway. Janelle followed him.
"Hey, Nick!!" a voice called. Nick turned around, as so did Janelle. 2 guys were walking by, both looking somewhat a like. One had a backwards hat and sunglasses, a tank, with lots of tattoos. The other was a little bit shorter than him, wearing a tank jersey. Nick waved.
"Hold up for a sec," he called back. Nick looked at Janelle, grabbing her hand, and dragged her down with him to the 2 guys.
"Guys," he introduced. "This is Janelle. Janelle, this is - " he pointed to the sunglasses guy "Aj, and -" pointed to the jersey guy "Howie." Janelle held out her hand.
"Hi," she said softly. The two took turns and shook.
"Hi," they said at the same time.
"Wanna walk with us?" Aj asked.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she apologized. "I have to put my suitcase away and change….."
"That's okay," Howie said. "We can wait for ya out here." Janelle smiled.
"Okay, thanks," she said, and turned to Nick. "Can you show me where I can put my stuff?"
"Oh, yeah!" he said. "It's not that hard. Just go to your left and there will be stairs. Your room will be the 1st room to your right." Janelle smiled.
"Thanks," she said, and left. "I'll be right back!" Aj tilted his head and checked her out.
"Not bad, Nicky boy," he murmured.
"Watch it, he might have her wrapped up in his finger," Howie joked. They cracked up.
"She's just a friend," Nick said.
"Obviously," Aj said. "You seem more interested than she is……" Howie laughed, and Nick smiled.
"Shut up," he said. "I am, alright? At least I admit it instead of checking her out!" He and Howie started snickering.
"What?! I do that to every girl!!" Aj said.
"Probably why you don't HAVE one," Howie said, snickering. Nick smiled.
"But she's nice," Nick said, smiling.
"Which nice are you talking about?" Howie said. "The 'look' nice, or 'friend' nice? And she has a little bruise on the corner of her cheek…."
"Yeah," Aj agreed. "What's that? Are you hitting on her too much!?"
"Her ex abused her," Nick said. "He's moving, so Brian suggested taking her here while he stays with Jen for a week." Aj and Howie nodded.
"We'll watch our mouths," Howie said, giving Aj a look. Aj nodded.
"I'm smart enough for that one," Aj added, reaching in his pocket, taking out a cigarette.
"Don't even, Aj," Nick warned him. Howie glared at him. "You know we hate that crap," Nick added. Aj sighed and fiddled with it. Janelle came back, changed into her fave green tank and jean shorts with tennis shoes and a backwards cap. She stopped next to Nick and stared at Aj.
"Uh………" Janelle frowned at him. Aj gave her a puppy dog look. "Uh-uh, not even," Janelle said.
"Come on, these two won't let me," Aj whined. Janelle gave him a hard look.
"Aj, I've only known you for 10 minutes," she said. "I don't want to become your enemy because you smoke." Aj looked back down at the cigarette. "And," she added, "Nick is my best guy friend. If you hang out with him, it's like hanging out with me. So at least keep those away when you're hanging out with him AND yourself." Aj paused, and stared at the cigarette.
"Okay," Aj said, and tossed it in the garbage on the curb along with the rest. Howie and Nick's eyes widened and their mouths dropped open. No one's ever gone through that guy so easily about ANYthing like that. Since Howie is his best friend, he knew him like the back of his hand, and Aj was serious!
"Thanks," she said. "So! How about that walk?"
Nick and Howie's mouths were still hanging open. They moved their heads over to Janelle. Both still couldn't believe what had just happened. Eventually, they snapped out of it. Howie and Nick caught up with Aj and Janelle, who were walking towards the house. It was Howie's and Aj's, actually, which were connected into one. Aj switched with Howie, who wanted to walk with Janelle.
"So, how long do you give until you ask her out?" Aj asked Nick quietly. Nick shrugged. Meanwhile, Howie was asking Janelle questions, too.
"You and Nick are just friends?" he asked Janelle. She nodded, and smiled.
"He's one great friend," she answered. "I mean, he's as good as my best friend, Jen, and Brian really likes her a lot. I asked him one time how much he liked her, but he corrected me, saying he loves her."
By this time, they'd reached the house. It wasn't that long of a walk. Aj invited the 2 in, but Nick spoke up.
"Um, actually, I was going to show Janelle around my house," he answered. Nick gave a small wink to Aj, indicating something. Aj nodded.
"Alright," Aj said. "That's cool. Kevin's outside with Fatima, playing with the football if you want to go and see them before you go back. Later!" Aj and Howie waved bye to the 2.
"Nice meeting you," Howie told Janelle.
"Yeah, and thanks," Aj thanked her as well. She nodded.
"No problem," she answered.

"I still can't believe you knew the 2!" Nick said, smiling as they walked into his house.
"Yeah, I met them over the internet a couple years ago," Janelle said. "It just never really hit me or anything when anyone mentioned him." Nick showed her around the house more. Last, they came to the kitchen upstairs, and Janelle sat down at his counter in the middle of the kitchen.
"Do you want anything to drink?" he asked her. She shook her head. Nick flipped on the radio. It was the song "Everything I Do".
"I love this song!" they both said, and smiled at each other.
"You like this?" she said, giving him a friendly smile. Nick's heart dropped a bit that it wasn't the smile he'd hoped for, but HE smiled a different one.
"Yeah," he said.
"What's wrong?" she asked him.
"Nothing," he answered, and poured himself some water. "Do you want to turn on anything?" he asked her. "I have a CD player in here, with a lotta CDs." Nick opened up a cupboard labeled "Nick's CDs".
"Um, do you have 98º 'I do cherish you'?"
"Coming right up," he answered, popping open a CD case, placing the CD in. "Hey, can I ask you something?" Nick had his back turned towards her, as he flipped around the CDs.
"Yeah," she answered. Nick turned around to the counter and leaned against it.
"Have you ever been in love?"
Janelle thought a moment. "I don't think so. I wasn't in love with Eric, that's for sure," she answered. "Hey, can you put the song on repeat?"
"Sure, " he said, and turned around to find the button. The phone rang. "Oh, hey, can you get that?" he asked her.
"Yeah, sorry, hold on…where is it?" she asked. It was on the 3rd ring now. Then she found it. "Hello?"
Nick turned back around and took a sip of his water, looking down at the counter. Then he looked at Janelle. She'd hung up the phone and her hands were shaking. Two tears fell from her eyes, which were staring at the phone in her hands.
"Janelle?" he said, looking worriedly and stood up quickly.
"It - it was nobody," she said. She looked positively scared. "Th-they hung up." Janelle was going to put back the phone when Nick took it slowly from her.
"Here, let me check the caller I.D.," he said. "Oh, see, it was your house. They probably hung up after the 3rd ring. It was Brian because he told me he'd call to check on us. After 3 rings, he always hangs up."
Janelle sighed of relief, but was still shaking a bit.
"Oh, man, you okay?" he asked her. She nodded a bit. Nick stood up and wrapped his arms in a hug. "It's okay," he assured her, Janelle hugging back. Nick felt a longing wave go through him. Why can't I have you….? was all that could repeat through his mind.

"Oh, good you're up," a voice said lightly in the doorway. Janelle looked around more, sitting up a bit in Nick's bed, who slept on the floor. Nick walked over to her, and set a breakfast tray on her lap.
"You made me breakfast?" she said surprisingly.
"Yep," he answered, sitting down on the end of the bed across from her.
"Thanks," Janelle said, smiling at the food in front of her. It was so nice to Nick when he saw her smile. Ever since they'd met and he found out about all the trouble with Eric, he hadn't seen her truly smile. It was nice and even different. Nick leaned over a bit and pointed to the plates.
"I kept out the bacon," he added, knowing how she felt uncomfortable eating meat. "Sorry it's only cereal and eggs, but I'm so used to Brian doing the cooking, I kind of forgot how to make breakfast."
Janelle smiled more at this and gave a small laugh. The two sat there, chuckling a bit. Nick stopped. "Hey, wait….." he murmured. "I can cook! Really!" Janelle shook her head.
"You didn't help by laughing with me," she pointed out. Nick made a face and snapped his fingers.
"Dangit…." he muttered. Then Nick remembered something, and leaned across Janelle to the shelf that was installed inside the wall next to the bed, pulling out a sketch pad. "Hey, can you give me some input on some stuff?" The two sat for nearly an hour, while she ate her breakfast, talking about sketching and art. Nick found himself at peace. Despite the quiet place they lived, there were still people. Out of all the girls he's seen, and dated, Nick felt right with her the most. He wasn't trying to be perfect, or anything like that. It was a unique feeling he couldn't help explain, except for love. He was in love with her.
"Hey," Janelle said suddenly. "I still gotta get cleaned up."
"Oh! Yeah," Nick said. She climbed out, and opened up her bag next to the bed. Nick flipped through his diary again, thinking about the different drawings inside it. Janelle went to the bathroom, closing the door behind her, and changed. Nick waited a bit, thinking a bit of what he should do about her. Quickly, he got bored of that, thinking of nothing, and took his pencil and started fixing what he and Janelle had discussed for his drawings. After a for a half hour, Janelle eventually came out. Nick glanced up and found her being simple again, yet falling over her again. Shorts, white tank, same coloured socks: how do those simple things make the light in his head flip on? He got up and grabbed the tray, and walked next to her.
"So," Nick said. "What do you want to do today?" Janelle hesitated, and thought for a moment, giving "The Thinker" look for fun.
"Is there a park around here?" she asked. Nick nodded.
"It's not too far, in fact. It's across the street outside of our block," he said, and thought of an idea. "Hey, how about we gather the others and go play some football or basketball?" he suggested. Janelle paused.
"I don't know. Jen would kill me if she found out I played football OR basketball without her," Janelle explained. She smiled then. "What the hell, okay." Nick grinned.
"Great!" he said. "I'll call the others while.…..um, could you wash this a bit for me?" he asked her, handing her the tray. She nodded. "Thanks!" he said, and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before dashing downstairs for the phone. As he ran down the stairs, it hit him what he had done, and he prayed she didn't notice anything big about that. Nick made it to the living room, and plopped next to the phone on the chair, already dialing for Aj's and Howie's number.

"Did you call them?"
Nick glanced up as he hung up the phone. Janelle slightly surprised him.
"Yeah," he answered. "I just got off the phone with Jen's cousin's boyfriend. Both are eager to meet you. Everyone should be here soon." Janelle nodded.
"Oh," he said suddenly. "Why don't we wait for them outside? I'll get the sport balls in the garage. Just leave through the front door."
"Alright," she said, and the two headed out of the living room. Nick left to the garage, and Janelle separated, going straight into the hall. She opened the front door, and figured that Nick would just head out the door, so she left it open. Walking into the driveway, she saw Aj and Howie already on the sidewalk, waiting for Kevin and Fatima, who were walking across the street to them. She was waving to them, when she suddenly felt a searing pain go through her back.

Nick hummed a little tune as he walked out the door, closing it behind him. He turned around and locked it. As he locked it, he thought he heard his name being called frantically. And even heard cars slamming. What was going on? Worried, he turned around and ran to the driveway, still holding onto the football and basketball. What he saw was nothing but a nightmare.
An ambulance & police car. The police car was just driving away, brown hair waving in the backseat.
A butterfly nest opened in his stomach, flying everywhere. Hammering was beating his heart quicker and harder.
It got worse when he looked towards the 6 people around in a circle, while 2 people in white suits were opening a stretcher. Reality hit Nick, and he dropped the objects in his arms, running to the circle. Aj was sitting next to someone.
Janelle.
On the ground, coughing, lying in some blood.
Aj looked up, and paused at Nick's expression.
"Here, man," he said softly, and Nick sat down next to her, ignoring the little puddle next to her back. Nick took her hand.
"Janelle….?" he whispered to her. She looked up at him, her eyes half open. Her head was up a bit, supported by a pillow. Janelle gave him a small smile. Nick leaned down to her face. With her clean hand, she took his cheek and held it a bit, wincing in pain a bit. Janelle looked into his eyes.
"In case….something happens," she whispered, "I need to tell you something….." She looked around at the others with her eyes. They all gave an oh look, and moved away a bit. Janelle glanced back at Nick. "Inside my suitcase……there's a letter in there. I - " she coughed "-want you, to read it. I wrote it last ….. last night." Nick nodded, as she swallowed again. "I need ….. to tell you…..I'm sorry I lied to you…." Nick looked at her eyes, confused. She started choking up with tears. "You asked……..a-asked m-me if … if I was ever in love…" A couple tears fell from his cheek and hers. "I am….." she whispered to his face.
She tried to pull down his cheek, and he leaned down.
Janelle gave him the softest kiss, and longest kiss she could, making their cheeks touch when they parted and mixing their tears together. Nick held her hand, brushing his cheek with hers.
They completely parted as the paramedics started trying to pick her up. It took them a couple minutes, but they got her strapped in, closing the doors to the car. Just before the doors closed, Nick stopped one of the sides that was going to close.
"I love you!" he blurted out to her. She looked up at him from afar inside with her eyes, and smiled at him. Janelle mouthed back the same.
I love you.

As Nick stood up, the other 4 guys stopped singing "Amazing Grace". Despite the fact Janelle's funeral was in a Japanese church, they wanted to sing for her. He walked up to the cinders that was in front of her casket, and did the ritual Japanese good-bye. Bowing, he closed his eyes. Then, taking a few steps up, he walked to her casket, and looked into it. It was an open casket, since she looked the same. Nick leaned down and gave his angel one more kiss, letting his tear fall on her cheek. He placed an envelope on her hands. Last, he fished through his pocket, and laid one more thing on her hand, walking away, back to his seat as Jen did the Japanese ritual as he did. As she bowed, she looked at the priest. It wasn't tradition to go up to the casket. In fact, it was rarely allowed at all. But the priest nodded and let her. Jen walked up, and looked down at her best friend's face. She knew "Jello" wouldn't want her to cry, but she felt one tear fall. In her mind, she knew Janelle would permit at least one. Jen smiled at her, and put a letter as well in her best friend's hand.
"Bye," she said to her best friend, and walked away, as the rest of the guys did their own thing as well. Only the guys and Jen walked to the casket. But as Brian, the last guy to walk to the casket, looked at Janelle's hands, something caught his eye.
It was the Ace of Hearts, with Forever yours, I love you cursive written diagonally across.
With Nick as a signature.

Love is forever.

Email: panda_angelaj@hotmail.com