In the Eye of the Beholder - written by Jenny Tran

Chapter 25

The next morning, the four had dim sum with Jacob, Tracy and the kids at a restaurant downtown. It was a lot more lighter as everyone talked and joked. After breakfast, the four headed off to go shopping. They parked their car and walked up and down the crowded street looking for junk to buy. Eric and Keri eventually wandered off somewhere while Terrie and Chris walked hand in hand down the street.

“You want to get this?” he pointed to a dress that he thought would look cute on Terrie.

She shook her head “No, I have enough clothes.”

His face fell “What’s wrong? You don’t look too happy.”

She let out a sigh “I didn’t know what a burden we were.”

“What are you talking about?” he looked completely confused.

“Last night when you two were out, I heard Jacob and his mother and sister arguing with each other. Keri was deep asleep so I don’t even think she heard it. They were arguing over us and how Jacob was not respectful in telling them about us coming. How it was part of her house and she should be warned when strangers enter the house. His sister eventually left the house.”

He wrapped a protective arm around her as they walked out of the store “Im sorry you had to hear that. But Eric was telling me that his sister doesn’t pay the rent and stuff. Don’t worry about her words, she’s just crazy.”

“I guess.” Her mood didn’t seem to be any better. After they had lunch, it was time to go back home. This time Chris drove the whole way back. Terrie was as quiet as ever, she didn’t say one single word until they got home. The guys returned the rental car and dropped the girls off at their apartment. Keri was spending the night with Eric so she came home to shower and then took off leaving Terrie by herself.

It was close to eight when Chris knocked on her door. She got up from her comfortable couch to open it and found him holding a cardboard box. She looked at him blankly “What’s that?” she asked.

“Just some things I need to get off my chest.” He brought the box over the couch and motioned for her to sit next to him. “You really want to know about her?”

Terrie smiled knowing that he was finally ready. “I guess Im so curious because I feel like there’s a missing part of you that I never knew about. I know we met each other later in our years, but you know everything about me yet I don’t know anything about you before I met you. I just need some kind of closure.”

He nodded understandingly “That’s fair enough. Well, let me start. Her name is Robyn.”

“Cute name.” She commented.

“No joking now.”

“Oh sorry.” She laughed and then put on her serious face “Go on.”

“We were introduced by my sister, who was dating Robyn’s brother at that time. We were in 8th grade, we got to talking for a bit and then I asked her out two years later. We were friends for that whole two years before I came up with the courage to ask her. We dated for another two years. What attracted me to her was the fact that she was always so happy, carefree and just talkative.” Terrie nodded as she listened intently “Then during our Junior year, her family came through some problems. Her grandmother died and her uncle got sick, she became really depressed and well I didn’t know how to handle the situation. I was so dependent on her to cheer me up and when she became sad, I just froze. I became distant towards her and didn’t really listen to her much. Instead I went out to have more fun with my friends and leaving her alone to cry.”

“Wow….” Terrie whispered. She couldn’t believe it, the boyfriend that she knew so well was that type of person back then.

“Anyways, she began to seek comfort with a guy friend that she was close to. He was there for her when I wasn’t, needless to say, she broke up with me. I cried the whole night it happened. Eric didn’t even know how to comfort me. I was happy that she found someone better but at the same time, I was sad that I wasn’t that person. I made a promise to myself after that day that when I learn to love again, I will give the next girl my heart and soul. She will have my complete attention, support, comfort and whatever she needs.” He smiled at Terrie and reached to smooth her hair “It took a long time to find her but Im glad I did.”

“I guess I understand why you’ve been so overprotected of me. That wasn’t any reason to keep that away from me.” She reasoned.

He shrugged his shoulders “I guess Im just learning from my friends. Keri is so jealous whenever Eric talks about these girls that use to like him in college and how he still talks to them. Then Lisa, Richard’s new girlfriend, she won’t let him to anywhere without her. I was afraid you might turn into one of those jealous crazed girlfriends.”

Terrie laughed “That’s ridiculous! Im not the jealous type. Anyways, every girl is different, you can’t based your opinion on two girls that happened to be jealous people. Have I ever showed you any sign of jealousy?”

He shook his head after a moment of thinking clearly “No, not really. I just let my fear take over.”

She shook her head and let out a sigh “Aww…the day you start to grow up.” He gave her and sneered as she laughed it off “Hey, what’s in there?”

“Oh, I almost forgot.” He pulled out a big album and handed it to Terrie “These are old memoirs, pictures of me growing up.”

He snuggled closer to Terrie as she opened the first page and looked at his baby pictures “Not a bad looking kid.” She looked closer at the picture “What’s wrong with your nose? It looks so small!! What happened?” she teased.

“Hey, I was a very cute kid, ask my mom!!”

“I did, she told me that she asked God everyday why he gave her such an ugly kid.” Chris’s face scowled giving her the cue to continue with the photo album. She flipped the next few pages and found his Junior High pictures. She couldn’t hold it in as she laughed “Oh my gosh, you look like a geek!!”

“Be nice!!” he scolded.

She covered her laugh as she nodded and flipped the next pages. He looked more mature in the pictures, mostly of him at dances with different girls as his date “Who’s that?” she pointed to a posed picture of him and a girl in a chinese dress. It looked like a dance.

“Who else?” he answered.

Terrie smiled “She’s very pretty.”

“Not as pretty as you.” He was quick to comment.

She smiled at his response “I really like this picture.” She looked through some more pages with him and his friends but she eventually returned to the page. “You still look geeky, but better than your younger teenage years. She looks pretty in this dress.” She pointed to the blue and silver Chinese style dress.

“It was for homecoming and that dress was something she picked up down the shops at the last minute. But she got a lot of compliments that night.”

Terrie nodded and a smile snuck up on her lips “Can I keep this?” she asked.

“What?!” shock written all over his face.

“I really like this picture.” She begged.

“No, if you want, I’ll go take studio pictures with you but you can’t keep that. Its too… too weird!” he wrinkled his nose in disagreement.

“Why? Just because I like a picture with you in it.”

“But it has her in it!!” he argued.

Terrie laughed a she saw his uncomfortable face “Okay, you can keep it. What else do you have?”

He brought out a smaller photo album “This one just has friends in there.” She flipped through the pictures as he told her about each friend. They talked for hours about his old times. For the first time in over a year, she finally felt closure. The mystery and suspicion was behind her for good. Chris even admitted that he felt better after telling her everything. It filled that missing hole in their relationship.

After that moment on, they were as honest as can be with each other. They seldom fought and they were very considerate of each other’s needs. Chris was as romantic as can be while Terrie was sincere in her thoughts and supported him when he suddenly wanted to go back to school. He wanted to get a better education for his future with her. Afterall, he won’t be able to afford a wife at the measly paycheck the bank pays him.

Eric and Keri were still arguing as usual. Terrie said that they always will continue to argue, there was no doubt about it. Yet, each time the argued, their love grew stronger and deeper. Everyone knew after two years of tolerating each other, it would be the final choice for both of them.

As for Richard and Lisa, they dated on and off casually, he was the one that always broke it off with her but was the same one that came back to her. Lisa was use to his crazy tactics and was patient enough to wait around for him. After 8 months of messing around, her finally settled down with her. She was the only one with the potential to possibly be his wife one day. He knew it and everyone knew it, she would be his final choice no matter what happened.

On Terrie and Chris’s two year anniversary, he took her up to the hill top overlooking the city lights. It was the same place he took her to two years ago on Valentine’s Day. They both had promised to get no gifts that year since he was tight on money and she was half supporting him.

Yet, she couldn’t contain herself as she made him a gift, she handed to him a wrapped flat box. She explained when he gave her a disappointing frown “I made it, so don’t be giving me that look!”

He smiled as he opened it and uncovered a light blue book with lettered stickers that read “Chris and Terrie’s two year anniversary 2002” he was in awe it the art work, she was more creative on the inside. Each page was decorated with pastel paper that was covered with photos of them throughout their two years relationship. She was careful with each picture making sure that it was dated chronologically. Each picture had little side captions that were written in by Terrie herself. There were stickers to match the moment of the pictures and the last few pages were typed messages of each month that they shared together. Chris was speechless as he flipped from page to page. “This is amazing. I can’t believe you did this for me.” He reached over and pulled her face to his and kissed her gently on the lips.

“So you like it?” a huge grin plastered on her face.

“I love it!” he exclaimed. “Come on, lets look at the stars.” They walked up the hill and stopped at a paying telescope. They had to insert two dollars to look into it. He pulled out the change from his pocket and put it in the slot. The telescope buzzed in response and he peeked through the hole and looked out into the city “I can see our apartment from here!!” he exclaimed excitedly.

“Really? Let me see!!” she practically pushed him out of the way and looked into the telescope. “Wow, you can. Hey, I can see the mall, downtown and so many buildings. What’s that over there? I’ve never seen it before. Wow, there’s signs of so many stuff, hey, I didn’t know Leon’s having another concert, you think we’ll make it this year?” she didn’t noticed that she was babbling on until the telescope suddenly went blank, it only gave 2 minutes. “Hey, that was cheap, you got anymore change?” she pulled her eyes from the hole and turned to Chris. She let out a gasp at what she saw, in front of her eyes was a ring in a little pink velvet ring box that he was carrying. “Oh my gosh…”

“I know it isn’t much, but I’ve been saving my lunch money for months.” He smiled proudly, the diamond platinum ring glittered in the moonlight. “I promise, when I graduate in one year, you’re wedding ring will be huge!”

She laughed “Is that suppose to be a proposal?” he wasn’t even kneeling down.

“Nope, I won’t until I can get you a decent ring.” He shook his head and placed the ring on her left middle finger.

“You know I don’t care how big the rock is as long as it’s from you. Even if its fake, I’ll still wear it everyday.”

He laughed “I would never buy anything fake for you and you know it!” she nodded, knowing what he meant. “Can you wait that long?”

She nodded with a firm smile “As long as you want me to wait.” They sealed it with a hug and after another hour, they eventually parted with the beautiful scene below them and returned to the car.

*****THE END*****




Okay guys, my turn to say my THANKS now...hehee...bare with me please!! ha ha =D

Anyways, just wanted to let you guys know a little bit about the backround on this story. The characters in here are based on real people in my life. The events are real, the heartbreak, the laughter, the fun everything is pretty much real. Of course, I had to change a bit of the backround to match it with the story since I live in the US and these stars are in Hong Kong. There are changes to accomodate to the reality of the story. For Odie, Abby aka Lil Flower and fanofnoel, you three know that this is based on my life. So feel special!! ha haa =) But I must thank you for actually reading this eventhough you might have known the outcome.

For those that are curious:

Terrie was me
Chris, my boyfriend
Eric, his best friend
Keri, my older sister
Richard, his other best friend
Lisa, Richard's girlfriend now
Paul, a good friend I met on the internet
Robyn, Chris's ex girlfriend

Hmm...I think that's it! Oh, I still keep in touch with Paul and Chris with Robyn. But these people are real as can be, I won't reaveal their real names since it doesn't make any difference. Okay, hope I didn't bore you with all that gibberish, on with the butt kissing!! =D hahaa

*Odie aka Maniac* My little supporter, oh gosh, you have done tremendous work for me!! *bow*...I will forever be in your debt, my dear! Thank you sooo much for hanging around and supporting me. I wouldn't know what to do without you! I do mean it!! You are...the light! hahhaaaa that's a joke! But be known that whatever poster/bg that you do for me, I will love despite anything....I do mean anything!! Because I am very APPRECIATIVE of the things you do for me!! hahaaa, okay Im rubbing it in now. *wink*

#Abby aka Lil Flower# Awww...the sweet lil flower, you are so cute! Love your comments, it keeps me going. I can't tell you how happy I am that you came into my life. So full of life!! ha ahaa =) Thanks for reading, you little sneaky girl!! *wink*

-Sky- My friend, awww...how do I begin to even thank you. You've been a part of my supporters for so long! Always pushing and shoving me to write more...thank goodness you're here, if not I wouldn't be able to finish this story. =)

^Noy^ You, you...*points at Noy*...boy, you got a little violent at some point. Sheesh, scared me sometimes but thanks for that little threat, I always needed that! *rolls eyes*...hahhaaa But thanks for sticking in there. Hope you'll be there for more stories to come!

&Vivian& My new reader, wow, I would have thought most of my supporters would pretty much be the usual five. But you very well were a great supporter as well. Thanks for your comments and for reading!

@Kristy@ Hey there! You're also one of my new readers and you gave me alot of advice/comments! Thank you so much, it gives me a push to go on writing just to know that there is someone actually reading my story...even if it is not word for word!! =) Not talking about you of course, because Im sure you read it all!! ^_~ humor me and say yes you did. hahahaa

On to the loyal readers of Jenny's cheesy stories...*gasp*...wow...so many!!

Fanofnoel - Awww...my friend, how much I missed your comments and valuable advices. I know you didn't actually give me advice, but you were honest with your words. I mean, what more could I ask for? It was such a pleasure having that perfect chance to meet you. I couldn't be more happy!! Not only did you turn out normal, but you were smart and friendly and very easy to get along with. =) Thanks for being there with me! By the way, Keri is played by Ada...just lazy to respond in the comments. =P

NiteDream - How could I forget you my friend? I remember that first story I wrote and I saw the comments and read what you wrote. I was soooo happy!! I can tell that you actually enjoyed my story from your comments. Even if you only said it to make me feel better. hehehe... =D Thank you so much!

Suki - You Nick lover, I know you were disappointed on Nick's role in here...but well, I'll come up with a good storyline one day for him. He fits in my comedy category...so gotta think of more plots with him. But anyways, thanks for reading!!

Madame Marie - Another Nick fan, what can I say? *Please see above note to Suki*...hahhaa...just kidding. Im not lazy, gotta write something nice right? hahahaa no no, Im being honest. Thank you so much for taking your precious time out to read my stories. I know you love Nick and probably didn't want to read this story since he wasn't the star but you did anyways. At least I like to hope that you did!! hahaa Thanks!

Ying Ying - Hi girl!! Yeah, another one of my more loyal readers from the whole beginning. How can I thank you? I don't think I can ever thank you. By the way, do you have any stories around winglin? I kinda remember your name floating around the author's list...hmm...let me know.

Bon - Maniac's sister!!! hahhaa...I still feel very sorry for you. I know this story probably bored you to death...I also know that you are busy building that sad story website of yours...I visited a while back and oh boy, it looks wonderful! I guess creativeness runs in the family huh? hehee =)

Starglazer - Awww...one of my idol writers. I love your work. Have you even finished that story with Louis, Kristy, Gallen and Viv?? lol...sheesh, I've been waiting for that story for ages!! Well, to have one of my idols read my story...gosh, I feel so special...so loved. *sniff sniff*

******

Annie - Thanks for reading, I appreciate your comments very much!!

Trish - Thank you for your lovely comment.

cnaf7211/Kimmy Tran - Eventhough you two probably stumbled upon this story by accident, I'd just like to thank you for commenting and reading.

Whew!! lol...that was longer than my last one!!! Too bad I didn't get to do that for my other stories....=( Well, better late than never huh? Okie guys, love you all very very berry berry much!! Thank you, from the bottom of my little heart...hehee...=) *muah*



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