Chapter 26: The Question

Krissy's Point of View

People surrounded me, surrounded us. They were all watching the stage intently. Others were taking pictures and videos. They all wanted to be apart of this big day, his big day.

I watched my boyfriend sign his contract. A huge grin was on his face. His dream was now official. I was more than happy for him. He was going to be a UCLA Bruin in the fall. He'd play football with his best friend and live his best life. I was making sure I wasn't holding him back. He deserved this. He needed this.

"Congrats!" Sophie shouted from beside me. Asher, his parents, Sophie, and I were all here for the event. We wanted to be here when he accepted the athletic scholarship.

"Thanks." He said walking over to us. He had a huge smile on his face as he wore a light blue UCLA t-shirt. His blonde hair was ruffled because he runs his hand through it when he's nervous. It's a habit I find quite adorable.

"I can't believe my baby is moving to California with us." Mrs. Tyler said. As soon as she heard the news, she started planning everything. He was going to live with them during the summer and then move into a dorm on campus at the beginning of the semester. Everything would be perfect, almost.

"I'm going to miss having you around son." His father added. He had a sad look in his eyes. He didn't want Blake to leave Connecticut but he knew that his son really wanted to play football, even if that meant in California. He did promise to visit as long as Blake visits as well.

"I'll be back in California with my two favorite boys by my side. Nothing could ever go wrong." Sophie said hugging Blake. He chuckled as he unwrapped himself from her. She had a huge grin on her face.

She was also excited about having her brother in California. She wanted to show him around and let him learn about his new home. I think she was more than grateful to have Asher there as well. She'll be able to keep her relationship as well as keep her twin by her side. It was the perfect situation.

"Dude, we're so taking over LA! They won't know what hit them!" Asher said. Blake smirked, nodding. Those two boys were definitely going to get into trouble. I mean Blake is the definition of a bad boy. I just hope he learns what's legal and what's not. He cannot afford another arrest.

I mean he honestly isn't a bad boy anymore. He stopped smoking. He stopped fighting. And he definitely stopped sleeping with random girls. He changed. He is focused in school and is earning good grades. Ever since we met, Blake isn't the same bad boy from the beginning of the school year. I guess you could say he's more of a good boy now.

"We have to go out and celebrate." Blake said coming over to me. He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me into his chest. Kissing my temple, he smiled down at me. I could see different emotions in his eyes. He was excited, sad, and mostly worried about what was to come.

He was excited about beginning a new life. He was going to play football without getting into trouble. He wouldn't have the distrust from his mom and her failed relationships, and he defined wouldn't have the hatred for her. He had a reason to start over. He was going to have the life he deserved.

Sadness was also something he was feeling. I could sense it. He didn't want to leave his dad behind. He had stayed with his dad through the divorce and had only ever been with him. He didn't know what life was like without hearing his dad come home and ask about his day. He didn't know what it was like to not have him there bailing him out for all his stupid actions. He didn't want to leave him.

Lastly, he was worried about us. Ever since that night, when I told him my biggest fear about life after high school, he hasn't left my side. It was a blessing and a curse. I mean don't get me wrong, I loved having him with me. But, I haven't had any alone time or girl time. I know that in a couple of weeks, we'd have to say goodbye. But he isn't the only one leaving.

I just want to spend time with the people I love. I want to continue making memories with them with the amount of time I have left. I'd soon have to move into Harvard and begin the life I wanted. The life that I dreamed about since I was 10.

The only thing stopping me from living my dream was him. He was never apart of the plan and now I wished he was. I wished he would have signed with a school here in the state. I wish he would have followed me instead of leaving me. I wished that our love was strong enough for this. I wished we could stay together. I wished we'd continue to live a happily ever after.

But I know that isn't true. No matter what happens, we can't be together. Something will always be in the way. It's like a bridge we can't finish building. Our worlds are much different and no matter what we do, they will never be the same. They'll never mesh together. And sometimes it makes me wish I had never met him.

"Kris, wanna go out to dinner with us?" Blake asked. His huge grin was pleading me to agree so I nodded. I wanted to please him for as long as possible. I wanted him to know that I was okay with this decision. That everything is going to be alright. But we both know that in the end, it won't be.

"We should go now before dinner time starts. That way we won't have to wait to be seated." Sophie said. The group agreed, shuffling us out of the auditorium. Blake's hand found mine, intertwining our fingers together. The small sparks of electricity from whenever we touched were still there. They were the little hope I had that in the end, we will get through this. That it will all be worth it.

-

The smell of delicious food filled my nose. I was in heaven. We were at some fancy, expensive restaurant and I instantly felt out of place. I was dressed in ripped jeans and a t-shirt while every one else within the restaurant was wearing a dress and heels or a million dollar suit. The only thing that made it seem slightly okay was that the Tyler's were also wearing jeans and a shirt. Even Blake's mom was wearing jeans. I had never seen her out of a dress and heels. It was weird.

"This place better have good food." Blake's stepbrother said. Adam and his dad joined us in the celebration of Blake's signing. Blake wasn't too happy about that invitation but he was slowly beginning to tolerate him. After all, they were going to live together during the summer.

"It does." Sophie said looking at the menu. I picked it up and did the same. The names of the foods looked fancy and expensive. It didn't have the price tags but I knew this dinner was going to cost a fortune.

"Babe, don't worry about the price. Pick whatever you want." Blake whispered in my ear. I nodded and stared at the names. I picked a random one and decided i'd enjoy that. I just hoped it wasn't something undeniably gross.

"So, Krissy, what are your plans for after high school?" Mr. Tyler asked. I gave him a tight lipped smile. It was a question I was so used to hearing. Everyone wanted to know what I had planned for my life. They wanted to know if I was going to be as successful as my grandparents or if I was going to chose a difficult life like my mother.

No one agreed with my mom's choice of leaving the wealthy life for her to live normal and poor life. Even now, we are wealthy in our own ways, not living with pools of cash. We're wealthy with the priceless things in life such as love and respect. Even if my mom doesn't have a giant wad of money in the bank, she's rich in love and for that I respect her.

"I will be attending Harvard. Law school is my plan." I said to him. Mr. Tyler's eyes lit up and amazement. I was about to add more to my response, only stopping when I felt warmth creep up my leg. Blake placed his hand on my thigh and was rubbing it up and down. It was creating a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Lawyer, nice. You will learn a lot. I know who to call now if I need legal help." Mr. Tyler joked. I gave him a tight lipped smile. The atmosphere was beginning to thicken. I didn't want to talk about the future. I wanted to live in the present and ignore what was coming up.

"You know what we should do." Sophie said changing the subject. I took a sip of my glass of water, calming down my nerves. Everyone at the table and turned to look at Sophie. "Let's go on a trip this summer. Have one last big party before we go our separate ways."

"I'm in." Asher said. Sophie smiled at him. The love and adoration they have for each other was very evident. It's a love that will never be broken.

"I am too." Adam added. We all turned to look at him, but ignored his comment. He was apart of the Tyler family. He was slowly becoming apart of our friend group too.

"I'm in if you're in." Blake said looking at me. I nodded. One last trip with them before i'd have to say goodbye forever, why not.

-

Focusing on the gross school food in front of me, I heard trays slam onto the table. Looking up, I saw all my friends. They sat down with huge grins. Something was up and I was slightly alarmed. That was never a good sign.

"Spill it." I said. Sophie and Morgan giggled before turning to look at Asher. Blake only smirked.

"Well someone is eager to hear our exciting news." Blake teased. I frowned. They were all in on it except me. Looks like the tables have turned.

"Hello friends." We heard someone say. Another tray was placed on the table. Looking up, Adam was standing there.

Adam transferred to our school at the beginning of the semester. Mrs. Tyler wanted to stay and watch her kids graduate. Her husband agreed so now Adam is a part of our group.

Blake promised to keep Adam out of trouble and this was the only way. Everyone was slightly hesitant at first but we got used to his cocky, narcissistic ways. I think Morgan was the most okay with it. I think she's slowly getting a crush on him. It was time for her to get a boyfriend anyway.

"What's the topic for today?" Adam asked. I ignored him and turned to Blake. I was waiting for him to spill the beans.

"We are going to Miami for the summer." Sophie said. Blake turned to her with an annoyed look. Sophie shrugged and began to bounce in her seat. "All eight of us are going. You, Blake, Asher, Morgan, Adam, Hannah, and her boyfriend, and me. We are spending a week on Miami Beach."

"That's what we're doing?" Adam asked. Sophie nodded. Adam smirked, "I do love the beach."

"So now that we got our summer planned. What's the plan for prom?" Morgan asked. All the boys groaned. I bet they were dreading having to dress up and buy corsages.

This was by far Morgan's favorite school dance. She had been looking forward to it since we were freshmen. She got invited to the senior prom every year but some senior jock. She would always come over the next day and gush about have fun and spectacular it was. She'd also say she couldn't wait until she'd be able to share that special night with me.

"We are all going as a group right?" Sophie asked. The boys stared at her before rolling their eyes. I chuckled. They were dreading the night and it was still a few weeks away.

"You are coming Kris. No backing out." Morgan ordered. I put my hands up in defense, earning a look from her. There was no way I wasn't going.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you want Morg." I said taking a bite of my school burger. The bland taste made me want to throw it back up but I mustered it down. Even if this school lunch was disgusting, I was hungry.

"We should have a sleepover this weekend!" Sophie said. Morgan nodded. They were both bouncing in their seats, waiting for me to reply.

"I'm in." I said. It had been a while since it was just us girls. Since Sophie and I work together with Hanna, we hangout but Morgan was never there. This would be the perfect time for all of us to catch up.

I watched as the boys smirked. I bet that they thought they were invited. Sophie let out a laugh before shaking her head. The boys gave her confused looks before shaking her finger in front of their face.

"You guys are not invited. Girls only." She stated. They all groaned again. The girls and I let out giggles earning glares from the boys.

"You guys can have your own slumber party and talk about how hot we are." Morgan said flipping her brown locks over her shoulder. Fries than began to fly at her. "Hey!"

I guess the boys weren't too happy about that idea.

-

Music filled the car. Sophie was blasting it on high. She wanted to set the mood for tonight. The girls and I were having our sleepover at the Tyler mansion. Her parents were out for some business trip while the boys were supposed to be out of the house. It was just us four. I was more than excited for it.

"What time are Morgan and Hanna coming?" I asked her. She lowered the volume down from the radio and glanced over at me.

"In like 20 minutes." She said in a monotone voice. She turned back to the road. Something was off about her and I wasn't sure what it was. One minute she's extremely excited and the next she sounds bored.

"Are the boys out of the house?" I asked. She glanced over at me before raising the volume of the car radio again. I raised an eyebrow at her but ignored it. Focusing on the music, I enjoyed the rest of the ride to her house.

Once we pulled into her driveway, I noticed the lights were all off. It seemed normal if no one was home but what caught my attention was the brightness coming from the backyard.

"What's that?" I asked her. She turned the car off and stepped out. She ignored my question and went to the front door. She unlocked it and stepped inside. She turned on some lights and continued her way deeper into the house. I followed behind her, still not knowing every corner of the house.

I was here a lot more but I still got lost in this mansion. There were rooms I had never been in and rooms I wish I hadn't. It was a mystery to me as to why one needs so many rooms. I guess it was something that rich people do.

"Come on." I heard Sophie say. I watched as her figure went towards the sliding door that led to the backyard. She stepped out and I did the same.

I was instantly mesmerized by all the bright lights. They were strung from tree to tree while candles surrounded the pool and rose petals laid on the ground creating a romantic atmosphere. But what caught my attention the most was Blake.

He was standing at the end of the rose petals in a black suit with a black tie. His hair was combed back and he looked nervous. His blue eyes were focused on his best friend. Asher was standing near us, waiting for something.

"I'm gonna say will you go to prom with me." I heard Blake say in an obvious tone. I widened my eyes in realization. Blake was going to ask me to prom, at least I hoped.

I coughed, getting the boys' attention. They stared at Sophie and I with wide eyes. I heard Sophie hold back a laugh. I giggled earning a glare from the boys.

"Oh, um hey. What's up Krissy?" Blake stuttered out. He scratched the back of his neck. "I mean uh, hey Kris."

I restrained myself from giggling again and enjoyed his uncomfortableness. He looked adorable when he didn't know what to say or do. I wish I could frame this moment in time.

"Blake, what's all this?" I asked. I was in awe at the backyard. It looked like he took some time to do all this. It was beautiful and I wondered if he did this all for me. I was amazed at what this boy could do. I took another glance around and stepped down the path of rose petals. I was careful to not ruin them.

Blake's eyes never left me as I made my way over to him. He smiled when I reached him and even gave me a cheesy grin. I felt my heart swell up. This boy was amazing.

"Um, well this was supposed to be way more romantic and without those two." He said pointing to something behind me. I turned around and saw Sophie and Asher. They glared at Blake before walking into the house together.

I felt myself become nervous. Blake only did magnificent things for special moments. If this wasn't for prom, then was this for what I think it is?

-

Blake's Point of View

I felt myself becoming nervous. Only once in my life have I ever been nervous and that was when I confessed my feelings to Krissy. Yet, here I was feeling nervous again and it had to do with Krissy and only her. I was asking her to prom.

Prom was two weeks away and then graduation was 3 weeks later. Time was slowly catching up to us. I was more than excited to be done with high school, but that also meant I had to move to California.

Krissy is extremely happy for me to have signed with UCLA, but I can tell she isn't happy about the location. I promised her I was in this for the long run, but I don't know how we'll survive thousands of miles apart. I know that she's worried about that too. She doesn't want this to end and neither do I.

"Dude, Sophie said that they're coming over." Asher told me. He slid his phone into his pocket. I nodded, feeling my nerves start to jumble again. I looked around at my work, feeling satisfied with the decor and the outcome.

I had slung some Christmas lights around the backyard and littered candles all around the pool. Rose petals were on the ground, creating a path from the door towards me. I was dressed in a suit, standing at the end of the pool.

Sophie had gone to pick up Krissy because they were supposedly having a movie night. She thought it was a girl's night in and that Morgan and Hanna were also coming. Only she doesn't know that I have a special evening planned. It was one that didn't involve her friends.

"Do you know what you're gonna say?" Asher asked. He was watching me intently as his foot tapped on the ground. I think he was nervous I was going to steal his spotlight from him asking my sister.

But I knew that he would always be number one when it came to her. They had feelings for each other since before my sister moved away. They just never acted upon it until she moved back. Deep down I knew they were meant to be. At least one of us were.

"I'm gonna say will you go to prom with me." I said in an obvious tone. Asher only rolled his eyes before glaring at me. I smirked before hearing a cough.

We both turned around and saw Sophie and Krissy. They were standing next to the entrance  to the house. Sophie looked about ready to laugh while Krissy had a surprised expression on her face.

"Oh, um hey. What's up Krissy?" I stuttered out. I scratched the back of my neck as I watched Krissy hold back a giggle. "I mean uh, hey Kris."

"Blake, what's all this?" She asked. She took in the entire backyard. Looking around and stepping through the path of petals, she made her way over to me.

"Um, well this was supposed to be way more romantic and without those two." I said pointing to Sophie and Asher. They glared at me before walking into the house. I stayed silent until I couldn't seem them anymore.

"So why is this romantic?" Krissy asked. I grabbed her hand and pulled her close to me. I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her towards me. Her arms wrapped themselves around my neck. I looked into her beautiful brown hazel eyes and saw my whole world.

This was our first and last school event together besides graduation. I wanted it to be the best, perfect. I wanted it to be a night to remember. I wanted to spend it with her.

Damn. I sound so cliché. When did I become so cheesy?

"Well, I wanted to be this romantic because I have a very important question for you." I said. Her eyes widened as she watched my every move. Fear was evident in her eyes. What was she thinking?

"You aren't asking me to marry you, are you?" She asked. I wanted to chuckle, but instead I just shook my head. As much as I wanted her to be officially mine. I know that now isn't the time for that.

We have our whole lives ahead of us. We can't not live our dream because we're holding each other back. We need to go out in the world and learn to live, even if that means we aren't together. Not now, but maybe someday.

"Not now." I mumbled. Her cheeks tinted pink as she hid her face in my neck. I chuckled. "I wanted it to be romantic so I could ask you to prom."

I felt her head lift off my shoulder before facing me. Her eyes were glazed over as if the future just passed in her eyes. I knew she was thinking what I was thinking. She wanted us to be together, but knew it wasn't right.

"So, Kristina Reagan, will you do me the honors of going to prom with me?" I asked. She nodded. Her eyes fillings with tears. I reached my hand up and wiped one that escaped. We both knew what this dance meant.

"Yes." She whispered. I cupped her face and pressed my lips to hers. Everything we felt was shared through that kiss. Everything we didn't say was there. All the feelings and emotions of the next few months were there. This kiss was everything.

Pulling her closer to me, I felt her body mold into mine. Her hands weaved their way into my hair, tugging on the ends. I took that as my cue to further this simple kiss. I slid my tongue into her mouth, feeling something when it touched hers.

A moan escaped from her, only adding fuel to the fire. I wanted nothing more than to continue to kiss her, but I knew I wouldn't be able to stop. I had to now while I still had control.

"I love you." I whispered when I detached my lips from hers. She was panting, not opening her eyes. I watched as the most beautiful girl in the world stood in my arms. She slowly opened her eyes. The tears were still there and I wanted nothing more than to tell her everything was going to be okay. We were going to be okay.

"I love you too." She whispered back. The tears then slowly began to fall. I pulled her into my chest, rubbing her back. That only seemed to encourage the sobbing. Her body became fragile and weak, only breaking my heart.

"It's going to be okay. We're going to be okay. I promise." I said to her, but it was mostly for me.