On The sofa, kerusi panjang

"So Melinda, tell me how was your summer?"

My shrink whose name is Caroline Bryce asks me. She's only 26 but she dresses way too sexy.

Today for instance she has on a tight bright red pantsuit and her long jagung silk blond hair is down.

Her over all outfit might look slutty on another person but she pulls it off.

I hook my slightly longer and fuller auburn hair behind my ears and say "It's been good, really good actually."

Caroline nods understandingly she leans ke hadapan in her black patent leather chair and asks me "Really how so?"

I take a deep breath and try to explain, I lean my head back on my black patent leather chair and think.

Ever since I defeated Andy it seemed like the entire Merry Weather High School had been calling my house.

People I don't even know, had been over that summer calling me to give their congratulations.

The phone calls had gotten so bad that my parents were on the verge of changing our phone number.

They eventually stopped half way through the summer.

I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about all of sudden being the "hero" of my high school. I decide to not think about that.

I straighten myself up in my chair and answer Caroline

"Well I've reconnected with all of my old Friends form middle school, do anda remember I told anda about them once?"

Caroline nods again and says"Yes I remember. I bet that makes anda feel good does it?"

I nod.

I have been seeing Caroline since around the beginning of this summer. When I first started seeing her she insisted that I not call her Dr. Bryce but just Caroline.

It makes our relationship less formal don't anda think?

That was her explanation at the time.

I was still a semi-mute back then so I just nodded my head and stayed silent.

She has really helped me get through all of my emotions about what happened with Andy. I like her a lot.

She let's me stay silent when I want to and she doesn't try and push me and let's me take my time answering her questions.

We have become pretty friendly.

I don't say "friends" because that would be way too weird.

I tell her something suddenly "I started dating David Petrakis this summer, I like him a lot."

Caroline smiles she writes something on her merah jambu note pad and balas "Really, that's very good Melinda, now how is the physical aspect of your relationship?"

I tilt my head back against my chair again and sigh. I knew she would ask me this.

It took me awhile to tell David what happened to me.

Since he isn't attuned to the social scene at Merry Weather as most people he didn't hear the story about me and Andy.

I eventually told him on our fourth date.

He wasn't as freaked out as I thought he would be.

He just kissed me on my lips and berkata I won't ever hurt anda like that Melinda I swear,I like anda way too much.

We talked all through the tarikh about it.

Well I talked and David listened.

He didn't interpret once. He just sat back and let me talk out my feelings about that horrible night.

He comforted me when I cried and waited for me to relax when I got angry.

That made me like him even more. It made us a whole lot closer. He understood why I had a difficult time telling him.

He wasn't upset that I hadn't told him sooner.

He was only sad that it had happened to me at all.

David promised he'd been there for me no matter what.

After that night I knew I would be with David Petrakis for a long time. Maybe not marriage but for awhile.

Caroline's sometimes too sweet voice breaks into my thoughts"Melinda, Melinda are anda all right honey?".

I straighten up again in my kerusi, tempat duduk again and say confident "You don't need to worry about me and David."

Caroline cocks her head to one side and stares at me for a few saat then she balas uncertain "Oh and why don't I?"

I take another deep breath and say"Because all we do is make out. Another deep breath. "I'm not going to be ready to "do it" with him for a long, long time, he knows this and accepts it."

I allow myself to smile a little.

Caroline picks up on this and says to me"Is that why anda like David so much because he understands that anda have boundaries to the physical part of your relationship?"

Then she says something that sends me reeling "That's something that Andy didn't do."

I shut my eyes for a saat and suddenly I'm back at the party in the woods with Andy on bahagian, atas of me. I shudder and shake me head.

I open my eyes. Caroline's pretty face looks alarmed.

I say to her. "I had a flash back for a second."

She nods.

We both stay silent.

I have been having flash backs about Andy ever since I started seeing Caroline.

She says it's because I'm fully facing what he did to me.

I stare at her Betty Boop clock above her meja it's been exactly twenty minit since either of us berkata anything.

I take a deep breath. Then say "I'm ready now."

Caroline nods she knows I don't really like talking about Andy once I've had a flash back.

She changes tact and asks "So what else have anda been up to this summer?"

We spend the rest of the session talking about the Back- to-school shopping I did with Rachel and Ivy.

Nicole was at Tenis Camp so she couldn't come.

Caroline looks at her clock and says to me "Well it's one-thirty time for anda to go kiddo. I'm so glad to hear anda are doing well."

She gets up form her chair and lays a hand on my shoulder.

She says to me "I'll see anda seterusnya Friday, keep your spirits up and have a good first week back at school, okay?"

I smile and reply "Thanks I will."


Reassuring A Best Friend

I start to walk out of the building.

I open my dompet, beg tangan as I walk and take out my Blackberry, it has a aqua colored skin Dad bought me it this summer with his new job.

I see I have a text form Rachel: I'm outside c u in a sec?

I smile again and text back. Rachel got her driver's license this summer which really rocked for our re formed Clan: The Plain Janes.

Her parents bought her a new ceri, cherry red mustang convertible.

I see her and wave.

I climb in the passenger's kerusi, tempat duduk and give Rachel a small hug.

I smile at her then say "Hey Rachel,thanks for picking me up, anda didn't have too I mean I could of taken the bus home."

Rachel smiles at me.

She says "Hey Mel, what's up?"

I say "Nothing much it was just a normal session with my shrink."

I laugh and so does Rachel.

Her face goes form happy to serious in a nano second.

Then she says to me" I don't mind picking anda up Mel,your my Best Friend." She emphasizes those two words strongly. "I mean I gotta make up for last year. I can't believe I was so mean to you,I don't know what I was thinking."

She starts to tear up a bit.

I put my arms around her shoulders and say "Hey Rache it's all right, anda have lebih than proven anda are my best friend, I mean I would of gone crazy this summer if I didn't have anda and the girls back!"

I start to laugh.

There is major truth in that statement through and Rachel knows me lebih than anyone.

She is able to look past my fake laughter and see the truth in what I just said.

Rachel wipes her face with the back of her hand and balas "Thanks Mel, hei anda wanna go to the mall, there is a killer shoe sale going on!"

We both laugh and I say "Sure Rache that sounds awesome!"


Sophomore tahun

"Now Mellie are anda sure anda don't want me to drive you?" I grit me teeth so hard I think they will break in my mouth.

This is the hundredth time Mom has asked me this soalan this morning.

I take a deep breath slightly so she won't notice I'm getting really mad.

Then I say "Mom, I already told anda I'm fine,besides Rachel's gonna pick me up."

Mom looks at me, I think she's on the verge of breaking down into sobs.

I put my arms around her in a huge hug.

Then I say "Mom please calm down, I'm fine, really I am,will anda please stop worrying."

Mom exhales and balas "Oh Mellie after what happened to anda last tahun I just can't stop thinking about anything expect for your well being."

I hug her tighter and sigh.

Last tahun is the absolutely last thing I want to think about on the first hari of my Sophomore Year.

Suddenly I hear two sharp and short horn blasts.

Rachel, right on time Thank God! I think to myself.

I slide out of Mom's iron grasp grab my backpack and shout out the door to her "See ya later Mom, I Cinta you!"

I jump into the passenger's kerusi, tempat duduk of her car and say "Hey Rache man did anda come right on time!"

She looks at me and balas "What do anda mean?"

I say "My mom was getting sappy."

She nods then balas so excited she is literally bouncing in the driver's kerusi, tempat duduk "Mel can anda believe it we're sophomores, that means we are officially Upper Class men!"

I smile at her enthused response.

I say to her somewhat happily "Yeah it is great I guess."

We talk about weather atau not are we gonna pick on the Freshman this year.

As we start to collect the rest of our clan, Ivy and Nicole.

Our conversation gets so silly Rachel nearly crashes the car twice because she is laughing so hard.

After so long being with out them it feels really good to be able to laugh with my three best Friends again.

I feel complete and happy for the first time in years it seems.

Once we get to school Rachel parks the car.

Then all four of us pile out of it and walk towards Merry Weather High arms linked together, it feels great.

We start laughing about something Ivy said.

I spot David near the left hand side door.

I stop then say to them "I'll see anda guys at lunch all right?"

Ivy hugs me she then sprints inside.

She shouts over her shoulder at me "See anda then Mel!"

Nicole quips "Make sure anda don't get caught doing PDA!"

She hugs me too and I shove her off me playfully.

She follows Ivy inside.

Rachel hugs me as well then balas "I'll see anda later okay, have fun."

I shove her off me too and reply "Oh shut up, I'll text anda later."

Rachel smiles and says "Okay, sounds good."

She then goes inside too.

I walk over to David.

I bungkus, balut my arms around his neck and say "Hey, sorry about them, they can be a tad obnoxious."

He kisses me then says "It's okay, they are your best Friends right?"

I nod. We hold hands and go inside.

I feel that my sophomore tahun at Merry Weather High School is gonna be completely different than last year.

With David sejak my side and the Plain Janes back together

I know it's gonna be different but for the better.

David squeezes my hand.

Yeah it's defiantly gonna be for the better.


Our Teachers Will Always Be The Best

David and I go to the main office and get our schedules.

We have Biology II, and Advanced Art together.

That's good, David has never seen me do art before and I'm actually excited to see his reaction at my artistic abilities.

We both are in the same American History class (blah!)

I doubt that we are going to get right up to the present but I'm holding onto hope that we are.

Last tahun I think we made it all the way to World War II but I can't be sure. My freshman tahun is all still kinda of a blur for me.

David has Advanced French now.

He kisses me on my cheek and then lips making sure to be extra discreet about it.

There are numerous teachers roaming the halls and we don't want to get a demerit for PDA.

I smile thinking of what Nicole berkata to me before she went inside just a few minit ago.

He says to me "Love ya Mel, see anda in American History."

I smile Ciuman him on the lips softly and say back "Yeah see you."

I pull my backpack on my shoulders and head to Language Arts II.

I am majorly surprised when I get to the classroom and see none other than Hairwoman sitting at her desk.

I didn't know she taught upper class men.

Her hair is still a dark black but she let it grow out over the summer,it's glossy and shiny falling just past her shoulders.

She has it back in a elegant looking black smooth metal headband.

Hairwoman no longer has glasses but has opted for the lebih cool way of seeing and got contacts.

I smile and say to her "Good morning Mrs. Harris anda look very nice today."

Hairwoman looks up and balas "Melinda, thank anda very much, it's so good to hear your voice again, anda look lovely as well, tell me how was your summer?"

We teacher-student chat like this for a bit.

We stop when Rachel comes into the room.

I excuse myself and go sit down.

I sit down at a meja near the right side of the classroom underneath a window. Rachel sits down seterusnya to me.

I brush my hair back and take out a pic, peach plastic head band form my back pack, I quickly place it in my hair and push my hair back with it.

Rachel asks me "Mel how come anda didn't text me, I mean anda berkata anda would remember?"

I nod than say "Sorry Rachel I was... uh preoccupied, anda know busy finding my classes."

Rachel hears the hesitation in my voice and sees that my face is bright red when I talk.

She narrows her eyes and a teasing smirk appears across her face.

I know right then and there that I'm in trouble.

Rachel says teasingly"Oh I see anda were too preoccupied sucking face with your boy friend to text me back, that's all right I understand did anda french suck face?"

She throws her head back and laughs.

I punch her softly in the arm and say mockingly "Rache...just be quiet!"

We both laugh then stop when we hear Hairwoman call the class to order.

I hear and see that the school must of sent her to a conference atau therapy.

Something to build up her confidence because she looks us in the eye and everything now.

I'm glad that I don't have to pitch in to pay for a sub.



The End Of a Era

I wait for David to come to my Psych class so we can walk to American History together.

I hear my blackberry buzzing. I pull it out of my dompet, beg tangan and sigh with relief.

A text form David: B there in 2 seconds.

I smile and text him back: K. Hurry we got like 2 mins bfore class.

Finally I see David's long lean form walking to meet me.

It's been three hours since I last saw him, I can't help myself.

I squeal happily "David!"

I run to him and throw my arms around his neck.

We Ciuman for a few saat then he says "Hey Mel, I'm glad to see anda too so how's your first hari so far?"

He laces his right hand with mine and we start walking to American History. I take a deep breath.

I still can't believe he's with me again, I've missed him so much today.

I take another breath and answer "It's been okay, nothing special, you?"

He shrugs and balas "It's been really weird, my french teacher hardly knows English, so we have to yell to get her to understand us."

We both laugh.

Our laughter continues till we get to the doorway of our American History class room.

We both stop in the door way.

I have been nervous all morning and into the afternoon, absolutely dreading this moment.

At lunch I remember Rachel asking me if I wanted to go to the nurse

She berkata anda look like Casper the Ghost, seriously Mel are anda all right?

I told her I was fine and I was just worn out form the day.

Secretly through I was scared. I still am scared.

I'm scared because I don't want to see Mr. Neck the ruthless history teacher who made my freshman tahun totally miserable.

David squeezes my hand and whispers to me "It's okay Melinda I'm right here."

He then kisses my hand.

Reassured a little I then take a deep breath and walk into the class room.

I look to see who is sitting at the history teacher's desk. I. AM. IN. TOTAL. SHOCK.

I am so shocked because the teacher sitting at the meja isn't Mr. Neck but someone completely new.

It's a man in his early to late twenties. He has a thick head of white blond hair its slicked back nicely.

His face is gloriously sculpted his jaw is shaped perfectly to match his amazing California-tanned face.

He has bright blue eyes that seem to look right into my soul.

His name is on the chalkboard in big but neat writing: Mr. Applebaum.

I call him Adonis.

I forget how my feet work.

David shakes my arm and balas "Mel, come on let's sit down."

I shake my head to clear it then say "Oh right sorry."

I take my old kerusi, tempat duduk in the front just so I can examine Adonis's features lebih closely.

David sighs slightly and takes the kerusi, tempat duduk beside me.

Once everyone is seated

Adonis gets up from his meja and greets us.

His voice is soft with just the right amount of authority behind it to tunjuk us that he is a teacher and not a Greek god in disguise

"Hello everyone and welcome to American History again."

We all laugh for a second.

Then he says"My name is Mr. Applebaum and I will be replacing your old history teacher Mr. Neck."

Replacing? That's the BEST news I've heard!

I take a deep breath then raise my hand Adonis looks at me and points

I steel myself then ask "Mr. Applebaum I was just wondering what happened to Mr. Neck?"

Adonis smiles at me and I almost slide out of my chair.

He looks at a piece of paper on his meja I assume its Mr. Neck's old seating chart and jawapan me "Well.. Melinda?"

I nod.

"You see Melinda Mr. Neck was fired."

I nod again then raise my hand still anxious for lebih details

"Why was that sir?"

Adonis's nearly flawless face scrunches up in anxiety all of a sudden.

I know immediately what this means.

The old teacher bail out whenever some other teacher is fired: We aren't allowed to say.

Through I'm surprised when Adonis's jawapan me

"Well Melinda the school board just didn't believe that Mr. Neck deserved to teach at this school anymore and that's all I'm allowed to say about that. I hope that answered your question?"

I nod.

Mr. Applebaum says that in the following weeks we will be covering everything form the Salem Witch Trials to the Vietnam War.

I am actually looking ke hadapan to coming to American History now.

Adonis is not only really good looking he's an amazing teacher.

He is extremely laid back but teaches with a precise purpose.

Everyone loves him.

This is the only one thing that doesn't shock me.

I remember what Mr. Neck berkata to me on my first hari last year.

I've taught here for 24 years.

This is one era that I'm happy ended


Subject

I give Rachel a hug as she pulls up to my house. "Thanks again Rache, I'll IM anda about this weekend I'm going out with David on Friday, he says he has a surprise for me."

I smile as I say this.

Rachel again picks up on my attitude and says "Oh would that surprise involve s-e-x sejak chance?"

I blush then say "I don't really know what he has planned that's the point of it being a surprise."

I stare daggers at her for a few seconds.

She get's the message and backs down.

She knows how I don't like to talk about that subject.

I sigh then say " Rache, listen I'm sorry that I snapped at anda it's just we haven't "done it" yet and I don't know if I'm ready."

Rachel hugs me then says "Well if that is what he's planning I think anda both should talk about it."

I mull this over.

I give Rachel a one armed hug then say"You know I think I will do that, thanks for the Nasihat Rache, IM anda later?"

Rachel smiles then balas "Glad I could help Mel yeah IM me when anda can."

I grab my backpack form the back kerusi, tempat duduk pull my arms through it and hop out of her car.

As I walk up to my house I shout over my shoulder "Defiantly will, see ya!"

Rachel beeps her horn twice and takes off.



Curfew

I walk into the house knowing full well that Mom wants to hear all about my first hari of school.

I tell her and she is happy that I had a good first hari I eagerly tell her about Adonis and she is glad that I don't have to deal with Mr. Neck anymore.

I tell her that I'm going out with David this Friday and she says its all right as long as I'm utama sejak eleven.

I'm surprised that she has risen my curfew three hours.

Last tahun if I did go out at all I had to be utama sejak nine.

Through that didn't matter much because Mom and Dad didn't get utama themselves till past two in the morning.

Out of curiosity I ask her "Wow Mom eleven why the time change?"

Mom gives me what seems like her zillionith hug. I see that there are tears in her eyes as she jawapan "Well Melinda anda are almost sixteen now and your father and I trust anda and David to get utama on time."

I smile a little hug her again and say "Thanks mom please stop crying it's all right."

For good measure I add "I'll always be your little girl."

Mom wipes her eyes and says "Oh Mellie I Cinta you."

I smile and say "Love anda too mom."

I hug her one lebih time then I go upstairs and unpack my backpack.



Reason

It's officially Friday afternoon. I'm really excited to find out what David's surprise is for me.

Rachel and I walk to our lockers to put our buku away.

She asks me the same soalan she has been asking me all week since I told her about David's surprise.

I sigh a little but let her ask me again "So spill it Mel, have anda figured it out yet atau not?"

I grit me teeth a bit and say "For the thousandth time Rache, I don't want to figure it out will anda please just drop it!"

I didn't mean to yell my answer but she is getting on my nerves and as soon as I see her face I know I did the wrong thing.

I give her hug and say "Sorry Rache it's just I'm kinda nervous about this whole thing I didn't mean to take it out on you."

Rachel exhales and says "It's cool Mel, I guess I was being kind of annoying."

I nod and say "You were."

Rachel punches me in the arm and we both start laughing. Rachel gets a hold of herself then asks me "Do anda want to spend some time with Ivy, Nicole and me tonight I mean a little girl time might just calm your nerves."

As much I want to take her up on the offer as much.

As much as I desperately want to just go to the parking lot jump in her tukar, boleh tukar and ride off and have an awesome girl sleepover with the rest of our Clan I can't.

David is taking me out tonight.

I take a deep breath to calm myself.

Then I say "Wish I could Rache but I can't David is gonna be picking me up in a few hours, thanks through I knew there was a reason why anda are my best friend."

I laugh then hug her. Rachel laughs too then says "Okay but the invitation still stands for Saturday."

I nod and say "Yeah that will be great I'll IM anda about tonight k?"

Rachel gives me a hug throws her messenger bag around her head and starts to walk toward the door that leads to the parking lot.

She yells at me over the noise of the crowd of students also walking towards the door"See anda later Mel can't wait to hear all about it!"

I laugh at her disappearing form as the swath of students file out into the hallway and engulf her.



Encouragement

I take the bus utama then I make myself a snack of Chef Boy ravioli.

When I'm done I run upstairs to get ready. I take a pancuran, pancuran mandian and use my kegemaran lavender scented shampoo and body wash.

I get dressed and do my hair. I straighten it.

I use a smoothing serum to make it look even shiner than it already is. When I'm done with my hair I stand at my vanity mirror and examine my appearance.

I have on one of my dressiest and most formal tops.

It's bright pic, peach and is made out of silk. Mom bought it for me last year.

I had no use for it then but I do now.

I have on a short jeans skirt. It's knee length.

I'm not quite prepared to go shorter yet.

Mom and Dad both come utama a little after seven. I know it's because they want to wish me a good time on my date.

Even through this isn't my first tarikh with David. I hear them talking in the kitchen.

I look at myself one lebih time in my vanity mirror and am happy with the way I look. I start to go down the steps carefully.

I have on two inch faux patent leather high heels to match David's height. I praise myself a bit for making it down the steps without falling. I go into the kitchen.

Mom nearly falls out of her chair she says"Oh Melinda anda look gorgeous. Let me take a picture of you!"

She starts to open her dompet, beg tangan and fishes around it for her camera.

I immediately hold up my right hand and say embarrassed "Mom please don't."

Mom sighs and relents to my request.

Dad gets up form his chair and gives me the old up- and- down.

He then balas a little teary eyed"Mellie... my little girl anda look absolutely beautiful."

Then he hugs me.

I can't help but tear up a bit too.

I hear a horn. David finally!

Before I leave I say "Mom, Dad thanks for the compliments I'll see anda guys later I Cinta you."

They both say "We Cinta anda too."

I pick up my little merah jambu satin clutch pull on my brown suede jaket and leave.

Luckily my house steps aren't that steep and I get down them with ease.



makan malam, majlis makan malam

I see David's sleek black Mercedes he gets out. He has on one of those t shirts that looks like he is wearing a tuxedo.

His usual flyaway brown hair is combed back and he has on black tight jeans. My smile widens as he approaches me.

He smiles at me too.

Then once he is in front of me he picks me up in arms and twirls me around twice. I giggle like crazy and so does he.

David sets me down his arms still around my waist.

We both have stop giggling.

He takes my face in his hands and we Ciuman for a few seconds.

I'm thankful for the darkness so my parents if they are watching they can't see us.

Finally we stop Ciuman and David says "Melinda anda look amazing are anda ready to go?"

I nod and say "Thanks, Yep I'm really curious to see what this surprise is."

David laughs and opens the passenger side door for me. Then he says "Well the surprise doesn't come till after dinner."

I roll my eyes slightly and get in the car. David shuts my door and lopes to the driver's side.

He starts up the car and we drive for awhile.

We are going to eat at one of my kegemaran restaurants in Syracuse: Baja Burrito.

The silence is driving me a tad insane so I ask him "So are anda going to at least give me a hint as to what this surprise is?"

David shakes his head and says "Oh no that would spoil the surprise for you."

I scream in mock frustration "Ugh, anda are so annoying!"

David smiles at my frustration and says to me "Don't worry Mel you'll Cinta it I promise."

I lean back against my kerusi, tempat duduk and say "I hope so."

David pecks me on my cheek reassuringly and says "You will"

We get to the Baja burrito around eight o' clock. I order a chicken ranch burrito pinggan and David orders a taco salad.

We eat and drink our coco-colas.

We spend the rest of the night getting caught up with each other.

I signed up for an art class in the city last summer and I started going to it again, I have it almost every other day.

David interns at his uncle's lab after school and on the weekends so we haven't been spending as much time together as either of us would like. Tonight none of those things matter.

It's so easy to talk to David.

We laugh and eat and laugh some more.

Time passes quickly and before I know it our waitress is coming up to us and asks "Are anda kids ready for dessert?"

I open my mouth to say yes but David is there before me and says "No thank anda may we have our check please?"

The waitress nods takes our empty plates and goes off to get it.

I look at David confused and ask him "We aren't having Pencuci Mulut here?"

David takes my left hand smiles and kisses it. Then he says "Don't worry we'll have Pencuci Mulut another way."

I look at him still confused.

I want to ask him what is going on but my mouth won't work.

I am hoping this Pencuci Mulut isn't what I think it is. I am suddenly anxious. I take deep breaths to calm myself.

I do it discreetly so he doesn't notice I'm getting upset.

He pays the check and we leave.

I am hoping and praying that this surprise of his is harmless.



Pencuci Mulut

We leave Baja burrito around ten. David opens the passenger's side door for me. He gets in the driver's kerusi, tempat duduk and turns to me.

I can tell that he has something behind his back so I hardly blink

when he pulls a red satin handkerchief form his right hand. I look at him and ask "What's that supposed to be?"

David smiles dangles it in front of me and says "It's part of your surprise." He ties it around my head.

Then he asks me "Now can anda see anything?"

I shake my head once.

David then starts up the car and we pull out of the parking lot and onto the road.

We are driving for at least ten minit when I ask him "You aren't going to kill me now are you?"

I mean it as a joke and we both laugh.

David balas his voice filled with Cinta "Of course not Mel don't be silly. I just want anda to be really shocked when I tunjuk anda what I have planned."

I laugh again and so does he. We drive on and on and on and on!

I'm beginning to get really annoyed.

It's been at least two hours since we left Baja's and David hasn't even dropped a hint as to where we are going.

I try and relax and take a deep breath and settle back against my seat.

I guess I fall asleep because the seterusnya thing I know we have stopped.

David is gently shaking me awake.

He says softly "Melinda, Mel, Melinda, Mel wake up we're here."

I open my eyes which doesn't do much because I still have David's red satin handkerchief over them.

I sigh and say "Well were is this surprise of yours?"

I hear David get out of the car he opens my passenger door and helps me out.

I've had enough.

As David is pulling me I shout completely fed up with the jubah, berjubah and dagger routine he has been giving me all night

"David will anda please just tunjuk me where we are!"

David says "All right Melinda, as anda wish."

I hear him walk behind me and untie the handkerchief.

After he has smoothed my hair down he shouts happily "Surprise!"

I open my eyes and I am shocked.

We are at a beach. There is a merah jambu picnic basket on a merah jambu and white checkered blanket.

In the basket are Neapolitan ice cream a can of Reddi Whip along with plastic bowels and spoons.

There is also merah jambu candles around the blanket and scattered around the blanket and on it are red tulip petals.

David takes my right hand in his own and

walks towards the blanket and I follow still shocked that he did this all for me.

We sit down and I finally say "David this has got to be one of the sweetest things any one's ever done for me." I smile and Ciuman him. He dishes us out ice cream and we talk.

An jam and half later the ice cream and Reddi Whip is gone.

This is when I get really scared.

I wipe my mouth with a napkin take a deep breath and attempt to explain my feelings.


Unpleasant Memory
"David I Cinta you."

It's the first time I've berkata these words to him and have actually meant it.

He kisses me and I Ciuman him back.

I lay back on the blanket and we Ciuman some more.

He straddles me softly and runs his hands along my stomach and chest as he continues to Ciuman me.

I run my hands through his hair.

Suddenly I hear him unzip his jeans he quickly has them off. He then presses against me tighter and starts to Ciuman me lebih quickly.

I freeze. I close my eyes and suddenly I'm back in the woods with Andy's white hot pisau hands on me his strong bolder body pinning me down, he's hurting me hurting me.

I can't speak.

I can't stop him.

I push David off me and shout "No, I don't want to, get off of me!

I berkata No. Stop get off!"


Vows

David looks startled and I knew I have ruined our perfect date. He quickly pulls his jeans back on and scoots over to me slowly.

Through I'm shocked when he says "Melinda I'm so sorry that was way out of line, are anda okay honey?"

I hook my hair behind my ears and take in two large breaths, trying to clear my head.

Then I say "I had a flash back about what Andy did to me, I have them sometimes when I talk to my shrink, and when anda took off your jeans and pressed against me like that well that horrible memory came back to me in waves."

I don't realize I'm crying until David is rubbing my back and wiping my face with his red handkerchief.

He whispers to me softly "It's all right Mel I understand, really it's all right, I promise I won't do anything like that again not until your ready."

I smile and hug him then say "I do want to do it it's just I'm scared."

David kisses me softly and says "It's okay Melinda when your ready that's when we'll do it and not before, I promise."

I Ciuman him back with lebih power than I ever have.

Then say "I really Cinta anda David Petrakis."

David kisses me on my cheek and says "I Cinta anda Melinda Sordino."

I get up and say "Come on it's nearly my curfew I don't know what my parent's will do if they find out I've missed it probably put me on house arrest until I graduate."

We laugh and I help David clean up our picnic. I fall asleep nestled in the crook of David's neck.

I wake up when he pulls up to my house. I Ciuman him good bye and say

"Thank anda the tarikh was wonderful and interesting. I Cinta anda I'll call anda tomorrow okay?"

David kisses me then says "I Cinta anda I'll be waiting for your call."

I smile and say "Good night."

He smiles and says "Good night Mel."

I pull on my suede jaket grab my clutch and head up to the house. I'm surprised that Mom has waited up for me.

I smile at her and say "Hi, Mom."

Mom smiles and asks "Hey Mellie so how was your date?"

I give her a hug take off my heels put them in the shoe rack.

When I start to head upstairs I finally answer Mom "It was okay, I had a good time, I'll see anda in the morning Mom, night."

After what happened it has made me realize that I can trust David fully and that makes me Cinta him even more.

I know he'll keep his vow.

He's a great boyfriend.

And I Cinta him.

And he loves me, that makes me feel amazing.



Correspondence

As soon as I get upstairs I go to my room, pull off my tarikh outfit and throw it into the hamper.

I change into my sky blue tank bahagian, atas and cotton pants.

Eagerly I take my turquoise-colored laptop off of my work meja and turn it on, then I sit on my katil and lean up against the headboard.

One of the other perks of my dad's new job, I for the first time in my life have a computer. I got a yahoo e-mel address along with instant messaging.

I go and sign into my instant message account.

My yahoo account name is MelGirlSweetSixteen.

I am excited to see Rachel on there her handle is RacheEuroHottie.

I smile and type happily

MelGirlSweetSixteen: hei Rache, have u been waiting up this whole time?

RacheEuroHottie: Guilty, so how did it go?

MelGirlSweetSixteen: Okay I guess.

RacheEurohottie: Oh pleasse Mel, it's me do anda really think I believe that?, come on give me the dirt!

I sigh and roll my eyes patience has never been one of Rachel's strong qualities.

I answer

MelGirlSweetSixteen: Well we went 2 Baja Barrito. After he took me to the beach, he set up a entire spread.

There was a merah jambu picnic basket on a merah jambu and white checkered blanket the basket was full of neapolitan ice cream and a can of Redi Whip.

He had merah jambu candles around the blanket and red tulips scattered over the blanket it was really cute.

RacheEuroHottie: Omigod Melinda that is SUPER Romantic, so... what else happened?

I hesitate not sure I can really confide this to her, I mean we have reconnected after the "andy" incident, so quickly I am still not one thousand percent certain I can trust her.

Rachel types again impatient

RacheEuroHottie: Come on Mel, it's okay anda can tell me I mean we're best Friends right?

I sigh and realize she's right we are best Friends I'm just worrying for nothing sometimes my paranoia goes into overdrive, Caroline says that this will pass soon the lebih counseling I get.

I square my shoulders and type trustingly.

MelgirlSweetSixteen: Well we almost.. got together.

RacheEurohottie: Really? Whoa, what happened?

I sigh again and type only one name

MelGirlSweetSixteen: Andy

RacheEuroHottie: Oh, I c was he ok with it?

I smile again and type

MelGirlSweetSixteen: Yea, I kinda freaked out u know bout andy & he um.. was just really cool bout it it's weird I mean most guys would of dumped me, he just kissed me and berkata told me that he luved me.

RacheEuroHottie: Aww Mel I am super happy 4 u David is a real great guy u TOTALLY deserve someone like him!

I smile yet again that night and type

MelGirlSweetSixteeen: Yea, thanks for listening Rache I really needed it.

RacheEuroHottie: Sure thing Mel, so u wanna go 2 the mall 2morrow, with the rest of the gang?

I smile one lebih time and type my answer

MelGirlSweetSixteen: Yeah, that would b really cool, can u pick me up 11:30?

RachEuroHottie: Defiantly doable c u then Mel and once again your welcome, well I gotta run my mom is saying it's WAY 2 late 2 b up, C u in a.m. much luv Rachel

I giggle and type

MelGirlSweetSixteen: K, talk 2 u soon luv ya!

I sign off turn the laptop off and snuggle under my comforter.

It's nearly one in the morning and I am really tired.

I close my eyes and am extremely relieved that I have a great boyfriend, and that my girlfriends are back with me.

I still have a long way to go with dealing with being raped but I know that with David and the Plain Janes support I know I am on my way to truly healing.