I suppose it's better this way, a human teenager like me doesn't belong in Embaria... no one from Earth ever will. Just as well, I am never to go back there... that is a clear sign... I shouldn't live in that world if all my presence is going to cause is pain and suffering.
That's all I ever caused; along with my own internal pain... James no longer loves me, just as he said: 'This is for your own protection Jessa, just forget me and move on... I'm not worthy to be a part of your life. Your better than me, especially after all the terrible mistakes I've made...'
The only sound I could hear as my mother prodded me with questions was the sound of the brisk autumn breeze blowing the leaves off the trees... I watched as they hit the ground softly making the slightest sound of a crunch.
Maybe James is right; it is time for me to move on... I don't belong with them. I never will, all I ever will be is myself: Jessa Allyson Banks... I will, and always will be; forever Jessa..."
the end
I smiled as I wrote the last few words... I finally finished it... "Forever Jessa" is finally completed.
Final draft; exactly 623 pages long!
"Ok Jazz, we're all set to leave tomorrow bright and early..." Abby smiled and sat down next to me, looking a little tired.
"That's good, that will give me time to think about what kind of novel I should write next. Or maybe even if I want to attempt to write a trilogy..." I clicked save and smiled proudly.
Abby's eyes lit up immediately. "You finished it?!" She squealed.
I grinned and nodded.
"That's fantastic Jazmine!" She hugged me and bounced with excitement. "How long is it now that you've finished it?"
"623 pages long..." I blushed.
She grinned. "That's fantastic still! That's totally long enough to be a good sized book... the ones that we like to read." She giggled.
"Do you think you'll send it to a publisher?" She asked still beaming.
I looked at the Microsoft word document with some curiosity, and... some... reluctance.
Do I want to risk getting my spirits down because a publishing company said my book is no good?
"Well," I bit my lip. Abby groaned beside me.
"Not again," She huffed. "It's honestly your choice Jazmine, your my best friend and there's nothing I can do to force you to do something that you don't want to do. But I will be there for you..." I turned my head to look at her, she smiled comfortingly.
"I promise on God that I will be there for you every step of the way if you do send it in... but if I were you. Before I do anything; I would pray about it... you can wait to send it in till January or February once school starts up again if you want. But still, pray about it..." She put her hand on my shoulder to comfort my fried brain.
I sighed deeply. "I'll think about it... I guess I can't stop it. What happens, happens, God is in control." I smiled and brushed my brown hair out of my face.
I stayed awake in my bed tossing and turning and wondering whether or not to send in my book, just as I was about to go to sleep I heard a voice in the back of my head; "Send it in tomorrow morning Jazmine, now sleep..."
*
I was up before the sleeping hazel eyed girl I call my best friend, in fact I was up around 4AM. Which is surprising for me; but there's no way that I'm going to wait to print my book out. I'm ready to send it in and nothing is going to stand in my way.
I got up and rushed around the room making sure I had everything for the trip back to Humboldt- which I was surprisingly feeling pretty excited about- and then I got myself dressed.
I picked out some nice dark blue jeans, and black UGGS to go with that, then a crimson red blouse with a striped white and emerald green scarf. I got my knitted hat that my mom made me so long ago just before I left for college and put it on, I grabbed my jacket and hung it over my desk chair neatly and sat down to start printing out my book.
I had no clue what I was doing as I began printing out all 623 pages but I did it all, I signed the book at the end in the best cursive writing I could do and then started to staple sections of it together.
In the end I slipped it all into a big orange envelope and wrote a quick letter with my contact information inside of it and slipped it in with my book and stapled the orange package shut.
"Whoa, your up..." Abby mumbled, I turned my head and saw her rubbing her eyes still in her pajamas looking quite groggy.
"I had to... do something..." I tried to hide the envelope behind my back, but my flushed face betrayed my secret.
"Your sending your book in?" Abby grinned, suddenly very awake.
I smiled sheepishly, "Yeah... do you mind if I drop it off at Mrs. Lorenzo's classroom? She said she'd send in any book from any student in her class to New York Times..." Abby stared at me like I'd just said I was a fairy.
"Send it into... New York Times?" Her brow furrowed. "Are you sure she said that?" She asked, quite disbelieving.
I nodded, and grabbed my laptop and put it into its case for the trip.
"Come on, go get dressed. I want to get home ASAP..." I smiled, Abby chuckled in amusement and headed back to our bedroom to get dressed.
"Mrs. Lorenzo?" I knocked softly on her classroom door.
"Come in," A cheerful voice came from inside. I opened the door and smiled to see my jittery 30 year old teacher decorating her classroom with Thanksgiving decorations.
"Oh! Hello Jazmine..." She seemed surprise to see me, I held the envelope behind my back with a big excited grin trying to creep past my lips.
"Hi," I greeted her.
"How can I help you deary?" She asked with a smile, a few strands of her golden blonde hair fell loose out of her casual pony tail. Her blue-green eyes twinkled at me as she waited for me to reply, she's always reminded me so much of my mom. I really honestly think of her AS a second mother...
She's always been so good to me and Abby, she came to our dorm on Thanksgiving and Christmas last year and both our birthdays and gave us gifts too. She's a really sweet woman...
"I um, I-I finished my book..." I stammered, for some reason suddenly feeling kind of sick. I handed the envelope to Mrs. Lorenzo and she stared at the big object in her hands with shock. First she was silent, and then she looked at me with a big smile across her face.
"Congratulations Jazmine." She hugged me briefly and then smiled.
"Do you want me to send it in?" I nodded violently, she smiled again and sat it down on her desk gently.
"I'll send it in as soon as I can, or did you want to help?" She asked.
"Well, I'm leaving... today... to go back home for the holidays. I would really appreciate it if you sent it in while I'm gone. Just call me on my cell phone if something comes up for it, thank you SO much Mrs. Lorenzo..." I hugged her tightly.
"Please Jazmine, call me Eleanore.." She laughed.
"All right, will do... I'll see you when I get back from Humboldt in January Eleanore." I giggled and ran out the door to go to the car.
"How was it? Did she say she would send it in?" Abby immediately prodded as soon as I got into the drivers seat.
"Yeah! Gosh I'm so excited!" I grinned.
"Well don't get your hopes up too high Jazz, you never know if they will read it. It could take a really long time before they actually read it... like years..." I rolled my eyes.
"I'm not stupid, but... to be honest. I don't think I would've sent it in until I went to sleep last night..." I bit my lip and remembered that soft gentle voice I heard when I went to sleep; could that have been God speaking to me?
"What do you mean?" Abby stared at me looking quite confused.
"I heard someone talking to me softly just before I went off to sleep, the voice said: 'Send it in tomorrow morning Jazmine, now sleep...' And then I just drifted off to sleep..." I became a little bit dazed as I remembered it.
"Weird..." Abby blinked, I smirked as she just stared off into space wondering...
I turned the car on and knocked Abby out of her daydream, I laughed and rolled down my window and backed out of the parking lot and started towards home... it would take at least 2 days to get there but it's worth the time. To be honest; I'm beyond ecstatic to see my family again... even though my little brothers are pests most of the time I love them a lot.
As the day passed on and minutes turned into long hours, after only 1 rest out of the car to get something to eat we were both very tired of being in the car. But after a long drive through cold dark snowy mountains; we finally made it to Boise, Idaho. We checked into a hotel for the night surrounded by white, fluffy snow that looked quite tempting to play in...
I watched a few children roll around in the snow making snowmen and building forts, it's odd that its this cold already this time of the year. There was only about 2 inches of snow covering the ground but it was enough to keep those kids happy.
I stifled a laugh when one of the kids got pelted in the face with a hard snowball, he screamed and tackled the boy that hit him with it. I giggled and proceeded from the car up to our little suite room...
That night in bed I lay on my side, unable to go to sleep, listening to the sound of the cars driving outside and the horns, and even a dog barking somewhere far off. And then just beside me the sound of Abby snoring loudly. My mind tossed and turned going through all my wonderful memorable times back in Humboldt...
My heart fluttered when an image of Paul flooded my mind, when of course he was little... so little that its almost hilarious how many physical and mental changes he has received with age. But of course, things like that come with age... its only the natural order of things for humans and animals. Just like I have grown from a single cell organism in my mothers' womb, to an adult woman just like my mother and every other female human on earth.
I rolled onto my back and went back to a day that was probably the best I've had in a really long time... my sweet 16th birthday...
"Come on, why won't you tell me what we're doing dad?" I whined, my dad just chuckled all the time as I begged him to reveal his secret.
Today is my 16th birthday, a quite great day for me considering that I am finally 16 and almost a full fledged woman. First I went to church since it is a Sunday; practically everyone wished me a happy birthday in church. I tried to get Abby and Paul to come over for a water fight with me and my brothers but first they said they were busy, and then my dad informed me that he was taking me out for the whole day just a daughter, father outing.
Of course I was excited immediately, we went bowling, ate Chinese food, and went for a hike the rest of the day and then he suddenly took me to the mall and let me pick out any prom dress I wanted and then told me to pick out earrings, a necklace, a bracelet, and shoes to go with the dress.
And once we bought it he told me to go change into all of that stuff, and I did, but then he took me to a salon and had me get my hair curled and my bangs pulled back into a barrette on the back of my head. And of course I got my makeup done profesionally, and so here I am now all dolled up, with no clue as to where I am heading with my father.
"I'm not telling you so just sit patiently..." Dad smiled, amused that I was so impatient. An unfortunate habit I'd picked up from him...
He was all dolled up too, his hair was combed neatly and he was in a tuxedo. It must be something really important, ugh! If only I knew!
The sun was setting just now on this beautiful spring day, I love May so much... and trust me I'm quite glad I was born in the spring. In May; all the flowers are blooming and the birds are always singing early in the morning and on occasion I like to wake up to watch the sunrise.
I honestly don't like getting all dolled up like this 99% of the time, only on special occasions like Christmas and Thanksgiving. But even then I really try my hardest to find a fancy shirt and then just put on a pair of jeans and some nice tennis shoes and I'm good, or just ballet flats.
I'm a really big tomboy, me and Abby love getting dirty with the horses at Field of Dreams. One time we were up at Corrie's ranch galloping around the arena and it was the middle of summer, the arena gets really dusty during that time of year, and we stirred all the dust up and were covered with dirt by the time we finished... literally.
It was a lot of fun but we got lectured by my mom, and she refused to let us into her car with out getting hosed down. Luckily we had on jean shorts and a T-shirts only, so I just took off my shoes and we stood in line to get hosed off.
I still ride a lot, its tons of fun, me and Abby have had the best of times there at that ranch. Especially when we go galloping bareback further up in the mountain that Corrie lives on, its SO much fun just taking Laredo and Tipper on a full blown gallop. Laredo is my baby and Tipper is Abby's baby, they love us both very much. If I could I would buy Laredo but he's not for sale...
Abby and I have done so many photo shoots with Paul as the camera man on those horses, I even got a couple pictures of him on the horse and with me back when we were in 9th grade.
I have many elegant pictures with Laredo, and Paul and Abby too.
We've had many crazy years together, its hard to believe that I'm going to be eighteen in just two years...
"We're here..." Dad interrupted my daydreaming, I looked up and I saw my grandparents house. I stared completely confused... why were we here?
"Your mother helped your grandmother prepare a fancy formal dinner for tonight, its just us." Dad answered my question even before it was out of my mouth.
I got out of the car but jumped when the horn went off in his car, he looked guilty and smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry it slipped..." He apologized when he got out of the car.
I rolled my eyes and headed towards the house, only when I was at the doorstep did I realize that all the lights were off... and it was awfully quiet.
I opened the door and squinted my eyes trying to find my way to the lightswitch.
"Hello, is anyone here?" I called into the darkness, I thought I heard giggling and then a shush but then it stopped.
I scrambled towards the living room doorway and groped around for the lightswitch, when I found it I switched it on color flooded my eyes.
"SURPRISE!!" Many voices shouted in unison, I screamed dropping my purse on the ground and suddenly smiling. A gigantic banner hung across the wall read: HAPPY SWEET 16TH BIRTHDAY JAZMINE!!!
With glitter on each of the letters and horses on the ends, I laughed and felt a couple tears weld up in the corners of my eyes.
"Happy sweet 16th Jazz!" Abby embraced me in a tight hug, I hugged her back. I felt something placed on my head, I caught my reflection in the window and I blushed. I had on a small but elegant golden tiara in the shape of flowers and leaves.
"Thank you so much," I wiped the tears away with the back of my hand, Abby laughed and then more hugs came from all my friends... everyone I knew was here all my friends from Alder Grove and church: Anna Manson, Caprice McRee, Sarah Penn, Leah Rhodney, Kate Stanton, Autumn Carnell, Michaela Hailey (Abby's little sister), Don Arens, Troy Edison, and Freddie Tyler.
"Oh my gosh I can't believe you guys did this for me!" I bounced with excitement as I hugged Sarah.
"Why not Jazz? We all love you and you know it!" She patted my shoulder and smiled happily.
"Besides Jazmine! It's your 16th birthday! Your supposed to throw a huge bash..." Anna flipped her curly blonde hair out of her face and put an arm around my shoulders.
"Thanks Anna," I laughed and smiled, why not have a good time? Its my special day...
Everyone at this party was dressed all dolled up, apparantly dad wasn't lying about one thing; it was a formal dinner as I soon found out.
We started just hanging out and having fun waiting for the food to be ready, when I realized that someone was missing...
"I'll be right back guys," I left my friends to talk and I went to go find my mother.
She was working in the kitchen busily with my grandmother.
"Hey mom, was Paul invited?" She turned around and looked confused.
"He's not here? He was invited..." I shook my head and she looked exhausted.
"Sorry sweetie, I don't know where he is..." I groaned and went to the door, no headlights or anything approaching up the long driveway up to this house in the middle of the woods.
That's when I realized that my brothers weren't here, all of them weren't. Where the heck are those boys?
"Jazz, I just got a call from Arty he has Paul and your brothers in his car and he's driving them here. He picked up Paul and took him to get something that has to do with his gift to you for your birthday..." Dad put his hands on my shoulders, I looked up at him and nodded. "They should be here in about 5 to 10 minutes, Arty said he was driving up here as he was talking to me, so it won't be long..." Dad smiled as I looked up at him. A little secret I kept to myself that no one knew but Abby and my parents; I... used to have a crush on Paul when I was around 12, 13 years old. It's embarrassing... but I'm over it now. I will admit he IS really cute but I just don't feel that way about him, he was really flirtacious with me at that age too but I guess both of us knew in the back of our minds that we would most likely not get to date each other.
Mainly because we aren't allowed to date anyone, mom said she might let me go on a date in the past when I turned 16... but I haven't found anyone... and it's just a little bit to awkward to ask Paul... if you know what I mean.
I've known him for 13 years now, so yeah...
He's really nothing more than a friend, besides I'm past those childish crushes... even though Abby occasionally teases me and reminds me of those days when I did have a crush on him, or as I called it "madly in love" with Paul back in those days.
15 minutes passed soon enough, and I heard the front door open. My heart pounded against my chest as I strained my ears to listen for the sound of my brothers voices and Pauls'.
"What took you so long?" My mom demanded, a hearty laugh came from a warm familiar voice of my big bro Arty.
"Thanks for the warm welcome mother," He spat playfully.
"Thanks for inviting me Kathy, I'm sorry I missed the surprise part. I had to finish up a long history essay that's due on Monday..." Paul's voice suddenly appeared, I smiled and my friends giggled next to me.
"Jazmine and Paul up in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G..." Caprice whispered next to me, I gave her a sharp glare and a shush she giggled along with all my other friends probably all gossiping about me now. We did that at my brother Dyllan's birthday party a few years back when he turned 8, lots of fun... back when Paul had shoulder length hair...
That was the days...
"No harm done Paul, you should probably go in there and find Miss Jazzy before she finds you..." Mom chortled.
"Oh yes, of course..." Paul played along and added a chuckle of his own.
There was silence and I kept trying to see him over the crowd of people eating appettizers and drinking fruit punch and chatting, I saw my little brothers trying to find me. I smiled when Isaiah waved at me.
"Happy Birthday again Jazz," Isaiah hugged me, I laughed and hugged him back.
"Thanks Zea," I ruffled his light fluffy brown hair.
I gave Dylon a hug too and then I spotted Paul, a grin broke across my face when his eyes found mine.
"Paulio!" I made a mad dash across the room almost falling on my face in my 2 inch black high heels, I literally fell into Paul's arms, almost knocking him over in the process.
He braced himself against the wall and pulled me up laughing.
"Have you gotten stronger or something since I last saw you a few hours ago?" He chortled.
"No, I'm just excited!" I grinned, I hugged him tight and he just chuckled but hugged me back.
"I just saw you this morning..." He commented.
"So? That doesn't mean I can't be happy to see you..." I retorted back, I knew he rolled his eyes.
I let go and almost started dancing in place because I was so excited.
I got Paul to sit down with me and my friends as we talked, eventually though he went to go and hang out with Don, Troy, and Freddie.
"Ok everyone, time for cake and ice cream!" My mom called across the busily talkative room, everyone rushed to the table and grabbed a seat. The adults left the table for the kids so they wouldn't be trampled but I managed to find my seat at the head of the table, it was all decorated and it said "Princess Jazmine's seat" probably my mom did that...
She always calls me "princess", dad resents that quite a lot.
I pushed my glasses up my nose as they started to fall off when someone accidentally bumped me, finally the lights flickered off and I saw a small dim light coming from the kitchen heading towards the table.
Everyone began to sing happy birthday to me, all I did was stare in surprise as my humungous cake started towards me.
It was forest green with little violets made out of icing dotted here and there with a few red roses as well, and then a unicorn in the center with my name written below it in fancy dark purple writing. My grandmother always makes the most wonderful cakes ever...
A beautiful cake...
I felt tears start rolling down my face again, I wiped them away quickly and forced myself not to cry so my makeup wouldn't wash away and make me look like a zombie.
"Happy birthday toooo yoouuu...." My friends and family sang out, I watched the candles flicker in the darkness letting off just enough light so I could see all of my awesome friends' faces.
"Make a wish Jazz!" Abby grinned at me from across the table with her camera ready and waiting.
I smiled and closed my eyes, I decided to make a mushy wish... since no one would ever know it didn't matter.
I breathed slowly and smiled as I wished; "I wish that Abby, Paul and I will go on a great adventure someday to bring us closer together and become like siblings instead of just friends..."
I heaved a big breath and blew all of my 16 candles out in one big breath.
Everyone clapped and cheered and I smiled, this is definitely one of the best birthdays ever so far...
The festivities went on, with me the center of attention... which most of the time I try to avoid. But hey, can't a girl get all of this once in a while? But I will admit, my parents went all out... a lot out... a lot farther than I thought they would.
I expected a small party with maybe an outing with a couple friends to a dinner or a movie, and then we go to a spa and get all dressed up and thats it... but not THIS.
The next thing I knew my mom announced that there was going to be dancing if anyone wanted to dance. I really didn't want to, but Anna, Abby, and Caprice all ganged up on me and dragged me out to the dance floor. (Which was my grandparents gigantic wood porch)
We danced to rock music, jazz music, and pop music... and one of my definite favorites EVER Michael Jackson! We all laughed as we attempted to dance his famous song "Thriller".
I opened my gifts after that and I got SO MANY amazing things! I got a brand new camera from my parents, perfume from Anna, art supplies from Caprice, a beautiful knee length dress from Abby, and many other awesome things...
As everyone was talking I saw Paul sneaking over to me from the corner of my eye, I glanced up at him and he looked kind of sheepish and looked as though he wanted to say something.
"Hey, can you um... can you come outside with me for a quick second?" He whispered, trying not to catch my friends' attention. I smiled and nodded, I quickly got up and followed him out the door.
He sat down on the far edge of the porch out of sight so no one could watch us and patted the seat next to him, I sat down and looked up at the stars.
"Beautiful tonight huh?" I commented, with a smile.
"Yup," He sighed.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" I asked casually.
"Oh, nothing... I just... I didn't want to give you your gift in front of your friends." His cheeks flushed a little. I giggled as he became a little embarrassed.
"Here, happy birthday from me..." He took my hand and placed in it a small black velvet box about an inch long and an inch thick.
I opened it curiously and gasped at what was inside!
Inside was the most beautiful necklace I've ever seen, a gorgeous heart pendant with several white jewels that looked like daimonds in it, and on the back was my name engraved in silver letters... Jazmine Marie O'Neil...
"Oh my gosh," I gasped, my breath taken away. I looked up at him wide eyed, his cheeks were flushed as I stared up at him completely aghast. "Thank you so much!" I hugged him tightly and he hugged me back, but with reluctance.
"This is the best birthday present so far..." I smiled looking up at him with bright eyes.
"Your welcome..." His cheeks flushed as he smirked sheepishly and watched everyone inside party. No one noticed us sitting outside by ourselves, yet anyway... I imagine that someone would notice eventually.
"Did you see how much Anna seems to have a crush on Don?" I smirked as I saw Anna flounce up to him and start talking to the shy dark haired boy.
"Yeah..." Paul chuckled.
Anna and Don are completely different species practically; Anna is very outgoing, and Don is really shy. Way much shyer than I am for that matter...
The minutes passed in silence, it became really uncomfortable for some reason. Half of me wanted to go back to my party, but the other half wanted to stay out here away from the noise with Paul... I never really spend quality time alone with him anymore.
Suddenly the fast pop song that was playing stopped abruptly and I saw my mom change the CD in the stereo, the song was slow but everyone stopped dancing and went on chatting and hanging out. I smiled as the lovely soft music filled my ears, the awesome soundtrack for my book "The world within" that I picked when I wrote it 4 years ago.
"Hey um..." Paul's voice interrupted my thoughts. I glanced up at him and his face was solemn but looked very much like he was feeling awkward and embarrassed.
"Jazz-" He stopped short when he looked at me. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, really struggling to keep calm suddenly.
"I know this may seem awkward... but I thought... since we're never gonna actually get to go to a prom..." He got up to his feet and turned toward me with a really sheepish grin on his face. "May I have this dance?" His green eyes looked really hopeful and terrified at the same time.
My heart raced as the seconds passed which seemed like minutes, I knew I couldn't say no. I couldn't say that to him, he's my best friend.
My face must have looked really surprised because I saw Paul's face become really distressed. I bit my lip and felt my stomach churn and I suddenly felt kind of sick, my cheeks burned but I slowly nodded and reached out my hand towards him.
He took my hand and I awkardly put my hands around his neck as he (with much hesitation) put his hands just a little above my waist and we began slowly turning a circle.
I felt like I was in a story, a fairytale... even though I swore to myself that I didn't feel that way about Paul. As our eyes locked the moment seemed to magical to be real, even though on the inside I was tempted to run and barf my guts out from plain embarrasment I couldn't seem to make myself do so.
I slowly smiled at him and he seemed to relax a little more once I did, I layed my head against his chest and closed my eyes as the song went on and on. I hardly noticed the faint sound of giggling and shushing from inside, Paul didn't seem to notice either. We both continued to dance well after the song was over and the next one came, we both didn't seem to have a care in the world now... it was just me and him now...
I wiped a happy tear away and pulled the blanket up over my shoulder as I remembered my childhood. That was the best night of my life... and I miss it more than I ever think I've missed something in my life.
I don't even know where that necklace is now, probably in the attic at home...
I can't believe I'm actually going to go back home... this is going to bring back some of the best memories of my whole childhood. I smiled as I finally drifted off to sleep, anticipating the return to Humboldt with a happy heart...
"Ok everyone, time for cake and ice cream!" My mom called across the busily talkative room, everyone rushed to the table and grabbed a seat. The adults left the table for the kids so they wouldn't be trampled but I managed to find my seat at the head of the table, it was all decorated and it said "Princess Jazmine's seat" probably my mom did that...
She always calls me "princess", dad resents that quite a lot.
I pushed my glasses up my nose as they started to fall off when someone accidentally bumped me, finally the lights flickered off and I saw a small dim light coming from the kitchen heading towards the table.
Everyone began to sing happy birthday to me, all I did was stare in surprise as my humungous cake started towards me.
It was forest green with little violets made out of icing dotted here and there with a few red roses as well, and then a unicorn in the center with my name written below it in fancy dark purple writing. My grandmother always makes the most wonderful cakes ever...
A beautiful cake...
I felt tears start rolling down my face again, I wiped them away quickly and forced myself not to cry so my makeup wouldn't wash away and make me look like a zombie.
"Happy birthday toooo yoouuu...." My friends and family sang out, I watched the candles flicker in the darkness letting off just enough light so I could see all of my awesome friends' faces.
"Make a wish Jazz!" Abby grinned at me from across the table with her camera ready and waiting.
I smiled and closed my eyes, I decided to make a mushy wish... since no one would ever know it didn't matter.
I breathed slowly and smiled as I wished; "I wish that Abby, Paul and I will go on a great adventure someday to bring us closer together and become like siblings instead of just friends..."
I heaved a big breath and blew all of my 16 candles out in one big breath.
Everyone clapped and cheered and I smiled, this is definitely one of the best birthdays ever so far...
The festivities went on, with me the center of attention... which most of the time I try to avoid. But hey, can't a girl get all of this once in a while? But I will admit, my parents went all out... a lot out... a lot farther than I thought they would.
I expected a small party with maybe an outing with a couple friends to a dinner or a movie, and then we go to a spa and get all dressed up and thats it... but not THIS.
The next thing I knew my mom announced that there was going to be dancing if anyone wanted to dance. I really didn't want to, but Anna, Abby, and Caprice all ganged up on me and dragged me out to the dance floor. (Which was my grandparents gigantic wood porch)
We danced to rock music, jazz music, and pop music... and one of my definite favorites EVER Michael Jackson! We all laughed as we attempted to dance his famous song "Thriller".
I opened my gifts after that and I got SO MANY amazing things! I got a brand new camera from my parents, perfume from Anna, art supplies from Caprice, a beautiful knee length dress from Abby, and many other awesome things...
As everyone was talking I saw Paul sneaking over to me from the corner of my eye, I glanced up at him and he looked kind of sheepish and looked as though he wanted to say something.
"Hey, can you um... can you come outside with me for a quick second?" He whispered, trying not to catch my friends' attention. I smiled and nodded, I quickly got up and followed him out the door.
He sat down on the far edge of the porch out of sight so no one could watch us and patted the seat next to him, I sat down and looked up at the stars.
"Beautiful tonight huh?" I commented, with a smile.
"Yup," He sighed.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" I asked casually.
"Oh, nothing... I just... I didn't want to give you your gift in front of your friends." His cheeks flushed a little. I giggled as he became a little embarrassed.
"Here, happy birthday from me..." He took my hand and placed in it a small black velvet box about an inch long and an inch thick.
I opened it curiously and gasped at what was inside!
Inside was the most beautiful necklace I've ever seen, a gorgeous heart pendant with several white jewels that looked like daimonds in it, and on the back was my name engraved in silver letters... Jazmine Marie O'Neil...
"Oh my gosh," I gasped, my breath taken away. I looked up at him wide eyed, his cheeks were flushed as I stared up at him completely aghast. "Thank you so much!" I hugged him tightly and he hugged me back, but with reluctance.
"This is the best birthday present so far..." I smiled looking up at him with bright eyes.
"Your welcome..." His cheeks flushed as he smirked sheepishly and watched everyone inside party. No one noticed us sitting outside by ourselves, yet anyway... I imagine that someone would notice eventually.
"Did you see how much Anna seems to have a crush on Don?" I smirked as I saw Anna flounce up to him and start talking to the shy dark haired boy.
"Yeah..." Paul chuckled.
Anna and Don are completely different species practically; Anna is very outgoing, and Don is really shy. Way much shyer than I am for that matter...
The minutes passed in silence, it became really uncomfortable for some reason. Half of me wanted to go back to my party, but the other half wanted to stay out here away from the noise with Paul... I never really spend quality time alone with him anymore.
Suddenly the fast pop song that was playing stopped abruptly and I saw my mom change the CD in the stereo, the song was slow but everyone stopped dancing and went on chatting and hanging out. I smiled as the lovely soft music filled my ears, the awesome soundtrack for my book "The world within" that I picked when I wrote it 4 years ago.
"Hey um..." Paul's voice interrupted my thoughts. I glanced up at him and his face was solemn but looked very much like he was feeling awkward and embarrassed.
"Jazz-" He stopped short when he looked at me. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, really struggling to keep calm suddenly.
"I know this may seem awkward... but I thought... since we're never gonna actually get to go to a prom..." He got up to his feet and turned toward me with a really sheepish grin on his face. "May I have this dance?" His green eyes looked really hopeful and terrified at the same time.
My heart raced as the seconds passed which seemed like minutes, I knew I couldn't say no. I couldn't say that to him, he's my best friend.
My face must have looked really surprised because I saw Paul's face become really distressed. I bit my lip and felt my stomach churn and I suddenly felt kind of sick, my cheeks burned but I slowly nodded and reached out my hand towards him.
He took my hand and I awkardly put my hands around his neck as he (with much hesitation) put his hands just a little above my waist and we began slowly turning a circle.
I felt like I was in a story, a fairytale... even though I swore to myself that I didn't feel that way about Paul. As our eyes locked the moment seemed to magical to be real, even though on the inside I was tempted to run and barf my guts out from plain embarrasment I couldn't seem to make myself do so.
I slowly smiled at him and he seemed to relax a little more once I did, I layed my head against his chest and closed my eyes as the song went on and on. I hardly noticed the faint sound of giggling and shushing from inside, Paul didn't seem to notice either. We both continued to dance well after the song was over and the next one came, we both didn't seem to have a care in the world now... it was just me and him now...
I wiped a happy tear away and pulled the blanket up over my shoulder as I remembered my childhood. That was the best night of my life... and I miss it more than I ever think I've missed something in my life.
I don't even know where that necklace is now, probably in the attic at home...
I can't believe I'm actually going to go back home... this is going to bring back some of the best memories of my whole childhood. I smiled as I finally drifted off to sleep, anticipating the return to Humboldt with a happy heart...
*
The next morning Abby and I drove for hours and just when I had fallen asleep while Abby drove I was suddenly awakened by Abby.
"Jazz!" I blinked and sat up in the passenger, feeling extremely stiff.
"Huh? What?" I mumbled groggily, the setting sun blinding me as I opened my eyes.
A broad grin spread across her face and immediately I knew that we had arrived in Eureka, I looked out the window and saw my old hometown buildings pass by me.
I stared with amazement, it barely changed.
I felt as though I hadn't been here in twenty years, when it has only been 2 years...
Before I knew it I saw my old street appear, my heart nearly stopped when I saw the house. My mouth hung open as I stared at the house. Abby had to open my door for me to finally snap out of it, she smiled and gestured for me to come out.
"You acting like it's your wedding day or something..." She retorted sarcastically.
I paid no attention to her smart-alec remarks. I slowly walked to the door with Abby and gently rang the doorbell, I heard excited commotion inside. Finally the door opened and my eyes locked with my mothers' she immediately grinned and embraced me and before I really realized what was happening I was being hugged and kissed insanely by my family.
I stared in amazement at how much my little brothers had grown, Dylon had really evened out and was officially taller than me now.
As soon as he hugged me I could feel how strong he was, he could probably really hurt me if he wanted too with one crush of his arms.
Isaiah was still growing but he was definitely becoming a man just like Dylon, I couldn't believe that I was actually seeing my family again. But one thing is for sure, I was home... and I will never regret coming back...
