School starts in 3 days and I haven't snuck out again to see Brooks since that night. I have seen him a few times while I was out walking and we talked for a few minutes but I have been trying to avoid being alone with him. I know I allowed that to happen but it doesn't mean it didn't scare me a little. I mean so much happened in the short amount of time I was up there and just thinking about it is overwhelming. I went from only a kiss to making out, telling him personal stuff, touching, and saying something that has never crossed my mind to say. I was sitting outside in the yard near the road drawing in my journal Brooks pulled up and asked what I was up to. I told him just drawing. He asked if I wanted to come hang out for a little while since no one was home at his house. I asked if we were going to be outside and he said, “I thought maybe we could sit in my room and hang out." I thought about it for a minute and said ok I will be up there in a minute just let me take my journal
After my dad made me promise to tell him next time I decided to go for a walk, I went to my room and turned on my radio. I opened my closet and pulled out a few outfits my mom took me to get before she died. I was going to start wearing skirts and midriff shirts but I felt like it was something I couldn't pull off. I tried on a black skirt that came to my knee and a black midriff shirt and I didn't really like it. I tried on my green and black plaid skirt with my black off-the-shoulder midriff shirt and I liked how I looked in it. I tried on my tan and brown plaid skirt with my tan half-sleeve midriff shirt and liked it too. The last one I tried on was my black and grey plaid skirt with my light grey midriff t-shirt and liked it as well. I decided I was going to start wearing them when school started and see if changing my appearance would make a difference this year since I have always been a tomboy and wore baggy pants and t-shirts. I was also going to ask my dad if he could take me
**Beep, Beep, Beep** I freaking hear you alarm. I got up and turned my alarm off, today is the first day of school and I am not really looking forward to it. I got dressed and then went into the kitchen to make myself some grits and toast with butter. Once I ate I went and brushed my teeth and then got my bag ready. I told my dad bye and headed to the bus stop which happens to be the stop sign where I can see Brooks's house from. While I was standing there I saw him walk outside with his younger brother. I smiled when he waved at me and I waved back. As he was turning to go back inside he blew me a kiss and it made my morning. When the bus pulled up I got on and found a seat. I took out my schedule and looked over what my first 2 classes were. When we pulled up to the school I followed everyone into the gym and waited until they released us to our classes. I had to ask a teacher where my first class was. I was right about this place. All the kids seem stuck up and no one has even sai
**Beep, Beep, Beep** I got up and got dressed and ready for school. After I ate and brushed my teeth and I headed to the bus stop and there he was again walking his brother out and he waved just like yesterday. I blushed and waved back. As I was sitting down in a seat his brother walked past me and told me Brooks liked me. He took the seat behind me and I asked what he meant by that and he told me Brooks never walked him outside for the bus before until after he met me so he had to like me for him to do that. I laughed and said I doubted he liked me. His brother said, "by the way my name is Jonah." I said my name is Crystal. He said, "I know." I asked how he knew my name and he said," this is probably going to sound weird and I may end up getting beat by my brother for telling you this but my room is next to the bathroom and I can hear him while he is in the shower saying your name and sometimes if I am walking through the hallway I can hear him say it while he is in his room."
School was going to go by so slowly today and I am already dreading getting off the bus and seeing Brooks if he is out there. I didn't even bother to look back this morning to see if he walked Jonah out. I'm scared he is going to say something I am not going to want to hear and I'll end up with my feelings hurt. Finally, lunchtime and I sat by myself again today I didn't want to talk to anyone or be the main joke of the table. When I finished my lunch I took my tray to the window and sat back down waiting on the bell to ring. Once lunch was over I headed back to class and went ahead and put up what I didn't need out anymore and waited on this period to end. I was finally in my last period and I was getting more nervous as the school day was coming to an end. When I finished my assignment I sat there for the rest of the class period mentally kicking myself for writing that letter and giving it to him. My nerves were worse right now than they were on my first day here. The release bell
*** Beep Beep Beep *** Ugh, I don't want to get out of bed. Thankfully today is Friday and I can sleep in tomorrow. I got up and got ready for school. When I got to the bus stop I looked down the road and saw Jonah walking toward me. I looked around but didn't see Brooks. Jonah came up to me and said, "he stood by the door this morning." I said why did he stand by the door? He said, "I don't know. He was up most of the night talking to himself again but I couldn't make out any of what he was saying this time." I said well I hope whatever is going on with him, he is ok. Jonah shrubbed his shoulders and said, "he is just weird." we got on the bus and when I got to school I sat with Kinzlee and waited on the bell to ring. Kinzlee asked what was wrong with me because I was being quiet and I said nothing. She looked at me and said, "Crystal, something is wrong. You haven't really said anything since you got here." I sighed and said I wrote Brooks a letter and told him how I felt
Brooks and I lay there for about 30 minutes just staring at each other and smiling. I sat up and said just curious but where is Jonah? Every time I come up here and I come inside, your mom and Jonah aren't here. He sat up and told me that his mom was at work and Jonah goes with his dad for a few hours after school. I asked if he had a good relationship with his dad and he told me that he and Jonah have different dads. He told me that his dad died when he was little and he didn't really know him and that Jonah's dad was a decent stepdad while he was married to his mom. I told Brooks I was sorry about his dad and he told me it was ok and explained that his dad suffered from depression and it got the better of him and he took his own life. I told Brooks that I know what it is like because I suffer from it and he pulled me into him and told me he would always be here for me. I nestled my face into his chest and closed my eyes taking in his scent. After a few minutes, I pulled away and sai
My first 2 months of school have been ok I am glad we will be hitting fall break next week. I can't wait until I can sleep in and just be lazy for a week. I am finishing up my test in my last period so I can sit back until school is out. When the bell rang to load the buses I headed to my bus and took my seat. Jonah didn't get on today which I found weird since he has ridden every day and he was on this morning. I thought about going up to his house and checking on him to make sure he wasn't sick or something. When I got off the bus I saw Brooks getting out of his SUV and I walked down the road toward him and said hey is Jonah ok? He didn't ride the bus this afternoon and I just wanted to check on him. Brooks turned to face me and snapped at me and asked why I cared if Jonah is ok and asked why I have been talking to his brother so much. I looked at him and said excuse me but I am his friend and I wanted to make sure he was ok sorry for having a heart and caring. I turned around and s
BROOKSI got a text from Viola saying crystal was on her way. I knew I had to hurry and finish putting everything up. When I finished hanging everything, I heard her car pull up. I took a few deep breaths and calmed myself. I saw the light in the foyer turn on and I knew I was seconds away from either being the happiest man alive or being turned down. I made sure all the baby pictures were in order and I made sure all of our pictures were in order. Jonah was hiding off to the side of the yard to capture the face Crystal was going to make when she saw all of this. I could hear footsteps so I got down on one knee and had the ring box opened and ready. When the door opened she began to cry. I said, Crystal Lynn Martini, I never thought I would ever find someone that I would fall in love with but there you were. You opened my heart to the idea of loving someone and giving them a piece of me that I had never been willing to give to anyone. You made me want to be a better person and be a be
CRYSTALToday is the day I graduate high school. My adult life begins tomorrow. I have worked my ass off to be here today. I am super excited to walk across that stage when they call my name. I know my mom is up there smiling and is proud of the young woman I have become. I already know my dad is proud of me. He reminds me every chance he gets. Everyone who means something to me will be here. Kinzlee and I are sitting together since our last names are close to each other. She was shocked to see me when they called for graduation rehearsals. I explained how I ended up getting to walk the stage with them and she told me she was proud of me. She asked about Brooks and I and I smiled when I showed her the promise ring he gave me. She said she was happy for me and said she and Brent were talking about moving in together. I told her Brooks wanted me to move in with him. When everyone was seated, They began their speeches and I tried not to laugh at Brooks making faces at me. When My row was
BROOKS 3 months laterIt's been months since I touched a bottle of liquor. I have kept my promise to Crystal and I have talked to her when I get the urge to drink. It definitely helps. Crystal graduates in 2 days. I am so proud of her for all the hard work she did to get here. My mom, Jonah, and Ray were invited to the graduation and she even invited Viola. A month ago, Crystal's dad had me come to the house so he could talk to Crystal. He knew this talk was going to be a big one and knew she would probably take it better if I was there. When he sat her down, He told her he was ready to take the next step with Viola and ask her to marry him. Crystal freaked out at first but after I calmed her down she told her dad it was ok. Since then she has been trying to spend a little more time getting to know her soon-to-be stepmom and I have been able to spend more time with Jonah and even spend time with my mom and Ray. Every time I take my shirt off and see the birthday gifts Crystal had don
CRYSTALAfter I got dressed, Brooks and I headed to Roadhouse for dinner. The whole way to the restaurant, Brooks held my hand. I smiled every time I looked over at him. After we were seated, Brooks asked if I had any more plans that he should know about. I laughed and said maybe. He stared at me and said, "What else do you have planned baby?"I said well, after dinner, we are going to the mall to pick out a shirt and pair of pants to go with the shoes, and then we have one other stop. After that, I am all yours. He asked about this other stop and I said I can't tell you. You will have to wait and see. I hope you like the surprise though. I wasn't sure If it was something I should do but I said screw it, we only live once. He stared at me with a confused expression. After our bread and drinks got to the table, the server asked if we were ready to order. I said let me get the 11 oz Sirloin with sauteed mushrooms, a baked potato, and vegetables. Brooks ordered the 16 oz Sirloin with sa
BROOKSSo far today has been a pretty easy day. It's 4:30 and I know I get to go home and see the most beautiful girl in the world soon. I am thankful her dad doesn't mind her spending my birthday with me. I thought about cooking on the grill tonight but I'm not sure what time Crystal will be getting home so I figured ordering take-out would be better. Jonah called as soon as he got off the bus to tell me Happy Birthday and my mom has been blowing my phone up with baby pictures and memories all day. I love my momma and thank goodness she hasn't shown any to Crystal yet. I was such a cute kid but all my poses are very weird. When I locked up the shop, I headed home to take a shower. I pulled into the driveway and headed inside. When I walked into the house, I saw a gift sitting on the island. I walked up to it and looked around to see if Crystal was hiding in the kitchen. I smiled as I read the tag on it. [HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY MY LOVE! I LOVE YOU!]I decided to wait to open it until I
CRYSTALWhen I got home, my dad informed me that Viola was going to be moving in soon. I have a week to try and figure out how I feel about it and here I am still trying to work it out in my head that they are together. It's still hard to think about my dad with anyone other than my mom, but I guess I need to just suck it up and deal with it because Viola will be moving in even if I am not OK with it. Tomorrow is Brooks's birthday and I still haven't figured out what I am going to do for him. I figured I'd call Jonah later and ask him what I should do. I did all my chores and finished my laundry. I went and sat outside on the front porch and began writing in my journal about everything that had been going on. When I finished writing, I realized I had been outside for a while. It was getting late and I went inside to start dinner. My dad came into the kitchen and asked if I wanted any help and I told him I would love for him to help me and that I missed us cooking dinner together. He t
BROOKSWhen we left Crystal's dads, Crystal fell asleep in the car. The ride back to my house was quiet except for Crystal snoring. When we pulled up at the house, I woke her up and she asked where we were. I said we are at home babe. She laid her head back on the seat and went back to sleep. I laughed and got out. I walked over to the passenger side and got her out. I carried her inside and laid her down on the bed. I went into the kitchen and got a glass of water and some aspirin. I went back into the bedroom and set it on the table next to the bed. I leaned down and kissed her forehead and before I walked out of the room, I heard her mumble something. I walked back over to the bed and asked her what she said. She turned her head with her eyes closed and said,"I love you so much and I can't wait until we have a baby."I stood there not sure what to say to her because I know she is not in her right mind. I finally said just get some sleep baby. We will talk tomorrow. I went into the
CRYSTALIt's been 2 months since Brooks moved into his house and I love being able to stay the night with him. My dad wasn't really ok with me staying over on school nights but I proved to him I could still go to school every day and be there on time. Brooks and my dad went in together and bought me a car so I could get to school and Brooks not have to take me every day. I waited on the last-period bell to ring so I can get out of here and head to the shop. Until I get the job at the daycare after I graduate in 3 months, I am going to work there and help Brooks out. His card shop has been doing pretty well. I didn't realize just how many kids actually play these card games. Brooks is so good with the kids that come in there. He gives them tips and helps the beginners by having card matches with them. I for the life of me can not understand how to play these games but it melts my heart watching Brooks with the kids. He has been smiling a lot more and his mood has been peaceful. Brooks'
BROOKSWhen we pulled into my mom's driveway, Ray was getting out of his truck and Jonah was standing on the porch. I asked Jonah where mom was and he said she went to the store but should be back any minute. I walked inside with Ray and began taking my bed apart and helped him get my dresser out of the house and loaded up. As we were heading back in to get my bed frame and mattress, My mom pulled into the driveway and got out. She opened the trunk and told Jonah to help her unload the groceries and put them in the back of my explorer. I asked her what she was doing and she told me to hush and said she bought me some food and supplies to start me off. I smiled and told my mom thank you but I didn't need her to do that. She told me to shut it or she would come organize my house and clean it. I laughed and said, fine mom. You win. Thank you for getting me all that. My mom closed the back of my car and walked up to the porch and smiled at Crystal. I said mom, this is Crystal. Crystal thi