[ Chloe ]

I sat down next to Braeden and took a deep breath. He's the only one I have left. If I lose him, everything will be gone.

Everything.

He smiled at me. I smiled back.

He was like my diamond ring; if I lose it, it will never come back.

Never.

"Braeden," I breathed.

He looked at me, his eyebrows furrowed.

"You're all I have left. Please never leave me."

He looked at me pitifully. "Chloe, never fear. I will always be right by your side. And it shames me that nobody knows how truly amazing you are."

He leaned in and kissed me, smack on the lips. I think I smeared some of my new cherry unicorn lipgloss on him (credits to Clara).

We just stayed in that position for what felt like forever. By the time the kiss was over, it was almost like the whole park was staring at us. I blushed beet red. "Maybe this isn't the best meeting spot," I informed.

He laughed. "I would have to agree."

After agreeing on that debate, we walked down the hill with our fingers intertwined. On the way to the stream, we heard comments like, "Here come the two lovebirds", "They're so adorable", and "I'm gonna die from how cute they are!"

Ugh. Stupid hill.

Well, maybe it's not that bad. I did have my first kiss on it.

On the way there, I looked around and saw something that made my heart ache. Mascara marks in one of the willow trees. Paige. I miss her so much.

Decisions are hard, even though I didn't really have to make one. Paige made the decision for me. Even though it wasn't the choice I would have made.

Then I snapped back into reality, just as I tripped over a rock. I shrieked, but luckily Braeden caught me.

"Thanks, Prince Charming," I smiled.

"You're welcome, Cinderella."

I laughed. He yanked me up, and we continued walking.

I had my head down, and he was focused on getting to the stream.

And we did.

We sat down, hanging our feet over the edge. I looked up at the sky, which was turning pink and orange from the sunset.

"Chloe," Braeden firmly whispered.

"Huh?" I asked.

"You're all I want. Please never go."

I smiled. "If you never leave me, I will never, ever leave you."

He smiled and leaned in...

And pushed me into the stream! I opened my mouth and scowled playfully at him. "You little rat!" I screeched.

I just couldn't go on with it. I cracked up. He joined in.

I reached my hand out so he could pull me out. He took it, but instead of me getting out, he got in!

I laughed as he splashed me. I splashed him back.

"You know, normally I expect people to be mean to me and bully me. But you've really exceeded my expectations, Braeden. And that makes me happy."

"It makes me happy, too."

We stayed in the stream for 5 minutes until we both got cold. We were soaked, but neither of us cared.

And we just sat on the edge of the stream and watched the sunset. It was perfect.

Like a happy ending for me.

And I couldn't be happier.

Epilogue coming up!