"Loving is a forever thing"

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It was breathtaking almost breathtaking!
No, even that word wouldn't be enough to describe the palace or place what I can say? Well, it was marvellous and beautiful.

It was like those whom I had described in my dreams of castles. And here I'm wondering How much rich one can get?

And all the luxurious cars were parked in the parking zone when we were trying to find the place for our old model Desire.

We have a special pass which the school has given us. I mean all the school students or members or anybody related to the school had this pass of special entry. I don't know why his parents are doing this? And if they want to; why they are inviting every contiguous body of school as if our existence would matter to them.

From the whispers, I might have heard that this is for charity purposes and many prestigious figures will come to contribute their presence to this event and maybe we have been invited so that we can know how much our school trustees do for the poor people of the livelihood.

Or maybe they want to raise funds for the school premises that's why we are invited to support it when rich people will come to give their share. And just by thinking all of this I might wonder? This is not just for one school; I mean what if they want to open up many schools or if they want to do something for themselves as in to elect election?

God knows anything can happen at anytime

His parents are popular and rich they also have big names they can do whatever they want.

"What are you thinking?"
Vess slapped me on my shoulder to get my attention when I was having all these curious thoughts.

"Nothing!" I compiled.

"Amanda, is Cole's parents that rich?" She asked me her mouth hanged open as she stares at the image of the house. Oh! Whom I am wandering let me call it a palace.

"Oh Fuck!"

"Is this guy even real? How many palaces like these he own or his parents own? Do you know what I think? Cole is the Bill gates of our school. I mean look at this fucking gorgeous palace made up with god knows what items that it is shining like a star, and look at the crowd gathered here - the cars of billion dollars of the people of the higher class having the audacity of billionaires," she rolled her eyes dramatically.

"You are right he is a bastard. A rich bastard and I don't like rich people, so let's go and what is happening inside of this heaven-like palace where ornaments are everywhere and it all starting from the garden!"

As we looked closely there were sculptures very famous ones were stood there.

As one of Will start talking to us and let me tell you one thing that my heart is beating faster than when I had my first kiss with him, faster than when I had looked into his eyes, faster than when we danced together.
Which somehow makes me exasperated As if I did a mistake tonight I will regret it forever.

"You are not going to make a fool of yourself, " Vess whispered into my ears while squeezing my hand.

"Really?" I sincerely asked her

"Yes. I know I"ll make a fool of myself" she exclaimed.

And at that moment I realized why she is my best friend because we both are acting stupid aren't we?

"Say that again and I" all slap you on your face, "
and controlling my shivering body while handling her I started walking towards the entrance ignoring the glances of everyone who the bloody hell was looking at me.

If outsides were stars then insides have the whole universe in itself. The ceiling is looking like a fresh mirror has just arrived there. The aroma of ourselves was portraying whenever I was looking towards the chandelier; and what a great big chandelier it was! One couldn't comprehend its heights its authenticity and the beauty of its reflecting mirrors and designs.
Only people like me could stare at the beauty with my penetrating eyes and hope that it would not fall on my head the way it has reflecting its curious light all around in this big place.

And if not that was enough there were expensive paintings all over on the walls. That kind of paintings which I have never seen in my life. I don't know how can someone be that much rich to own things like these?

In my life, I've never thought about such things from the prestigious chandeliers to authentic sculptures from famous paintings to royal carpets which were settled on the floor as they were always meant to be

Still, I don't understand what's the point of inviting all school students to this high-class party or gala or gathering whatever you want to say.
You know I can calculate any kind of math problem but this is beyond my thinking!

Suddenly a buttler came near us he had a plate in his hands who was offering soft drinks of different flavours from cola to mulberry there were different kinds of flavours present there.

"Suddenly I'm thinking Cole is an alien from another planet to have this much in his pocket and he acted like a jerk throughout his school life which is about to end soon, " Vess blurted out.

I know Vess. I know it's hard to believe whatever we are seeing but it is what it is I just wanted to know where he is now.

"Couldn't be more agree with you, " I replied in sync.

Suddenly I saw an aged woman resting herself in a wheelchair looking lost as she doesn't hear but she was trying hard to handle all the things she had a crooked smile, A smile which looks familiar the way it was reaching on her eyes. Her wheelchair was near the staircase.
It just showcases how modest we people become these days that we don't sympathetically care about the simple things in real life we only try to run for chaos in a hope that they would change everything, but I had been wrong. I simply need to seek simpler things.

"What are you doing? I'm dying already!" Vess obnoxious voice diverted my mind to her.

She was looking as she was about to collapse anytime soon if I didn't listen to her anymore. She has my look on her face the very famous hostile look. As if one would ask her anything she will eat that person.
Better I listen otherwise things will not be in our favour, "give me your all money before you die!" I stuck out my tongue.

"I swear Amanda Parker if you didn't go to eat food with me, " I'll eat you rather than the food!"

From her posture- as she was standing on high heels and had placed her hands on the waist. She will eat me. And I really wouldn't want to get eaten by her.

So you want to get eaten; but not by her?

Shut up!

She clutched my hand as she was on a mission to eat all the food from here. Well, guess what? I like her idea infect I'm completely in love with her.

"Why is there a buffet?" I pouted,

while looking closely to well-acquainted insanely thousands of dishes from across the cultures of this planet earth.

"Holy shit! How much one can get so rich? I mean just look at this! I wouldn't even spend all this huge amount of money on my wedding and-"

And she kept blabbing and blabbing about how this villa or palace 
Has a separate garden where an orchestra was playing slow and authentic music of high-class standard, and how much it would cost to rent a place like this?

It also has a private garden of its own which looks almost dreamy and-

"Enough of all this! let's eat something first, " Vanessa Carlson again slapped my head like a madwoman and then literally pushed me ahead to pick up a Chinese dish though she voluntarily picked it up with me too.

It has food from almost all countries. Of course, I was expecting this to happen here. Explicitly to be told there were infinite varieties of dishes

"Well-well-well look at here what these hungry souls are doing here!"

Ouch!

"Bamenda Parker and Vanessa Carlson At least have some etiquettes I know you guys are poor that's why you can't afford many varieties of food, but no you have to eat right? You have to show everyone where you guys stand in Manhattan and Cross River high!"

Hit her! Hit her! Hit her on face

"Ask her to shut up otherwise I'll eat her alive in everybody presence and you know what? That would be in so much dignity!" Vess yelled.

It was loud enough to make it her hear because we can't see Beatrice face in the making-our back was on her side. Nevertheless, it would be fun to kick her off and watch her expressions right?

"You can't even touch me, darling!"

And there she stood. Beatrice in a silver deep neck gown her hand was placed oh her waist and she was hovering her fake smile with her fake eyelashes, lips, eyes,  body anything you want to believe in? She is fake from all over top to bottom.

"I don't even want to touch a plastic bag full of rice,  " Vess scolded in her amazingly charming voice.

Oh plz, don't do overacting now!

Wait this isn't overacting my inner voice! Let me show you something then.

"Come on Vess let's go, " as I picked up a glass of orange juice.

"But why I so want to beat her!" She accused.

When we started walking away I deliberately spilt orange juice where she was standing and of course she wouldn't notice it because she was too busy admiring herself.

One.

Two...

Three...

She stepped back and at that moment everything was frozen her leg slipped and she fell. Fell because she always wasted to insult others.

I came rushing back to her place and extended a hand so she can hold it and help herself, after all, I can not be like her in the end, "at least poor people have more heart than that of your rich heart!"

I told her while sceptically rousing my eyebrows.

looking at her eyes which almost looked daunting as if looks could kill then I"ll be the dead meat. Ha! However, it doesn't matter anymore if she slaps me on my face I"ll kick her harder every time.  I swear I'm standing still here and if anybody wants to say shit about me or people related to me I'll fucking beat the shit out of that person.

"You bitch!"

She Exclaimed. however, she still had the guts to grab my hand which was helping her out to stand up again.

She stood regaining her posture while cleaning her dress which was not at all got dirty there were no contents of the orange juice on her dress still she was trying to get it clean anyway.

"What in god's name happening here?"

Came to a lady wearing a gown of navy blue colour. she had the denominating queen look on her face. It was clear that she thinks everyone here just breathing only because of her.

She had a champagne glass in her hands. From head to toe, she had millions of things on her. No, I don't want to say anything bad but she is a freaking rolling millionaire.

"Oh, Beatrice dear what happens to you? Is everything alright?"

 She asked Beatrice in her concerned tone.
Who is she? Beatrice's mother??????
But what the hell students parents would do here?

"Nothing Mrs Maxwell some old rags can't control their hunger because of them these incidents happen, but I know it isn't their mistake maybe they have not seen the good quality of food in their life!"

Shittt!!!

What????
Is wrong on this planet earth!

She is Mrs Maxwell?

She is Cole's mother????

"Say that again and we will kick you right here right now!" Vess's voice was harsher than her but she was right because I'm with her.

"Behave!"

"At least don't react like some beggars on the street, " she made a nasty remark looking with her scrutinizing eyes.

And then she walked away like a queen. A bullshit queen! How could she be his mother? It's not possible.

Beatrice picked up her dress and ran away somewhere. Well, I want her to go to hell but I don't think so my wish going to granting that much soon.

"Who was she?"

"What the hell she think of herself?"

"Do we look live beggars to her?"

"I think she also needs a lesson from us!"

I know Vanessa I know. But she is Mrs Maxwell!

"She is Cole's Mother. And, host of this exasperated nonsense party, "

"What??" Her mouth hanged open. Her eyes were like going to bulge out from their socket and I know she is my best friend for a reason.

"Give me that piece of  sweet." Came a familiar voice ahead of us.

***
A wonderful evening where you don't know anything, where your umm might be boyfriend, is busy God damn where? And not to forget where you met her mother which by the way is not so prominent scene in my life.

However, it could be ridiculous where I could have said something rubbish to her but thank God it didn't go that way and finally, she thinks of me as a beggar. Oh yes, what a lovely evening to enjoy.

"What do you think you are doing?" Asked a furious Vess and at this time I'm furious too.

Dylan Frazier is enjoying oh so little pieces of sweets as he has come on a vacation and doesn't know anything about the existence of other species.

His face went red. As we just caught him doing something punishable.

"I am asking you something! What do you think you are doing?" Now, Vess is angry with him. He has been missing for the whole day and at a sudden moment, he came out of nowhere eating sweets????

Is this a soap opera?

Umm maybe.

"Can't you see I'm eating!" His sound was barely audible. And I think he forgets to gulp down the sweet dish which by the way looking yummy.

"I asked what do you think you are doing?" Vess was confident if Dylan said something about coming over here and to forgetting telling her about tonight then she would not think again about kicking him right now.

However,
This is amusing

His face is priceless.

"Vanessa are you drunk or what?"  Of course, he wants to run away from this conversation.

"You Mr Frazier what do you think who the hell you are?"

"Umm, I don't know maybe  the king himself?"  Not a good way to start a conversation with your angry girlfriend dude.

"I swear Dylan I will--" she got cut when Dylan gave a peck on her lips.

What a unique way to end the conversation with your girl. However, she got flushed her cheeks were radiating as she has been kissed for the very first time. And I think that was right because she got kissed ahead of a very huge amount of people.

"Seriously Dylan why didn't you told us anything about the night?" I asked. Though it doesn't matter still we want to know and maybe Vess for a time couldn't be able to ask anything about him.

At first, he looked lost as he was in a battle with himself to tell us or not but then maybe he thought something and decided to tell us, "okay I'll tell you you have every right to know it. Cole told me to not tell you anything he was never even expecting you guys to come here!"

And I might wonder why would cole do that?

"Now what does he think of himself?" Oh, finally Vess came back from Lala land.

We were looking at his face so that he can't back out now! We need answers.

"Oh crap doesn't give me that look of yours i" ll tell you anyway.  He didn't want you guys to come here because he knows how his mother will react and that might upset you!"

Wait for what???

"And why he is so confident about her mother that she will purposely insult us?" Vess asked because she was as much confused as I was.

"Because she isn't her real mother. I mean she is his stepmother."

Oh my God!

And you call yourself might be a girlfriend?

'Everybody silence, please'

Came a voice in a commanding tone.
Everyone gathered at the hall including the three of us to see actually what is going to happen here.

"I'm highly overwhelmed to see citizens of this town with students of my prestigious school Cross River High gathered here to support my next decision concerning open a university in Manhattan which would work for the excellent academic of this countries students. However, I want to say that this dream wouldn't be made possible if my school students wouldn't gather here to support me in my decision with the dignity of our city and the welfare of our children."

"Woahh! I didn't know this would be that much huge!" Dylan's eyes were not believing in what he was seeing and his ears were also not functioning properly.

However, my eyes were only fixated on the one boy who has eyes of chocolate brown and who is also holding the hand of a beautiful girl.

"What the fuck he is doing with that bitch?" Vess snarled at her.

I love you, my friend.

Out of nowhere, he came from the starings holding the hand of a girl as she has just come from heaven and the whole family gathered around the stage which was made up of enough instruments near the opposite section of the food court area.

And slowly by slowly important tycoons of the city congratulated Mr Maxwell for his decision to establish a university in Manhattan. And even if that was not enough there were paparazzi everywhere to capture this explicit moment.

"Dylan who is she?" Vess asked him. I can hear them talking to each other about who is she? Why is she close to Cole so much? When I was supposed to be there?

And in my case, I seriously don't know who is she? I know he doesn't have any sibling so she can't be her sister.
Then maybe she would be an acquaintance of her?

You are insane!

Suddenly, soft slow music started playing. I know it is only to calm each other nerves it isn't like this music will be converted into a dazzling where everyone will start dancing right?

"And my students can enjoy this lovely evening."

With that remark, Mr Maxwell took Mrs Maxwell to the floor, following which students and many other personalities came to the floor and started enjoying music.

As the music went higher the floor converted to the dance floor where everyone was dancing in a good manner and where Cole and that girl was dancing too holding hand in hand.

"This is so stupid!" Exclaimed Vess.

I know it is stupid. I know everything here is stupid and juxtaposed at many levels but I was fine. Fine because nothing matters to me. However, I was wrong. Maybe I was never the girl for him. How can he not tell me about this? How can he and that girl dance like they were a couple? And how can I see it from my eyes?

I know it isn't like he has kissed her ahead of everyone but I'm still hurt and it always does when I'm seeing him and he doesn't.

"Let's go home?" Dylan chimed in. He politely said rubbing my back.
Going home and not solving anything and crying like an idiot is not a thing for me to do!

"Let's dance shall we?" I said and somehow went to the new converted dance floor. I know I've back of Vanessa and Dylan they were right behind me.

I went there and the girl from heaven was laughing as cole has said something funny when in reality she was the one who was speaking nonchalantly from herself.

I stood there near them to know that if he can ensure my presence if he can see that he is hurting me if he can see that I'm in pain and if he can see that he is doing wrong.

And then bang! Our eyes collided just like the big bang theory would have worked in this existence of the universe.

Our eyes met. The warm brown eyes get converted into cold as he has fallen into a trap. But in reality, I was the one who had fallen into his trap. His trap of saying that he loves me.

Because his eyes were screaming that he didn't like me being here and he didn't like me being standing here observing all the things when that girl has her arms around his neck and her head was resting on his chest as he was the only man for her. And if that was not enough to break my heart she looked up upon him and kissed him on his cheek then giggled.

My heart was aching!

You know the sudden feeling you think that you are living in an illusion when everything becomes right and then you hear a burst to end up all your happiness.

Maybe My bubble finally has burst out. A tear rolled down my cheek. I quickly rubbed it away and headed outside of this costly place.

I think people like me don't belong and I don't t belong with him. I heard footsteps and my name-calling but I didn't stop I kept running. Running until I kept losing my emotions. Until when I found a garden on the western side of the road.
It was all dark but there was a bench and it was silent. Silence consume all my thoughts so I can control myself and not lose my mind. To control me from aching my heart and to control myself to breathe again in the fresher air.

I quietly sat down on the bench and looked at the sky. Maybe it was full moon night. The moon was so big and warming just like humans hope that the same hope would get lost the next night.

All the things came crashing down and I started crying harder this time.

"Don't cry, "I looked up and saw him seating near me on the same bench.

Why is he here now? Can't he go back to that girl and you know what? the irony is I'm not even her girlfriend to act like this.

However, I know why I'm upset more because we had been more than that the typical girlfriend-boyfriend thing. He has known me throughout my entire life that's what made me even more upset.

" I know maybe I've hurt you but I've something for, please give me a chance to say it for you,"

What is even left to say? Is he going to say he was playing a game with me? Or is he going to say it was just a challenge for him?

Just nodd you good for nothing head for once girl!

I nodded my head to listen to whatever he wanted to say for the last time.

"Only for you Amanda Parker," and then took out a crumbled small piece of paper from his pocket.

without you,
I'm vulnerable, and with you?
with you? I'm lost.
Lost in you.
Do you know? How the way this world works-
Right through the epitome of the galaxy;
I can say you have the sterilizing gaze to capture me,
And I had the infinite boundaries for you to surrender.
Because without you I'm vulnerable, and with you? I'm lost...
Lost in you.
I could have snatched away the clouds just for you if you needed the shine.
I could have torn out my heart into millions of pieces;
If it would mean to heal you.
I could swim the oceans for you;
If it would mean to keep you warm.
Because without you I feel vulnerable, and with you? I feel lost.
Lost in you.
Maybe the crossover of hazel blue colour against an orangish sky that day might have changed everything-
The way it all started,
With you,
In the bushes,
When the stars were shining,
And the night was young,
You were singing,
And the waves of the ocean were ruffling,
When for the very first time;
We were lost in each other;
Forgetting all the wisdom of this world
And when we were both feeling vulnerable at the same time to the fear of being lost.
But when we kissed for the first time,
I realized;
without I'm vulnerable;
And with you?
I'm lost...
Lost in you.

He picked me up in his arms and before I ran away from here and hide after hearing whatever he said because his words have embarked my heart; his words engraved a deep impact on my heart.

**

We were both inside his car. I don't want this my heart thumping on my chest. It's like I'm going to die any minute soon he was just looking at me. Looking into my eyes not saying anything he has not said something after his wonderful poetry and here trying to avoid eye contact? What's wrong with me!
Why I'm not bold in situations like these?

My body went from cold to hot. It was burning and my cheeks must me looking like a turnip's colour and he has not said anything yet!

I felt breathing again when he started driving but it was for a minute because he stopped it again.
And again he started looking at me.

Come on say something!

I think I need to do something otherwise I know he is very stubborn.

"Umm Cole?" I whispered in a hushed voice.

"Do you remember our First kiss, Amanda?" He asked me while devouring my eyes from his stare.

"Yes, I remember everything, " I simply said because I don't know what is going on

"Then you must remember those pictures in newspapers of me kissing different girls at the same party, "

Ouch!

This made me angry somehow because I felt stupid at that time.

"Yes. I also remember that " I glared my eyes with every emotion.

Somehow he didn't seem to notice it and continued to whatever he was saying, " My father's wife; I mean she is not my mother never wanted me to be the heir of my father's property when she gets married to my father when I was eight years old but you know-how destiny plays its game? She never wanted me to be the heir and unfortunately, she never had a baby neither my father wanted to adopt anyone. So in the end, I was the only hope left for them.
They asked me to do it. To kiss different girls at something so that paparazzi can notice this and made me famous. And that girl today whom you have seen with me was the daughter of their friend. They want to break it from the headlines to news and whatever nonsense. I never wanted to do anything like this I swear but I didn't have anything to hold on but I know that I have now. And that is you.  And Amanda that's the only reason I didn't tell you because I never wanted you to come to see this and I was sure you would not come here. Eventually, I got wrong at that."

I heard everything he has said. And it made sense why he did it? Now everything is clear but still, something is missing.

I was just retarded things in my head when he opened his mouth again.

"So-"

"So?" I asked

"So-"

"Dammit just say it!" I blurted out.

"Amanda Parker will you be my girlfriend?" It was barely audible because he just slipped it out only in two seconds.

Let's have some fun, after all, it took many years to ask this question.

"What? I didn't hear what did you say?"

"I said will you be my girlfriend?" Ok, this time he voice was as clear as water.

"Still, I didn't hear anything?"  I pointed out.

"You heard it  didn't  you?"

"What? Are you saying something-?" And before I could finish my sentence he grabbed my face and started kissing me.

It was sweet, it was passionate it had a mixture of both hurt and love and most importantly I was kissing him back with the same passion he was kissing me.

When we fell apart our breath was heavy. We were out of breathing but I still had to answer his question.
"Yes, I'll be your girlfriend Cole Maxwell" and with that, he started driving.

We reached the same place. However, this time he was with me holding my hand and we were heading to the entrance.

A Thousand Years song was playing aa soft music and some couples were dancing.

Heartbeats fast
Colours and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow

He intertwined our fingers and went straight into the middle section
My body was shivering; all eyes were upon us

One step closer

"You are the most beautiful girl in my life, Amanda Parker, "

I have died every day, waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

And then we started kissing each other forgetting everything on this earth.

                        THE END

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The last and longest chapter of the book.
I hope you guys find out your Cole and Amanda in your life.
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