One lonely year has gone by for Cody, with nothing to bring him happiness. One year of his life was devoted just to missing Amber.

And in one miracle of a moment, he heard his door creak open.

And Amber walked through.

"Amber!" Cody yelled, picking her up and swinging her around. But she didn't have that big smile on.

"I missed you too, Cody," she miserably groaned.

Cody looked puzzled. What happened to her? This is not the Amber I know.

Cody went and sat down on a bench. "Amber, what's wrong?"

"I'm gone, Cody." She choked on the words. "Broken."

He looked at her with the same deep eyes he used when he first met her. He could not let this happen.

"No, you're not!" he defended.

"Cody, yes I am. Queen Amanda made a potion for beauty, with my DNA in it. I'm not an individual anymore. Everyone is going to be just like me."

Cody stared at the ground. "Amber, no one could ever replace you in my heart. Take a look."

He pulled out a small notebook that was worn and dusty, handing it to Amber. She opened it up, dust flying everywhere.

"I haven't touched this in a year. You know why? Because you weren't here to create memories."

Amber flipped through the pages, reading all about the fun times they had together. It was like her past, happy self in a book.

"See, Amber. No one could replace that."

A smile began to grow on her face when she read the final words in the notebook.

I love you Amber.

"Cody, you're right. These times were the best times of my life, and I can't let that be taken away by some dumb experiments."

They stood up and held hands. "Amber, words cannot describe how much I missed you."

"Cody, I missed you even more."

And finally, after a year, their lips touched. Gently, softly.

"Amber, nothing can pull you away from me now," Cody said.

"I agree," Amber laughed.

And they hugged, a long, warm hug.

"Now, let's go create more memories for that journal!" Amber exclaimed.

"Why not?" Cody said.

And so, they skipped off into the forest.

They couldn't be happier.

THE END

epilogue coming up!