As I was driving along towards Charlie's, I was thinking of how I would embrace the subject of her leaving. I didn't want to think about it, let alone talk about it, but it had to be done. Maybe a walk in the park would be better. That way, it would seem so intimate and things might flow better. Hell who knows.. I just needed to get it over with.. As I pull into Natalie's driveway, I took a deep breath and prepared myself for the future of our relationship. I walked up slowly to the door and rang the bell.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've just stepped out of a hot and refreshing shower when I hear the doorbell ring. Damn who could that be? I wasn't expecting company. Frantically. I pull a baggy t shirt on and some sweatpants on and as I hurry down the stairs, I pull one sock up and one hangs around my ankle. I haven't even had time to comb my hair. It's a wet and tangled mess as I open door. My mouth drops open.

"Brian.... What are you doing here" I say shocked

Looking at her, I couldn't help but smile. She had apparently just gotten out of the shower. Her hair was all wet and tangled and she seemed a little jumbled. But it made her look so cute.

"I.. uh.. cute hair." with a chuckle.

"What? This? Took me ages to style...umm come in"

"Thanks... You don't have any plans for today do you?"

"Not really...Did you have something in mind?"

"Maybe... is Natalie here?"

"No she's working....Then she's off out with a friend"

"Oh, I guess that works out then. Umm.. I uh.. I wanted to talk to you about something"

I get comfortable on the couch.

"Ok, what's up?"

Getting a little nervous now, I rub my hands on the side of my pants.

"Umm.. First off...When are you planning to go back to Cali?"

Oh crap, I've been dreading this conversation "Well...my...my flight is booked for nine days time"

*gulp* wow.. I wasn't expecting it to be that soon. I could feel the bottom dropping out of my stomach. I didn't know if I could convince her of my feelings, enough to stay. I know she has school, but she could always transfer here. I just wish she wasn't leaving at all

"That's coming up here soon. Ummm... " Sitting down beside her now.

"I don't know how else to say this but, is there anyway you can stay?"

Oh wow, that totally caught me off guard

"Are...Are you serious? I can't stay here...my life is in California"

"I'm being totally serious. You could make a life here also. Charlie, I.. I don't want to see you go. I think that we could have a real potential... to be more... And I want to see that happen. I dont know what will happen if you move back and.. never come back. "

"Oh...Oh my gosh...Brian I...I...This wasn't supposed to happen"

"But it is.... I really like you and we have a connection that I want to continue to explore. Don't you?"

"Yes, but you're asking me to give up my life to find out if we have potential and if we don't work out then my life is messed up"

I knew that she was right but it still hurt. I didn’t want to mess up her life and live to regret it. That’s not what this is about. I guess I just have to let her go, and hope that things work out for the best.

“I don’t want to compromise the life that you’ve already made for yourself. I hope that everything goes well for you . I’m not going to say that this is going to be easy for you me, because I really like you. I just hope that sometime down the road that we still have a chance”

"I don't know Brian. I can't say what's going to happen. Our lives are so different"

"Neither can I. I guess we'll just see. If it was meant to be, it was meant to be. Anyways, you wanna go and maybe play a game of putt-putt?"

"I guess we could"

"Come on, it'll ease the discomfort.. I promise"

"yeah it will"

On the drive there, I could tell that things were on her mind. They were on my mind too, but I couldn't let that get in the way. There was plenty of time for that later. As we got set up and got going, things began to become more relaxed and some laughter escaped.
It was a lot of fun. She was actually beating me. Don't know how that happened... laughing to myself. She even got a hole in one on the 16th hole. It was funny watching her jump up and down with excitement. After our game, we went down the street for some ice cream. With our cones and napkins, we went for a stroll in the park. It was nice and there were all sorts of people there from families with little kids to grownups to couples, to kids with skateboards. We had decided to be kids again as we sat in swings eating our ice cream watching everyone as they passed by.

Brian was right. It did ease the discomfort a little but with that came more pain. Although the idea of me moving here was insane and I know my parents would absolutely kill me if I left California. I was tempted to stay here with him because I couldn't describe how he made me feel inside"

Finishing my ice cream, I stood up and moved behind her.

"Hold on, ok."

"Should I hold on tight?" I tease

"That depends. How high do you want to go?"

"Not that far...I'm a bit scared of heights"

"You don't want to touch the sky? Well.. that's ok.. I'm afraid of heights too.. So don't worry"

Thinking that Brian's about to push me, I tilt my head back and I'm surprised to see him looking down at me. I smile at him and impulsively brushed my lips against his.

As I was looking down at her, she smiled back but suddenly her lips were on mine. That familiar tingle was going down my spine. Her lips were soft, yet still cold from the ice cream. I know, I'm making things harder but I couldn't help it. I returned her kiss with much earnest

I pull away for a second and shuffle on the swing so that I'm now facing him. I could kick myself, why didn't I realize i felt this way when we first started dating? I kiss him again and slowly run my fingers through his hair. I didn't want this moment to end. moments later I'm suddenly aware that I've grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer to me, deepening our kiss.

She pulls away, only to turn around, facing me. I looked straight into her eyes, looking for something that I could hold on to. Something that would convince me that she felt the same way. She came up to kiss me again as her fingers ran through my hair. It felt so good. Hell just having her touch me was good. Suddenly, I felt my shirt being grabbed and she pulls me closer deepening our already passionate kiss. OMG..She was driving me crazy. As our tongues explored each others mouths, I seriously thought I was going to lose it.

My hands found their way up the back of her shirt, only to rest as sensations were exploding all through my body. The touch of her skin was so soft and warm against my mildly callused hands. God, help me, but I wanted to taste that softness under my exploring lips... But as fate willed, I broke the kiss only to start trailing kisses down her neck.

the touch of his hands on my back sent shivers down my spine and after he pulls away, he begins to kiss my neck.

oh...wow I was getting caught up in this moment and I was losing control. I let out a soft moan

"Oh Brian"

"Umm, Brian...I think we should stop"

At the seriousness of her voice, I pulled away. I knew she was right, but my body wanting something else. But just to make sure...

" Is something wrong?”

"No nothing's wrong. I don't want things to move too fast"

“ Oh yeah.. I agree, especially considering the circumstances. “ taking a pause to trying and calm the rising arousal that was eminent.

“Maybe… Maybe we should umm.. take a walk”

"Yeah a walk sounds good. I'm sorry things can't be different...if my parents weren't putting me through college then I'd consider moving here"

"No, I understand. Of course, now a days you need a college education to get anywhere. I admire you. It's hard work "

"Yeah it is, I had to practically beg for this vacation. My parents wanted me to work for the summer"

"Yeah, figures.. that's the way it always is. Well I am glad that they let you go. Maybe someday it could be permanent"

"well miracles can happen"

Not for me but I instead I replied with a smile

"Maybe we should be going"

"Yeah, sure" We walked in almost silence all the way to the car. I hated that she was leaving and there's nothing I can do. What went on between us was incredible. How could I possibly forget it? I pretty much knew, there was no getting over her...

As I drove her home, I tried not to show her how I was really feeling, so I kept the conversation light and away from a certain eminent subject. As we pulled up in her drive, it suddenly grew quiet. I don't think either one of us knew what to say. I just looked at her for a few minutes and finally said ..

"Well... I hope to see you before you go"

"I'm sure you will, we'll spend a day together"

"I can't wait..... I.. I had a really great time tonight."

"It was...nice" pausing

"I should go"

As she starts to get out of the car, I grab her arm and pull her and pull her into a soft kiss. As we pull apart yet again;

" Goodnight , Charlie"

"Goodnight Brian" blushing furiously