The next month was on of the best in my life. Everyday Howie and I were getting closer and closer. It was now a Friday evening and I was sitting at home watching TV. Howie was doing something with his family and wouldn't be over till late. The phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Carrie?"

"Yeah?"

"Hey, it's A.J."

"Oh, hey A.J., what's up?"

"Um, nothing really, are you doing anything right now?"

"No", I sighed, "Howie won't be over till 11:00".

"Well," A.J. said, "would you mind taking me over a friends house? Cause, I have no ride".

"Sure," I said, "Can I pick you up in about 15?"

"Yeah", he said, "that sounds good, thanks".

When I pulled up to A.J.'s house he was waiting outside. He got in and thanked me again.

"So, where to?", I asked.

"Oh, my girlfriend Summer's, just take a left up here."

"Awww, you have a girlfriend, I thought you were my guy", I joked.

A.J. laughed, "Yeah, well I was until Howie stole you".

"Stole me? I knew Howie first!", I said.

"I know," A.J. said, "it's unfair!". I laughed pretty hard,

"Aww, A.J., you know your still my buddy!". He smiled,

"Yeah, and now I am feeling just like Howie".

"What do you mean?", I asked him.

"Oh, well, Howie loves you, alot, and I am starting to have reeeaaally strong feeling's for my girl, Summer." I blushed and smiled to myself,

"When did you hear Howie loves me alot?". A.J. looked at my funny,

"Have you not noticed the way he looks at you? It's love, man, I call tell!".

"Yeah," I started, "he told me last night how he felt...the 'L' word and all". A.J.'s eyes widened,

"Whoa! He took the leap! See, what did I tell you? Never under estimate the power of the almighty A.J. McLean!", at this point he threw his hands in the air, giggling. He really was a cute kid.

"Oh! Stop here!", he yelled suddenly. I stopped in front of a small white house. Outside a dark haired girl waited on the steps with her head in her hands. A.J. got out and turned to me,

"Bye, Carrie, Thanks for the ride, I'll see tomarrow at the talent show,". I said bye and remembered the Talent Show at our school tomorrow, Howie was singing in, and I was really excited for him. He was a wonderful singer, after all. I watched A.J. run over to the girl, they hugged and walked inside holding hands. Awwww! I really wanted Howie at that instant. I checked my watch, "10:35", I had just enough time to drive home and beat Howie there.

When I got home I sat on my couch waiting for him. I heard him knock and I jumped up, for some reason I had missed him so much and couldn't wait to get my arms around him. I went to answer the door.

"Hey baby", he said giving me an oh so sweet hug, "I missed you."

"Me, too!", I said. We went inside still in each others arms.

We watched a movie, holding each other the whole time.

"When is your mom supposed to be home?", Howie asked at 12:30.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, she's out of town, in Las Vegas till Monday".

"Oh, sooo, your home alone?", He said with an arched eyebrow.

"Yeah, but ya know, I always am," I said snuggling against him.

"Well, not tonight", Howie said. I looked up at him and he blinked,

"Well...I mean I didn't mean what that sounded like...I meant, I...I, ya know for now your not alone". I smiled he was so cute, all stuttering.

"It's okay", I said, "I want you to stay". Howie sat there for a moment trying to realize what I said.

"Oh, you...you mean on the couch and..and yeah, on the couch", he said. I laughed,

"Nah, I think I'll need you in my room".

"Uh...", Howie looked nervous. "OK".

"C'mon", I said grabbing his hand. He was kinda shaky, and to be honest so was I. Taking a deep breath, and led him upstairs. That night Howie and I became one.

When I opened my eyes I saw him sleeping peacefully next to me. I studied his face, beautiful soft pink lips and a perfect tan complexion. I wondered how something so beautiful could be with me, and I felt as if I was the luckiest girl in the world. He opened his eyes and smiled, exhaling as he pulled himself closer to me, resting his arm on my stomach.

"Hi", I said.

"hmm, Hey", He said closing his eyes again, "what time is it?". I turned to look at the clock,

"10:10", I said.

"Oh...", He said.

"No good morning?", I asked. He opened his eyes, smiling lightly and leaned over and kissed me.

"Better?"

"Hmmm, nah, I need another", I said grinning. He kissed me again, and of course it was mind-blowing. We laid there for a moment and I finally got up. Howie soon followed.

Downstairs I started to make some tea, and heard Howie walking down the stairs. He walked in the kitchen, shirtless and carrying his shirt in his hand. He hugged me and I had to say that boy loved to be close.

"I have to get home", he said, "My mom's gonna chew me out, but I'll try to tell her I fell asleep on the couch".

"She's gonna be so mad, I hope she doesn't resent me!", I said making a face.

"No, she won't be mad at you, I won't let her, she knows I love ya", He smiled.

"Well, tell her that I love you back", I said grabbing his waist.

"You'll be there tonight, right?"

"No, I have a date with me other boyfriend", I said sarcastically. Howie laughed and smiled at me,

"OK, I'll see you there", He said pulling on his shirt.

"Alright, I love you", I said. Howie hugged me again and kissed me.

"Love you, too", He said. He turned and walked out the back door.

The auditorium was filled with people. I waved to Howie's parents from across the room. They smiled and waved back. I wondered if Howie had gotten in trouble this morning.

"Hey Carrie!", I turned to see A.J. and his girlfriend standing there.

"Oh, hey A.J.".

"This is my girlfriend, Summer", he said putting an arm around the girl. I looked at the girl, she was very pretty, dark hair and dark brown eyes. She also looked older than A.J. a bit, but you can never really tell these days.

"Hey, how ya doing?", I said flashing a smile.

"Great, thanks, your Howie's girlfriend, right?", Summer said.

"Yeah, I am Howie's girlfriend", I said. I really liked saying that.

"Oh, he's such a sweetie", Summer said, "and a cutie, if you don't mind me saying". I smiled,

"I know, isn't he? I don't mind you saying, but A.J. might", I nudged A.J. with elbow. He had a pouty look on his face and I had to laugh. Summer looked at him,

"But, of course, A.J., you are so cute, too!, C'mon, you know your my one and only", she said wrapping her arms around him. He grinned, showing his teeth,

"I know...I am soooo fine". We all laughed.

"Carrie, where are you sitting?", A.J. asked. I pointed to some seats over near the front of the stage,

"Right over there."

"Well, can we sit with you?", he asked.

"Are you kidding, of course you can!", I said. We walked over to our seats and down. I'd have to say the first 30 minutes was a pure snoozer, mostly tap dancers, and magicians who kept screwing up their tricks. The announcer came out,

"And that was Clark the Magician, everyone give it up for Clark". He paused and looked dawn at a paper he was carrying,

"OK, and now a senior here at Edgewater High...", I knew it was Howie, I was so nervous for him, and he wasn't nervous at all the last time I saw him. I wondered what he was singing.

"Howard Dorough", the announcer finished. Everyone began clapping and Howie stepped out onto the stage. He was wearing black pants and a gray shirt, and he looked GOOD. He held the microphone in his hand, looking down. When the music started I knew the song immediately. Unchained Melody. Our song. When he began singing he looked into my eyes, and deep into my soul. I felt warm tears fell down my cheeks. It was so beautiful, my heart seemed to stop completely and time stood still. For a few moments, the auditorium was empty, except for me and him. When it was time for the high note to be hit, Howie hit it perfectly, sending the audience into an uproar, they loved it. When he was done he simply said,

"Thank you,...Carrie, I love you." And the curtains closed.

Everyone stood and applauded. Some students glanced over at me, some went, "Who's Carrie?". I wanted to jump up and scream "Me! I am Carrie! He loves me, and I love him too!", but I did not. I was beaming with happiness. I heard Summer lean over to A.J.,

"That's so sweet!", he nodded.

After a few more acts it was time to announce the winners. The announcer cleared his throat and said,

"OK, we just want to say that ALL the acts have been wonderful...", he announced the runner's up and I was praying that Howie was going to win.

"And the winner is...", I couldn't breathe and crossing my fingers.

"Howard Dorough!". The audience jumped and everyone screamed and cheered. I sprung up clapping and me and A.J. jumped up and down like two teeny boppers winning New Kids tickets or something. Howie came out smiling real big. He accepted his trophy and waved.

I waited outside for him by his car. Everyone had pretty much left, but Howie was still inside being interviewed by the school paper and some locals. When he finally came out, he was waving and saying good bye to some people still inside. Not noticing I was there yet, he began walking towards me, shifting his trophy from one arm to another. When he saw me waiting there he stopped. My eyes were still a bit watering from earlier and I stood there admiring him. He stood there, wordlessly, looking at me right in the eyes. All I could do was run to him and kiss him. With my arms around him, and his arms around me, I rested my head on his shoulder and he whispered,

"I have something for you". He pulled a small black box out of his pocket. He held it for a moment, took a deep breath and opened it to reveal a dark, deep blue sapphire with a sterling silver band. He slid it on my finger.

"This is my promise to you", he said holding my hands in his, "I promise to always be your friend and to always cherish you in my heart. You are my first true love, and my true soul mate. I felt it the moment I met you...or should I say knocked you over", we both laughed softly, "I promise to always dance with you, to always hold your hand, to always kiss you and hold you tight. But, most of all I promise to always love you". I was crying again. I knew in my heart that I couldn't breath without Howie, I needed him more than anything.

"Howie...", it was all I could say as I held him close and tight. What could I say? I was speechless.

"Are you okay?" He said rubbing my back.

"Are you crazy? I am the most the happiest girl in the world", I said wiping my eyes. I looked at my ring, it was so gorgeous.

We got into his car and it began to rain. We decided to drive to our spot overlooking the city, and held each other all night.

He still calls me today. We see each other because I still live next door. I still live next door and he comes to see to visit when he can, after all he is very busy. I even go on tour with him sometimes. We still say, "I love you", all the time and he still kisses me and holds my hand. I still wear his promise, right next to my other ring from him. Only it's gold with a diamond. After all, he has kept all his promises. Go Back Home

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