Would you still love me when...?

Gwen and Josh had been in the quarry together all day long. The summer sun burnt their tender skin as they sat in each others caring arms. They sat and watched the sun set as it turned the becalmed sky into a medley of reds, pinks, oranges and hazy blues. They were silent, gently stroking the glossy grass beneath their relaxed selves. Gwen gently smiled persistently – a soft smile that made her defined cheek bones beam. Josh stroked her silky blonde hair with deep compassion for her and only her. His heart ached with lust and despair – they both knew they only had one more night together and then Gwen would have to leave with her parents. She had battled with her mom and dad to let her stay – but they said she was too young, “only 15”,  and couldn’t handle being alone.1

Gwen broke the long peace and her whimpering voice echoed through the quarry.2

“I don’t want to leave…leave…leave,” her voice echoed. She winced in misery as “leave” was repeated, reminding her.3

“I don’t want you to leave either. We have been through this before,” sighed Josh.4

“I’ll write to you.”5

“I know.”6

Gwen sat up and loosened herself from Josh’s grip. Then she heaved herself up and scuffed over to the side of the quarry. She cautiously peered over the edge to the dusty floor.7

“Suppose if I was to jump…” she whispered.8

“What did you say Gwen?” 9

“Come here Josh.”10

She beckoned him over and hugged him squeezing her face into his shirt and started to cry. Josh stood still for a second trying to hold back the heart wrenching tear drops. He lay his exhausted head on her shoulder and felt the graceful drops fall.11

6 years later…12

Gwen sat down on the vandalised seat in the drafty London Underground. She shivered and pulled her hardly-there clothes tighter to her. It had been a long night of hard work and she still had another shift to do. She was clammy, tired and dizzy. The loudspeaker crackled suddenly. “train 164 will be at platform 6 in approximately 5 minutes…”13

That was Gwen’s train. She gathered her belongings and got her ticket out her purse. In her purse was a picture of her favourite person in the whole wide world – Josh. She had never forgotten him even though her letters didn’t seem to reach him. He was her first love. She had met other people but no one just like him. Her face glowed every time she thought of him. She missed him so much.14

Her train was in sight. She stood up and it halted for her to get on.15

Josh slammed the cash register. He was so sick of mishearing these English peoples accents. He was used to American voices surrounding him day by day. He still couldn’t believe he left – but he felt a strong urge to go to England. Ever since, Josh had turned into a wreck – drinking, taking weed nearly everyday and going to strip clubs. He enjoyed them a lot. So much that some of the strippers knew him really well because he had been in so much – watching them eagerly, pleading to put a fiver in their knickers. He planned to go there after work.16

“Josh!” yelled his crusty boss.17

“What?”18

“You can go now.”19

Josh nodded and went to the back to grab his belongings.20

When he stepped out the glass/plastic door of the corner shop he was greeted with the normal English weather, cold and windy. It nipped at his tired eyes and made them water. The club was just down the road. He had a wad of five pound notes in his ample wallet. It was looking to be a good night – to Josh.21