A Promise Forgotten

I could feel my face grow hot when his hands reached out to grab me and pull me back. if only I didn’t grow so nervous with boys, especially the ones I liked. He smiled down at me, him being much taller than me made me feel more uncomfortable than ever. How many times have my friends told me I was never going to meet Ryker personally? They couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw him. Now he is here, staring down at me with those bright, blue eyes slightly covered by his messy black hair. 1

I clutched onto the sleeves of his shirt as tears began to fill my eyes. His smile grew weak. He was no longer a stranger I met on a photography site over the internet. He was more than that. He was more than a friend now, no matter how much it bothered all my friends. They warned me about meeting men over the computer. I ignored them, thinking I would never meet a boy that lived in Holland. Now he is holding me and I didn’t want him to let go.2

“Everything is going to be alright, Valencia. You’ll see.” He said to me, brushing aside strands of my hair. I giggled at the way he pronounced my name with his Dutch accent, something I had to grow used to when I met him. could this be the last time he said my name? when he goes back home to Holland there is a great chance of me never seeing him again. We’ll go back to instant messaging on sites we come across. “We’ll see each other again another time. Whether you’re still here in Nevada, or in Queensland, where you want to live.” He added.3

“Maybe I can convince my family to travel up to Holland instead of Spain.” I said moving my hand from his sleeves and to the collar of his shirt. He chuckled.4

“Holland over Spain? Is that a joke?” he asked me laughing. I laughed and tip toed, still not able to reach his lips. he slightly bent over to reach me, giving me a soft kiss before pulling apart. I felt bubbly inside. my veins now enriched with hot fire yet a cool breeze lifting my feet off the floor. “What will be your reason for wanting to go to Holland?” he asked me, wiping away a few escaped tears from my face.5

“I’ll think of something.” I answered him, my lips yearning for his. He knew I wanted another kiss but he was a teaser. “Maybe I’ll tell them that I want to go to the Sypesteyn Castle or maybe to De Efteling. What do you think? You think we could meet there?” I asked him, slowly rubbing his shoulders until it grew into a relaxing massage. He foolishly smiled at me, taking a few steps back.6

“I think you need to work on your Dutch accent.” He said jokingly. I threw myself at him, causing him to fall down on the grassy floor next to the American Beech Tree. I laughed and wrapped my arms around his neck, twirling his jet black hair around my fingers. “Valencia.” He sighed, cupping my face. “I love you.” He added. Before he could kiss me I moved my head away, my eyes filling with more tears. “No more crying.” He said taking me into his arms.7

“I’m sorry.” I said resting my head on his shoulder. “I’m just going to miss you so much. I don’t care if my sister says we’re kids going over our heads. I like you so much. Ryker I think for the first time in my life…I’m in love.” I said burring my face in his shirt.8

“With whom?” he asked me angrily. I giggled and kissed his neck. “It’s me isn’t it?” he asked me. 9

“God it is.” I said giving him a long kiss. He giggled during the kiss, letting it stumble even more than our first kiss. I impatiently pull away. “Calm down for a minute. We need the last kiss to be the best.” I said. 10

“Sorry. I’ll try to “contain” myself.” He said pulling me back to him, giving me another kiss. There are no words that can describe the feeling he gave me. the sweetness in the air, he fire in my body, the fuzzy feeling in my head. He suddenly began to giggle again, but purposely this time. I pulled away and laughed. 11

“Alright, Ryker.” I said wiping away my tears. “I think I should go now. my mom will be wondering where I am.” I said standing up. ryker quickly stood up after me. 12

“Remember the first day I arrived here? And you gave me a new customized sketchbook and extra film for my camera?” he asked me suddenly. I smiled.13

“Don't forget a pack of sketching pencils. The expensive kind.” I boasted. He smiled.14

“Well I wanted to get you something too…but I didn’t know what.” He said embarrassed. I smiled at him. I didn’t want anything from him. “But I made you this.” He said pulling out a frame from his backpack. The frame unfolded to reveal two different pictures. The first picture was a sketching of the two of us together. the second picture was a sketch of Ryker himself. “Before you comment on the picture of myself I wanted to let you know that I have a matching frame with a matching picture of us, and a sketching I did of you. I hope I don’t seem like a creep.” He said. I didn’t speak. He worriedly studied my expression. “Oh no you do think I’m a creep.” He said.15

“Oh Ryker! This is just so beautiful! The frame is nicely carved and…you are such a great artist…and your photography is wonderful and-”16

“But none of my photography is it this.” Ryker said. I threw my arms around him.17

“Shut up, Ryker! Just shut up!” I said showering his face in kisses. “I really have to go.” I cried. He spun me around.18

“Don't worry. We’ll see each other again. I promise.” He said to me as he set me back on the ground. “But until then, I want to start on a new photography album. You’ll check it out when I tell you about it?” he asked me. I sniffled and nodded.19

“Uh-huh.” I answered dumbly. 20

"Remember," he said tilting my chin up. "Every cloud has a silver lining."21

That was the last time I saw him.22