2. Prologue

years ago

Brandy

I 'm putting together a picnic basket for Erik and me to enjoy. He's back in Woodland Falls for spring break. His family and I had this amazing surprise welcome home party last night and we got him good. He was really shocked, not expecting anyone to make a fuss over him. But there are a lot of us who love him—including me.

"You're not putting any wine in there, are you B.?"

"No, Mom."

"Still one year 'till you turn twenty-one."

"I'm aware."

"Don't roll your eyes at me, Brandy."

"I'm not…"

"Eyes on the back of my head, remember?"

I hide a smile. My mother can be a little too much sometimes, but I love her to bits. She knows how much I'm looking forward to spending some alone time with Erik.

"Make sure he's got condoms."

"Mom!"

I feel my cheeks warm, and I turn away from my mother. Truth is, I don't know if we'll be together that way tonight. He's been away for two years, and we've kept the long-distance calls, letters, and care packages coming and going in an effort to keep our relationship alive. Yesterday, he was lukewarm towards me, and that made me worried. So, I made sure to ask him to spend some time together tonight.

If I know where I stand with him, I'll know if I can convince him to take me with him when he returns to Yale.

"Mom, remember what I talked to you about?"

"You're asking him tonight?"

"I think so, yes."

She moves to my side and puts one arm around my shoulders.

"Please don't get your hopes up."

"The distance is killing us."

"If it's meant to be…"

I escape my mother's arm and continue putting things in my basket. I don't want to hear it. Set him free and all that crap. I believe you have to fight for what you want, and that's what I'll do tonight.

"Wish me luck."

My mom just looks at me sadly and nods. I shake myself mentally. I don't need negative vibes tonight. Tonight, my life will change forever.

I'm setting up the food on top of the blanket I brought so we can sit down and eat. Erik has been unusually quiet since I picked him up at his parent's house. The park is empty because it's a weeknight. I choose a secluded spot where we can talk without anyone interrupting us. After setting everything up, I sit and pat the spot beside me.

Erik sits down but has a faraway look in his eyes. I want to grab his hand, but it feels uncomfortable. Whenever we held hands in the past, he grounded me as if I was right where I needed to be. As it is, I'm having trouble coming up with a conversation starter. We never needed that in the past. So, I just blurt out what's on my mind.

"Are you not happy to be back home?"

"I have a lot of homework for when I return. And I need to get back to the house soon."

"Erik."

"What?"

He sounds more wary than anything, and I don't want to be the one who starts a fight, but I need to say something.

"I've been selling my quilts and I have some money saved up. I think I could…"

"Not this again."

"But…"

"I think we should go back to being friends, Brandy. This whole long-distance thing isn't working, and you know it."

"I love you, Erik."

"I love you, Brandy, but not the same way as before. School is what's important right now, and I need to focus on that. I'm sorry. I have to go."

He gets up and walks away from me, from our relationship, and soon from Woodland Falls.