Friday, March 24, 2017

Fan Fiction Contest: Under the Twinkle Light Sky

Under the Twinkle Light Sky

I’m fairly certain I’m shaking. Visibly shaking. I need to calm down. It’s not like I’m alone, in an art studio with the hottest boy to ever grace Stony Creek.

But I am. Alone with Mark Fields. In his art studio.

Just last Christmas he was asking if I would model for him. Now, we have been to Prom together, gone on a couple dates, and hung out with my group of friends. Even with the rumors Meghan has started about me, I’m so happy I could explode.

That’s why I’m shaking. How am I supposed to just sit here as Marks beautiful chocolatey eyes scrutinize every inch of me. He looks up, stares for a minute then gets back to sketching. I can almost hear the gears in his head turning as he measures the space between my eyes and the size of my nose. Is this shirt too tight? Or cut too low? What does he think of my hands? I think they are too rough and worn looking.

Oh no! Mark just looked up again. But this time he is smiling and standing up.

“Jenny, why are you shaking? Is it too cold in here for you?” Mark asked as he crossed the room to me. He ran his hands up and down my arms. But my goose bumps aren’t because of the temperature in the room.

“No. I’m just nervous.” I say as I look towards the floor. I’m naturally shy. So looking Mark in the face isn’t always easy. Sometimes I have a hard time looking at him without visualizing us kissing.

“Hey. Look at me Jenny. what’s going on in your head?” Mark lifts my chin up.

“I was thinking about the night you asked me to model for you. That night was one of the best nights of my life. You make me feel like everything I say is important. You see me. I often feel like I can blend in with my surroundings and hide, but you always seem to see where I am and pull me out. Even at prom, you made me feel as if I am more than a wallflower. I really appreciate that, Mark.” I was speaking just above a whisper but he had brought his face so close to my own I knew he could hear me.

“Oh Jenny. You are beautiful. I adore how laid back you are and how observant you are. You are kind and caring, and you listen. I’m from a big family, so I can attest to how wonderful it is to just have someone around who will listen when I talk.” Mark leaned his forehead against mine.

I took a deep breath and gazed deeply into his eyes. We had shared a kiss after prom. But here, in his studio was special.

Mark was looking at me again in that calculating way of his. I stopped trembling long enough to realize he was moving again. I tilted my face up to meet his and our lips connected. My breathing sped up as he deepened the kiss and for a moment I thought maybe this is what heaven is like.
He stepped back and broke the spell. His cheeks expanded with a smile.

“Kissing you is better than apple pie covered in ice cream and caramel sauce.” He said.

I’m sure my blush made me look like a big tomato.

“Now, if you can stop trembling long enough for me to finish sketching, I will take you out for dinner.” He smiled again and fixed the bun at the back of his head.

I started laughing. “Deal.”

***

A few days later I was sitting at home listening to Caitlin’s ring back song. I was singing along to N’Sync’s “This I Promise You,” when she answered.

“Hello?”

“Caitlin? It’s Jenny!”

“Hey Jenny, how are you?”

“I’m doing great. I wanted to call and see how you are doing in the big city? What’s it like?”

“Jenny, slow down.” She’s laughing at me. “I’m well. The city is beautiful and filled with people always rushing around. Everyone here seems to be going somewhere. Like they have important business every second of every day. How are you? What is going on in Stony Creek? How’s Mark? How are things with Meghan?”

“Things are improving. Trish came home and she seems to be handling Meghan. We are all getting ready for the wedding. Trish even has Adrian helping out. Mark is great. He is really making progress on his collection of paintings. I spend a lot of time just sitting in his studio as he paints.” I laugh.

“That sounds amazing Jenny. Thank You for keeping an eye on Adrian. I appreciate it. I miss him so much. I didn’t realize how much being separated from him would hurt.”

“Yea, I’m worried about how I will ever survive being separated from Mark. Summer is slipping away from us. I hope he won’t forget about me when he is studying abroad. He set me up with Skype so I can talk to him. Maybe you and Adrian should get Skype.” The phone was quiet for some time before Caitlin responded.

“Yea. I don’t really have time for that right now. My internship is keeping me super busy.”

“Caitlin do you need to talk about something? Are you okay?”
“I’m just trying to figure out my life. This internship has opened new doors for me. Don’t worry Jenny. I’m coming home at the end of the summer, but I may have some new ideas for my future when I do. Thanks for calling. I miss you all.”

“Thanks for chatting. I think tomorrow I’m going to spend more time with Mark. Now I’m thinking about making every minute count. I don’t want any of the girls in Paris turning his head. Good night Caitlin.”

“Good night, Jenny.” I hung up the phone and stared at it. I could sense Caitlin was near depression and I knew in just over a month, I would be feeling that way. Mark had changed my life. I needed to make sure he knew that before he left.

***

I did a small twirl in front of the mirror again. My hair was curled and partially pinned up. Trish had written instructions on how to apply my makeup and I was satisfied with the outcome. My knee length blush dress had a pleated skirt and off the shoulder top. I was certain Mark was going to look amazing in a tux and I hoped I could look semi decent next to him.

All I needed now was to strap on my sweet little flats. So I headed downstairs. I turned the corner into the kitchen where Jack sat at the table.

“Isn’t that dress a little revealing for you to wear to a wedding?” He said.

I looked down. everything was covered and the neckline was modest. I blushed and looked up at him.

“We wouldn’t want people to think Meghan’s words are more than just rumors would we?” Jack sneered at me.

“Why are you being so mean to me?” I could feel the tears pricking my eyes.

“Mark is too old for you. And why do you like him anyways? He is putting ideas in your head, Jenny. You are meant to stay here in Stony Creek, not to travel the world with an artist.”

“Jack. Mark is a good guy. He cares about me. And he genuinely wants me to live a life full of happiness and fulfillment. You’re my twin! You of all people are supposed to support me.”

Jack stood up from the table and came across the room. “He isn’t right for you. Don’t do something with him that you will regret. After Paris, Mark will leave you. I just want you to be prepared for him to disappoint you.”

I took a step backward. “I am well aware that Mark may break up with me. I know what is going on. And I’m prepared for the heartbreak. And I have no intention of being a slut, Jack. You are wrong about Mark.”

A knock at the door startled us both. I wiped the tears from my cheeks. I ran to the front room, grabbing my shoes, and a light sweater. I opened the door and looked up into Mark’s eyes. I walked outside and closed the door before reaching down to fasten my shoes.

“Jenny, what happened? Why are you crying?” Mark folded me into his arms.

“Jack was just very nasty to me. He called me a slut.”

Mark smoothed down my hair and held me even closer. “Jenny, I’m so sorry. I seem to have only caused you pain. I never meant for this to happen.”

“No, Mark. This isn’t your fault. We haven’t done anything wrong. I just don’t understand what’s going on. I want to be with you. I want to hang onto every minute we have together. Even if you break up with me after your time in Paris, it will have all been worth it.”

“Ah I see. So that is what is really upsetting you.” Mark pulled back and looked into my eyes. “Jenny, you are very precious to me. And I am not going to break up with you. Not now, not after Paris. I plan to be around you for a very long time.”

I smiled and wiped the tears from face. “Let’s get out of here.”

***

The wedding was beautiful. The bride and groom smiled so much they glowed. Mark looked fantastic in his suit. Mark came over to the table I was seated at and extended his hand. He smiled.

“May I have this dance?”

“I would be honored.” I stood up and he escorted me to the dance floor.

The DJ put on “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts. Mark placed his hand on my hip and took the other in his own. He began to lead me in small circles around the floor. He leaned his head in and touched my forehead with his.

“Jenny, I want you to know something before I leave for Paris.”

I looked up. “What is it Mark?”

“You have been the best thing to ever happen to me. Every minute of every day with you is precious and exciting. You inspire me and my art. You make me want to be a better person. And you make me want to have fun. You are so much more than you give yourself credit for.” He spun me out and away from him before pulling me back in. “And, I love you.”

I stopped. Right there in the middle of the dance floor.

“I’m coming back to you after Paris. I hope you will wait for me. I love you, Jenny. Some days I even regret agreeing to study abroad. Will you wait for me to come back? Will you chat with me through Skype and keep me company?”

I started to cry. He swiped his thumb across my cheek to wipe away the tears. My mind was whirling. I nearly pinched myself in disbelief. The twinkle lights had begun to blur together behind his head and I realized I was holding my breath. I released the breath slowly.

“Well, that was unexpected. I love you too, Mark. Of course I will Skype with you and wait for you. I will be here when you come home.”
  
Mark picked me up and twirled me around. He hooped and hollered a little. Then he set me down and kissed me. Really kissed me. The kind of deep and passionate kiss that makes it into epic movies like “Princess Bride.”

Separation may be a scary thing, but surely we would make it. I knew it in my bones. All great love stories have some sort of obstacle. Ours would be Paris. But this kiss, in this moment, meant more than words could say.

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