Chapter 5

"Really, what's this all about?" She asked but Devika wouldn't answer her. 

She walked into the cafeteria, her bag fell off her hand, and her cheeks flushed red as she stood there like a frozen fish. She couldn't believe her eyes. What her eyes saw was beyond cute and lovely. 

The cafeteria was designed with a Valentine's theme. There were balloons scattered all over the floor and ribbons hanging around. Jed stood in the middle, holding a board that had the words "I'm sorry Stacey. I love you" emblazoned on it, and he was wearing a cute smile too. She couldn't believe her eyes. She wasn't expecting any of this. Jed walked up to her, his eyes blooming with a mixture of happiness and sadness, he halted in front of her. 

"No matter what we go through Stacey, I just want you to know that I'll always love you. I've dedicated my life to loving you, even if we aren't together someday. I want a life and future with you. I don't like long distances, but, are you willing to take this step with me? Let's try to make it work out. Stacey Khelanie Tribette, be my girlfriend, now and always. I promise to protect, love, and cherish you. I promise to always be there for you. So many people, but I don't mind if I'm your number two. Can you promise me you'll always think of me and we won't hate each other when we're no longer together? I'm sorry, I'm not good at this." He chuckled nervously and bit his lower lip. 

She was still taken aback by what she saw, the place was cute and you wouldn't believe it was a cafeteria. He even had the cafeteria workers, in this lovey-dovey plan of his. They offered whoever stepped in, drinks and dessert.

Her cheeks flushed red, and her eyes grew misty with tears, she sniffed as she stared hard at him after hearing everything he had to say. He clicked his finger and Miguel came with a box. 

"I want you to have it. It's not much, but it's a reminder." He said as he opened the box. 

She broke down when he brought out the content from the box. It was a diamond necklace, the same one she told him she liked before they started having a fling. 

She threw her arms around him as she sobbed softly. He wrapped his arms around her. "I'll always love you, Stacey." He whispered.

The environment was a bit tense and emotional. She broke loose from the hug and smiled at him. 

"Yes, I'll be your girlfriend. I love you, Jedidiah Dylan Sherlock." She pulled him closer, tilting her head to the side as she pulled her face closer to his, while standing on her tippy toes, she locked her lips with his, as she kissed him intimately for a while. She pulled away when she felt it was getting pretty intense.

He flashed her his cutest smile as he wore her the necklace.

"You're beautiful, but now you're twice as beautiful." He teased. 

He took her by the hand and led her to a table. They got on talking before the pastry and wine came in. 

The school was already over and Principal Kelsey had already left, so none of these was going to get them in trouble. She thought. 

"Why did you have to go all out for me?" She asked. 

"I wouldn't call it going all out for you, it's small to be called that." He had a little icing on his lip and she couldn't stop smiling as she watched him talk. She plunged herself forward, over the table, and kissed the icing out of his lip.

"We're going to be detained if the angry bird and parrot find out about this." Stacey chuckled.

"Well, neither of them are in school. The CCTVs? They're all turned off. Besides, it'd be worth it if we go on detention." He raised his brows and smirked. 

Angry Bird was what everyone called Principal Kelsey, and Parrot was just that close teacher of hers who always told on everyone. 

"My mom's getting worried. Thanks for all these, I need to get going." She snatched her bag from the table and headed for the door. 

"I'll drop you off," Jed said, trailing behind her. She halted and turned on her heels.

"Really? You seem to have forgotten I have a car, and you have one too. Drive yourself, baby." She flashed him a cute smile before walking out the door. 

He returned to the cafeteria and had it cleaned up before he left. 

She got into her car and shut the door, she couldn't believe he had done all that for her, in the school cafeteria. How was he even able to get the cafeteria workers to do this with him?

She found herself smiling to herself and biting her lips as she thought of the kisses and how cute everything was. Someone tapped on her window, making her almost jump out of her skin in a frenzy. She rolled down her glass in annoyance, to see Devika. 

"It's all lovey-dovey you forgot you have a best friend to drop off," Devika yelled. 

"You almost gave me a heart attack! You don't tap people's car windows like that! Are we speaking of Miguel, or you?" She asked. 

"Me, motherf***er!" She shut the door after she got in.

"I didn't say hop in, I'd drop you off. You hijacked the front seat of my car! Do you want me to drop you off? Get in the booth!" 

Devika looked at her in shock before laughing it off. 

"God, I hate you." The engine revved and she sped off. 

"I can't believe he's leaving for NY before grad.." She started, still focused on the wheel. 

"Who is? Cameron or Jed?" 

She pulled up in front of a mall and walked in to get some stuff. 

"Jed, Devika. Stay focused!" She rolled her eyes as she grabbed a bottle of Nutella from the shelf and threw it into the cart.

"So, what you gonna do?" Devika asked as she grabbed a bucket of cheese balls. 

"I just…..have to enjoy it while it lasts, I guess." 

The machine beeped as the lady scanned the items we purchased. "$6.23."

She quickly paid through her card and the lady bagged the items before handing it over to her. 

"So, when is he leaving?" Devika asks, helping me with the bags.

"Holly frickin' molly, Devika! Have you even been listening to me?" Stacey half yelled as she dropped the bags in the backseat before entering the front seat. 

"I'm sorry gurl, but I have…" Devika follows behind her as she shuts the door after her. 

"Just… never mind." Devika gives her this puppy look, but she shoves her away. "Nevermind. I don't wanna talk about it again,

Devika pulled up a cute innocent face as she spoke. "I'm sorry, Stace. It's not something to be mad about."

Stacey said, her gaze still fixated on the screen, her lips formed a pout and her brows furrowed a little bit.

"Seriously, Stace! I already said I'm sorry." 

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The day for thanksgiving was finally here, and the thought of her new boyfriend leaving for New York today, graced her mind once more as she sat on the recliner, crocheting a sweater for him. 

Devika walked right in and plunged herself onto the couch. "I'm exhausted from all these designs." 

We didn't take long getting everything ready and soon, thanksgiving commenced. 

We were all gathered around the table, holding hands as Mom said the prayers. 

"Amen." We all chorused and started dining on our food. 

There was a long silence and an exchange of eye contact between Jed and her as they ate. 

Dad started by clearing his throat and wiping his mouth clean. 

"So, Mr, Sherlock, what is your relationship with my daughter?" He asked as he raised a chunk of meat to his mouth. 

"Um…" Jed placed his hands over hers and she coughed a little, then sipped water. "She's….my girlfriend." He stuttered as he spoke.

Dad raised a brow at him, then looked at her. 

"That's good. You have to know that I love and cherish my cupcake a lot, and if you're going to be her boyfriend, then you have to be responsible and treat her well. I hope you don't intend to leave her or make the relationship long-distance. If you intend to make it long distance, always be there for her. I don't wanna ever see her cry and find out you're the reason."

"Dad?" 

"Yes, sir. I'll take good care of her." He said, smiling at her. "I'm sorry, I've to get going,"

 He rose to his feet and wiped his mouth clean. "Thanks for dinner, Mr and Mrs Tribette, and happy Thanksgiving." 

She tailed behind him, trying to get him to stop and talk to her.

"Where are you going? You're leaving so soon." 

He turned swiftly to face her. "I've got a flight to catch." 

She stood there, her mouth hanging down, her eyes misty, and her cheeks flushed red.

He exhaled deeply. "I'm leaving for New York today. I'm sorry I have to leave, I'd miss you."

Tears rolled down her cheeks,

"I promised your dad I'd be the last person to make you cry, please don't do that." She slowly backed away from him. "Stacey, wait." He called after her, but she wouldn't budge, she ran back inside and shut the door in his face. 

He ran his fingers through his hair as he cussed. She opened the door and walked up to him. 

"You had this planned the whole time and didn't let me in on it until this morning. You have a choice to make, Dylan. I can't do long distance, is New York really important to you, or am I?" 

"F**k, babe. You can't ask me this. You're important to me and New York is. But I need to leave."

"What's in New York that's not here?" She asked.

The environment got more tense as he battled within whether or not to tell her.