Chapter 1

January 6th, 2017

Jennie Morris stood in front of a mirror swaying her hips from side to side admiring the dress that she had on. She smoothed down the skirt and gave herself one last glance before she moved on to put on her shoes.

Today was the day.

The day she was going to tell Jamie that she loved him. And on what better day than to do it on their shared birthday. Significantly, Jamie was five years her senior but they've been together since she was born. Practically childhood sweethearts.

Jennie and Jamie's mothers were best friends since high school. Their original plan was to have kids together but unfortunately Jennie's mother struggled with infertility for a while. By some miracle, she got pregnant five years after her best friends first child but that didn't hinder their plans at having their children become best friends too.

It was even more of a miracle when her daughter was born on the same day as her best friends son.

They always found excuses for them to be in the same room together until Jennie became self aware. They've been inseparable ever since... But there's only one problem.

Jamie treats Jennie like a little sister and she has always hated that. Mustering up all her courage she gathered all her things and went to meet up with Jamie.

Jamie Scott sat on worn brown leather seats of 'The Groove'. A 1980's themed diner that him and Jennie have been going to since they were kids. He sighed and adjusted the glasses on his nose.

He wasn't blind per se... He just needed them to read. Speaking of which he shut the book in front his palm and gently placed it on the table.

Jennie is late.

She's always late.

He was about to call the waiter over to get something to drink but the familiar chime of the door bell run upon the entry of someone. He turned and saw a flushed and puffing Jennie walking towards him.

Her golden hair was a little disheveled which indicated that she ran here. The gray dress she was wearing hugged her figure in all right places which sent an impulse towards his groin but he dismissed it.

She looked beautiful, he thought. Simple but beautiful.

He rose to meet her halfway and engulfed her in a hug. Instantly he was hit by the scent of lavender and vanilla. He inhaled deeply, committing the scent to memory.

He had too. They wouldn't see each other until next year again and he needed to remember what it was like having her this close.

They separated and each sat across from each other. Bright smiles adorned their faces and Mrs Wentworth came over to serve them their regular.

It's always baffled the poor woman... For 15 years they've always ordered the same thing and still continue to do so. They were her favorite customers and they loved her just the same.

"Happy Birthday kids... Enjoy your meal."

They smiled and thanked Mrs Wentworth. To them she's always been like a second mom and she always treated them her children.

Jennie began to dig into her food, to drown the sinking feeling of nerves fluttering around her stomach. For some reason, she felt the most awkward around Jamie today which was weird since she's always comfortable around him.

"So... You're 18. Guess the kids finally grown up..."

She scoffed and took a sip of her strawberry milkshake.

"Kid? What about you old man?"

He feigned offense and placed a hand on his chest.

"Old?! I'm 23!"

She lifted up her fork to acknowledge his point in a mock salute.

"Exactly..."

He huffed and picked up his bacon and cheese burger then took a big bite out of it. She chuckled at his childishness. Jennie carefully placed her fork on the edge of her plate and folded her arms in her lap.

The atmosphere immediately changed between which caught Jamie by surprise but he swallowed what was in his mouth and paid full attention to her.

"You know... We're only going to see each other next year right?"

Jamie smiled grimly. He understood that he and Jennie were schooling at places that were at least on opposite sides of the earth. Seeing each other on a daily would be extremely difficult.

"Yeah... Crazy that the only free day we have to meet is on our birthday huh?"

Jennie chuckled and an expression crossed over her face but she shook it off. She directed her line of sight into Jamie's eyes and held his gaze.

Her heart was pounding out of her chest at this point but she mustered up the courage and muttered.

"I love you"

A look of shock went across Jamie's face until it turned it confusion then to concern. He gently held her hands.

"I love you too."

What? No...

"No like... I'm in love with you"

He immediately let go of her hands and her heart lurched into her throat and tears threatened her to spill from her eyes.

"W-what do you mean?"

Jennie took a breath... And another before she answered.

"I've been in love with you since we were kids Jamie. I love how you would always protect me and care for me and how you would always be there for me. So... I love you."

Jamie bit his lip. He chest began to burn at the sight that Jennie, his Jennie was at the brink of tear... So like most men he said something stupid.

"I don't believe you..."

What?! Jennie had completed forgotten about her pain and was no staring at him with furrowed brows.

He doesn't believe me?

What does that mean?

"What?"

He placed her hands back in his and and held her confused gaze.

"Jennie, you just turned 18. This 'love' you could be talking about might just be some sort of teenage infatuation. So how about you wait it out and then tell me how you feel?"

Huh?

"So you're saying you'll believe that I truly love you if I tell you when I'm older?"

Jamie nodded. The thought passed through her a couple of times before she bit her lip and looked down.

He thought I was infatuated with him?

The thought stung. He thinks that I don't genuinely love him? But if I don't play along I could loose him... Forever.

With new found determination she looked up and held his gaze.

"How long?"

"5 years."

She almost recoiled but held firm. If that means that she has to wait until her 23rd birthday to truly confess her feelings to him that he would believe then she would wait.

No matter how absurd it sounded.

"I accept. On my 23rd birthday in this very diner I will tell you that I love you and you'll believe me right?"

"Absolutely..."

Jennie smiled and continued at her lunch. There was a lingering pain in Jamie's chest and an annoying voice in his head telling him he made a mistake but he ignored it and was just happy he could avoid the situation.

There is no way she would wait 5 years right?

The two spent their last day together that year making jokes and forgetting events prior to the day. Poor Jennie had new found determination with no reassurance that Jamie would reciprocate her feelings but who knows... Maybe next year will be different.

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