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Okay, so I know I haven't written in here for a long time, and I apologize. But I really hope you guys can forgive me, because I present this entry as a present to my friends whom I love and adore ^^ However, this particular entry is more so dedicated one person, and he knows who he is.
(Yes sweetie. It's you heart )
You know what? Let me just get to the writing. It'll explain all of this much easier.

"UP TO YOUR ROOM!" I winced at the sound of her voice, my mother's screaming both intimidating . . . and annoying. But I of course couldn't say that to her face. Something must've told her everything I was thinking, because with a hard shove, she lowered me to my knees. One glance upward told me everything, and in a split second I was welcomed with a sharp pain pulsing through my cheek.
"AND YOUR GOING TO STAY IN THERE!!" She bellowed, picking up the collar of my shirt. Practically pulling me up the stairs, I was thrown through the doorway of my room. I didn't even bother turning back as she slammed the door. Living with my mother's temper for years had enabled me to build a tolerance for it, but that didn't excuse the sacrifices I had to make physically each time she threw a fit. Curling up against the pillows on my bed, I simply laid there, not thinking of much more then the grace of finally being alone. Every tear followed a faint trail down the side of my face, stinging my cheek. Being the youngest of my family , I was the one left with my mom after my oldest brother had gone off to college, my sister's patience also worn dry enough to make her move in with her Boyfriend. They loved me, and I knew they didn't necessarily want to leave me, but I smiled through my teeth, telling them I'd be fine so they wouldn't worry. They didn't visit as often as I'd like, but Ein was smart . . . he deserved nothing more then to take up the scholarship he had been offered. As for Kaitlyn, her freedom could only be determined by art.. Her carefree spirit had won her the man of her dreams, and she didn't need anything more then that. For a brief second I smiled, knowing that even if it was just a bit, they were happy. It still left me with several questions though . . . I was the perfect student, an athlete as well, and I never got in trouble at school either . . . when would an angel drop from heaven to save me? Silence answered my question tersely, and I shook away more tears, smiling for asking such a dumb question. For now, the only saving grace I had were contained in the pages of my journal. My stories stretched on for miles, but every road eventually had to come to an end. As if on cue, a sight tapping noise echoed softly through my room, obviously the mark of something hitting my window. Unable to ignore curiosity, I stood up walking over to it, unlocking the latch and lifting the pane into an open position. Looking down, I was surprised to be met with the smiling face of my closest friend Andrew.
"Hey! Dakota, come on down . . . It's friday night, and no one should be stuck at home doing just nothing." He called up to me in a soft voice, his smile irresistibly contagious. How could I say no to a proposal like that? I didn't care what my mom said . . . Andrew had come when I needed him most . . . coincidental, but the situation seemed to be planned out so I had to say yes. The smile that crept on my face must've hinted to my answer, because he broke off into a soft chuckle.
"Dont worry . . . I'll catch you." He extended his hands out toward my descending body, obviously sticking to his promise as I dropped down past the last part of the roof. Catching me in his arms, he set me back on my feet, my weight seemingly to him that of only a feather.
"Thanks Andrew . . ." I said giving him a quick hug. He wrapped his arms around me, elongating the embrace, catching my chin on the tip of his finger.
"I'm just happy to be getting you away from your mother . . . she hit you again didn't she?" He said sadly, speculating the swollen flesh on my cheek.
"It's okay Andrew . . . I'm fine . . ." I said looking down. He raised my face back up to look at him again.
"Hey don't you sweat it, alright?" He said poking my nose playfully. It couldn't get much worst as my cheeks heated up to a light crimson color. Okay yes . . . I admit it . . . I had a crush on him. It started in middle school, and pretty much escalated from there. But there was no way anyone would get me to admit that to him. Walking in some random direction simply trying to distant myself from the house, I turned back to him.
"So where are we going?" I asked, tilting my head to the side. He narrowed his eyes, a coy smile on his face.
"That my dear . . . will remain a surprise until we actually get there." Andrew looked almost proud of himself, but I didn't want to wait.
"Awwwh . . . won't you tell me please?" I said pouting.
"Nope. But I will tell you that I'll be taking you back several years . . . back to when we were Kindergartener's."
My eyes widened excitedly, but Andrew quickly shook his head.
"No no no no. Not another word until I take you there." Spinning me around, he covered my eyes gently with his hands.
"Now you just walk forward, and I'll get you there."

The walk only took a few short minutes, but the fact that it was a surprise made it feel much longer. Finally I couldn't take it.
"Are we there yet Andrew?" I asked impatiently.
"Actually, yes." He replied, his voice thrumming against the back of my neck. Taking his hands from my eyes, I found myself gasping in awe from the sheer astonishment of what I saw. Memories flooded my head in waves. Andrew had brought me to the local playground, the one he and I had both first met on. I was five, and just moved here. It was every kids dream to be able to start from the top of the slide, and make it all the way down perfectly. For my first day there, I told myself I was going to do just that. Mounting the large steel slide, it seemed even bigger from on top. I recalled almost not doing it that day, but a small boy who was next in line helped me make it to the bottom. Sensing my slight fear, he willingly sat behind me, going all the way down. From then on, he and I had been jointed by the hips. Strolling over to the slide, he bowed down, directing to the slide with his one hand. Then straightening his posture, he put on a silly french accent.
"Care for a slide madame?" His attempt at humor made me giggle, and he extended his free hand to me. Taking it, he pulled me over toward him, allowing me to climb up first. From a literal stance, the view on top was different then it was from that long 11 years ago . . . but my imagination lead me to see it through the eyes of my former self. My trail of thought was broken for a moment as Andrew came up from behind me. He sat down first, patting his lap as a gesture for me to sit down. Sitting down atop him gently, he rested his head on my shoulder, also snaking his hands around my waist in a light hold.
"You ready?" He whispered. His breath tickled my ears, and I was lucky he couldn't see my cheeks heat up in the faint moonlight. Turning my head, I was mere inches from his lips, each breath I took more cautious.
"With you . . . always." With that, he pushed us forward, sending us down the long stretch of shiny metal. Wind rushed through my hair, and against my face. The feeling was exhilarating. The two of us made it to the bottom all too quick, launching off the slide, and rolling together across the ground a few feet. Lying there sprawled against his chest, he and I laughed in enjoyment of the being back in grade school again, my head held high as I watched his face light up with emotion. Finally composed, I rested my head back against him, the rhythm of his breathing evident with the rising and falling of his chest. He went to playing with my hair, and neither of us spoke a word. We stayed like that for several minutes, and being there in his arms made me feel almost . . . safe. As if nothing could touch me. He finally broke the silence when his soothing voice asked me single question.
". . . Umm Dakota, can I tell you something? . . ." I looked back at him, and his face was twisted weirdly. It looked like he felt uncomfortable asking me this. My forehead scrunched in surprise, and I smiled answering him.
"Why of course. What is it Andrew?" Brushing my fingers against his cheek, I moved a lock of hair away from his face, his gaze now locked dead with mine.
"Well I sort of brought you hear for another reason . . ." His voice trailed off steadily, as if he were searching for the right words.
"I . . . I wanted to t . . . tell you . . ."
"Yes . . ." I nodded my head, egging him on.
"Th . . . that I . . ."
"Mhmm . . .?" The suspense was killing me, but patience was all I could offer him at this point.
"W. . . well that . . ." He was stuttering terribly, and was now looking away, scratching the back of his head nervously. I trusted him, and he trusted me. He could tell me anything. If something was bothering him, I would always be there to offer my help. Our friendship was much too strong for me to ignore him.
"What's the matter Andrew? You can tell me anything . . ." I was careful to keep my voice down, I didn't want to make him more nervous then he was.
"Your right." He said looking back at me.
"Dakota . . . I th . . . think I'm in love with you." This was one of the last things I expected him to say to me, and who knew that a few simple words could leave your heart beating faster? All these years . . . and now he was here pouring his heart out for me to plainly see. It was hard to believe, but the look in his eye told me everything was true.
"Andrew . . ." My faint reply was almost only a whisper, but clearly he heard me. With the lightest touch, he brought his hands up to my cheek, stroking it with his thumb. It is told that action's speak louder then words, and in that sole fragment of time, fate decided to reassure me of this. Still nervous, his face moved closer to mine, inch by inch, my senses thrown into overdrive as I struggled even just to breath. Time seemed to slow right there, if even for just some simpleton like me. As the last distance between our lips was destroyed, I remembered earlier this night when I had told myself that saving graces could only be found in the pages of my journal . . . what a silly thing to say. The first touch of his lips sparked a furious fire in my body, and with each second of the embrace, I feared that my fragile body wouldn't be able to contain it. I had found my angel. No . . . He had found me. I guess heaven really did exist.

Well there you go. What do you guys think? Being a writer, I have to learn to take criticism, so don't be afraid to tell it as it is. So if for some reason you don't like it, tell me. In the end, I always get the last word on my own work, but critique from others is nevertheless appreciated ^^