Undying Love (The Introduction) (11 page)

"Say it." I whisper.
 

"Say what?"
 

"I know you Ari. What are you thinking?"
 

She pauses, and then I hear her take a deep breath. "Okay...I'm thinking if being together even makes sense anymore. Especially for you. God knows I love you, but is this even fair to us? I get panic attacks picturing you with someone else...do you think I can handle this for a few years? How long before you give into temptation? And please don't bullshit me Sky!" She says in one breath.
 

"I'm not... I'm not going to lie to you Ari. But I'm not going to cheat on you either. I love you
!
There’s only you."
 

Softly she says, "Yeah, but for how long?"
 

"Forever. Until the day I die Ari." I whisper back.
 

"Don't promise me eternity and leave me Sky. It will kill me. Don't you understand I'm trying to save myself from the pain I know I'm going to feel eventually?"
 

"That's not going to happen baby."
 

"Let me go Sky...Please
,
let me go." She pleads.
 

I grit my teeth and I close my eyes tightly. "Is there someone else Ari?"
 

"There will never be anyone else but you. I'm afraid of what may happen. You're young and
you
never know
what may happen.
Girls are going to be offering themselves on a silver platter. And I'm not there with you Sky."
 

"I hear everything you're saying. I do. But I don't accept it. The love I feel for you surpasses any sexual need I may have. That's why we've never had sex Ari. I told you I would wait, and I am waiting. You know why? Because I love you. So trust me."
 

"I want too, I really want to."
 

With a determination I didn't know I possessed I say, "Then do it, Ari!"
 

She's quiet for a while. "Why can't I say no to you Sky?"
She sighs.
 

"Umm...because you love me." I say with a grin on my face.
 

"I do."
 

"Ari...?"
 

She whispers, "Yeah?"
 

"Do you still feel it?"
 

She takes a moment before she answers. But when she does, she answers so soft I almost miss it. "I still feel it Sky... I feel it, but it's not the same. It's being stretched to a distance that I'm not sure about. But I trust you."
 

"It's only the distance baby. In a few weeks I'll be home for Thanksgiving, wait for me baby." I plead.
 

"I am waiting. Patiently waiting. "She says with a smile in her voice.
 

"Okay enough of the heavy shit for now. How ‘s school going?"
 

"It's the same...Rachel is still crazy.  
Abel
is still an over protective goof and some of your old team mates watch me like a hawk. What's up with that? Did you put them up to it?” She says with a laugh.
 

"I plead the fifth on that one."
 

She laughs and says, "Really...you have people spying on me? I can't believe you."
 

"Well believe it baby.” I stop laughing and I sigh. “I'm sorry to do this pretty girl. I've got to run or else I'm going to be late for practice."
 

"Okay, be safe babe... I love you."
 

I close my eyes and savor her words. "I love you more Ari."
 

"Yeah? How much do you love me?" She asks reverently.  
 

I grin to myself. "Well, I love you more than all the stars in the sky. And all the letters in all the books in the whole wide world."
 

"Wow! That’s a lot!”
 

"Yeah, are you starting to get it now?"
 

"I think I am Sky.”
 

When we hang up I feel lighter than I've felt in a while. I'm feeling optimistic about us being okay and I hope so for my sanity.
 

***
 

Arianna
 

It's been a few days since my conversation with Sky. I felt good about our relationship after our talk, but now not so much. Since that day, I haven’t spoken to him much. He's so busy and I can't complain because he's on a scholarship so he has to work hard to keep it. But I miss him something fierce. Also, I'm bored. I have a lot of free time after school so I'm thinking of joining a club. But, Rachel wants me to try out for cheerleading with her.
 

It's after school and the hallways are a bit deserted. So we're hanging around and goofing off. Unfortunately, she hasn’t stopped nagging me. She's jumping on the balls of her feet in front of me like a Chihuahua on caffeine. "Come on Ari put your dance moves to good use." She whines.
 

"I hate you sometimes, you know that." I murmur.
 

"No you don't, and don't worry I brought extra clothes for you to change. So perk up." She says while clapping her hands repeatedly.
 

I roll my eyes and pout. "What if I had said no?"
 

Grinning she says, "Then I would have tried harder."
 

"Fine let's get this over with.” I murmur.
 

The tryouts last a little over an hour, but a few of us stay back dancing and hanging out. By the time we leave and I check my phone I have seven missed calls from Sky.
 

"Crap! Sky has been blowing up my phone and I've barely talked to him all week.” I shriek.
 

"Call him back. I'm going to jump in the shower."
 

"Okay."
 

I dial his number and the phone barely rings once before he answers.
"Where have you been, Arianna? I've been calling you for over two hours." He yells.
 

I narrow my eyes at the phone even though I know he can't see me. "Really? No hello or how are you? Or I'm so happy you're okay?”
 

He takes a deep breath. "Dammit, Ari I was worried sick about you. I kept calling and you weren't answering. I'm sorry…Where were you?"
 

I huff out a breath. "We were trying out for the cheerleading team. I'm bored since you’re not here and Rachel wanted to try out for the team so I was roped into it too."
 

"Well, that makes up for it. If you make the team I want a picture of you in your cheerleading outfit. Plus, you have to dance for me for almost giving me a heart attack."
 

I laugh and say, “Okay, deal."
 

"I miss you Ari."
 

"I miss you too...that's why I'm joining a club even if it’s not cheerleading. I don't like sitting around and waiting for your calls. It's depressing."
 

He sighs. "I'm sorry baby...I'm trying. Everything is just a bit overwhelming right now. I may have to get a tutor for a few classes so I can keep up."
 

"Do what you need to do Sky. Remember I'm rooting for you. We'll talk whenever we can." I say lifelessly.
 

"I'm sorry this isn't what I promised. But I'll make it up to you. I'll bring you lots and lots of chocolate."
 

I laugh. “Oh goodie! I'll be waiting, you know I'm a sucker for chocolate."
 

"I know Ari…I'm sorry to do this, but I've got to go baby."
 

In a disappointed voice I say, "It’s okay baby. We'll talk whenever. Love you."
 

I don't wait for him to respond before I hang up. I know he loves me, but I feel him slipping away, and it's scaring me.
 

I want to thank everyone who took the chance on me and read my book. I hope you enjoyed Sky and Ari’s relationship because I surely did. They have lived in my head for a longtime and I’m excited that you’re finally meeting them. But it seems as if they’ve brought their friends along with them. So be on the lookout for more books. The next book in the “Undying Love” series is “The Heartbreak”.
 

I hope you continue you on this adventure with me!
 

Also don’t forget to check out the Official playlist for “The Introduction” (See the link below). These were the songs that inspired me during each chapters. But “Thinking Out Loud” is the official theme song because it was my go to song whenever writer’s block kicked in.
 

Love you guys! xoxo
 

Izzy

 

http://bit.ly/1BMj0YO

Where do I begin? I’m so grateful and humbled from the experience I’ve received in writing this book. To my number one cheerleader, my husband I couldn’t have done this without you. You made sure I ate when I forgot to. You reminded that sleep was essential to all human beings, even me! You read my work a million times over and over. You encouraged me when I felt like I couldn’t do it. So thank you, baby. To the most awesome beta-readers in the world how I can thank you guys. Alex, Jill, and Margaret, you guys are amazing and words cannot express my love for you guys! I want to give a huge shout out to Hayley Bennett my editor. You are so awesome words can’t express my gratitude to you! I want to thank the staff at Fantabanner for the awesome cover. I also want to shout Funkygfx (No it’s not a typo) for an awesome book trailer. If you haven’t seen it yet, check out my YouTube channel.

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