A soft touch upon my face that slowly faded. I could still feel it though. I knew that it'd happened, and I wouldn't let go of it. I wouldn't let myself forget as I'd done so many times before. I'd let myself forget so many touches before, but this one I refused to let go of. This touch was forever.

It's pretty simple to believe in love when it smacks you in the face, or even pushes you off a cliff; but it's harder to believe in love when it's gradual, coming about slowly. So slowly, that it doesn't seem like love at all, even. More like a relationship (not just romantically) that's grown into something stronger, but you're so used to it, that the shock and specialness of it has worn off. It's like a kiss, in a way, it's special the first time, but all the kisses after that seem almost…normal, routine. As though it were part of the system that we call dating.

Two years. Two years since Ashley married Lewis. A lot had changed. Mom and I sold the house and moved into an apartment complex not too far from the newlyweds. Mom decided that she would go to Europe, as long as I checked in with Ashley every few hours so that she knew where I was. So for about a month, I fended for myself (unless I went over to Ashley's for dinner), and lived on my own. But now, it's two years later. Mom's back from Europe, feeling more alive and looking more beach matching than ever, Ashley and Lewis are settled into their own apartment, making my drama time with her minimum (thank you, Lewis), and I'm a senior in high school (17 years old).

I haven't seen Sumner since that day I got out of his car and started running, if that's what you were wondering. I did my best to avoid him, and as though by fate, we never ran into each other. I couldn't face him after all I'd built him up to be only to find out that he'd backstabbed my sister. I don't think of it as running away from facing that he's not the wonder guy I made him to be…I'm just avoiding it. I've done it for so long, it's good to keep an old friend around.

I did, however, get that new job I'd wanted. My new boss was reluctant to hire me, since Mom forced me to tell her what I'd done to the woman at Little Feet, but she decided to give me the benefit of the doubt; that, or she was extremely understaffed and needed whatever help she could get. I now work with the Wish Catering Service. Although, I do have to say that my boss is definitely an upgrade. She may be a little out of whack, but she's Delia, and you know that you'll never be bored. My co-workers are making the long nights, and grubbers, easier. There's Monica, ever so silent, but she'll speak in her native tongue occasionally. Kristy is out spiteful, "fashionable" one. She always reminds me to simply stamp on a grubbers' foot if they dare to take more than two of anything. Bert. I don't think there's any other word to describe him. He's really into the "end of the world" stuff, and he's still playing the "gottcha" game. Apparently, he used to be somewhat pudgy. However, now he has his brother's physic, hot in his own subtle way. Wes, however, is just that out there kind of hot. He's a few years older, haven't really bothered asking his age, considering that he's taken anyway. His girlfriend? That would be the last person working with Wish. Macy. Now, I don't ever intend on splitting them up, because they're the best couple ever, and I'm not really attracted to Wes as a person, I'm just acknowledging that was is physically…attractive. Anyway, I guess that gets you up to speed for where my story picks up again.