Almost Finished

"Don't you ever worry about deadlines?" Ariana asked as she filled in yet another line on yet another college application. She not only needed to finish fulling out the applications but also write up the required essays. She and David were applying for all the same schools and hoping that they were accepted to the same ones. She was holding out for an East coast school.

"Not really," David said. His own papers were all neatly filled out and sitting in a pile along with the essays; he was intent on addressing envelopes. "If you are prepared and start early then there is really no need to panic over deadlines."

Ariana knew that he was right and that she should get batter at prioritizing. She knew that she was smart; she just didn't like to think about deadlines. Didn't like to feel pressured. She laughed to herself, her lips twitching into a small grin, "you would think that as much as I don't like pressure that I would have had these done a while ago like you did."

David shrugged and leaned back, "everyone deals with stuff like this differently," he said and leaned over to give his girl a quick hug. "Are you almost finished?" he asked.

"Yeah. Almost finished," Ariana said and turned back to her forms.

Springtime Run

Wind whipped through Ariana's hair, invisible fingers tugging at the long blond strands, and her stomach seemed to drop through her feet as she briefly became airborne. She laughed with breathless joy at the speed and the freedom she felt. Long silky strands of black hair brushed her face and her body rocked rhythmically in time to the thundering of hooves.

Ariana released one hand from the reins to let her fingers rest against the surging muscles of her favorite stallion, Skychaser.

She pulled back gently on the reins and Skychaser immediately slowed down to a trot as they came to a wide, shallow stream. Ariana jumped down from the horses back and patted his neck as he bent to drink from the stream, laughed when he snorted and shook himself out.

Ariana breathed in deeply of the springtime breeze and wished life could always be this simple.

Seeing Clearer

Ariana rolled out her mat and toed off her socks as she quickly pulled her long hair through a rubber band, hands trembling with suppressed frustration, trapping the long mass of curls, before reaching over to turn on the radio. A CD whirred to life and Moroccan music began to pour into the stiflingly warm room.

Ariana stepped to the front of her mat, feet together and her hands centered in front of her chest. She began to breathe in and out heavily through her nose as she brought her hands up above her head before she bent at the waist. Her flow was rough as she stepped back and lowered herself towards the ground before pushing her chest forward and up, arching her back just before bringing her hips upwards, her body bent at a ninety degree angle, hands and feet pressing hard into the mat, as if trying to push all her frustration and anger into the ground.

Ariana never once opened her eyes as she flowed through the Salutations and the postures that opened up her body and released tension as sweat trickled down her face from the heat and the intensity of the workout.

When she opened her eyes after the final posture, it seemed she could see clearer.

Sneak attack

"You're never going to get any better if you don't practice," David said, leaning against his foam sword.

"What's the point, I'll never beat you," Ariana pouted.

"Yes you will, but you must practice. Now, try again," David commanded.

Ariana narrowed her eyes at him as he began to stalk towards her. As he approached she rushed past his defenses and pressed her lips to his in a long kiss.

David was taken by surprise and his brain seemed to fizzle out. He was brought back to the present when he felt a blow to his back.

"Dead." Ariana said.

Auto Pilot

The air was still ringing from the door being slammed open as Ariana left her work in a rage. Nothing had seemed to go right that day. Paperwork missing, accounts misfiled, and a continuous stream of people pestering her.

Ariana glanced back at the building with wrathful eyes and felt her hands curl involuntarily into fists. She muttered darkly to herself as she got into her car and gunned the engine. Peeling out of the parking lot, she almost dared anyone to get in her way.

Ariana flipped rapidly through the radio stations but snapped it off in irritation after a moment. She rolled down the window, hoping that a cool breeze would calm her down, but only found her thought returning to work. Her hands gripped the steering wheel tighter as she ground her teeth in frustration; she drove on auto-pilot, not really caring where she was going.

Her car made it eventually to a small wooded area that she knew well. Dense packed trees hid a small clearing a few hundred yards from the road. Ariana jumped out of her car and practically ran to the clearing, dodging in and out of trees and around shrubs. As she entered the clearing she could hear the trickling of a small stream that ran through the trees nearby.

The grass was knee high and bright green from the spring rains. It had not yet had time to whither in the summer heat, though the sun was beating down; obscured now and then by a passing cloud.

Ariana took off her shoes and stood for a moment in the cold water of the stream, but that didn't seem to be helping. She shook the water off her feet and walked back to the center of the clearing.

Ariana sat down the the grass and it came up to her eyes. She drew in a deep breath and exhaled as she consciously unclenched her hands. She let her eyes fall shut and listened to the sounds of the stream, the whisper of the wind. She could feel the warmth of the sun on her face and the top of her head.

Ariana reclined in the grass, letting the heat of the sun burn away the unpleasant memories of the day. She knew that she couldn't be seen anymore; she felt safe and protected as she drifted off to sleep.

Buried

David awoke slowly from his nap. The sun was still high and warm on his face and he felt like he was surrounded in warmth. He could remember lying down on the warm sands of the beach, Ariana beside him.

David turned his head and saw that Ariana was still sleeping. He smiled to himself and went to sit up, and found that he couldn't. Puzzled, David looked down at his chest and saw that he was buried up to his shoulders in a thick layer of warm sand.

After a few moments of fruitless struggle David sat still. He turned his head to look at Ariana and saw that she was shaking with silent laughter, tears rolling from her eyes.

"Ari, what on earth..."

Ariana burst out laughing and rolled onto her stomach as she scooted closer to her trapped boyfriend. She bit her lip, trying to hold back the laughter.

"Okay Ari, will you let me go now?" David laughed, trying again to free himself.

Ariana cocked her head to one side, "no. I don't think I will. At least not yet."

"Why not?" David asked with one eyebrow raised.

"Because now I can do this," Ariana said, as she bent over him. Ariana captured his lips in a long passionate kiss.

Cocoon

Ariana eagerly unwrapped the large soft object that David had placed in her lap. They were gathered around her families Christmas tree. Bright colored paper went flying as she tore through it with ease. After a few seconds she held up the big quilt. It was blue and green and white. It looked thick and warm.

"Oh, David. It's perfect!" she reached over and kissed him soundly before throwing the new quilt around David and herself, pulling him back against her so they could be cocooned away from everyone. Ariana giggled when David poked her in the side, the tepee that surrounded them shuddering with the movement of the laughter.

Perseid

Joe threw down his pencil in frustration over his paperwork, and wiped the sweat from his face. "Perfect," he muttered, "middle of August and the cooler goes out. It has to be the most humid and hot night on record," he griped to no one. Joe stood up and walked to the kitchen, stripping off his damp and sweat soaked over shirt. He reached into the fridge and pulled out a cold soda; David didn't allow alcohol in the house, and rolled the cool can over his face and neck. As he turned to go back to his work he spotted David walking out the back door with a large cylinder over his shoulder. Curious, Joe followed him to the backyard.

Joe watched in fascination as David set up the cylinder. It looked like it was made from a cardboard tube.

"What are you doing Boss?" Joe asked after observing him for a few moments.

"Tonight is the peak of the Perseid meteor shower; it's when the earth moves through the trail left by a comet, there will be a lot of shooting stars tonight," David said as he looked at the youngest member of his team.

Joe frowned in puzzlement, "I didn't know you were into meteor showers," he said.

David smiled and brushed some dust off of the telescope, "a long time ago, I wasn't, at least not at first, but a very good friend of mine was," he said as he adjusted the angle of the lens. He looked up at Joe, "would you care to join me? It should be quite the show tonight."

Joe thought about it briefly, "okay," he said after a moment, "I would like that."

David smiled and stepped aside so that Joe could get a look at the sky.

"Wow," Joe breathed in wonder as he watched streaks of light flash past.

"Yeah," David said with a gentle smile. He stood back and looked up at the heavens, a single tear brimmed, but didn't fall.

Two Types of Pain

"Are you finished with your applications yet?" David asked as he leaned in Ariana's doorway, "they're due tomorrow by nine in the morning."

"Ummm..."

"Ari," David sighed, "I though you said you were going to get it done by tonight so that we could go out."

"Now when you say finished, do you mean done done, or just sort of done?" Ariana asked, a blush infusing her face.

"Done, done, Ari. As in finished, complete, nothing left to do," David said as he rolled his eyes at her.

Ariana stood up from her desk, "It can get done later. I swear it will be finished by tomorrow," she said as she got ready to go out.

David shook his head, "no, Ari. We're not going until you are finished."

"But this is the last night of the Comet," Ariana pouted.

"There are two types of pain," David said in return, "the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Now, it will hurt to have to miss out on the comet to do your college applications, but it will hurt less than the pain of regret when tomorrow comes and you are not done and you don't get accepted to the school you want."

Ariana slumped in defeat, "alright, I'll get them done," she said.

"That's my girl," David said as he embraced her and dropped a kiss on her upturned mouth, "procrastination is a terrible habit.

Are You Ready?

"I'm not sure about this David," Ariana said.

"I'm sure you'll love it." David said with a charming smile as he reached for her.

"Well, I'm not sure I'm ready for it," Ariana said stepping back just a little.

"Your first time might as well be with me," David said, stepping a little closer.

"I'm scared," Ariana whispered.

"Everyone is the first time," David replied as he held out an inviting hand to her.

Ariana hesitated for a moment longer.

"Don't you trust me?" David asked, his smile faltering just a bit.

"Of course I trust you," Ariana said as she placed her hand in his. There was no one she trusted more.

"I won't hurt you," David promised as he drew her closer to him.

"I know you won't," Ariana whispered as her arms snaked around his waist.

"Are you ready?" David whispered in her ear.

"Yes," Ariana said.

"Then let's do it."

Ariana closed her eyes and let the sensations carry her away.

"Open your eyes or you are going to miss the whole thing," David said.

Ariana opened her eyes and watched the scenery flash past from the back of David's motorcycle.

Stars

Ariana adjusted the eyepiece, bringing the fuzzy stars into focus and again gazed through the telescope. She glanced briefly down at her notebook, which glowed faintly in the dim red light that she had brought with her, to quickly jot down a bit of information and returned to her observation of the Orion Nebula. She had always found it fascinating how nebula could form, how they were each unique and absolutely breathtaking.

Ariana jumped, disturbing the telescopes angle when she felt a pair of lips on her neck.

"David," she said in exasperation.

"What," he asked innocently.

"Can't you wait until I'm done?" she asked as she kissed him briefly.

"Only if you let me see too," he countered as he pressed another kiss just under her ear.

"Okay," she said and began to readjust the telescope. After a moment or two she said, "you know, I really can't concentrate when you do that." She licked her lips as David continued to drop feather light kisses all along her neck and shoulder. She could feel him smiling against her tingling skin.

"That's sort of the idea," he laughed.

Ariana playfully pushed him away, "back up, I really need to finish this and then we can play."

"But,"

"No buts David. Now back up," she said.

David grinned, "yes ma'am." He scooted far enough away that he couldn't kiss her easily, but he could still reach her.

Ariana jotted down a few more notes and then looked up at David. "Okay, now you can look," she said.

David's smile broadened as he scooted closer and peered through the telescope, bringing the nebula into focus.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Ariana asked.

David looked up at her, "not as beautiful as you," he said.

Ariana blushed and ducked her head. She felt David finger under her chin and brought up her head.

"I mean that," David said as he leaned in, brushing a gentle kiss over her lips. He was slightly surprised when Ariana responded by wrapping her arms around him and drawing him closer. All thoughts of the stars were forgotten at that point.

With You

"Tell me a secret," Ariana said. Her head was pillowed on David's chest and she could hear his heartbeat.

"Hm," his voice rumbled in his chest, "a secret. Let me think," he said.

Ariana waited, listening to his breathing, the air moving steadily in and out. She reached out and laced her fingers through his. They were laying in a sunny patch of grass. It was a rare sunny day.

"I think," David said, "that my secret is, that I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Ariana'a head came up quickly. She quickly searched his gaze and saw nothing but truth. A smile spread across her face as she thought of what that could mean. Leaning up, she pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. "I love you David," she said and snuggled back into his arms.

Those Three Words

Ariana had waited patiently for the right moment; the right moment say those three important words to David, the right moment to show him how much she cared. It was a delicate balance that she tried to strike, clearly showing interest, while at the same time not making him feel trapped or pressured.

"Hey David," Ariana started, and hesitated.

David looked up from the History textbook that they were studying from. "Hm?"

Ariana took a deep breath and leaned forward, and gently brushed her lips against his. "I love you David," she whispered into the silence that followed.

David blinked in surprise, a smile slowly spreading across his face. He leaned forward and kissed her back, lips soft and gentle. "I love you to Ari."

Dinner

Ariana's eyes sparkled with excitement; tonight was going to go perfect, she just knew it. It had been a year since she and David had started dating, and she was planning something special for the occasion.

Carefully placing the finishing touches on the dessert for the night, Ariana stepped back to admire the effect. A small swirl of sweetened whip cream topped a sweet basil cream panna cotta with a passion fruit gelee; a delicate tuille cookie resting on the very top. Displayed in a martini glass the pale green and the bright orange complimented each other perfectly. Ariana smiled as she checked on the roast lamb in the oven, the scent of rosemary and garlic billowing into the air as she opened the door. It would be ready just as David arrived she decided. Ariana closed the oven door and checked the table to make sure that everything was right before going to get ready. She looked at the table with a critical eye, twitched one of the candles a fraction to the left, and adjusted the napkin at one of the settings. Soft guitar music played in the background.

Ariana was finishing her make-up when she heard the doorbell. She quickly walked down the stairs, pulled open the front door, and froze in wonder. David stood on the doorstep, deliciously handsome in black slacks and a black dress shirt. The only spots of color were his dark green tie and his bright blue eyes. David seemed just as speechless as she was. Ariana was draped in a flowing midnight blue dress; her hair pulled away from her face and tamed into curls.

David held out a single red rose to her. Ariana took the rose and blushed, holding open the door for him. "Happy Anniversary," Ariana said, and kissed him before leading him through to dinner.

Go On Forever

Ariana was glad it was summer. The warm star filled night, and the long sunny afternoons suited her perfectly. It always seemed like summer would go on and on.

Ariana inhaled the air with her eyes closed, taking in all the scents around her. Smiling she poked her head out of the tent. There was a huge bonfire in the meadow clearing, wood smoke drifting lazily in blue clouds, rising on the slight breeze. Twilight was beginning to fall on their campsite, and Ariana was excited. It was the last night of their annual camping trip. Every year since she could remember her family had gone on a week long camping trips in the summer, high in the mountains where the air was still clear.

"Hey Dad! Is it time for s’ mores yet?" Ariana called, she was trying to slip her boots on while at the same time tying back her long hair.

"Almost honey, almost," her dad called back with a grin. "Get David. He won't want to miss what's next."

"Okay Dad," Ariana said as she finally managed to get her boots on. Pulling a sweater on she walked off toward the creek where David and her brother John were fishing. Her parents had relented and let her bring David as long as John and David shared a tent.

"Come on you two, it's almost time," Ariana called to them as she approached the river bank.

"All right!" John said, and began to reel in his line, "Let's go Dave!"

"Go where?" David asked in confusion as he began to roll in his line.

"To the fire," Ariana said, giving him a quick kiss, "trust me, you'll like this."

A few minutes later Ariana and David approached the fire, walking hand in hand and calling out greetings. David jumped back as a long column of flames erupted from the heart of the fire, shooting thirty feet into the air. Ariana laughed as his expression, "It's just gasoline in a bottle. Watch." Ariana grabbed a bottle that was capped and wrapped in duct tape. David could hear it sloshing with liquid. Ariana walked up to the fire and dropped the bottle into the middle of the flames as scooted away. Returning to David's side she took his hand and said, "now we wait."

It was about a minute later when the flames erupted from the fire again. David smiled and gave Ariana's hand a little squeeze. The others were gathering closer to the fire, all armed with long sticks and uncoiled coat hangers, tipped with marshmallows.

Ariana leaned over to David as he put a marshmallow on his hanger, "do you know what the best part of summer is?" she asked.

"What's that?" David asked.

"It feels like it can go on forever," she said.

Old Park Bench

The scent of loamy earth rose on the damp air. The sun had set behind the city, painting it a vivid orange, and dusk was falling. The city lights were starting to come on, glowing pale in the misty night. Fog was gathering and drifting into the streets, flowing like river currents towards the center of the city. The moon was rising, bathing the night in silver light.

A bench, partly hidden by the drooping branches of an ancient Elm tree, was tucked away near the trunk. The gnarled branches cradling the bench and casting deeper shadows on Arianna and David as they sat on the old park bench, nestled at the top of a hill, just outside of the city to the East. The breeze was blowing gently from the south, cool and soft.

Arianna snuggled into David's side, her head against his shoulder. She shivered lightly under his leather jacket that was slung around her shoulders. David placed his arm around her shoulders, sighing in contentment. Right now, he thought, right now, I'm happy.

David tipped his head back to look up at the sky. The clouds were starting to thin out, and he could see the first spots of light in the distance.

Arianna watched David watching the stars and smiled, her hand resting on his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath her fingers. She leaned over and kissed his neck as his head was tilted back.

David's breath hitched, his skin goosebumping under her lips. He looked down at her, his eyes dark in the night. He brought his lips to hers and kissed her slowly and passionately.

"I love you Arianna," David said.

"I love you too."

It was the first time those words had been exchanged.

Squee

"So. What was it like Ari?" A voice said from behind me.

Startled I turned to see my best friend Jenna. "I'm sorry?" I asked a bit puzzled. But that was par for course when dealing with Jenna.

"Your date. You went out with David Cole. Did you really think that I wouldn't know about it?" She grinned, her eyes wide behind her sliver framed glasses. Her long brown hair fell into her face and she pushed it away impatiently.

"Spill the beans," She commanded me.

I shrugged one shoulder, trying to play it cool, "We went to a play. A Midsummer Nights Dream."

"Ari," Jenna whined my name, "You are so holding out on me." Jenna was practically bouncing up and down.

I ducked my head, blushing just a bit.

Jenna continued, "every girl in school would love to go out with David. He is so cute, and very polite, not to mention a mystery to every girl here. But," She held up a finger, "He never dates. All the girls choice dances, he manages to have plans or be out of town. If he is asked at any other time, he gives work or studying as his excuse. In fact, as far as I know, you are the first girl to date him since he moved here a year ago," Jenna drew in a breath, "I hope you know all the other girls are insanely jealous of you. I would be too, but I am just glad that he asked you, and not Shaylin."

I shook my head. Shaylin was undoubtedly the most popular girl in school. Very stereotypical, if I were aloud my opinion. Head cheerleader, Dance Captain, dating the quarterback, and resident school slut.

"Well, I guess we should be glad that David has better taste than to want that," I said.

"Don't think I haven't noticed you changed the subject," Jenna said. "I want to know everything. Did he kiss you?"

I shook my head, "No. I believe he is to much a gentleman to kiss on the first date."

"Ari!" Jenna whined again.

"Alright, alright," I said. "He did hold my hand after the first half of the play.

"So do you think you will go out again?" Jenna asked, lowering her voice as Shaylin passed, her expression one of disbelief as she looked at me.

"We have a date next weekend," I said.

Jenna squeed and wrapped her arms around me, crushing the air from my body. I patted her on the back and let her hold on a moment. Finally I said, "Come on, we'll be late for English."

A Night Out

My fingers twitched nervously, and I glanced at the clock again. I wonder if he will remember. I glance in the mirror one last time, making sure that my hair is nice. He didn't say where we were going, only to look nice. I looked down at the simple blue skirt and black top I was wearing, I hoped it would be alright. Smiling, I thought back to how this all started.

"Arianna!" I heard my name being called from down the hallway. I didn't recognize the voice. Turning, I saw the boy with black hair and blue eyes that I had run into yesterday. David was his name. I had seen him around school, but yesterday was the first time I had spoken to him.

"David," I said smiling as he jogged up to me, "how are you today?"

"I'm fine. You?" David asked in return. I noticed that he looked a little nervous, fidgety almost. His smile was warm, if hesitant.

"I'm doing okay. My Calculus assignment is going to give me a headache though," I said. The student body was flowing around us.

David grimaced, "I never did like Calculus, but I am good at it. Would you like some help?"

I was a little surprised, but I couldn't help the grin from spreading over my face. "I would really like that," I said.

I looked away and then back at him. David was still watching me.

I bit my lip, suppressing a laugh. "Did you just want to know about my Calculus homework?" I asked.

David blinked, seeming to snap out of whatever thoughts had carried him away.

"No. Actually I wanted to know If you wanted to go out with me," David said, his voice was low, nervous.

I couldn't help the smile spreading across my face, little shivers running down my spine. "I would love to," I said, meeting his eye briefly before ducking my head.

"Great!" David said, sounding a bit relieved.

"When?" I asked.

"Tomorrow," he said.

"What are we going to do? Not homework hopefully," I said.

David's cheek dimpled when he grinned, "No. It's a surprise, but dress nice. I'll pick you up at seven."

"Seven it is," I said. I pulled out a sheet of paper and scribbled my address on it. "Here's my address."

David accepted the paper and smiled, "Well, I have to get to History. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow," I said.

I was startled out of my thought when a knock sounded in the front hall. Opening the door I saw David on the front step, looking very nice in black slacks and a dark blue dress shirt and tie.

"Ready?" He asked.

I nodded. "Where are we going," I asked.

"Have you ever seen A Midsummer Nights Dream?" He asked as he opened the car door for me. I slid into the seat and bucked up, "No, I haven't."

"You'll love it."

Dance

It's raining outside again. I love the rain. How it smells, makes the world look clean I love how it obscures the city; in a way it's protecting, it hides me. I don't understand how people can say they don't like the rain. If you don't like it, why live in Seattle.

Training my fingers down the glass, I sigh in contentment, watching the rain beat down on the window.

"Come on Ari; we have work to do," David said, tugging on my arm.

I shook my head in response. "Nope."

"But..."

I grabbed David's hand a pulled him along with me. I opened the front door and drew in a deep breath. The rain made a gentle hiss on the pavement.

I pulled David over to the lawn, and drew him close.

"Dance with me."

A Chance Meeting Turns into Fate

I have to admit it, at least to myself, I am completely in love.

Who would have imagined it. Me, Arianna, in love. And not just with anyone. He's the most perfect man I could have imagined. I had never thought to be so lucky in finding a man like David. Handsome, smart, brave and shy. He is an interesting paradox at times. So passionate, and yet so private. His eyes draw me in every time, depth-less blue. Silky hair, coal black.

Of course I had noticed him before, but I had never thought to have a chance. There are so many girls at school much prettier than I am. I suppose I could call it fate when he ran into me. Fate. A beautiful chance that may just turn into a lifetime of happiness.