REDDING, CA – HARBOR HIGH – APR.9th, 2002 – TUESDAY

     “Ok. Now, go inside the gym, and wait for me there, alright?” Kirstin ordered Ashley when they stopped in front of the gym’s entrance.

     “K, can you at least tell me what’s going on?”

     “No! Now just stop asking that! You asked me three hundred times in the car. I won’t tell you. Just go inside and wait for me, alright?”

     “Ok…” Ashley entered the gym when Kirstin disappeared “Weird.” he said as he pushed the doors and entered the gym.

     The gym already had most of the decorations for the Charity Event that was going to take place the next day. There were a few tables and chairs placed in the corner and there was this huge mirror ball ten feet from the floor. It was dark inside, but you could still see things. Ashley wandered around the room and decided to stop in the middle of the basketball court. He just stood there frowning. ‘What the hell is going on?’ he thought.

     Suddenly, music started to play. The frown never left Ashley’s face.

     Kirstin stepped inside the gym. She headed straight to Ashley and wrapped her arms around his neck. Ashley automatically wrapped his arms around her waist. Kirstin laid her head on his shoulder, closed her eyes and began to sway to the music. Ashley also closed his eyes and did likewise.

          What if I never knew
          What if I never found you
          I never had
          This feeling in my heart

          How did this come to be
          I don’t know how you found me
          But from the moment I saw you
          Deep inside my heart I knew

     Ashley and Kirstin were swaying to the music, not saying a word and not looking at each other. Staying like that, in each others arms, was perfect.

          Baby you’re my destiny
          You and I were meant to be
          With all my heart and soul
          I’ll give my love to have and hold
          And as far as I can see
          You were always meant to be
          My destiny

          I wanted someone like you
          Someone that I could hold on to
          And give my love until the end of time

          But forever was just a word
          Something I’d only heard about
          But now you’re always there for me
          When you say forever I believe

     Kirstin took a deep breath. It was so wonderful to feel Ashley holding her. She wanted to stay like that forever. Ashley didn’t know what all that preparation meant, but he couldn’t be feeling better than he was at that moment. Having Kirstin to hold was just what he always wanted since the moment he saw her.

          Baby you’re my destiny
          You and I were meant to be
          With all my heart and soul
          I’ll give my love to have and hold
          And as far as I can see
          You were always meant to be
          My destiny

          Baby all we need
          Is just a little faith
          ’Cause baby I believe
          That love will find a way

          Baby you’re my destiny
          You and I were meant to be
          With all my heart and soul
          I’ll give my love to have and hold
          And as far as I can see
          From now until eternity
          You were always meant to be

(Destiny – Jim Brickman & Michelle Wright)

     The music stopped, but they continued to sway. Then Kirstin slowly stopped. She gently pulled back from Ashley and stared at his deep blue eyes.

     “Thank you.” she kissed him lightly on the lips.

     “I don’t even know what this was for, but I’m the one who should be thanking you.” he pecked her lips and they stared smiling at each other “The music was perfect.”

     “I know, because it’s exactly what I feel, Ash.”

     “It’s exactly how I feel too, K.” they were still looking into each others eyes. Kirstin broke the eye contact.

     “Ash… I have something I wanna tell you.” Kirstin took a step back and sounded serious.

     “Yes?” Ashley sounded worried.

     “I know I’ve hurt you so badly all these years, Ash. And for that I really am sorry.”

     “K, I know you are, it’s alright, I…” Ashley said getting near her, but he was cut off by her.

     “Let me talk, please. You don’t know how bad I feel for hurting you so much, so many times. I was so stupid, I was afraid of loving you and not having your love back. That’s why I ran away the first time and that’s why I tried to hide my feelings for you having that relationship with Tom. However, I realized it was useless to run away from you. My feelings for you would always be around. And you would always be around.” she smiled at him and so did he “You never let go of me. Even when I was the most stupid person in the world pushing you away, you’d always find your way back to me. That’s when I realized that you wouldn’t give up. And I didn’t want you to give up. You are my soul mate. I really believe you are. I know for a fact that you are the one I’m supposed to spend my entire life with.”

     “I couldn’t agree more, Kirstin.” Ashley looked serious. Kirstin smiled and continued.

     “Whether we are together, whether we are just friends, we are bound to spend the rest of our lives together. Besides my previous two painful love relationships during highschool, I honestly cannot recall my life before you came along. So that is why I asked you come here today with me. That’s why I prepared this for us. To tell you that I love you and that I wanna spend the rest of my life with you, so…” Kirstin suddenly knelt down. Ashley looked surprised at her. Holding his hand, Kirstin continued “Ashley Angel, would you spend the rest of your life with me? Will you marry me?”