"Hey, I believe we'll soon meet, right? So let's make a promise ceremony!" I said, putting my hand towards her.

"Yes, we'll soon meet each other. Let's write a letter, so that we don't forget...." The girl said while pulling a pen from her pocket.

She wrote a letter for me. But I didn't have the right words to describe the letter for her.

"This is for you. It's a locket shaped like a key. I have the locket shaped like it's clasp." I said handing the key-shaped locket towards her. She took it and smiled. "Let's put something inside, so that the next time we open it, there would be a surprise for both of us," the girl and I put something inside it and locked it with the key.

And then we both smiled at the thought of opening the lock next time....

~~~X~~~

I woke up with a spasm, with perspire all over me. My heart was beating loud and fast; I took a deep breath and let it out slow. It was that dream again. After my accident, most of my childhood memories have been lost. I don't remember anything that happened before the accident, however some memories have been recollected to me through my dreams. I don't know much about it, but I do remember the girl I met during my childhood. She was my love since, who is turning into a mystery now. 

I turned to my clock, it was almost 8. I sighed and jumped out of bed. I got dressed up for school, and went downstairs. Dad was talking to someone on the phone. 

"Master, you're awake! Good morning, master," one of the J-star wished. J-star refers to 'Jake-Star', which is me. Dad is one of the greatest spy in the American-Wills, the spy organization. But he named his group as J-star when I was born. I wish if he never had done that!

"Oh, son, you're awake," dad said, looking at the clock. "Well, there's still some time left for your school to start...how 'bout we have a little chat?" 

"Chat? Sure, go on."

"Well, my boy, remember I told you about the Emerald-Shine once? The spy group who used to hate me?"

"Yeah, why?"

"We've thought to become friends now. And..." he paused to observe me. "And I want you to be on a relationship with Dare's daughter, the leader of Emerald-Shine."

My eyes widened. "N-no! I'm not gonna have a date with a spy's daughter!"

I stood up and went to the kitchen. The cook made me some toast and eggs. Dad followed and sat beside me. "Please son. It isn't about love, it's about friendship. Think 'bout the money we'll get if we both teams bind together. Just for once, child, for your mother?" He grabbed my hand. 

I pulled it back and sighed. "I-I'll think, maybe. But that doesn't mean I'm sure."

He smiled and nodded. I walked out of the house. Suddenly it started raining; I opened my umbrella and wandered to my school. How could dad make me love somebody I don't even know? I hate this spy work. I grinned at the thought of Emma being my childhood love. Emma is my crush since I was in middle school. She is perfect for me and no one can beat her in this.

"Hey watch out!" somebody shouted. I turned around and got bumped by a...girl? She fell on top of me, with her lips resting on mine. Both of our eyes widened at each other. Nobody moved and the rain poured on us. Suddenly she got up and took my umbrella as a shield. I made a confused look. 

A big truck passed by, splashing the puddles over me. The girl grinned. She took my umbrella as protection, and dare she did to laugh at me? 

"Hey, gimme my umbrella back!" I cried. "How dare you laugh at me after using my umbrella as a cover?!" 

She rolled her eyes, "What? Nothing harm done, at least!"

She threw back the umbrella to me and ran away. Girls are weird! But, this was weirder. I saw stars around me like it happens when you kiss your true love. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't realize my clothes were damp and dirty, and went to school like that.

I would have never sensed it if it wasn't for Garry. I was walking to my class, with people giggling and laughing at me. I didn't know what it was about, so laughed myself. When suddenly Garry burst out, saying, "Hey Jake, what's with the clothes?"

I looked down at it. I started to panic. That girl made me filthy! I went to the gym shower and changed to Garry's extra clothes. It was a little large, but at least it was clean!

"So you mean you kissed a stranger?" He asked.

"It wasn't a kiss, actually. More like we fell with our lips touching. It was weird!" I replied, washing my face.

"Okay....Was she pretty?!"

Garry would never change. I have known him since like forever, and he's pretty crazy about ladies. Sad that he never gets a date!

"Eww, no! She was disgusting...and awkward."

We walked to our classroom. "Jake, good morning!" A familiar voice said.

"O-oh Emma, g-good morning," I replied with a blush on my face. She blushed too...but more naturally.

"The teacher said that there's going to be a new student today. I hope it'll be great to become friends, right?"

 New student? "Yeah...hope so," I said. She smiled and the world brightened. I smiled back.

"Alright, students back to your seats!" The teacher announced, clapping her hands. "So as I told you earlier, there's going to be a new student in class. Please welcome Miss Grace Dandelion, your new classmate."

I rested my head down on the table. All I needed to know was Emma, not some new guy from some other school! And as I told before, no one can beat her at this. I just wish she was mine and I was hers. The class started to shout at the new student, "Hey, there's a seat here!"

"Marry me!"

"Let's go on a date!" 

I knew it had to be a girl. I looked up to see who it was...."YOU?!" I cried. She looked at me, "You're a stalker! You followed me to school, damn!"

"You tell me?! It's my school and these are my friends, how dare YOU follow me?!" I burst out. I hate her more than anything. 

"Shut up, Stupid-Girl-Kisser!" 

We were arguing with each other when the class shouted, "Awww! What a lovely couple!"

The girl and I looked at each other. "WHAT?!" we yelled. "You're in love...so sweet. But I wish she dated me instead of you, dream boy!" a boy yelped. He winked at the stupid weirdo girl. I made a disgusted face. She rolled her eyes and sat beside him.

"Well well, young love is beautiful, isn't it?" the teacher whispered in my ears. "Anyways, students, there'll be a spring dance next month. Everybody must have a date to go, there'll be activities for couples and prizes too. So be it, boys and girls, get your partners ready by then!" she announced. 

Couple? Dance? I wondered if Emma would like to go with me. Should I ask her, or should I wait for her to ask? 

I wish if it would be the best date ever!

~~~X~~~

After school, I wanted to visit Emma and ask her about it, but dad called for some special 'meeting'.

So I went home to find some shoes outside. There were no heels, which relieved me as there wouldn't be any girls. "I'm back!" I exclaimed as usual. Suddenly I had chills over my body. It was like something had gone wrong...

"Oh son, welcome. Meet Dare and his daughter Grace..." dad said. I looked at the girl with my eyes on the floor.

"YOU AGAIN?!" I cried.

"STUPID-GIRL-KISSER?!" she yelled back. "Dad, this is the boy I was talking about!"

Her father glared at me. He then started to laugh, "Well, the one you said kissed you? Isn't that great? You have already kissed your new boyfriend!"

She looked at me with wide eyes. "I WON'T BE HIS FAKE GIRLFRIEND!"

The J-stars slammed in the room. "Fake girlfriend?! Master, say the word and we'll kill her to death!" they wailed, swinging their guns.

I shook my head, indicating a 'no'. "That's it then, you both are going on a date!" dad declared. The girl, Grace or something, and I stared at each other. "WHAT?!?" we cried.

"Yeah, a date. Now tomorrow's a Sunday, why not tomorrow then, right Dare?" dad replied. "Can I talk to you for a minute, dad?" I asked, clenching my fists. 

"Not now, son. We'll talk later...Why don't you show Grace our home?" he said. I sighed. Grace stood up and we roamed around the house. 

"This is our dinning hall. We all, with the J-stars, eat here..." I clarified. She looked at me. "What?" I asked. 

"Um...." she blushed, "Where's the....washroom?"

I pointed her to the washroom. She walked in, with me sitting on the porch. "Jake!" a funny voice shouted. It was Garry. He walked to me and said, "Can you arrange a date for me and Grace?" 

Before I could've answered, Grace walked there, saying, "Hey, you've a very stinking washroom! Clean it next time, stupid!"

Garry looked at me with wide eyes and ran away, grinning. I was left with the ugly girl on the porch. She sat down beside me, annoyed. "Where's your...mother?" she asked with her eyes closed. I looked at her, and I could feel something different from usual. 

"She's...." I paused for a minute, not knowing why. "I'll tell you some other day..."

She looked at me with a strange look in her eyes. "Lucky you, my mom's perished when I was a child. I live with my elder sister....of whom we don't talk much." she said. The breeze rushed in, caressing the girl's blonde hair on my face. I could smell the beautiful scent from her hair. It smelled like strawberries. It looked very familiar...

She pulled her hair back and went inside. I knew she had that different feeling too...but why?

~~~X~~~

"Jake, will you remember me...forever?"

"Of course, I will! And you?" I said.

"I can never forget you..." she said, kissing me on my cheeks. We blushed. I kissed her back. The cool breeze relaxed me. Suddenly her hair petted me on my face.... It had a beautiful aroma of strawberries. 

~~~X~~~

"Jake, wake up!" a recognized voice called. I opened my eyes slowly, only to find dad smiling at me. I sat down immediately.

"Dad, why'd you do that?!" I cried. 

"Do what, son?" he asked, still smiling.

"Oh come on, you know exactly what I'm talking about! Grace, the queen of ugliness is my new girlfriend?! She's so...." I paused. I didn't know how to say it. "...mysterious!"

Dad laughed. "I used to have a thousand girls chasing me, and you're so much opposite! Anyways, you were the one who said would think about it..."

"I said 'think', not 'yes'!" 

"Yeah, yeah whatever. You know I would have done it anyhow. Which reminds, YOU HAVE A DATE TODAY!" he said, slamming the door loudly behind him. I sighed. 

Nothing could be more worse...

I went downstairs for my breakfast. The cook had made pancakes today. I took a bite and moaned with pleasure. I took another bite, and another, and another....soon it was finished. I was just thinking about Emma, when the phone rang. 

"Hello?" I stated, "Jake speaking..."

"O-oh, hey Jake, good morning!" a beautiful voice answered from the other end. "It's me, Emma. I was thinking if you would like to join us to watch the latest movie...then we could hang out!" she said.

"Us?"

"Y-yeah, you, me, Garry and Amy."

"Oh, well..." I looked at my dad. He was talking to the J-stars. "Sorry, I won't be available. H-has some important work...so some other day, maybe?"

"O-oh, alright. I will....Bye!" she hung up the phone. I clenched my fists and exhaled a deep breath. I walked out of the house. I had to be in the park before 'Miss Evil' arrives. 

~~~X~~~

"Hey, you're late!" an ugly voice shouted. I turned around to yell back, but something amazed me. I'm not sure what it was, but maybe the dress she wore. She looked like....Wait, why do I even care? I hate her, I love Emma!

"Shut up and let's go. What's the first thing?" I asked. She crossed her arms. "You're the boy, you should know!" she said.

"Alright, let's go to a movie. I'm pretty sure that's what I had planned for before I came here to you!" I cried. She rolled her eyes, but agreed. We went inside to find some latest movie clips and posters. 

"Um...two tickets for Roses of Love, please," I said handing the money towards the counter lady. She gave me the tickets and I went to 'Evil Queen'. She grabbed the tickets from me in  excitement, but soon it turned to grumpiness. She started shaking me, pulling my collars. 

"Why did you have to buy tickets for a romantic film?!?" she cried. 

"What? It's a date, and I thought this is what makes date romantic!" I yelled. "Anyways, every girl likes romantic films!"

"But I'm not 'everybody'! I hate boring romantic movies, it makes me sleepy!"

"Sleepy?"

"Y-yeah, okay. Sleepy..." she blushed. What a strange girl she is!

~~~X~~~

Skipping the movie...

"Man, you were snoring!" I said, giggling. 

"Shut up, it was all your fault, stupid!" she said, frowning.

"But the food was delicious! Farmripes' a great restaurant now...!" 

"Yeah. I can't imagine it's almost dark!" 

I looked at the sky. Some stars had started to appear...

"Do you want to visit my mum?" I asked. She nodded. "But you'll have to walk..." I said, slanting my eyebrow. She punched me on my face.

"I KNOW, STUPID!" she yelped. But I have to say, her fists are like a thousand tons! What type of girl is she, the wrestler?!

We walked to a hilly area, little far from our homes. "Are....we.....there....yet?!" Grace stammered, as she climbed up. 

"Yeah, we are." I replied. She looked around, panting. "There's nothing here, fool! You just made that up! Your mom doesn't live here, no one does. And..." she took a breath and exhaled. "And...it's dark now, look at the sky!"

Indeed, it was. And that's what I was waiting for...I pointed her to a star. "That's my mother..." I mumbled, weeping. 

Before I could turn around to 'Miss Evil', she grabbed me and hugged tight. I blushed. She must have too. Soon she let go and sat down on the grass. It looked like she wanted to pretend as if nothing had happened.

I sat down beside her and watched the beautiful scenery. The amazing aroma of strawberries surrounded me. It couldn't be more elegant.

"Life is so different, isn't it? It makes us suffer and disappoint, but concludes in beauty and happiness. I wonder if the stars have feelings. I mean, they're our hearts, right?" 

She nodded and smiled. 

Maybe she wasn't so bad as I thought she was. Maybe....she was like me. Or not. But at least the day ended peacefully. Or was it even worse like I thought it would've been?

I stood up. "Let's go," I said. 

"Can't walk more, stupid!" she cried. She was back, everything came to normal. "Let's go by cab then..." I said. She agreed and called one.

~~~X~~~

We reached to her house. "Hey, can I say something?" she asked. It was weird for her to ask, but why not, right?

"Sure."

"Maybe...just maybe....you're like..." she paused. I glared at her, awkwardly. "....nothing, just forget it." she said. She walked to her gate. The guard let her in and she walked inside...

I went to my home by feet. The cab had left, and I had to pay all the money. That girl is really annoying.....and mysterious? I went upstairs to sleep. A J-star entered the room asking, "Master, are you not going to eat?" 

"Nah, not hungry, Tim."

"Did the date go well?"

I looked at my window to see the stars twinkling outside. "Surprisingly, yes."

He smiled at me and left the room. I closed my eyes. I wonder what she wanted to say tonight...

~~~X~~~

"He was like the childhood boy I met when I was little. So weird..." Grace closed her eyes. "All was strange today, wasn't it, love?" she hugged her key-shaped locket... 

~~~X~~~

Hey guys, did you like the story? I'm pretty sure you must be thinking it's Grace, the childhood love of Jake, right? Well, there's more to come, so better not assume so soon... Everything can change with my fingers on the keyboard, so just wait for the next chapter :)

And don't forget to vote and comment, if you want the next chapter to be out soon (;

~Smilingstar