Chapter 5

            A year has passed, and was I getting tired of waiting. Wondering if my Joseph was ever, going to return. My faith, I could feel it fading. There were many times I prayed that he would come around. Always asking myself, “Is this all in my head?” I did not know what to think. I was feeling alone. But as I looked towards the sunset, across the patch of green grass...“Rosaline!” Hearing your sweet voice call my name, I picked up the ends of my dress, ran down the flight of stairs and continued to run the mass distance that was laid between us. Finally, the moment I was able to touch his face everything felt like it fell into place. I was once again and forever held tight in the embrace of my prince. Our hands had intertwined as we closed our eyes to enjoy each others’ presence. Within a second, what once had been our heads together, he had knelt to ground. I looked down and gazed into his wonderful eyes. Watching him I saw him pull out a ring and said, “Marry me, Rosaline, and you’ll never have to be alone. I love you and that’s all I really need to know.” “But what about my –” “I talked to your dad,” he said with a heart-warm smile plastered on his face. I took one hard long look at him, knew he was telling me the truth and said, “Yes.” Quickly he stood back up and bestowed another lingering kiss on my lips. Shortly after he pulled me back tight into his chest and whispered into my hair, “Now go pick out a white dress.”

***

           It has been a very long time since I had last seen, touched, and kissed Joe. I missed him so much and yet I’m still waiting for him to come and sweep me off my feet.  At the moment I was in my backyard, resting on the one of the lounge chairs. One of the many places Joe and I spent together holding each other in our arms during the nights we would sneak out to see one another. With my eyes closed and listening to music I wondered how much longer I would have to wait for Joe. It was not until I felt someone poking me in arm. Irritated, I opened my eyes and then screamed for joy. “Oh-my-gosh! Joe!” I leaped up and tackled Joe to the ground. “Missed me?” he said jokingly. “No shit. Took you long enough to come back,” I said. “But like I told you, I did. Today is the day you’re leaving with me my love,” he said. With a kiss, one so sweet but also passionate, the world felt right again and I no longer felt alone.

                A few years later the day I was going to get married has finally arrived. We decided to get married at the church of Joe’s hometown in New Jersey. Family and friends came despite the distance. Even my father finally gave in to approving of our marriage. Being in your early twenties and getting married...is not that bad if you know you’re going to spend the rest of your life loving them endlessly. The moment I walked through the church doors and down the aisle the only pair of eyes I was able to look at where his – Joseph Adam Jonas. His smile told me exactly how much he has been waiting for this moment, including my own smile gave that away. As I stepped up to stand beside my soon to be husband, the butterflies in my stomach began to increase. I was finally going to become a Mrs. Jonas. The fact that I was going to be married to Joe made me undeniably joyous.  Once we took our vows, marriage rings in place, and with the priests words “you may now kiss-”, Joe swiftly wrapped his arms around me and swooped be down and plunged for the kiss. Not letting the priest even finish saying his famous lines. Although, I did faintly her him say “the bride” as he closed his small book. Getting back to the kiss, I was filled with bliss. When we walked out of the church doors, we entered the outside world for the first time as husband and wife. Petals of white flowers were scattered everywhere, and bubbles were being blown our way. Making our way into the limo, and then off to our honeymoon.

The best feeling in world, to me, was not just because I married the boy of my dreams, literally, but because I married a man who loved me for who I am, and I knew for a fact he would be a perfect husband and someday a perfect father.

Chapter 4

            That same night, as I tried to sleep I heard rocks tapping against my window. I got out of bed, opened the glass door and stepped out on the balcony in cold summer nights’ air. Looking down from the railings I saw my Joseph with a beaming smile across his face. Happiness filled my body at the sight of him. Next thing I knew, I was sneaking out to the garden to see him. Making sure to keep quiet cause I knew we would be dead if my father were to find out. Minutes passed as we made the short time we had memorable. I looked into his eyes and he said, “Will you be my princess Rosaline?” “Yes! We can leave tonight. No one will be able to tell us what to do. It’ll be just you and me. Please take me away from this place Joseph,” I begged. “I’d love to, but I can’t now. There is business back at home that I must deal with first. Once the dilemma is over, I promise to come back for you.”

***

That night I heard a strange noise coming from outside. I went over to the window, and saw Joe, throwing pebbles in attempt to wake me up. Quietly I opened it up and softly said, “What are you doing?” “I came to see you,” he whispered back. “Just wait there, I’ll be right down.” Silently walking down the stairs and then out the backyard doors I soon walked into Joe’s opened arms. Hoping for this embrace to last forever, rather than my father finding us, we walked over to the nearby park. Thankfully is was a cool night, and once we reached the secluded area we were just happy to finally be able to spend time together. “Sorry about my father,” I said. “Its’ okay, no matter what I will always love you,” he said while holding me in his arms securely. Stunned by his words I looked up at him and repeated, “Always love you...do you really mean it?” As he looked down at me, his eyes told me the answer I was looking for. Seconds later he began to lean in and as I waited for the touch of his lips on mine I placed my arm around his neck, closing the space that was left between us. After a while, we pulled our lips away but stayed close. The warmth from his body was comforting as well as the beating of his heart was soothing. “Rose, I know this may be too early to say but will you be my wife someday?” With a big smile on my face I replied, “Yes.” And then we shared another long lasting kiss. “When do you think that day will come?” I asked. “Probably not for a while still.” Now there was silence. I understood that rushing into a marriage is not the greatest idea ever, especially when you’re still a teenager, but when you love someone so much, why not, if you can. “The only reason why I say not now is because my brothers and I are still working on our music and everything. Also I don’t want to be in a huge commitment and then have to leave you when I’m on tour or doing interviews and stuff,” Joe began explaining. “Can I not come with you, like on the tour bus or something?” I asked. “I’m afraid not, besides I don’t want you to get crowded by the paparazzi,” he said. “You have a point there,” I said. “When things slow down and we get things more organized I will come for you and then we’ll be together all the time. And when that day comes I will make sure you will be able to come everywhere with me. It’s just that we have to plan things based on how many people are going to be on the road with us, hotel rooms need to reserved ahead of time, and all that kind of stuff that need future preparations.” “I understand,” I told him. “That’s one of the reasons why I love you,” he said giving me a kiss on the forehead and we cuddled. For a little bit longer, we stayed together and talked until it was almost sunrise. When Joe walked me back home we shared one last kiss before he had to go. Once I reached my bedroom I went straight to bed and dreamed about my future with Joe.

Chapter 3      

            After the party, once all the guests left, Joseph stayed wanting to spend more time with me, and I with him. I had got the chance to introduce him to my mother, she very well accepted him as my prince in shining armour. But once my father entered the room he was completely against the idea. He told my Joseph to leave me be and never return. Anger burst through my body as I raged at my father. Things did not go well. As I was crying on the staircase I begged so that Joseph may stay.   My heart broke in two as my father had forcefully sent Joseph out of our home.

***

                That morning, I was standing against the lockers waiting impatiently for Lily to grab her stuff, until I caught sight of Joe walking down the hallway. Of course his friends were around him, making conversations. Despite this, as I found myself staring, I felt the heat creep up to my cheeks as Joe met my gaze. His smile was what made me blush. Or mostly because of the fact he caught me looking at him. “Hey Rose,” he greeted me with his fantastic smile as he walked by. “Hi,” I whispered softly.
                During lunch, Lily and I were sitting at our usual spot under the tree. As I was telling Lily of my dream about Joe and the ballroom, etc, she nudged me in the side and nodded her head for me to look in a certain direction. Slowly I followed her gaze and when I saw him my eyes opened up wide in surprise. “Speak of the devil eh?” she whispered in my ear. As he was approaching closer towards us I became more and more nervous. I watched him as he made his way towards us, and when I looked up into his eyes. It was not until I noticed him smiling that I myself was smiling back. “Hey Rose, Lily.” He nodded his head in acknowledgement. Both of us greeted him with a ‘hey’. “Could I talk to you Rose, in private?” I looked over at Lily, checking to make sure if it was okay with her. Automatically she nodded her head, practically pushing me off my ass to go. “Sure,” I said as I got up.

Silently, we walked side by side, until Joe led us towards a bench with no one around. He took a seat and then looked at me as I still stood there. “So what did you want to talk about?” I asked still very nervous. With a soft sigh, then a quick sweet smile he took a hold of my hands and pulled me towards him. Now standing in front of him, where our knees touched and Joe still holding onto my hands, I felt the blush creep back upon my face. “I wanted to talk about us,” he said. “What about us?” I looked at him worriedly and agitated. “This is hard for me to say, but I’m just going to let you know straight out,” he said and then stood up from his seat. Instead of looking down at him, I now had to look up. Just then he let go one of my hands from his and with his free hand reached up to caress the side of my face. The blush was getting darker, I could feel it. Feeling more nervous now than ever, I had to look away from his eyes and so I fixed my gaze down at our hands. Until he guided my head back up, having no choice but to look at him. “First of all, it’s cute when you blush, I like it. Secondly and most important, I like you, a lot.”

I was left breathless and speechless. Not only was a filled with shock but also joy. All because of his three words-I like you. ‘He likes me,’ was all that went through my mind. Next thing you know, Joe’s warm breath was hitting against my face. The feeling of his closeness was exhilarating. Once his lips crashed into mine, I couldn’t help but smile into the kiss. This was like dream come true. Feeling his arm now wrap around my waist and the other was holding the back of my head, steadying and deepening the kiss. With my hands now found upon his chest and myself on my tippy toes. As he pulled away slowly, but only an inch away he said, “Will you be my girlfriend?” This time I let my arms wrap around, over his shoulders, and pulled him in closer for another kiss. Once I broke the short kiss, I replied, “Only if you’ll be my boyfriend.” Not taking my eyes off him, I watched as he his smile grew. “Of course,” he said. “Good, then it’s a definite yes,” I said. Before lunch was over we shared one more kiss before we made our way back to class.

                After school, Joe came over to my house for dinner. My mother was pleased to know we were now dating and more then ecstatic to have him for dinner. But once my father entered the house, back from work, I told him the news and he was irritated. “But I don’t see what’s wrong with us being together,” I said. “I’ll tell you exactly why he’s not good enough for you.” He yelled. And so he went on saying how Joe would not be a good boyfriend because he too much of a ‘player’, ‘a flirt’, etc, and I had enough it. How could a father embarrass their daughter, and only child about something as foolish as this?! Not to mention, saying such defensive things in front of the boyfriend. Once we was done his speech, he turned to Joe and sharply told him to get out. “What?!” I exclaimed. “You can’t make him leave, I want him here,” I fought back. “If he doesn’t leave now I’ll make sure you’re never near him, ever again,” he threatened. Teary-eyed I looked at Joe and mouthed “sorry” just before I ran upstairs to my room but tripped on the stairs and sat there crying.     

Chapter 2

               The moment I whispered his name, the lights, the party, and the ball gowns all seemed unreal. I watched as Joseph made his way through the crowd towards me. “Hello Rosaline.” I nodded my head afraid to say anything that may embarrass me. “Would you care to dance,” he said as he rose out his hand. Gently I took a hold of his hand as he then led me to the middle of the ballroom.

***

                “Remember, you must be here for dinner today,” my mother said at the breakfast table. “Why is that again?” I asked. “Because my new friend at work is coming along with her family and I told her we would be glad to meet them all,” she said. “Doesn’t quiet spark my interest. Besides, why can’t I just go out to dinner with Lily like I did yesterday?” I suggested. “Did I mention she has sons that will be joining us, and I hear one is your age,” she chanted. ‘Now that may have sparked my interest’ I thought. “Well if you put it that way...I guess I could join,” I said. “I knew that would work,” my mother said with a smile.

                “Three sons, one your age,” Lily said excitedly. “Yup,” I replied. “Lucky! You’re going to have to tell me all about it later tonight. After they leave of course,” she said. “I will, no worries,” I said.

                When I finally got home after school I took a shower, kept my hair naturally wavy with a few curls, dressed up a bit but still kept it casual, applied a light amount of makeup and then helped my mom prepare the food. About 6 o’clock the guests finally arrived. My father was the one who answered the door and greeted the other family in. Once the front door was closed, my mom made her entrance to greet them while I decided to stay back and pretend to be still preparing the dinner table. As they entered I kept my back facing the doorway but as my mother saw me she began the introduction. “And this here is my daughter Rosaline.” At the sound of my name I slowly turned around making sure to keep a polite, warm smile across my face. But instead, as I looked at the family in front of me, the first pair of eyes I saw belonged to, ‘Joe!’ I quickly thought.  “Hello,” I said shyly.

During dinner I felt nervous, flabbergasted, happy, everything! This was definitely not what I had been expecting at all. Never would I have thought that Joe and his entire family would be eating at my dinner table. Once we finished eating my mother asked me to give the boys a tour of the house, and so I did, starting from the bottom floor to the top floor of the house.

“And last but not least is my room,” I said. “Nice, I like it,” Kevin said. “Yeah, I didn’t know you had a guitar,” Nick said taking a look at it. “You have video games,” Frankie said happily while checking out what games I had. “Not bad,” Joe finally said as he made his way over to the sofa. “This room is pretty big, amazing how you fit all of this in here.” I made my way to sit next to Joe and replied, “Well I don’t really have that much. It’s just the bed, this sofa, the entertainment system, my desk, and then my random stuff.”  “Like I said, it’s not bad,” he repeated. “Ugh, yeah,” was all I could say back. “Rosaline, could I play a game?” Frankie asked sweetly. “Sure no problem, did you need to me to set it up?” I asked. “No it’s okay, I can do it,” he said proudly. I couldn’t help but smile back he was just so darn cute.

After a while of playing Halo, Frankie got tired of it and wanted to play hide ‘n’ seek. We all did a round of rock, paper, and scissors to see who would seek while the rest of us had to hide. Kevin ended up being the seeker, and since we were playing in my house I knew all of the best hiding spots. I decided to go down to the basement where there was a secret storage room hidden behind one of my dad’s huge posters in the bar area. You’d think it would be a great spot to hide behind the poster, but you would never notice the frame of where there use to be a door. In order to get in you had to slide it. Anyways after a few seconds past I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. I listened carefully identifying where Kevin might be searching and making sure I didn’t make a sound. Never would I wish to give away my best hiding spot. I always thought that if a kidnapper or murderer tried to get in the house my plan was to come to this exact spot to hide and keep myself safe. But then as the door opened I guessed that I should consider another hiding spot. I looked up at the figure to find, “Ugh...Joe what are you doing?” “Shit! Rose you scarred me,” Joe jumped at the sound of my voice. ‘He called me Rose! He’s never called me by my nickname. The only time he said my name was when he asked me for a sharpener or an eraser. Even then he would always call me by my full name’ I thought. “Sorry, but seriously this is my hiding spot!” I said. Out of nowhere he covered the top of my mouth with his hand. “Shush! Kevin’s coming, move over,” he said. I guess I forgot to mention that this room wasn’t that big. Probably one more person could fit in here, and that’s it. Joe and I silently sat side by side waiting for Kevin to go back upstairs. Once his footsteps disappeared, both of us released a sigh of relief. Sure it was dark in this tiny room but by now our eyes got use to the dark. “That was close, I was afraid he’d find me before I even found a spot to hide,” Joe said. “I still don’t know how you were able to find this spot,” I said a bit stubbornly. “I guess it was meant to be for me to come here. And I must say, it’s awesome to finally be alone with you somewhere quiet,” he said. ‘What!’ I practically screamed in my head. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye and starred at him in disbelief. “Why do you say that?” I said trying to sound calm. “You’re in all of my classes’ right?” he asked. “Yeah...” I responded. “Well, I hope I’m not coming on you too strong. But I’ve always wanted to talk to you.” “So why haven’t you, I don’t sit that far away from you and I’m positive I don’t bite,” I told him. As he laughed at my remark a small smile escaped my lips. “I know it’s just that all of the other girls keep trying to talk to me that I feel like I’m stuck in the middle of a sandwich.” This time I laughed. “You can’t be serious! And here I would have thought you’d like being swarmed by all the girls.” “In most cases yes, but all of them are the same! They all just hope to get a chance to date me, and I’ve learned that the only reason they want to be with me is because of my looks. I don’t want to be with a girl like that. But when I see you, I know you’re different from the rest of them,” he said. At that exact second I knew I got trapped into his wonderful, beautiful, warm eyes. As I gazed up at him I knew I was blushing, feeling the change of temperature upon my face. ‘Thank god it’s dark in here, and he could only see the outline of my body’ I told myself. “Well I guess that makes me unique?” “Indeed, I believe you’re right,” he said. Slowly and unexpectedly I saw as Joe began to lean closer towards me. Our faces were inches apart, our lips almost touched, the attraction between us sent sparks of enthrallment as we waited for the unknown feelings to let loose. “Found you!” Frankie’s voice came. The two of us, squinted our eyes from the light that escaped through the sliding door. Once our eyes settled we looked at each other and noticed how close our bodies were. Quickly we leaped for the exit, but at the same time bumped into each other. Falling back on our bums we laughed at our awkward circumstances. 

                That night, before I went to bed I called Lily to tell her about my wonderful surprise. “No way, that’s amazing!” She exclaimed over the phone. “I was so shocked! I’ve never been so happy,” I said. “You know what this means. He likes you!” “Oh, please. He was probably flirting with me. Like he does with every other girl,” I told her. “Oh please!” she said mimicking me. “Why would he say something so deep and then tries to kiss you?” “I dunno.” “A-ha! Exactly, I can’t wait to see his next move on you – tomorrow!” “No one knows except you! So don’ go telling people.” “Duh! Give me some credit here girl. I am your best friend, sworn to keep all your secrets and to help get you the boy of your dreams,” she said. I couldn’t help but laugh. Her skill of turning some serious into something funny amazes me. “Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow morning, goodnight Lily,” I said. “Okay, night Rose.”

Love Story

Chapter 1

I was standing off to the side of the ballroom, conversing with a few friends and acquaintances. We were all dressed up in our finest gowns for the night waiting for our prince charming to come sweep us off our feet. At one moment, some of the girls all lost a breath of air as they stared wide-eyed at something off into the distance, behind me. Slowly I turned around to find, little did I know, “Joseph.”

***

“Rosaline!”   The sound of my name being called made me jump set out of bed. “Owe...my head,” I said. “Rosaline wake up!” The door to my bedroom opened as my mother stepped inside. “You’re going to be late,” she said. I looked over at my alarm clock, and it was almost 8 o’clock in the morning. “Shit!” A sense of panic flowed through my entire body. I looked up at my mom and asked her, “Will you drive me to school?” “Yes, you have 10 minutes before we have to leave,” she said before she left to go downstairs and get ready.
Usually I get up at 6:30 or 7 in the morning to get ready to make sure I’m wide awake before I get to school. This is so I’m not grumpy and bitchy, but the main reason is to be alert of the boy I had a crush on. I have always wanted to make a good impression on him. Simply by the way I look, act, enter the room, and anything else to make myself look presentable and girlfriend material. 

“Hey Rose,” Lillian greeted. “Hey Lily,” I greeted her back with the nickname I gave her. “Damn, you look like crap today, did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed or something?” she asked. “Unfortunately no. I slept in today,” I said giving a small yawn. “What time did you go to bed this time?” “Late...” “What am I going to do with you Rose? You need to stick to one bed time schedule.” “I know but I just had to continue working on my story.” “Rose, that assignment is not due until the end of the semester.” “Yeah, but I was having difficulties thinking of a plot that when I finally did I wanted to at least jot some notes down and begin my first chapter at least.” “Well you better get some sleep tonight, and this better not be a regular routine.” “Yes ma’am,” I said sarcastically. Lily let out a tiny giggle. “Anyways, remember that if you want to look good in front of Joe...you need your beauty sleep and time for yourself,” she instructed. “Obviously! Like you haven’t mentioned that before. But now that you mention him, you need to make sure he doesn’t notice me today at all!” “I’ll do my best – ugh, maybe it’s time to go to the bathroom,” she slowly said. “Why –” I began to turn to see who she was looking at behind me, but before I got a chance to see Lily dragged me into the girls’ bathroom. “Alright you’re safe,” she said. “Let me guess, Joe was coming down the hall?” “Yup, now before classes start let’s fix you up.”

Luckily enough for me, Lily was able to pamper up my face before the bell ringed. ‘It’s a good thing she carries her eye-liner and mascara with her’ I thought as I took my seat in my first period class.  When Joe walked into class I couldn’t help but gaze at him. It was hard having him in all of my classes and watching all the other girls swarm over him. Thankfully Lily beside me pulled me out of my gaze before I started to day dream about him.
During lunch Lily and I walked over to our regular spot outside by the big tree that was located on the school grounds. “So anything new going on at home,” Lily asked. “Actually, my mom is starting out at her new job today.” “That’s cool,” she said. “Yeah I guess so. She really hated her other job. What about you?” “Same old, same old,” she said and shortly right after we began to laugh. “Hey isn’t that Joe over there?” Lily asked nodding her head in a certain direction. I looked over and surely enough Joe was there leaning causally against the brick stones of the entrance gate to the school. “Wonder what he’s waiting for or better yet, why is he outside here by himself,” Lily said. “Good question, you’d think he would be inside the cafeteria flirting with the girls that are obsessed with him or being random with his buddies,” I said. We both looked at each other and then shrugged our shoulders at the same time. We continued eating and talking but secretly watched Joe from a distance, waiting to see what he was up too. Eventually his brothers came out – Nick holding on to a book and pen and Kevin holding onto his guitar. It wasn’t until Kevin began playing a melody as Joe and Nick took turns singing while looking down at the book Nick brought which we simply guessed that held the lyrics to the song they were singing. “Well that makes perfect sense,” Lily said. “Yeah, those brothers love music and are all very talented,” I said with a sigh. “What’s wrong?” Lily asked. “I was just thinking how I would never end up with Joe. He’s got everything I ever wanted,” I said. “Bull shit! You’re everything and more. Sure you can be ditzy and klutzy at times, but you’re also funny and adorable. There is not one person I know who hates you and would not want to hang out with you.” “Thanks Lily,” I said. “No problem. What are best friends for,” she said. With a smile and a hug, I felt much better. Who knows maybe one day Joe will notice me and hopefully become interested in me. But as long as I have my friends and family that care about me, does it really matter about having a boyfriend?