Love of a Lifetime

Author's Note: Thank you everyone for the feedback! This is actually my first time trying to write a story and I highly appreciate feedback and criticism. Anyway, this one is a little bit longer, so hopefully it'll hold you off for a little while longer while I continue to write ;D. Enjoy!

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Life in New York was...interesting. It was certainly different and overwhelming, but in a good way. If anything, my hometown was underwhelming, if that even makes sense. My classes were a little hard to keep up with, I wasn't used to lecture halls filled with over hundreds of people. Although architecture is my major, I don't really get into it until junior year. It was like high school over again, but bigger. Classes consisted of things like English, calculus, biology, and most unfortunately, labs. I had calculus with Hayden and Alex, while English and lab were blessed with Joanna's presence. English was my first class on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. Since Joanna lived in the same dorm building as me, we usually walked together.

During one particular Friday morning, I was sprawled across my bed, oversleeping by a few minutes. Hayden was up already, preparing to go to his advanced literature class. Joanna was banging on the door, screaming, "ANDREW, GET YOUR ASS OUT OF BED! WE HAVE CLASSSSS!!"

Hayden let out a sigh, "I recommend you switch classes. Or get an alarm. This is the third time! She's freaking crazy." He put his messenger bag over his shoulder and stood by the door as if he was bracing for a storm.

Once he opened the door, Joanna flew past him and jumped on me, screaming for me to wake up.

"Wakeeee upppppp Andy! We have class like....NOW!"

"Uh-huh...ughhhhhhhh, alright I'm up."

She climbed off and walked over to my dresser to start throwing clothes at me.

"Sheesh, don't you wear clothes when you sleep?"

"I am wearing clothes! I have shorts on! Why? Does my being-half-naked make you nervous," I smirked.

I guess there was one advantage of Cement City; it was so boring that I worked out constantly and religiously. I don't mean to boast, but I was built. I put on the clothes she threw at me; beige cargo shorts and a solid black t-shirt. I ran my fingers through my hair; it would suffice as a comb.

Now here's what I love about walking with Joanna to class; for some odd reason, she'd always loosely held my hand. I never questioned it, fearing that if I did, it'd be an end to it. She would hum quietly to herself, and even though students were bustling about and cars honked everywhere, I could always hear her and only her. This morning however, she forced me into a run. The funny thing was that once we arrived at the lecture hall, we found out that class was canceled today due to the professor being sick. Apparently, there was an e-mail sent out early this morning, but I guess everyone knew except us. That's what you can count on for college kids to do; check their e-mail constantly hoping for a cancelled class.

I glared at Joanna and she just shrugged. She grabbed my hand again and led us outside, "So what do you wanna do now? You can't just go back to sleep and leave me alone, so don't even think about it."

It's odd, in the three weeks she's known me, it already feels like she knows the way I think. "Fine. Let's go get some breakfast."

Since cafeteria breakfast wasn't exactly the best, we walked around until we stumbled upon a quiet, cozy diner. We sat down in a booth as a stout waitress walked towards us. She had a pencil behind her ear and when she spoke, she had a heavy New York accent. Her name tag read Wilma and when I looked up, she was talking to me. "What can I get fah ya sweetheart?"

"I'll, um, have a cup of coffee for now."

She looked towards Joanna, "And what bout ya pretty little girlfrien ova here?"

"I'll have some coffee too, thank you," she smiled.

I looked over at her, surprised she didn't bother to correct Wilma. It wasn't the first time it happened. Random little girls off the street said we were a cute couple. If you were on the outside, I suppose it'd be logical for us to be dating; holding hands, walking to class together, and eating together. Together. It was both comforting and uncomforting. It was nice to be affectionate with someone as beautiful as her, but it was unsettling because I knew it was unofficial and for her, she was probably just bored.

We sipped on our coffee, occasionally eating saltine crackers that were offered on the table. I was never much of a talker, let alone a conversation starter, but fortunately, Joanna was.

"Do you have any other classes today?"

"Uhm...nope. It was just that class, you know, the one where it was cancelled, but you dragged me out of bed anyway?"

"Shut up! It's not like you checked your e-mail either, jerk. Anyway, we're all going out tonight and there's somebody I want you to meet."

I sipped on my coffee; curious as to whom she would want me to meet. "Yeah, where are we going?"

"Just look like your usual pretty self and let me take care of the rest, Andy."

After we finished our coffee, we walked back to our dorms. Instead of just dropping me off at my room, she followed me inside. Hayden was still in class, so we were alone together. Her hair was wavy today instead of the usual straightened hair. I liked it better that way; her natural beauty. She wore a striped shirt that fell off on one side, revealing her shoulder. As always, she was stunning. When we were together, we usually talked about random things. She always asked how my life was back at Michigan; I couldn't tell her much.

All of a sudden, Joanna started going through my closet and my dresser as if she was looking for a specific thing. She scanned shirt after shirt until she came upon a white dress shirt. She put it against my chest and said, "Here, try this on. And do you have any black slacks? Try it on with that."

I raised my eyebrow, wondering where I might be going tonight wearing such fancy clothes. I pulled off the shirt I was wearing, and suddenly I felt a hand against my chest. I wasn't much taller than Joanna; my mouth was leveled with her forehead.

"Uhm," I mumbled.

"Shh shh, don't ruin the moment."

She ran her hand across my chest and down my arm until finally, she was holding my hand. She looked down and sighed. With my free hand, I tilted her chin up, hoping to look into her eyes and see what she was thinking. Subconsciously, I tilted my head to the side and leaned in.

She stopped me, "Don't. It's...it's complicated." She walked over and sat down on my bed, her head in her hands.

I followed her, pulling her hands away so I could hold them. She looked up at me and I said, "It doesn't have to be. I like you, you know that? And if I'm not mistaken, you like me too."

She sighed, "Andrew, I have to go. We're still going tonight, remind Hayden. Please, don't make this harder than it already is."

With that she walked out, leaving me confused. What does she mean by that? Hayden came back around 2:00. I was sitting on my bed, sketching again when he walked in.

"Hey, Joanna told me to remind you we're going out tonight. Anyone mind telling me where we're going?"

"Oh yeah, I hope you have a nice jacket; we're going to an engagement party haha. We should actually start getting ready. We have to be there by 5."

An engagement party? I've only been here for three weeks. Have I even met anyone that I know is getting engaged? Hayden and I took turns taking a shower. My hair was cropped short, so I couldn't do much with it. I ran my hand through it, pushing it to the side and hoping that it would make it less messy. Alex and Chico came over since both of them didn't know how to tie a tie. All four of us wore the same thing, white dress shirt, black slacks, black tie, and black jacket. We looked like the freaking men in black. There was a soft knock at the door and I couldn't help but hope it was Joanna, but it was only Kristina. She looked absolutely different. I guess last time, I wasn't paying much attention, but she was gorgeous. Her long blonde hair was pinned up and she had a strapless, red cocktail dress on.

"C'mon guys! We gotta go!" She walked towards my direction and fixed my tie, "There, that's better." She smiled at me and I couldn't help but smile back.

I wanted to ask where Joanna was, but I kept it to myself. We hailed a taxi and somehow tried to fit into it like a clown car. Hayden called shotgun and Chico managed to miraculously fit into the back seat along with Alex, Kristina, and me. Kristina ended up on my lap. The taxi driver kept braking like a mad man. Somehow, my arms were wrapped around Kristina's waist, preventing her from flying through the windshield. The taxi stopped at a humongous, elegant house. About half of the house was actually glass and from the outside, you could see the place was packed with people in suits and dresses. Even in what I was wearing, I felt underdressed. I wasn't sure I belonged here. We were eager to climb out of the cramped car. All five of us stood on the sidewalk, completely stunned by the gigantic house.

It was Hayden who made the first move, "C'mon, we're gonna be late and Joanna's gonna get pissed."

Joanna? She was already here? Either way, it was enough motivation to get inside the house faster. As we walked in, someone took our coats and another guy led us to a huge room. Several small chandeliers were scattered all around the ceiling, reflecting crystal lights on the various round tables set up. There was a little stage where a DJ was playing soft, calming music. The man led us to a table closest to the stage. Whose engagement party were we at to have the privilege of sitting all the way up here? Hayden sat to the left of me while Kristina sat to my right. I couldn't help but scan the room for that one particular person. All around us, everyone began to sit down and a middle-aged man in a suit hushed the crowd.

"Everyone quiet down. It is with the utmost honor that I am able to introduce to all of you the newlyweds! Let's give a round of applause for the lovebirds!"

I leaned towards Hayden and whispered, "Dude, where's Joanna? She's missing everything."

Before he could even answer me, she appeared on stage with her arm wrapped around a guy. I didn't understand...why was she up there? He had a full-on tuxedo while she adorned a floor-length off-the-shoulder, white dress. Whatever she was doing up there, she was breath-taking as always.

They both had a microphone and the guy began speaking, "Thank you father for that wonderful, yet short introduction," the crowd laughed softly, "Joanna and I would like to welcome and thank you all for coming out for our special night. I won't do too much talking so we could get the party started," he turned towards Joanna, "baby, you wanna add anything?"

She smiled nervously and said, "No...I think that about covers it. Enjoy your evening everyone!"

It took me awhile to realize I wasn't breathing. Fortunately, the clapping drowned out the sound of me gasping for air. Hayden patted my back and he was speaking words of concern, but I couldn't hear him. I needed to get out of here. The walls were closing in on me.

"I need some air. Stay here, I'll be back." I quickly ran out the side door that led to the deck. Even with fresh air, I couldn't control my erratic breathing. Engaged? Why didn't she tell me? I need to get out of here, I can't handle this. As I turned around, Joanna stood before me. She has a way of sneaking up on people, I'll give her that.

"Going somewhere Andy? You didn't even dance with me yet."

"I think your fiancée might object to that."

She noticeably winced at those words as she walked closer towards me. It was barely audible, but she said, "I told you it was complicated..."

"Joanna, you could've told me! You held my hand! You don't correct fat waitresses and little girls who call you my girlfriend! You could've at least told me Joanna...give a guy a warning, do something."

"And say what Andrew? 'Oh hey, I like you a lot Andy, but sorry! I'M ENGAGED!' It's not that simple okay? You think it's easy for me? It's not!"

I was confused, I didn't understand, "If you don't love him, why are you marrying him?"

She sighed, "It's complicated...My parents are in debt, and obviously, this guy has boatloads of money. His parents are urging him to settle down and they promised to take care of my parents. Look Andrew," she picked my hand and held it, "if things weren't so fucked up and I had a chance to be normal, I'd pick you. You would try to ask me out and I would try to play hard to get, but give in anyway. We'd date and argue and maybe break-up a few times but end up back together. Your parents would hate me, and Hayden would have to live with me sneaking to your dorm late at night. But things ARE fucked up, and I can't do this with you."

I saw everything she saw. With me, it wouldn't be complicated. We would be best friends and I could take care of her. Even for the short period of time that I knew her, I liked her, a lot. If it was any other girl, I wouldn't care, but it was Joanna. I dropped her hand and whispered, "I'll see you at the party..."

I walked back inside and found Hayden by the bar. Perfect. I needed a drink.

"Hey man, where ya been?"

"Outside, I got lost. I need a drink."

"Well alright! Let's get this shit started." He gestured towards the bartender and ordered us a round of shots. Alex, Chico, and Kristina suddenly appeared and each took a glass.

I didn't have much experience with alcohol, as in, I never HAD alcohol, but I knew not to let it run through my tongue. I threw back the shot, wincing. It wasn't too bad. I took two more before I realized Hayden was offering me a slice of lemon. I shook my head, I didn't need it. It didn't take long for the vodka to kick in, and soon enough, I had the urge to dance. Hayden and Kristina followed me to the dance floor. Not many people were dancing yet, but after people saw us, more people joined. Hayden and Kristina were dancing together, while I was just kinda doing my own thing. I saw a girl from across the room looking at me, smiling. I smiled back and gestured for her to dance with me. The music was loud and thumping. The calm and soothing DJ that we saw was gone. Now, he had headphones on and his head was bopping to the beat. The girl started dancing on me and grinding her hips against me. You couldn't put a hair between us. I saw Joanna looking at us, her expression bleak, but I didn't care. She made her choice, why can't I make mine? Hayden and Kristina got lost in the crowd and I couldn't find Alex or Chico. After another upbeat song, the DJ decided to dedicate a slow, love song to the new lovebirds.

Right on cue, the girl leaned in and whispered in my ear, "You wanna go somewhere else? I know a room."

I nodded and she wrapped her hand around mine and led me out of the crowd. Her hand didn't feel right. It didn't fit perfectly. We made it to a small bedroom on the side of the house. She promised me that no one used it and no one would notice. She pushed me down on the bed and yanked my tie off and started to unbutton my shirt. I pulled her towards me and we started making out. It reminded me too much of this morning so I started down her neck. She was fumbling with my belt while I lightly bit down on the side of her neck. She let out a soft moan and got down on her knees to pull my pants off. She slid my boxers down a little bit and without hesitation, she started blowing me right there. It felt amazing; it had been a long time since I'd gotten a blowjob. A girl I knew in middle school was curious so she luckily picked me to be her experiment, we never talked again after that. I tangled my fingers through her hair as she bobbed up and down. She was a brunette and I started imagining things and I couldn't take it.

"No, no, okay you don't have to do that anymore." I picked her up and it didn't even faze her. She climbed on top of me so she was straddling me. I wrapped my arms around her and unzipped her dress, clawing and tearing until it finally dropped below us and joined the rest of the clothes. She started rocking her hips as she undid her own bra. She was obviously eager.

I flipped her down on the bed so I was on top of her, she smiled wide. She liked that. I ripped her panties down to reveal a clean, shaven pussy. She came prepared.

"Go inside my purse, there's a condom in there." I reached over and dug inside until I saw an entire pack of condoms. Damn, she was more than prepared. I grabbed one and ripped it open with my teeth. As much as I wanted her to be someone else, I was only human. I was hard. She lifted her legs a little to break me out of my trance. She wasn't going to get this easy, she wanted this too much. I took the head of cock and circled her pussy, occasionally rubbing it against her clit.

She moaned loud and began to plead, "Please..."

"Please what," I toyed.

"Just please fuck me."

I rammed into her hard and started pumping in and out. She was clawing my back, whispering in my ear, "Ooooh yeahhhhh. That feels sooo gooood. Oh! Harder, yeah. Right there baby. Mmmm."

I turned her over so she was on her knees. I grabbed her hips and started slowly entering her. Inch by inch, slowly filling her insides. I slowly came out, only to ram hard into her again. She arched her back, moaning. We created a rhythm, fast, slow, fast. The bed was shaking. I went so deep, my balls were slapping against her clit, adding to the pleasure.

In between moans, she informed me, "Oh god, I'm cominggg." She grunted and with one final push, she arched her back. She got up, took off my condom and was determined to finish me off. Her tongue worked up and down my shaft. Her warm saliva was dripping down. She flicked her tongue over the head, and that was it. I came hard and all over her face. I sat for a moment, gathering my thoughts. She walked towards the bathroom to clean off.

The bathroom door opened to reveal her, another reminder that she wasn't who I wanted it to be. But I wouldn't want Joanna like this, not in a stranger's house on a foreign bed.

"You know, I never caught your name," she said.

I grabbed my clothes and started dressing, "It's probably better that way."

She smiled and started putting on her own dress, "Yeah, probably."