Page 47 of Surviving You, Scotch and Sammy 1

And it was enough.

Love was all we needed.

The rest would come later.

– Scotch –

Becoming an Adult

Twenty-three days after the best day of my life, even though it falls on a Monday, Sammy and I play hooky – ironically from science period – and we ride my bike to the courthouse only seven blocks from our school. Summer break begins in only another week, but we weren’t waiting that long. We graduate so soon, one single class doesn’t mean nearly as much to us as our alternative plans for the day.

Sammy’s school bag sits on her back and mine on my front, and a million times more confident and carefree than the first time I took her for a ride, she presses in close against me, exhaling deeply so her breath bathes my skin through the thin cotton of my shirt, and her hair whips around our shoulders as she giggles with unadulterated giddiness.

We’re getting married today.

We’re beginning the rest of our lives.

We cut across a few side streets and ride down Main for one single block, then pull into the courthouse with all the paperwork we need and all the eagerness in the world. Sammy and I climb off the bike, giddy and silly with happiness as we clutch at each other and stumble through the front doors.

The only ‘but you’re so young’ looks come from the clerk manning the desk, but she doesn’t speak her thoughts. She takes our ID’s and cash, then she becomes our required witness.

I wish that I could give Sammy the things that she deserves – the white wedding gown, the fancy dinner, an international honeymoon – but she’s the one saying no. She just wants us, she doesn’t need the fancy. And unwilling to fight her on something so silly, especially when I want the same end result, we go ahead with our plans.

At only eighteen years and a few hours old, I watch the girl of my dreams slowly walk down the makeshift aisle – because she really wanted that part. With a handful of stolen posies clutched in front of her chest, she meets me at the top of the room with a smile so big there’s no way we could deny this. We promise ourselves to each other, promising a lifetime of loyalty and happiness. It’s not even a difficult promise to make. They’re probably the easiest words I’ve ever spoken.

I went out and bought her a plain gold wedding band over the weekend, separate to the promise ring that she wears every day, and as I slide it onto the finger I wanted to use a month ago, and she does the same with a ring she sneakily bought for me, I swallow down the nerves that bat around inside my stomach.

For once, Sammy actually looks to be the least nervous of the two of us. She looks so sure of her decision, it sets me at ease. I don’t doubt us, I’m just nervous about the pressure of making sure she’s happy every day for the rest of our lives. But I’ll make it happen.

Because we’re the easiest thing that could ever be.

Sammy’s parents are still strict and overbearing and on the Turner-hate-train, so there’s no fancy reception for us, no honeymoon, not even a night in a hotel together. There’s no celebration to acknowledge our promises today, no confetti thrown in the air, no pats on the back and well wishes, but my ring on her finger, out and proud for anyone who might look, shines in the spring sunshine as we hold hands and walk back to the bike.

The thick gold band she bought for me sparkles in the sunlight, drawing my eyes like a distracted squirrel; my ring, her ring, my ring, her beautiful eyes, my ring…

“I feel exhilarated.” We move fast as adrenaline sends us both into silly giggling territory. “That might have been the scariest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” she admits. “Even scarier than getting on your bike that first time.”

Our hands swing between us as she skips. I’m never letting her go. “Scary in a good way though, right?”

She stops just in front of the bike, turning and stepping up onto her tiptoes to press her lips against mine. “Definitely in a good way. I’m so glad you followed me down to the lake and made me love you.”

“Jesus,” I chuckle. “That sounds worse now than it actually was. I swear I wasn’t a freak stalker.”

“I believe you. And I’m so happy with the way it turned out.”

“Forever and ever, Ricci.”

She smiles. “Forever and ever.”

“Do we have to go back to school today?”

She continues to nibble on my lips as her minty breath cools my tongue. “Yeah. But we’re finishing up in a few days. Then we’re free.”

“Free to be us? Free to move away and sleep in the same bed every single night for the rest of our lives?” There’s honestly nothing in the entire world that sounds better than for us to be free to sleep in the same bed.

“Yup. Every single night. The rest of our lives start so soon, I can taste it.”

“How do you feel now, Mrs. Turner? That sounds nice, huh?”

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