Parks and Recreation

Once upon a time, two people fell in love. Their story starts much like many others. Girl meets girl. Girl falls in love with girl. Unfortunately, life has a funny way of pulling us along its path, away from other plans we may have dreamt up. embarrassed 

I met Abbey Valmont on April 26, 2017. Our first date was later that week, on April 29. We became a couple later that night. She told me she loved me on May 30, 2017 at 1:43 PM. I confessed my love for her at 1:44.

Norsefire had only just begun to make its way from across the pond into America. With the help of America's own, National Front, we'd all soon learn just how dangerous a game of politics mixed with fear and control could be. Chancellor Henley and his Allegiances made their presence known just about everywhere you looked. Life carried on like normal as it had every day before, but I think we all felt their watchful eye constantly on our backs. 

The 26th seemed just like any other Wednesday. I was walking my basset hound/beagle mix, Sawyer, in Lawrence Park. The sun was shining and it was the perfect weather for a stroll without a jacket or sweater. I needed to get away from my house. Finals in school were starting soon and I felt incredibly unprepared. Sawyer needed a walk so it was the perfect excuse to get outside. 

I noticed the girl in the plaid shirt, torn jeans and mud-caked Converse shoes watching Sawyer and me, but didn't think much of it. Sawyer gets a lot of attention and I'd grown used to the friendly compliments he'd receive. I looked over my shoulder again and saw Abbey patiently sitting on a nearby bench, smiling and watching. She had several books stacked next to her, but none were open. Sawyer and I continued our walk around the park. I picked up sticks for him, threw them into the air and chased him down as he took off after a flock of birds. When I got his leash back on, I casually looked up and noticed the brunette girl still watching us. I felt silly for running after Sawyer and squirmed in my skin as I felt my cheeks flush red. We strolled back onto the cement and begun making our way back to the car. We had to pass right by the mysterious onlooker and I couldn't decide to say "Hi" or not. When we neared the bench, Abbey stood up and walked over and met us square in the walkway.

"Hey, that's a really cute dog you've got there! What's its name?" she calmly said.

I froze, unable to think of a response.

I eventually replied, "His name is Sawyer."

She bent down to his level and started scratching his head. "Well, Sawyer, if you just aren't the cutest dog I've ever seen! I wish I had a puppy like you to take home, although I am partial to chocolate labs."

I let out a nervous chuckle and pinched my thigh as I crammed my hand deep into my pocket.

I didn't have a chocolate lab, but I had a dog and at the moment, it was enough to keep our conversation going.

She stood up and we locked eyes. A soft hand extended my way. I reached back in return.

"My name is Kayden, but everyone calls me Kay." I said. 

"My name is Abbey, everyone calls me Abbey. Do you have a last name, Kayden?" 

"Oh yeah, Douglas. Kayden Douglas."

"It's nice to meet you, Kayden Douglas. I'm Abbey Valmont."

"Dammit," I thought. A name like Valmont in this town means high society and I was beginning to suspect she was out of my league.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Abbey Valmont."

I looked at her books, still unopened. "What are you studying?" I asked.

She looked behind her. "Oh, mostly biology but a bit of French. Are you in school?"

"Yeah." I replied. "I'm a Senior at Turner. Where do you go?"

"I'm a Senior at Saint Mary's"

A Valmont. Studying biology and French at Saint Mary's. And a dog lover. Three strikes and I'm out. She's beyond out of my league.

I stood timidly in front of her. I didn't know what to say. I felt inferior and the more she looked at me, the hotter I could feel my cheeks flushing.

I replied, "Well, I should probably let you get back to studying."

A look of disappointment washed over her face. "Yeah, I guess I should get back to it."

"It was nice meeting you."

"It was nice meeting you, too. Thanks for letting me pet Sawyer."

"No problem. I'm sure he loved it."

Abbey slowly backed up toward the bench. Sawyer looked at me with confused eyes as we continued our walk towards the car.

I let Sawyer inside and tossed a few treats into the backseat. Suddenly, I felt my legs and arms moving without my control. I had slammed the door shut and was speed-walking back towards Abbey, who had resumed her position at the bench.

In a half-out-of-breath, half shouting voice I asked, "Would you like to grab coffee some time?"

A smile formed across her lips. "Yes, that would be great!"

My stomach flip-flopped. She pulled out a sticky-note from her backpack. When she handed it to me, it had her name, number and a smiley face scrawled across its yellow background.