Sands Of Time [ON HOLD]

Prologue

It was a normal lazy Sunday  for fifteen year old Amanda Johnson  when her boyfriend of two months , Andrew Collins came to her house unannounced.

Amanda was not surprised by this because she was used to Andrew just popping up out of no where every other Sunday since he knew she would be home alone because her mother and younger brother Adam  would be at church.

Amanda was never truly  alone during weekdays because she had to babysit her brother since her mother finished work at six pm and made it home at around 6:45 to 7:00 pm depending on traffic . She was not really a spiritual person , so she spent her Sundays at home and her mother never forced to go to church . "You have to go to church because you want to darling, not because I told you to." Her mother would say to her.

Adam didn't go to bed until eight o'clock at night. So they never got to spend quality time with just the two of them alone . Unless when they go on a date which has only been two times. Amanda's  mother didn't trust anyone with her son to babysit other then her own daughter because of unfortunate happenings of the past.

After letting Andrew enter her home, Amanda offered him something to drink and he declined. That was strange, thought Amanda because Andrew always asked for something claiming it's the best thing he had in life because it was just made by her , even if it was just water.

She didn't put too much thought to it though as she asked him if he wanted them to go to her room. Again he declined and seemed  nervous. Okay something is wrong . She mentally concluded. Was he going to brake up with her ? What was happening?  She was starting to panic when he told her to sit down.

He waited for her to sit on the couch first,  then he sat down next to her and held her hands. His hands, larger than Amanda's ,were shaking. "Are you okay? " Amanda asked with a soft voice not wanting to apset him incase something was really wrong. But Andrew kept quiet for a while still holding Amanda's hands in his shaking ones.

" Okay now you're scaring me Andrew, what's happening? " She asked on the verge of panic and tears. "I'm sorry Mandy , I didn't mean to scare you. I'm just looking for the right words to put this without giving the wrong idea . I just..." He had to take a second to breathe because it was really hard to say what he had to say to Amanda.

"Amanda  I want you to know that I love you so much-" " Really? "She cut him off surprised . It was the first time he told her he loved her in their two months old relationship. Even though they practically knew each other since they were born.

"Yes I do. But I want you to listen to me very carefully Mandy , okay?  Can you do that for me baby?" He asked her softly. When he saw her expression starting to change he squeezed her tiny hands with his larger ones , silently begging her to trust him. She slowly nodded her heard , bouncing her hair in the process.

"Now love I know you're a very good listener so please give me until I'm done like you always do , okay?" He asked. It was true when ever Andrew wanted to let out his emotions through words , whether it was sadness , anger , frustration or happiness.  He knew Amanda would listen without interruptions, and only give advice if she can in the end or just her personal opinion.

So without hesitation she agreed to listen to Andrew, she knew that he had put a lot of thought to whatever he wanted to say because that's what he does when it came to the matter of their relationship. Even before they became a couple.

"Mandy I did something terrible. I can't tell you what I did but just know that it's the reason for the next words I'm about to say." Andrew started with a shaky voice. "Amanda I want to understand that I love you . I've loved you since I could understand the feeling and I want to know that I'm sorry it took me so long to finally tell you. "He was looking her in the eyes as he stated this.

"Now what I'm about to tell is most hardest thing I've ever had to put in thought , let alone words." Now Amanda was truly worried about Andrew  but she didn't want to interrupt him , so she let him continue knowing she'll make him feel better in the end.

"Amanda  I have to leave-" "What do mean leave? Are you breaking up with me?" She had to ask. He could not tell her he love her and break up with her,  it didn't work that way . No.

"What? No! Mandy please let me finish." He begged holding her hands tighter. He couldn't bare the thought of really breaking up with her even though he was going away.

"Amanda I have to go away for a while , but I'm not breaking up with you. "He said trying to make her understand. "What are saying to me Andrew ?" She asked confused.

"Like I said earlier baby I did something bad. So I have to go away for a while to make it right and no , I'm not going to jail." She was relieved he was not going to jail. But what did he do that would make him go away? She didn't ask though, remembering that he told her he couldn't tell her.

"Baby I want to ask you something , and know that I would be totally okay with whatever answer you give me . I want you to be honest with me too and don't lie just to make me happy.  This question is about you and I want you to consider your feelings first before mine , okay? "He said looking her in the eyes and she nodded.

"I want ask if you would be willing to wait for until I come back?" Andrew asked softly with hope in his eyes . "How long do I have to wait ?" She asked without really  giving away what she thought. "Mandy I'll understand if you say no. But I'll be upset if you say yes just to make me happy. "

"How long Andrew? "She persisted. "I have to go for five years." He said gulping and not able to look her in the eyes anymore as he looked at their hands. Amanda didn't answer for a while , replaying the words in her head. She was trying to put her answer in a way that would show that she thought about herself first.

"I know we're just fifteen years old Andrew, but I don't see myself with anyone else but you." She suddenly uttered. He was still not looking at her trying to make sure she didn't agree just because she saw the pain in his eyes that he knew was showing by the amount of time she took to answer. "I love you Andrew Collins, and I have since I was twelve years old." She said detaching one of her hand putting it under his chin to lift his face up so she could look into his eyes.

He was reluctant,  but he let her lift his head leaning to her hand as she placed it to his cheek. "If could stay with hope for three years, surely five years will not be a problem because now I know that you love me. You know that I love you and distance will be just a matter of time. So yes I'll wait for you , but under one condition. " She said looking at him with teary eyes that were full of love.

Andrew was happy and shocked at the same time. He was happy because he knew that no matter what Amanda would always be there for him , and she trusted him. He was shocked because to be honest he thought that she would say no. He knew she loved him but he didn't know how far her love went , now he was sure it was endless. "Anything baby. "He said without hesitation.

"I need you to promise that when you come back you will still love ." She didn't want to cry , but she felt tears prickling her eyes . Andrew raised his hand and with the pad of his thumb , he wiped away tears that were shed yet on Amanda's cheek. Now it wasn't just a gesture, the way he stroked her cheek it was like he was imprinting the feeling of her skin to his memory.

Then came the pad of his forefinger to her forehead slowly brushing gently going down over her nose, lips and finally stopped on her chin. It came back up to her nose and flicked it ,which made her smile (usually it made her laugh). It didn't stop there though , Andrew placed both of his hand on Amanda's shoulders and started with her forehead. His lips softly made contact with her skin , her eyes fluttering close on their own accord  when her eyelids were next .

Her cheeks were next to feel his soft lips ,then came the chin and lastly her lips felt the softness of his against them briefly.  He took one of her hands and put it against his chest so she could feel his heartbeat " I promise. " He whispered softly and held her in his arms tightly.