I Promise.

A scene from A Walk To Remember by Nicholas Sparks. This book is told by the main character, Landon Carter, who is older, and is revisiting the past. I rewrote the scene from Jamie Sullivan's view. Jamie is the Reverends daughter so she has a huge faith in God and thinks that helping people is the only way to get by. It may seem slightly confusing but I want you to read it carefully because this scene, as I later learned, means a lot more than just a boy asking a girl to the dance. Also, Landon is reflecting on when he and Jamie were seventeen which was in 1958 so some of the dialog might sound kind of weird.

The evening sun setting low to the horizon but still hot against our faces, sending a gentle glow to the air. He came to tell me something, to ask me something important. I stare at him for a while, at his deep, rich brown hair and those sky blue eyes, before he actually starts to talk.

"So why weren't you at school?" which is not exactly what I was expecting but I play along, waiting for him to build up his courage.

"My father and I had to stop by the hospital," she smiles, hoping he won't ask her what's really wrong, I couldn't bare to lie about it like I have so many times before.

"Is the Reverend okay?" he asks with mocked concern, which is not surprising since they haven't liked each other much since Landon could talk.

"Oh, he's fine just a little tired," I say, that's not a lie, right? I mean my father has been tired a lot lately.

"Well, that's good.... It's nice out, isn't it? A lovely day, just lovely...," he trails off, knowing he has to eventually get to the point of his unexpected visit.

I flash him an encouraging smile, "Landon, you didn't come over to talk about weather, did you?" I try to laugh lightly to release some pressure on him, urge him to just spit it out.

"No," he takes a deep breath, preparing himself, "Truthfully, Jamie, I came to ask whether you would want to go to the homecoming dance with me?" He finishes quickly as if he were embarrassed to ask that, embarrassed to be sitting here with me.

"Well, I'd have to ask my father to go but I suppose, yes," I smile. I can tell I'm his only option since all the other girls in school probably have already been asked. I wouldn't want to ruin his homecoming by saying no, would I? I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. I look at him and remember looking at him in Drama, I can tell this is going to be more than a date to homecoming, I could see it then and I can see it now even if he might not see it yet. He smiles at me but only in relief, it's not like he likes me, well at least not yet anyway. He will fall in love with me but I will only break his heart in the end.

"Uh, Landon, can you promise me something?" I ask casually and look at the red roses off the edge of the porch, I can feel the sudden tiredness rush through me and sweat begin to form on my temples, even in the shade it was hot but I knew I was tired because of my illness not because of the sun. Landon takes a sip of the sweet iced tea that I gave him earlier.

"Well, depends on what it is?" he smiles shyly and I laugh, he really is sweet. He runs his hand through his hand, nervously. I have no idea what he has to be nervous about but it's probably because I keep staring at him, which is, no doubt, making him uncomfortable.

"Promise me, you won't fall in love with me?" I try to make it sound as casual as possible, not wanting him to freak out and stress over it. Though, this is a serious question but my condition must be kept a secret because I want no sympathy; I want a normal life even though I won't be around long enough to live one. The thought makes me choke up but I swallow the knot in my throat and let a small smile play across my lips.

"I promise," he laughs and stiffly gets up and walks to the front steps after saying good-bye and giving his thanks. As I watch him walk back down the walkway, I can't help but think he's going to have a hard time keeping that promise.


Also, a few additional notes, I modified the scene a little so it's a little different and that Jamie has a incurable Leukemia which is why she can't fall in love with Landon but also a good question to think about; how does she know he'll fall in love with her?