A Love as Restless as the Wind novel

---- Chapter 8 In the days that followed , Clifford seemed to sense something and started sticking to Tessa like glue. He was constantly by her side, even waiting outside the bathroom door when she went in. Every now and then, he'd catch a glimpse of Tania standing in acorner with swollen eyes from crying. He would just frown and pretend that he didn't see her. One morning, he suddenly pulled out a gold- embossed invitation, his eyes lighting up like he was a teenager again.

"Tess, today's the school's centennial celebration . Some of our old classmates are getting together for a reunion. "You've been cooped up at home for days, and it's a good chance for you to go out and clear your head a bit. Get some fresh air and catch up with some old friends. What do you think?" She stared at the school's crest stamped in gold on the invitation and was suddenly reminded of how he had stood outside her classroom, waving basketball game tickets ten years ago.

"Tess, do you want to go?" She decided that she would, since it would probably ---- be the last time anyway. At the reunion, Clifford never let go of her hand. Their old classmates teased them, saying that the class heartthrob and beauty queen still looked perfect together. Someone even brought up how he had once stood in line all night to buy her a limited-edition album.

Clifford laughed and wrapped his arm around Tessa's waist, his fingers gently stroking the curve of her back like he was silently trying to win her over. "Do you all remember our time capsule ?" the class president asked, hauling a box into the room. "It's letters that we wrote ten years ago. Everyone , come grab yours!" People eagerly stepped forward to claim their envelopes. Tessa was just about to open hers when Clifford suddenly froze. His phone rang. It was Tania calling.

He glanced at Tessa, hesitated , then stepped into the hallway to answer. A minute later, he returned pale- faced. "Tess, she fell. She's at the hospital now-" "Go ahead ," she said calmly, cutting him off. "The baby is important." He was relieved and kissed her on the forehead. "I'll be back soon." ---- She watched him rush off, then walked over to the time capsule and found Clifford's letter. On the envelope were the words: ''To the 26-year-old Clifford". She hesitated before opening it.

The paper had yellowed with age, but the handwriting was still clear. 16-year-old Clifford had written in bold, carefree strokes. "To the 26-year-old Clifford, "By now, you must be married to Tess, right? I envy you. The life you have now is everything I've ever dreamed of. "'So, listen to me. You'd better treat Tess well and spoil her like she's your entire world. If you don't, I swear I'll never forgive you. "You have to warm her milk every night. Her stomach's weak.

You have to take her to Aceland to see the northern lights. She's talked about it for seven years. "You have to remember that she hates rainy days, and that she's allergic to peanut butter. Most of all, she's afraid of the dark. So never, ever let her walk home alone at night." And at the very end of the letter, there was a line meant for her in tiny handwriting.