This week has just been a pain. It's hard enough that Marisela's birthday is coming up. December is always the worst month. And now that dumbass Reuben transferred, he makes everything even worse. After the little scene that happened on Monday, he would always try to catch Veronica without me so he can talk to her. Obviously, Veronica was never alone. If I wasn't around she would always be with the guys or Alison.

It's now Friday morning, and I'm ready to see Veronica. I just want to spend the rest of my nights with her. Live in a two story house with her. Have a little family with her. The start of senior year, I never expected to meet someone like her.

The first time I saw Veronica was the beginning of junior year. We both had the same 2nd period with Alison and the boys. She always sat with Alison and didn't talk to anyone else. The teacher had us make presentations about ourselves to present in front of the class. I remember when she went up to present, she was nervous. But like really nervous. She would only look at the screen to read what she wrote or she would look at Alison.

She looked really pretty. Her cheeks would turn red when she would stutter, she would always tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear. And when she finished, she smiled at the teacher. The smile always makes me blush myself. I don't know why I never started talking to her that year, but I'm grateful that we did end up talking and now look where we are.

She's my world. She's everything to me.

~

Walking into the school, I make my way towards Veronica's locker. Hopefully Reuben isn't there trying to talk to her. Literally it just seems like he's trying to break us up. Which is not going to work because obviously I love my girl very much. Even though I haven't told her, I'm sure she can sense my emotions when I'm around her.

I loved her ever since I told her about Marisela. The way she comforted me made me feel loved again. I know my parents and Mariana love me, but Veronica just gave me a different type of love.

Turning the hallway, I see Veronica standing there looking pretty as ever. She's gorgeous.

She still hasn't seen me since she's digging through her locker. Her eyebrows are furrowed and she's focused on grabbing everything she needs for the day.

"Good morning beautiful," she turns around and her face relaxes. I lean down and kiss her forehead. She closes her locker, turns around to face me, and wraps her arms around my torso. I wrap my arms around her frame and hug her tightly.

"Do you have your camera?" She questions as she pulls away. I'm taken aback by the question.

"Mmm no good morning?" I say back to her and she rolls her eyes playfully. I'll never get tired of saying this. She's so beautiful. I love her with all my heart.

"Good morning Mateo," she leans up and gives me a quick peck on the lips. "Sooo since it's the last day before break I had an idea, but I'm not sure if you're up for it." Well I'm intrigued with what she has in mind. I nod my head for her to continue." Okay I know it's been a while since we all hung out as a group. So what I was thinking is that we skip school and you can take pictures of all of us. Sort of like a little photo shoot!" She exclaims with a huge smile on her face.

I mean it's a good idea, but I'm not sure if everyone else would be up for it. "Did you already tell everyone?"

"Yes you're the last one to know," she fixes her backpack strap on her shoulder and has a small smile on her face. "Is that a yes then? You have your thinking face on," she laughs a little. She reaches up and brushes some of my hair back that rested on my forehead. Obviously it's a yes.

"Okay let's go then. Did you drive here?" Sometimes she rides with Alison which means that Alejandro picks them up. "No, Alejandro picked Ali and I up today." I nod my head and we start walking towards the exit everyone uses to skip school. Veronica is texting Alison letting her know that we are all going somewhere which I'm not quite sure where. We make it to the parking lot and I open the passenger door on my truck for Veronica.

"Thank you," she says and quickly gets situated. I kiss her cheek before heading towards the driver's side. Like always, her cheeks heat as if it was the first time I kissed her.

I turn on the truck and sit back. "So where did you guys want to go?"

"Ummm I think Alison mentioned we should go to the park. It's a nice day out so I guess that's why."

"Okay well to the park we go then," I put the truck in reverse and left the parking lot. Well the good thing is teachers don't give us homework during the break so we won't miss anything.

"Drive us there safely baby girl," Veronica laughs next to me and I roll my eyes. Well I told her I would call her princess if she's gonna keep calling me that.

"Okay princess."

~

We make it to the park and get off the truck. Alejandro and Alison were following behind us and Adam, I don't know where he is.

"Hey lovebirds," Ale says as he and Alison walk up to us.

"Oh please, you and Alison are the lovebirds. You just can't get enough of each other." Vero says next to me and hugs Alison. "Well yeah I have to show off my girl one way or another," he replies to Veronica and wraps his arm around Alison's shoulder.

I shake my head and look around the parking lot. Adam still isn't here. "Was Adam gonna come?" I mean this in the nicest way possible. But Adam is such a dumbass. I love him but he comes up with the dumbest ideas. During sophomore year, we had a sleep over at Alejandro's house and when all of us had fallen asleep. He decided to wake Alejandro and I up because he was hungry. It was two in the morning and Alejandro and I were very upset with him.

But that's Adam. I wouldn't replace him or Alejandro for anyone else. They have stuck with me and never judge me for who I am. They're my brothers.

"You know how Adam is Mateo. He always likes to make an entrance," Alejandro rolls his eyes and I laugh. Yup that is exactly how Adam is. "Well what are we gon-" I'm cut off by the sound of Adam's loud car pulling into the park. He has his windows down and music blasting out of the speakers. He has his sunglasses on and a huge smile on his face. I don't think I've ever seen him sad.

"HEY EVERYONEEE," he yells over the music. The girls start to laugh but since Alejandro and I are used to it already, we just stare at him. He rolls up the windows, turns off the music, and steps out of his car after he turned it off.

He walks up to us and throws his arm over my shoulder. "Okay now that Adam Michaels is here. What are we gonna do?"

"Well," Veronica speaks up. "I thought it would be a good idea to have a little photoshoot! Like in the movie Clueless! Mateo can take our pictures and we can get pictures with all of us in them."

She is so determined to have this photoshoot. I love taking pictures, especially of her. I love all of the pictures we've taken but my favorite was the one I took the day I met her parents. She looked so beautiful that day and I loved the way the picture turned up.

Everyone agreed and started walking towards a big tree. I quickly jogged to my truck and grabbed my camera.

Well a photoshoot it is.

~

"Get my good side Mateo," Adam says for what seems like the one hundredth time. He has been the most picky one throughout this whole photoshoot. Always talking about where he's going to be or how he should pose. Alejandro is just standing there smiling whenever Alison tells him to. Alison and Veronica are both smiling in all the pictures I have taken and they have not complained at all.

"Adam just stand there and smile," I say as I set up the timer on the camera. It's time for me to get in the pictures. Veronica took some pictures of me and the guys before but now it's a picture of all of us.

"Okay is everyone ready?" I ask and everyone replies with a 'yes.' I click the button on the camera and run towards Veronica who is standing next to Alison. Alejandro and I are on the outside and Adam is crouched down in front of us.

The camera flash goes off and all of us drop our poses after it's done. I walk towards the camera to check out how the picture turned out. I pick it up and click on the picture. I can't help but smile once I look at it.

Everyone has a smile on their face. Alejandro seems happier than before now that he met Alison. Adam has a smile that reaches up to his eyes. Whenever I started dating Veronica, he told me that he was happy for me. That I finally met someone who will be there for me through all of my problems. He also said he was happy because he made a new friend. Alison has the same smile she always has on whenever we're all together. Veronica's beautiful face is glowing. Her eyes are slightly closed, her straight white teeth are showing, and her hair is flowing down her shoulders. This is the girl I fell in love with, the girl I opened up to, the girl I love the most.

I want these people to be my life long friends. I wouldn't even consider them friends. They're family. My family. I love them all, they have shown me that they play a big part in my life. I want these people to be with me when I grow old. Have family gatherings once we all have our families. No matter what, I know we won't break apart.

These are what true friends are, and I'm planning on never letting them go.

"Okay enough staring at the picture let's see it Mateo," Adam says as he walks up to me and takes the camera out of my hands. Everyone follows Adam and looks down at the camera. Looking at everyone, I'm thankful God has put them into my life.

"Hey," Veronica grabs my hand and I look down at her. "You okay?" She asks and I nod my head. "Yeah I am. I'm just thinking about how I have all of you amazing people in my life." I tell her and she smiles.

I love her so much.

~

After spending a little more time at the park. We all decide to leave and go do whatever we have to do. Adam said he had to go get stuff from the locker room. Alejandro and Alison were gonna go finish some last minute Christmas shopping. And I was going to take Veronica to the field but I didn't tell them that.

We've been at the field for a good thirty minutes now. Just laying on the blanket I brought and cuddled in each other's arms. I play with Veronica's hair and she has her eyes closed. She's perfect.

"You know I'm very grateful to have you," I say and Veronica moves her head so she can look at me. Her brown eyes stare into mine and I run my hand through her hair.

"I'm grateful for you too Mateo," she says and leans in closer. I can feel her breath on my skin. Her forehead touches mine and her eyes are closed. I close the gap between us and I take in the moment. Her lips on mine are everything. They're soft and warm. I can't hold it in anymore. I have to tell her. I pull away and stare into those brown eyes.

"I love you Veronica."