She knew better than anyone what it meant to be in love. They could blame her age since she was only 14, but she knew that when Ben was around her, her heart beat faster and harder. She was in love and it wasn't “puppy love.” Oh, how she hated that phrase. Why wasn't it possible for her to know real love? Just another put down adults did with everything else she brought up. If she talked about her future they'd nod their heads, grin, and tell her “That's nice,” which automatically meant, “You'll grow up and realize there's things you can't do.” Fine. Let them look at her as a kid and treat her like she was unfamiliar with any kind of adult reality. She'd show them exactly how mature she and Ben were and just how adult her love really was.
They'd decided about three months ago to do it. They'd run away and live together. They'd save their money for the next six months and be able to have enough to get a small place. They'd take a bus to some place that had a factory so they could get jobs. Ben was already seventeen but he got phony proof that he was 19 and he got her a proof that made her 17. It was a little bit tough on Crissy since she couldn't pick up lipsticks and eye makeup like she wanted to, but that was proof of her maturity. They both knew it was going to be hard for a while but they were in love and love can do anything. Plus it meant going to sleep together at night and waking up next to each other the next day. They'd be one with one another and so connected sharing everything. It just seemed like these months were passing so slowly. Their love was strong and when they had the money, everything would fall into place perfectly.
The bus ride was scary. Crissy clung to Ben, excited and scared to death. They were headed 120 miles northwest to a small factory town that had an electronics plant that was hiring. Ben had looked into that himself and was disappointed that Crissy hadn't been able to follow up on the things he asked her to look into. This caused the two to fight a little bit now and then, but their love was strong and they were on their way to a life together as one. Ben tried to understand how Crissy thought it was more important to spend time with her girlfriends rather than taking care of the things he asked. Then she explained that once they were on their way it would just be the two of them and their love was going to make everything so fantastic for them. Now Ben clung to Crissy as some fear started to take hold in his heart as well. But their love was strong, deep and true as they kept reminding each other.
They were soul mates who were created for each other and nothing was going to separate them, ever. And the bus continued on its journey to their love nest destination.