The Missing Piece

by Jessica Baxter

  Couple shirts can be pretty cool.

  If The Little Mermaid lived here

  where would she go to school?

  I finish getting ready for my date with Ian, before heading to the bathroom to find the next clue. I disregard the dress on my bed and instead put on my black skinny jeans, the new shirt Ian got me and a pair of flats. Before leaving my room, I add some lip gloss and a touch of mascara.

  The hallway is empty as I make my way to the bathroom. There isn't a pool on campus—the school just uses the public pool at Adam's Park for swim practice. And, since the clue asks where Ariel would go to school and there isn't a pool, the bathroom seems like the only logical option. I find the next clue in the third shower stall.

  Clue #3 isn't so hard.

  Check the spot for letters & cards.

  Matthew greets me with a smile when he opens the door. “I always thought you two would make a great couple.” He says, handing me a small silver bag.

  My face flushes. “Thanks.”

  I quickly open the bag and inside sits a small glass slipper like the one Cinderella wears. The slipper is taped to the bottom of another Mickey Mouse head. I flip the card over and read the next clue.

  Today, we have lots of walking to do.

  Make sure you're wearing comfortable shoes.

  When did he have time to plan all of this? I wonder as I let myself back into my room. My shoes are lined up on the right side of my closet. I grab my sneakers and a pair of socks. On the bottom of the right shoe, there is another Mickey Mouse head.

  Don't worry, the clues are all through.

  Come outside, I'm waiting for you. =]

  I race down the stairs and out the doors of Cyprus Hall. Ian is standing in front of Danielle's yellow bug, a big goofy grin on his face. He's wearing brown khaki shorts and a white shirt that almost matches mine. His shirt has Ariel's silhouette and under are the words his princess and an arrow pointing to the left.

  “Okay, I lied.” Ian takes my hand as soon as I reach him. “There's one more clue, but we need to get into the car first.”

  “What are you up to?” I ask him, arching my eyebrows.

  He quickly kisses me. “Climb into the car and see.”

  “Okay.”

  Another Mickey Mouse head sits on the CD player with the words play me. After Ian starts the car, I turn on the CD player. Aladdin and Jasmine's voices fill the car and I can't help, but sing along to A Whole New World. Ian looks at me apologetically as he holds up a tie.

  “We have some driving to do before we reach our destination, and I don't want you to know what it is until we're there. May I?”

  I nod.

  “Just don't drive too crazy.”

  Chapter Forty-Six

  It’s better than I ever imagined.

  A giant statue of Walt Disney holding Mickey Mouse’s hand sits in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. I pinch my arm, making sure this isn’t a dream. However, I don’t trust myself nearly enough so I ask Ian. “Is this really happening?”

  He chuckles beside me. “So, does that mean you like the surprise?”

  “Oh, Ian.” I fling my arms around him. “I love it. Thank you.”

  He beams.

  “Come on. I want to show you something.” I follow him through the crowds until we’re standing in front of the entrance to Sleeping Beauty's Castle.

  “Are we allowed to go in there?”

  “Yup!” He grabs my hand leads me through the doors.

  “Most people don’t realize the inside of the castle is actually a walking tour, so they spend all day standing in lines for meet and greets with the princesses when it’s actually less of a hassle to come to the castle and meet them here.”

  I stop.

  “There are going to be actual Disney princesses here? Okay I know they’re not real, but my inner-child is going to die from joy!” I squeeze his hand. “Who do you think we’ll meet first?”

  “Why don’t you look around the corner and see?”

  I peek around the corner and find Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Aurora and Ariel beaming at me. Snow White curtseys, “It’s so nice to meet you, Emily.”

  “Wait. How do you know my name?”

  Instead of answering me Snow and the other princesses start singing “So this is Love” from Disney’s Cinderella.

  “Emily?” Ian asks behind me. My heart thumps violently in my chest, as I turn towards Ian. I feel light-headed and dizzy and really want to scream my love for him at the top of my lungs.

  I guess love does that to you. But I doubt anyone else would care.

  He touches my cheek, brushes his fingers against my lips and then pulls me in for a kiss. His lips are soft and sweet, and they feel just right pressed up against mine. He kisses me slowly, carefully, passionately, and the way he moves his lips tells me he’s savoring the way I taste too. He kisses my forehead, cheeks, nose, and eyelids.

  I never thought anyone could make me feel the way he does. Whenever he’s around I feel weak in the knees, my heart feels like it’s training for a triathlon, and I can’t help but smile.

  But it’s more than that.

  He makes me feel important like I could conquer the world if I wanted. He believes in me and in my dreams and tells me I can do anything I put my mind too. He let me have the last Double Decker from the care package his parents sent, even though it’s his absolute favorite chocolate bar and you can’t get them here in the states. He buys me books and doesn’t laugh at me or judge me when I go on rants about characters and what they should or shouldn’t have done.

  He gets me, and I get him.

  He pulls away from me, grabs my hands, takes a step back and stares into my eyes. “You’re the most incredible girl I’ve ever known. You’re smart and beautiful and witty. You make me laugh as no one else can. And, talking to you is so easy. I love you, Emily, very, very much and I would be the happiest man if you agreed to be my wife.”

  He gets down on one knee and pulls out a small square blue box. He flips the lid open and a princess cut diamond ring sits inside.

  “Emily Marie Stone.” He says my name slowly. His hand is shaking and I realize he’s nervous. “Will you marry me?”

  I can’t talk, I can’t breathe. Is this really happening? My eyes are filling with tears. Can this really be happening?

  All this time I’ve felt like something was missing from my life. At first, I thought it was Mason, and then I thought it was what my mother’s cancer had robbed me of. But now, as I look at Ian and breathe in the magic of Disneyland, I know without a doubt that I’ve finally found my missing piece.

  I fervently nod my head. “Yes.”

  He scoops me up in his arms and twirls me around, before planting one heart-stopping, delicious kiss on my lips.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Jessica developed a love for reading and writing shortly after her third-grade teacher introduced her to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. She lives in Idaho with her husband and three daughters (soon to be four!) She enjoys reading and writing in her spare time, and also enjoys traveling and going on adventures with her small family. This is her debut novel.

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