Chapter Two

The alarm clock's "Errrrrrrrrrrrr" was the soundtrack of my morning horror. Do I despise it? Absolutely.

"Rise and shine, Lis," I hollered, springing from my bed like a startled cat and dashing to the sanctuary of our bathroom.

Taming my rebellious red curls didn't take long; they cascaded down my back as I worked through them. A dash of makeup, and voilà – ready to conquer the day in my trusty skinny jeans and Ugg boots.

"Lisa, are you all set?"

"Hold your horses, Mary, I'll be there in a jiffy!"

"Apologies, Lisa, it's just... this whole Charles situation has me on edge," I confessed.

"Don't sweat it, Mary. Besties are for understanding each other," she said with a reassuring grin.

As we strolled to our classes, a thought loop played in my mind: Who is this Charles, and why am I so hung up on him?

The class was a blur; my thoughts were a tangled mess, all thanks to Charles.

Classes over, Lisa and I reunited and sauntered back to our dorm, ready for some serious girl talk before my impending date.

Mar, you've been unusually silent. Are you certain everything's okay?"

"Yes, I'm doing well, just feeling a bit nervous since this is a thrilling new chapter in my life," I declared confidently.

I flopped onto my bed and glared at the clock—6:30. Just thirty minutes to go.

"Mary, remember to call me if you need anything, okay?" she said with a smile as she walked towards the door.

"I will." I smiled

"Okay try and have fun, see ya later," she said to me as she left our room.

I waited on the sidewalk in front of the female dorm building. I would say he arrived on time because I saw him inch closer to me. He was so gorgeous pale flawless skin, dark hair, and blue eyes.

He appeared like a God, but why would someone like him go on a date with me?

"Hello Mary, you look lovely," he said as the words slid off his tongue.

" Good evening Charles and why thank you."

"Shall we." He said as he took my hand and led me into the cab.

I was so excited to see where this night ended I hope good, I need to know more about him.

"Where are we going?"

"It's kind of a surprise."

He handed the driver a note the man took it examined the piece of paper and nodded his head and then we were off. In about five minutes I saw the Bistro appear.

"How did you know this was my favorite place."

"Let's just say I have my ways."

When we went in we were seated at a private booth by the usher.

"So Mary I want to know more about you. You fascinate me," he said then smiled at me.

"I will tell you about me if you do the same?"

He looked at me and nodded.

" I am 19, I was born October 31st. I have always felt I was meant for more in life, Lisa is my best friend who is more like a sister she is the only family I have left since my parents died."

"Wow Mary I am so sorry," he said, with a look of true compassion and pain on his face.

"It's okay, I was blessed with what years I had with them." I looked away " I miss them all the time."

"Mary I want to spend more time with you, there is something special about you and I want to do this right."

"I will tell you bits and pieces about me, but further on I will tell you everything. I want you to want me for me and not scare you away by my true nature."

"Of course, you can tell me there isn't anything I wouldn't be able to accept."

"I don't know Mary I don't think that you will like me if I tell you it all now."

"I will still like you, but I respect your privacy so you can tell me when you are ready."

While finishing my plate I hadn't til now notice that he didn't touch his food at all. I wonder why? I thought to myself Why do I feel like I have known him my whole life?

"Mary I will tell you some tonight I am born in Royalty."

"Well, that isn't a bad thing."

"That's not the bad part. Do you want to go somewhere else?"

What could be so bad? I wondered to myself.

"Sure I would love to."

He took my hand and we walked out of the Bistro and he opened the cab door for me to get in.

We maybe driven for about fifteen minutes when the cab driver let us out on an off-road on the outskirts of town.

"Where are we going?"

"It's not far."

We followed the path when it came to a clearing and in front of us it was gorgeous the flowers glistened and there was a small waterfall that fell into a pool of water and it was peaceful.

"What is this place?"

" I found it one day as I was uh well hunting sort of."

I swear he blushed, but his skin never changed.

"It's the most beautiful place I have ever seen."

"Do you like it I was hoping you would."

He closed the space between us and I froze as his hand slid down my back, it felt like every nerve in my body was on fire, and burned with passion from his touch. He neared his lips lower to mine.

When our lips met it was like fireworks, bombs, electricity, etc. went through my whole body at once, and right then I realized I never wanted to leave his side. We passionately kissed for hours.

He took me home and we had made plans to see one another again in the morning. Lisa was already asleep when I got to our room so I went to sleep with pure happiness in my mind and heart.