Betrothal
                I have to think of the perfect words to say, the words that we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.  It can’t just be something simple, because Julie isn’t a simple girl.  She’s the girl of my dreams, the one I want to spend forever with together. She’s my other half, the one person that no matter where we are or what we’re doing, a smile is constantly plastered on my face.  I love her more than anyone in my life, I love her more than she’s ever been loved, I love her more than I could ever love anyone else. I’ll love her until the day that I die.
****
                “Hi, um can I borrow your notes from last class? I wasn’t here,” The girl sitting next to me leaned over and asked.          
                “Yeah sure, I don’t have them with me, but we could meet up after class..?” I replied, although I did have my notes, I just wanted an excuse to see her outside of class.
                “Oh, well maybe I should just ask someone else,” She mumbled as her blue eyes looked down.
                “I guess, or we could get together and study while we’re at it for the final, it’s gonna be a killer,” I hopefully asked.
                “Oh yeah, I guess we could do that, my names Julie by the way,” A smile parted her face, reveling perfect white teeth.
                “I’m Brendon, we could meet in the Commons at seven tonight?” I replied.
                “Sounds good!” She quickly said as she turned her attention to the professor. 
****
       I hope I look perfect for her.  I stare at my suit hanging up for awhile before I start to put it on.  I know this moment calls for dressing up, but Julie knows that’s not my style, I wonder if she’d mind if I just wore jeans and a t-shirt.  I better not risk it; she’ll be pleasantly surprised to see me cleaned up for once.  My hands shake as I finish buttoning up the crisp white shirt, then layer the worn out black jacket on top.  I glance over at the mirror, comb my hair one last time and practice my smile. Reaching for the tiny blue box on top of my bureau, I open it one last time.  The tiny silver band encases a diamond, the ring she’s wanted since she was a little girl.
      ****
      “Just get out,” tears streamed down Julies face.
      “Please let me explain,” I begged.
      “There’s nothing to explain, I saw you with my own eyes. You kissed her,” her voice cold, her eyes piercing right through mine.
      “It’s not what it looked like, she kissed me! She’s just not over me, but I told her never to talk to me again. That we’re history, and I’m with you and only you,” I tried convincing her.
      “You can’t just keep saying that. You always say that ‘you’re sorry and you’ll change’ but you never do, I can’t just stand here and let you continue to hurt me,” her voice cracked.
      “I’m not trying to hurt you, Julie.  Please believe me, I guess I’m just not used to being in a serious relationship, but I’m trying.”
      “You promised me that you would work on things, and nothings gotten better, and now I walk out of my room to see you kissing another girl. I’m sorry but I can’t keep doing this, until your actions match your words I can’t be with you,” she wiped her tears and shut the door in my face.
****
                I can’t be late; for once I have to make sure I get there on time. I know Julie will understand because she always says when we plan to meet somewhere she knows I’ll be at least ten minutes late.  My brain raced with a million thoughts, what if I say the wrong thing? What if my words are good enough for her?    I’m beginning to want to just turn the car around, to avoid hearing no answer.  But I have to go through with this; she would want it this way.
****
                “Honey I’m home!” Julie yelled out, laughing as she got home from work.
                “In here!” I called out; finishing the last touches to the surprise dinner I planned for her. I quickly lit the candles and grabbed the roses.
                “What is all this?” she questioned.
                “Your favorite dinner, chicken parmesan,” I grinned, and handed her the dozen roses.
                “Aw that’s so sweet,” she cooed.
After we finished the dinner, I brought out dessert as she talked about her day at work, “I love you,” I interrupted her.
She smiled and replied, “I love you too!”
****
                As I opened the door, I could see her from across the room.  I walked faster, anxious to be next to her.  She had on a slimming black dress, showing off her beautiful figure. Her lips painted with the faintest pink, making her skin even more porcelain than normal.   I looked around, all eyes were on her, even if she didn’t know it, she was the center of attention.  I placed my hand on hers, only for a moment because they had to close the casket; I turned around and looked at the pews of people with red eyes, and tear stained cheeks.  I took a deep breath and began: “Nobody has ever loved me as much I loved her…” 

Betrothal, 11-12, p.1