The Military Girl

Sposami

The ride home was awkward and silent. Harry didn't say anything, and neither did I. His face was stone as he stared at the road in front of him. I was tired and emotional. I felt betrayed, and if Harry would tell me "no" then I would probably be more upset. I was hoping his answer would be "yes". I decided to close my eyes for a few minutes. The car suddenly jerked and I heard Harry park the car.

"Why are we at the dollar store?" I asked.

"I'll be right back." He said.

"Um, I don't want to be in the car by myself. It's like ten, and it's dark, and we're in a bad neighborhood."

"I'll be in and out right away. I promise." He kissed my hand. "Give me one minute." He left the car. The parking lot was completely empty. I didn't know why we were here. What was at the dollar store that was so important?

I shrunk in the chair, so no one would see me, and I stole the blanket from the back seat and covered myself with it. I started humming to relax my nerves. Harry opened his door which made me jump. He laughed for a second and sat down in the driver's seat again.

"Come on." He took the blanket and threw it in the back seat. "It was only two minutes."

"You promised one." I said. "Why did you go in?"

He grinned. "I had to get you something."

"Oh, really? At the dollar store?"

He nodded. "Close your eyes, silly." I did as he said. I heard him mess with the bag and throw it somewhere. He took in a deep breath. "Ok, open your eyes."

I did as he said again. He had turned the lights on in the car and was holding a plastic ring in his hand. It had a purple plastic jewel in the middle of it.

"Will you marry me?" He asked.

"Are you serious?" I whispered. "Do you really want to?"

He nodded. "I love you, Olive. And, you're right. I don't want to leave you. I don't want anyone else to ever leave you. You are mine, and I will hold you forever."

I smiled. "I love you, too."

"So, you'll marry me?"

I nodded. "Yes. Yes, I will." He kissed me and slipped the ring on my finger.

"This is my promise to you." He whispered.

"So, when are we going to get married?" I asked.

"Tomorrow, I can go to the courthouse and get something and we can get a Justice of the Peace to marry us the next day."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Really really?"

"Yes, my gosh, woman!" He kissed me.

"You do know how to shut me up." I laughed.

"Well, yeah. That's what happens when you live across the street, and go to school together, and then start dating because your entire class threw punch on you." He started the car. We pulled out of the parking lot and he dropped me off in front of my door.

"Thanks, Harry." I whispered. "Don't tell anyone, ok?"

"My lips are sealed." He pretended to zip his lips shut. I laughed and shook my head. I got out of his car and quietly went inside.

"And where have you been?" My dad turned the light on. "It's past ten. And we got a call that you didn't show up at school today."

"No, I went to see Jade." I said.

"And you didn't tell us?!" My mom yelled. They were both completely upset with me. I guess I had worried them, but after the day I had, I really didn't care.

I shrugged. "You wouldn't have let me go if I did. So, Harry took me."

"You pulled that nice boy into this?" My mom was officially appalled.

"I didn't pull him into anything." I said. "He was nice. I asked. He said ok. We went. I'm sure his mom and Kenny won't grill him about it."

"I'm sure they will." Dad said. "His mom was over, asking if we had seen him at all. But now we know where he's been."

"Maybe Harry isn't what's best for you." Mom continued. "Ever since you met him you've been doing some pretty sneaky things, Olive."

"Oh, now I'm getting this speech!" I said.

"Don't take that tone with me." Dad snapped.

"Every time we move, or before we're about to move, I get this speech about 'how I've changed.' It's so stupid."

"It sounds like you want to be grounded." Mom crossed her arms. "Go to your room. We'll discuss this in the morning."

I rolled my eyes and went upstairs. I slammed my door shut and looked out the window. I didn't see Harry. His light was out. I looked at the plastic ring on my finger and sighed.

I didn't take the ring off when I went to bed. I fell asleep with it on. When I woke up, I remembered what Harry had told me. So, I got dressed and went downstairs. My parents were still glaring at me.

"I guess we're not past this." I mumbled as I opened the fridge.

"Honey, we're worried about you." Mom said. She clutched her cup of coffee in both hands. I rolled my eyes, but she didn't see with my back turned on her.

"You don't have to be. I'm happy." I said. "I'm going to hang out with Harry today."

She started laughing. "Oh, no you're not. Not after what happened yesterday."

"Ok." I shrugged.

"What do you mean 'Ok'?" Dad started raising his voice. "We almost called the police yesterday, missy!"

"I'm sorry I didn't notify you every ten seconds." You said, sarcastically. "Harry and I were having a good time. I'm eighteen now! You can trust me!"

The entire time I was debating and arguing with my parents, I kept thinking about Harry. We were going to get married. But, that wasn't going to be enough.

It seemed like we were going to have to run away. My parents didn't understand, and usually they understood any feelings that I had. I don't know why they just couldn't see it my way this one time.

I excused myself from the room after getting super upset with them. I slammed my door shut again and looked out my window.

I saw Harry through the window. He was putting a shirt on and tying his hair into a bun. I picked up my cell phone and called him. I needed to talk to him and hear his voice. I saw him reach for his phone.

"What's up, baby doll?" He answered the phone. "I got the marriage license."

"You're so good to me." I started crying.

"Hey, what's the matter? Why are you crying?" He looked out the window and waved at me.

"Harry, please take me far away from here. Please, baby." I wiped my eyes. "I don't think my parents understand me anymore."

"Can you wait the entire day? You can sneak over here tonight."

"Ok. Tonight. And then we'll run?"

"Far, far away." He lowered his voice. "Please don't cry, love. It's going to be ok."

I nodded. "Ok." I took in a couple deep breaths. "I love you, Harry."

"I love you, too, Olive. Try to keep your chin, baby. I'll see you tonight." He made kissing noises into the phone and then hung up.

I took in another deep breath and decided to take a nap, to try and pass the time. I daydreamed about marrying Harry until I finally fell asleep.