Crystalline

Chapter 3

They have finally arrived at the restaurant. The view from their seats was gorgeous. The Seine River separated them from the Eiffel Tower. The waiter came shortly and took their order. James ordered a bottle of red wine to share. The two sat around and talked, the sun was setting behind the tower and Christine could hear the soft laughter of people.

"What is that?" inquired Christine as her eyes glanced around before setting on a Ferris wheel in the distant.

"My dear, it seems like there is a fair in town. I saw an advertisement for it during the bus ride when you were asleep" answered James.

Christine frowned. "Why didn't you tell me earlier! We have to go after we eat!" Christine exclaimed. James nodded as they began to eat the steak that had arrived.

James cleared his throat and began "Um, Christine. I have something to tell you".

Christine peered up from her food and studied his face. Her eyes started to gleam with happiness as she believed he would finally propose after being together since the beginning of high school. Christine had just turned 18 yesterday which means she could marry without asking for consent. James was 4 years her senior. Weird but they made it work. Christine had high hopes for them. She knew she wanted to marry James one day.

"I have been" was all that James could get out before a waiter who was checking up on them accidentally spilled the wine on Christine's shirt. Christine quickly jumped up from her chair and squealed. She was devastated. Her favorite shirt was now ruined. Every girl knows that wine, especially red wine, is impossible to wash out.

The waiter apologized and scurried off. Christine started to get angry, the waiter didn't even offer consolation. James told Christine that they should hit the fair right now, as he wanted to distract Christine from the accident. Christine had forgotten all about what James has to say. Christine shot James a look, asking how she was to go with a stained shirt.

As night was falling, the best solution James thought of was giving her his jacket. The inside might become stained but James said it was worth it and he insisted that she took the jacket.

The two headed towards the fair, which wasn't too far away. About a 15 minute walk. The night was getting darker, but the lights of the fair made it easy to see. The fair was filled with people roaming about, getting on rides and playing booth games.

They walked by a booth where a crowd was around. They were curious on what was going on, so they joined the crowd. In the middle was a booth. It was a game of strength. If someone could hit the circle with the hammer hard enough, they could win a prize. So far, no one has one. Everyone was saying it was rigged, but the booth master was able to get the bell to ring. Maybe that was because the booth master appeared to be a tall, well-built man. He could passed for a bodybuilder.

James lead Christine to the center of the crowd and paid the game master for two tries. James let Christine go first. Christine channeled all her anger from the waitress into the hammer but was only able to score a 40. Christine was bummed but James kissed her checks and went up.

"I'll get a prize for you baby" James said while winking at his girl. He able to easily hit the circle hard to ring the bell. Everyone was shocked. James was small compared to the dozens of men who had tried and only scored a 90. To see a man like James win was astonishing. Now, James wasn't overweight or anything. He was just average. Nothing too special about him. If you didn't try to look for him, you might not see him at all.

"We have a winner" the booth master announced. Cheers rang throughout the crowd. "Pick a prize, any prize" continued the booth master.

James walked over towards Christine and whispered in her ear, "I already have the greatest prize of all. You. So baby, what prize would you like". Christine pointed towards the big stuffed Panda. James grinned as he told the game master that he wanted the Panda. He should have known. Christine was a beautiful small half Asian half girl. Well, that is what her parents assumed. She loved Pandas dearly, she always felt a connection with them.

James handed the Panda to Christine and she hugged it tightly before grabbing James's arm and dragging him toward the Ferris wheel.