Story of My Life

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

It was the middle of February. We just experienced one of the most brutal winters and were still feeling the effects of it. It was February 14 to be exact. Finally my 18th birthday. Hooray. Sure I had my parents there and they were giving me what they could, but what fun is a birthday if the best thing you are able to get is a single fresh slice of bread. I just needed to get out of the house. I wore the best dress that I could. It is the dress my mother made me for my 16th birthday. It is a short faded orange dress with gold and red accents. It has a few tears at the bottom and I ripped the sleeves off because they were so ratty. My mom found the fabric to make this in the garbage behind the tailor workshop she used to work at, but had to be let go due to money issues (big shock). I threw on my white (not-so-white) Keds and my torn up brown sweater. I never owned anything nice. After I walked out of the house, I was greeted by bright green eyes and the cheekiest smile I've ever seen. Harry stood there in his patched up brown slacks and white button-down shirt with the rolled-up sleeves and the top button unbuttoned (mainly because it popped off). He stood with a beautiful bouquet of flowers consisting of roses, chrysanthemums, violets, dandelions, etc. and a blue felt box.

"Hello, love!" he said as he handed me the flowers. "Happy birthday!"

"Harry, these are beautiful! How did you get these?" I was very curious considering the fact that flowers are one of the most expensive items to buy.

"I know of a special spot where I go with a certain someone every other day," he replied with that sexy half smirk and a wink. I immediately blushed feeling stupid forgetting about those flowers. I looked down further at his hands and remembered the box.

"What is the box for?" Harry looked down at his hands and his face automatically turned serious. He looked back up at me and just stared into my eyes until I could feel them in my soul.

"Alice, could I please speak to you in the forest?" he said with a little bit of emotion in his voice. I became nervous. He has never called me Alice unless it is a dramatic and serious situation. I started to tremble.

"Okay," I managed to let out a silent whimper. After that, Harry started heading straight to the forest without giving me a second glance. I started to follow but could hardly keep up because of our major height difference of 6 inches. He was walking so fast that I had to start jogging to not fall behind. My heart was pounding of what was to come. We eventually made it to our spot of the forest and I could see all the places where Harry picked the flowers. I loved this spot; it was so beautiful with its tall green trees shading over it and the convenient log to sit on surrounded by the many types of flowers. Today my stomach hurt when we arrived at this spot. After we got there, Harry turned around and looked me with bloodshot eyes. He grabbed my hands and I started to attempt at holding back tears.

"Alice," I started to cry as he said my name and he wiped away of what he could of my tears. "I love you so much. I love you more than I thought I could ever love. But I have to look at my future and I have to consider your future too." I started to bawl and I could not stop. Harry held my hands firmly and would not let me slip away. I thought Harry was the one, I never thought he would leave me like this in our spot. I thought he would be there forever. He won't be though... I tried to get away, but he would not give up on the grip he had. "Alice, please listen to me. I have to say this now," he pleaded. I stopped resisting and just stood there feeling empty and powerless. I listened to him. "I have to focus on my future and your future. But in reality, I don't see us having a future without each other." I looked up at him confusingly, but let him continue to talk. "What I'm trying to say is that I need you in my life and I don't see how I can live without you." Harry pulled out the box which I had completely forgotten. My heart started pounding again. "So, Alice Diana Bailey," he said as he was kneeling. He opened the box revealing a diamond ring! "Will you do me the honor of marrying me?" I started to cry again and nodded frantically. Tears started streaming down his face as he got up and kissed me straight on the lips. Harry then grabbed my left hand and put the ring on my ring finger. I stared at it in awe.

"Harry, this is beautiful. Where could you have possibly gotten this?" My curiosity peaked with a diamond ring that would be worth $100. He smiled with passion showing in his eyes.

"It was my great-grandmother's. My mom gave it to me when I was 15 telling me to give it to the girl I love. It has been under my bed waiting for this moment," he said as he held my face in his strong and nimble fingers. I hugged him with all my might and wouldn't let go as his arms wrapped around my small waist. We stood there for what seemed like forever.

"Harold, I love you with all my heart."

"I love you more than you could ever imagine," he replied as he stroked my brown wavy hair.

I would do anything to go back and stay in that moment forever...