The day was finally here and I was ready to take my chances with skydiving. Seems dangerous and it seems everyone from my family to my friends has had there fair share to say about it. Ranging from "What if you die?" to "You only live once!" I was somewhere floating in the middle, but still really aiming to give it a go.
My stomach isn't just in knots, I'm on the verge of throwing up! This allows me to let my mind wonder to the things that are important and the people I love.
"I wonder what George Washington would think of me doing this?" I say to my good friend Deen. "Oh, here we go again with George." He said rolling his eyes at me.
"What? I'm an 18th century historian, I'm only interested that's all."" No Liberty it's more than that."
I never knew exactly what he meant by that, but he definitely said it a lot!
"You think you're ready for this?" Deen asked.
"I was born to fly." I replied and we both began to laugh.It was almost time. Though I had a brief training session with the instructor I knew nothing would feel the same once we were actually leaping into the sky. It felt scary. It felt like it could be the end. I saw it as a new beginning. I have always studied history and for once I would be making my own.
I looked at everyone around me on the plane. Studying there nervous scrunched up faces. I could tell they were concentrating on there own deep thoughts.
I've always known I didn't belong in this time period. Always the outcast in a society based on and surrounded by the never ending technology. I hated it. Even though I used it and did love my phone. It just didn't feel like home within my heart. I suppose that's why I became a historian. To get away from it all. Live a slower paced life. Simpler times. Sure it didn't mean it was better or easier, but it just felt right. After all, technology has changed, and fashion, the people certainly have not.
I have taken quite a liking to a certain general. I'm sure most of you will know as none other than George Washington! I've learned and I'm still learning about this amazing man. I must admit I lean on him for courage and bravery from time to time. Some would say I carry him in my heart.
So much appeals to me about his time.
The clothes, the surrounding of nature, how they carried themselves as gentleman. How things we take for granted they didn't have but still managed. The way the wrote letters with quill and ink. It was all so very special to me.
My thoughts slowly returned to the present as I came to find it was truly my turn to skydive. I nervously shifted my body towards the planes side door. Deen had already gone.
I decided to try not to think much and just do, before I knew it I had jumped. I could feel my short black hair whipping around in front of my face. Skydiving itself wasn't unpleasant. It was a rush, a free feeling. A moment where time seemed endless. Falling. Falling. The clouds seemed thick and so close I had considered reaching out my hand and touching them. I guess in a way I was already doing that by falling through them. I could see the bottom now. The Earth and dirt coming up beneath my feet. I remembered my instructions better than I'd thought. "I made it!" I yelled. my words met only by silence. "Deen did you hear me? I said I made it!"
"No, he didn't, but I did." I turned around just fast enough to see a man reach for something and I was knocked unconscious.
YOU ARE READING
The General & I
Historical FictionA woman in love with history may just find herself there, in more ways than one.