We Can Forge Our Own Destiny

Chapter Four: A Midnight Meeting

I stare out my bedroom window, gazing at the moonlight. Where is Alexander? It's nearly midnight, and I'm getting worried. I can't sit still, so I go to look at myself in the mirror. I had chosen a practical (f/c) dress to wear for tonight, with a matching bow in my hair.

I go back to the window, to see if Alexander has come yet. In the darkness, I make out a small figure walking up the road. Could that be him? I don't know, but I'm too bored to wait here anymore.

I pick up a lit candle, and slowly open my bedroom door. I cringe as it creaks loudly, praying my father doesn't hear it and wake up. Once the door is open enough, I walk out.

Quietly, I tip-toe past my father's room, and head downstairs. I look out the window in the front room, but I can't see anyone. I decide to risk it, and open the front door. With great caution, I step outside into the darkness.

"Alexander?" I call out into the night. My eyes dart around, searching for any sign of him.

"[Y/n]!" Alexander's voice calls. "Alexander! You made it!" I run over to where I heard his voice.

"I was worried you'd forget," Alexander admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, I'm here. What are we going to do?" I smiled at him. It was good to see his face.

"Come with me, let's look at the stars." Alexander grabs my hand, and starts walking to an open field of grass.

"Where are you taking me?" I felt a smile creep onto my lips. Alexander looked back at me. "I'm about to change your life!"

"Then, by all means, lead the way!" I giggled as Alex let go of my hand. He sat down on the cool grass and looked up at me.

"Look at the stars, [Y/n]," Alexander pointed to the skies. I took a seat next to him, and stared into the night sky. "They're beautiful," I gaped.

"Almost as beautiful as you," Alex winked at me. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, feeling my face turn scarlet. "So, are we just going to look at the sky all night?" I said jokingly, trying to change the subject.

"Well, I though we could talk." He shrugged, "Or, just sit here."

"Do you have anything in particular you want to say?" I said as I laid down on the soft green grass.

"Uh, yeah, actually," Alex admitted as he traced the ground with his finger, "As you know, the revolution is starting, and," He stopped mid-sentence, "and, well, I'll be leaving soon. So will John, Lafayette and Hercules."

"Oh." I mumbled, "How soon? When will I get to see them again?" Alexander and I locked eyes for a moment, before he turned his head up to gaze at the stars one more time.

"I'm sorry, [Y/n], we leave tomorrow-"

"What!?" I jumped up, "You guys can't go! I've only just met you,"

"[Y/n], there's nothing we can do about it. We've got to fight for our freedom!" Alexander reaches for my hand, but I pulled away.

"I thought we'd get to spend more time together before you left!" I felt my heart sink, but I tried to ignore it.

"We can spend more time together, right now." Alex smiles at me, "Let's just forget we talked," he sighed.

"No, I can't forget that. When am I going to see you again?" I took a step away from him. I can't get close to Alexander, just to have him gone tomorrow.

"Listen, [Y/n], me and my friends have a plan. We can take you with us!" He looked excited, "We just conceal that you're a woman, and enroll you in the army!"

"Sounds pretty easy," I roll my eyes, "Even if I do go, who will take care of my father?"

"You could write to some relatives, they could care for him." Alexander suggested, running his hand over the grass.

"I suppose that would work," I sat down with a sigh, "But how could I pose as a man, and how could-"

"Don't worry. We'll figure it out." Alexander looks at me, placing a hand on mine, "Let's just sit here and enjoy the stars. You can think about whether or not you want to join us, and tell me in the morning." He says as he lays down on the grass.

"Okay, but I've got to go soon. My father will be looking for me." I muttered, laying down next to him. We just sat in silence, gazing at the night sky.

{Timeskip}

"[Y/n]! [Y/n] where are you?" I wake with a start, hearing my father calling my name. I look around, I'm laying in a grass field, and, Alexander is asleep beside me? What happened last night?

Hurriedly, I get up. I try to shake Alexander awake, before my father finds us. I can hear him coming this way. I don't want to imagine how angry he'd be if he found me sleeping outside with a man.

"Hey, Alexander, wake up!" I whispered. His eyes open quickly.

"Oh, hi, [Y/n]! What happened?" He rubbed the side of his face as he sat up.

"No time to explain, follow me!" I grab his hand and pull him to his feet. Alexander wobbles for a moment before regaining his balance. "What're you doing?"

"C'mon, Alexander, follow me," I said through gritted teeth. I hold tight on his hand and run behind my house with him. We hide there for a moment as I try to locate where my father is.

"[Y/n]? Are you here?" Shoot. My father's voice gets closer, it's coming from my left. I dart to the right and go around the side of the house.

"[Y/n], what the hell?" Alexander mutters while rubbing his eyes. I open the front door and push him inside. I quickly get inside and lock the door.

"Sorry, Alexander, my father was looking for me," I explained, out of breath, "If he found me outside with you, we'd both be dead."

"Oh, why would he be mad?" Alexander asked cluelessly. I facepalmed. "Never mind, just go upstairs. I'll hide you in the spare room until the coast is clear." I said as I ushered him upstairs.

Suddenly, I heard the front door being unlocked. I turn to Alexander, "Go, in this room," I shoved him into the guest bedroom.

"Where do I go?" He looked around. I pointed to the closet and locked the guest bedroom door once we had both entered.

"Go, hide, my father will be up here any second," I whispered as Alexander hid. God, what am I doing?

"[Y/n]? Is that you?" I opened the door.

"Hi, sorry I was, erm, cleaning in here," I lied, smiling. Please believe me, please I thought to myself as my father looked skeptical.

"Okay, come down for breakfast. I need your help today." My father turned around and went back downstairs. Both Alexander and I let out a sigh of relief.

"Let's get you out of here, Alex," I said as I opened the closet door, "Sorry about that," I sighed.

"No problem," he winked, "Now, have you given thought to my preposition?" I felt a cold pit in my stomach.

"Oh, could you give me a moment," I said awkwardly.

"Of course," Alexander smiled.

I went into my room, and sat down on my bed. I began to think over joining the revolution.

If I joined, I could help free a nation! But I'd have to leave my father, he'd surely die. But I've always felt like I have a greater purpose than caring for men. I want to help my country, but could I sacrifice my father to do so? I sighed. I thought it over one last time, then went back to Alexander.

"So?" He raised his eyebrows.

"I'm joining the revolution!"