True Love

 Monique leaned against the rail of the castle, listening to the rustle of women’s dresses as they walked the path with lovers or in groups with their friends. She listened to the lovely music wafting from inside the otherwise stuffy ballroom, and to the sound of her own gown blowing in the breeze. She breathed in the fresh night air, reveling in the feeling of summer and the magic feeling around her. Nothing could surpass this feeling. It was so peaceful, so beautiful. So magical. The only thing missing was...

“Hello, Monique,” a deep voice sounded from behind her, interrupting her thoughts. She smiled and greeted her best friend, Gawain.

“Hello...”

“What would such a beautiful maiden be doing alone on such a fine night like this?”

Monique sighed. “No one seemed too interested in me.” Gawain rolled his eyes at her.

“I saw you. You chatted with your friends for fifteen minutes, and left! Perhaps if you had given it more time-“

“Not now, Gawain. Tell me, how is your mother?” Monique asked, cutting him off. There was only one she had eyes for. There was only one she loved, there was only one she’d accept if he had asked her to dance.

But he hadn’t. Monique sighed and pretended to listen to Gawain drone on about his mother, the crops and other trivial things to make light conversation. All she could think about were her love’s beautiful blue eyes and coal black hair. His beautiful name that she wished she could add to her own. Suddenly she realized Gawain had stopped talking and was resting his hand lightly upon her own. After this had gone on for a few minutes, with Monique feeling more and more awkward each second, she finally broke and turned to Gawain, only to find that he had been staring at her.

“Gawain?” She prompted timidly, afraid of what might happen next, yet excited and curious as well. He spoke one word, one single word, yet it made her knees go weak. Monique had never thought something so little as this could make her feel this way. Gawain spoke again as she stared into his sapphire eyes.

“Monique.”

All she saw before she closed her eyes was Gawain lowering his head toward hers...

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

Monica’s eyes flew open, and her hand flew automatically to the alarm, smacking its off button. What a beautiful dream...

With an overpowering longing to return to the world she had just left, she got out of bed and got ready for school. And somehow, she knew she would never return. But Monica knew she would always remember the vivid feeling, the magic, the electricity, and especially the young man in that dream. And perhaps one day she would find him. Perhaps one day fate would be kind and bless her with true love.