Following the party, I was constantly thinking about Xander. All during the day, and I dreamt about him at night. One evening, my parents went out do dinner and a movie, and so they expected to be gone all evening. Aunt Ellie went to visit a friend a few hours away, and so I had the house to myself. On a sudden impulse, I decided to take a walk in the cool spring air. Throwing on my white hoodie with pink polka dots, I strode out into the dark evening outside. I thought I was alone, and so I began voicing my daydreams out loud, along with make-believe conversations with Xander. Suddenly I remembered that Xander was a Murray, and my parents would never agree to a marriage with a Murray. I spoke my thoughts aloud, "Xander, why can't you be anyone but a Murray?! You would be just as amazing if you were not a Murray! Names don't mean anything! A name certainly doesn't alter a person's character! Why, oh why, oh why did I have to fall in love with a Murray?..." I unexpectedly shrieked, because without warning, from behind me came a voice. Oh that voice!
It said, "Cassie? Is that you?"
I whirled around and rebuked, "Xander?! What are you doing eavesdropping on me? Why didn't you tell me that you were following me?! I might have thought that you were a kidnapper or a stalker!"
"But you didn't!" Was his reply, "you didn't even know that I was here. I would have told you that I was here, but I wasn't sure if it was you, and if it was, I didn't want to startle you." Taking my hand, we continued walking. Our dialogue is as follows:
"Xander, how did you get here? Your family doesn't exactly have a surplus of cars, and it is a very long walk!"
"Cassie," he looked straight at me. "I love you, and I needed to see you. My hope that I would catch you without your parents seeing me put flight to my feet, and I didn't mind the long walk. It was just my luck that you were out walking!"
My heart started beating faster and I felt dizzy. I blushed. "Oh, Xander..." I could barely look at him. "I love you too. So much. I just wish..."
"What?" He looked at me fondly.
I gathered up what was left of my courage. I looked him in the eyes. "You're a Murray. My parents would not approve of my marrying a Murray."
Xander looked at the ground, then back into my eyes. "I know," he said softly. "I don't understand what happened between our siblings, Cassie. Just a simple win. That's all it took. Now, well, look at where our families are now. The Parks have made it worse by gossiping and starting rumors about us. We look horrible to the rest of the folks in our area."
I looked at him brightly. "That's how I feel too!"
He smiled. "Well, enough about that." We continued walking, but I started to shiver. Turns out the air was a little colder than I had anticipated. "Cassie, are you cold?" He put his arm around my shoulder.
"A little," I said. I was still shivering, but not from cold this time. It was a new experience to have someone so close to me. At once it occurred to me that I couldn't walk with Xander all night without my parents becoming worried. Alas! I would have to go home soon! "What time is it?"
"Almost ten."
"Oh, Xander, my parents will be home any minute!" I cried. "Tell me: when will I see you again?!"
"The sooner the better, my sweet. Do you want to meet here again tomorrow night?" He looked at me with hopeful eyes.
"I wouldn't miss it for anything. Good night, and see you tomorrow!" I lingered a bit longer, gazing into his green eyes. He squeezed my hand, smiling at me, and I finally tore myself away. As I walked toward my house, I thought of Shakespeare's famous line, 'Parting is such sweet sorrow!'. It fit perfectly with my situation. Now I finally understood how Juliet felt! How wonderfully odd...
I went to bed wondering how our relationship could ever work, but I had no doubt in my mind that Xander was the right guy for me.
