Life and Love

Prologue

It wasn't always the way it is today. There was a better time. Back when I loved and when I felt. Back when I wasn't numb. My life started when I moved to Florida.

I was at a party. Not a crazy party. One where it was all church people who I was supposed to know.

She got ready for the party. She did not dress up too much, just a cute little dress that brought out her blue eyes. She knew everyone at the party after all, she had nobody to impress.

He got ready at the same time. He put on clothes that would be good for the many first impressions he would have tonight. Brushed his dark locks to the side and smiled his dashing smile into the boy that stared back at him. He was ready for the evening, not prepared for what was about to happen.

When she arrived at the party, automatically she went to her same group of friends. She was shy, yet knowing everyone gave her confidence. She associated with everyone, trying to have a good time.

He walked in the door. As soon as he did, all eyes were on him. "Who is that?" "Do you know him?", people murmured throughout the room. He was not shy though. Right away he made friends. Right away he was in with all of the church teens and chaperones. He was charming and knew how to sweet talk, it was not difficult for him.

She decided to dance, after her friend Tina begged and begged. She laughed at herself as she shook her hips to the rhythm of the music. She wasn't that great, but she knew how to move her body to the beat, to the music.

He danced. His new friends went with him. It wasn't really dancing though; it was swaying as he became acquainted with all of these new people. He laughed, but right away he couldn't remember why. It was when he saw her. Her brown hair caressed her body. The waves were down to her mid-thighs and they moved with her body. They met eyes. He noticed the beautiful blue that shone in the lights of the crowded room. Her dress was modest, unlike a few of the other girls. But that didn't matter, in fact, that just made her more attractive. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He walked closer to her as she blushed, noticing he was walking towards her.

She did not know who she was, but she wanted to know. She wanted to know where he came from, and where he is going. She wanted to learn everything she could about this mysterious boy with the dark eyes, and even darker hair. This boy with the prettiest smile she had ever seen on a boy. She thought he was beautiful, as silly as she knew that was. She had never found a boy beautiful. And he was walking towards her. The bright new boy, who she thought was beautiful, he was walking towards her. She did not know what to do. Run? Freeze? She had no time to decide, because the boy who she did not know was standing right in front of her.

"Hi I'm David Stratton." He said smiling his brightest, charming smile.

"Hi." She giggled. "I'm Rita Jordan."

"Nice to meet you Rita. So who do you know here?"

"Everyone really. They all go to my church."

"Oh okay. I just moved here from Vermont."

"I moved here from Ohio a while ago." Wow. What fate. Both of us moved here from somewhere else, somewhere far away.

Rita, David said over and over in his mind. What a beautiful name, for a beautiful girl.

David, Rita did the same.Why is he talking to me? There are a million beautiful girls here. Why me?

They talked for the rest of the night. They laughed, they giggled, they exchanged looks of admiration and shyness at each other, mostly when the other looked away. Was it love at first sight, or was it just a short fling that would be a shadow in their memories forever? Was this something that would make them happy, or was this encounter going to be something they regret for the rest of their lives? And most important, should they take the chance to see?

At the end of the night, David invited Rita and some friends to go to the movies that Saturday night. It was a few days away. She said she would love to, but first had to ask her parents.

"Well then call me." David said.

"Okay I will."

"Goodnight Rita. See you soon I hope. Sweet dreams."

Rita smiled, a smile hidden by the dark of the night.

"Goodnight David. I'll see you later. Sweet dreams."

They exchanged a smile and a handshake. Religious, innocent little Rita, would not kiss this boy. She wasn't supposed to even date. But she wanted to be with him, nevertheless. With the feeling of a newly found love, they departed. Both bubbly, overjoyed, they went on their ways, but could not stop thinking about the other. They both felt the spark. They both knew this was the start of something beautiful and amazing, if only they could take the risk.