The Fall Moon

Troy POV I fidgeted nervously as I waited for the jeweler to unlock the cabinet. This all felt so surreal to me. Just two weeks ago, I was having the time of my life at a university frat party when I caught a glance of the most gorgeous pair of brown eyes I have ever seen. "David, who is that girl over there?" I said to my best friend, standing next to me at the bar. "Oh, that is Tracy's friend. I can't recall her first name right now, but I know Montero is her last name." "Montero, as in the Los Angeles District Attorney Montero?!" "One and the same buddy. Good luck trying to get to that one." He chuckled as he slapped me on the shoulder. I decided that anything worth having was worth a fight for. I chugged the rest of my drink and started to make my way across the crowded house to the group she was with. "Hello ladies," I said. How are you liking the party so far? Can I get you any snacks or drinks?" "We could use a few drinks and some of those yummy hors d'oeuvres we saw making the rounds!" The pretty red head to my left said. "Oh, you saw my handiwork then, did you? I love watching Food Network, and I got the idea for those cucumber roll ups from something I saw on Guy Fieri's new show." "You are cute and handy in the kitchen....hmm, it sounds like we need to get to know you better, don't we River?" said the blonde next to Beautiful Brown Eyes. Those eyes turned to me and held a slight twinkle in them as she said, "I suppose I could spend a few minutes longer here before I head back to my house to study for the exams." My heart started beating like crazy and I nodded and turned to go grab some food. Her voice was silky smooth and low. How it felt on my ears is how milk chocolate feels as it slowly melts on your tongue. I could feel myself getting hard just thinking about it. 'Calm down Troy, if you want any chance with her, you need to be cool and take it easy. Otherwise, you will find yourself in jail in East LA.' quipped Jase, my wolf. 'I know, but those eyes.....mmmm. I could get lost in them forever." 'Yeah, well, you are already lost on the way to the kitchen, so stop being an i***t and turn around and get them the drinks and snacks, bro.' he rolled his eyes and curled up in my mind. Ugh. Jase is my wolf and an ass. He had let me wander all the way to the backyard before I realized it. I headed back to the kitchen. I grabbed the snacks and drinks and made my way back to the girls. "Here you are, ladies, snacks and drinks." I presented the tray with a flourish. "Oh, these looks absolutely amazing. What's your name again?" The blonde asked. "Troy Williams, at your service ladies." I said with a wink to Beautiful Brown Eyes. "And in the name of hospitality, who do I have the pleasure of serving tonight?" I asked." "My name is Tracy," the redhead stated, "and this is Veronica," gesturing to the blonde across from her, "and this is River." River. What an amazing, mellow, peaceful name to go with those eyes and silky brown hair that flowed gently over her shoulders to her elbows. I must have been staring because Tracy cleared her throat loudly and spoke up. "So what do you major in, Troy?" she asked. "Oh, well, I started off in technical engineering, but then I realized that wasn't really meant for me. Too much maths." The girls chuckled. Now, I am majoring in public relations with a minor in political science." "What are you all majoring in?" I asked. "Elementary Education," Tracy said. "Criminal Justice," Veronica said. "History," River said softly. "Interesting. What brought you three together?" I asked. Normally, people found their interest or major groups and stuck to them. Finding a diverse interest group of ladies was highly unusual for the area. Most girls were worried about the brand of bags they carried and whether they were going to be shopping that weekend in Beverly Hills or the fashion district in Downtown Los Angeles. "We grew up together." River said. "Together, we make up the Three Musketeers! Huzzah!" she said as the three of them raised their glasses in a toast. I laughed in genuine amusement. "That has to be the first time I have ever heard someone use the term 'Huzzah' in public!" "Well then, maybe next weekend we can all get together and take you to get some exposure!" Veronica piped up. The three girls shared a laugh and a sly glance. "Yes! Yes! You must join us, dear sir!" cried Tracy. "It would do us good to have some male companionship with us on this trip." "We would be honored to have the pleasure of your company, Sir Troy," River stated with a twinkle in her eye again. "Well, my fair maidens," I said, playing along, "I accept your invitation and look forward to it gladly!" "Yes!" Veronica pumped her fist. "We have planning to do ladies." Let's get out of here and hit the shops!" "Can you guys please drop me off at my house. I have to study for the exam. I already have my outfit for next weekend." River said. "Yeah, of course we can. It's right on the way to the store I have in mind anyway." Veronica said "Well ladies, it's been a lovely evening chatting with you and getting to know you a bit. Here is my business card, which has both my house and my cell number on it. Let me know when and where to meet up next weekend!" I said as I handed my card directly to River. Our eyes met as she took the card. Her hand seemed to linger on mine. "Anytime day or night you can call me." I said. A tinge of blush appeared and deepend on her face at the implication of my words. That was the most adorable thing ever to see. "Thanks," she half-whispered as she stood to leave. "I will be in touch soon." As they walked toward the front door, I called out, "Fare thee well, young maidens!" and they all burst out giggling as they got into their car and drove away. What did I just agree to? I walked into the house, and David pulled me aside. "Dude, how the hell did you just manage to Rico Suave the s**t out those three? They aren't the Three Musketeers for nothing! Those girls are known to be inseparable, and none of them let anyone into their circle." his eyes were almost bugging out of his head. "I don't know, but I think I am in way over my head. They just roped me into what I think might be a Renaissance Faire next weekend." I said as I ran my hand through my hair. David let out a low whistle. "You are on your own man, ain't no way I am wearing tights!" "WHAT?! Nothing was said about tights. What are you talking about?" I shrieked. "Let's do some research, man, c'mon." He pulled his phone out and started showing me the festival pictures from Lake Arrowhead last year. I was in some serious s**t. I had no clue. "I think I am going to call in sick next week." I said. "There has got to be another way around this. Can't I go in jeans and a T-shirt?" I whined. "Nope, you stepped in it big time. Now, you just have to follow through. Just remember those eyes man." David chuckled. "You are enjoying this way too much." I grumbled. "Hell yeah, I am! I am going to enjoy this very much." He said "Oh yeah? And just how do you suppose you will do that? Hm?" I said smugly. "Oh, I forgot to tell you, Tracy is my cousin." He said with a wicked grin. "I will have all the blackmail I need." "Oh man...." I wailed. I was in for it. That next Friday, the girls came over to get ready. When they walked in, they handed me a bag, and Tracy said, "These are for you! Get dressed!" and the three of them ran upstairs giggling. I looked into the bag, dreading what I was going to find. I found a pair of worn knee-high leather boots, dark gray thick leggings, a frilly white button-down blouse with a long leather knee-length vest-looking thing, a black leather belt, and a short wood sword. I sighed. What was I thinking, agreeing to this? Jase was howling with laughter and rolling side to side in my head. 'Sir Mix a Lot at your service, ladies!' he wheezed. 'Shut up,' I snapped. 'Be careful with that sword. You wouldn't want to poke an eye out with it! hahaha!' 'We are going to look like an i***t. I hope no one we know will be there.' I moaned. 'Just chill, dude. She will be right there with you, and just remember what David said about their group. You should be over the moon to be included.' Jase reminded me. 'OK, fine. It's time to wrangle myself into these tights.' 'Good luck with that. I hope you can still walk after this....' he laughed as he faded to the back to watch the comedy show of me pulling on the leggings. I held the leggings up and thought, "Well, here goes nothing," and I put one foot into the leg hole. "How do they think this will fit?! This doesn't look big enough to fit my arm in, much less my legs." I grumbled. I pulled the pants on like I would my jeans. I think I must have looked like a contortionist trying to get the other leg in. David walked in and doubled over with laughter. "Shut up asshole," I growled. "Dude, I need a picture of this. Where is my phone?" "Don’t you dare! I think I pulled a damn hamstring already. No need to add insult to injury. Literally." "Have you tried just putting your foot in and rolling the leg up as you go?" David offered. I froze, realizing that was literally the smartest way to do this. "Why do you always have to be such a smart-ass?" I asked. "It's what I do. I know things, and I am a smart-ass. Besides, remember I took theater last year. I had to wear tights for Shakespeare." "Could have told me sooner, sheesh." I said as he laughed. Surprisingly, the leggings were very stretchy and were not difficult to get into at all once I took David's advice on how to put them on, aside from having to arrange the material to accommodate my junk. By the time I finished getting the outfit on, I had to admit, I looked pretty damn good. My golden hair, green eyes, and tan skin pulled the entire outfit together effortlessly. I had decided not to shave, so I had some stubble which added to the effect. I hoped River thought so too. I walked out of the downstairs bedroom into the living room just in time to hear the girls start making their way down the stairs. I grabbed my phone and car keys. I turned around and the sight at the top of the stairs took my breath away. River stood in a forest green gown that hugged every curve. A golden cord lined the sweetheart neckline and sleeves. The same cord was intricately stitched to the front of the dress and came to a point at her tiny waist where a golden belt hung on her hips. Her gorgeous brown hair was loosely braided to the side and hung over her left shoulder. In her braid was woven the same gold cord from her dress. As she walked regally down the stairs, I caught sight of brown leather boots. As she reached the bottom of the steps I swung into a low bow before the three girls. "Sir Lancelot at your service m'ladys" The girls all curtsied back and started giggling. I blushed a little bit and they all started to fawn over how my outfit came out. It was only then that I noticed Tracy had a Bar Wench outfit on that was hiked up on one side and Veronica was wearing a Robin Hood looking get up. I looked at Veronica with an eyebrow raised. "I major in criminal justice remember?" she said. "Ohhhh, I get it now!" I said as it dawned on me. We all laughed as we headed to the car. That weekend was where I fell in love with River Montero. She laughed at all my corny jokes, and we discovered that we both loved hiking, reading, chocolate, funnel cakes and being at the beach. We had similar tastes in music, and we had a lot of the same viewpoints. She seemed to be the perfect person for me! I was so excited that I went home for a visit and told my family I had found the woman I hoped to be my mate. Now, here I am, feeling the same sort of jitters as I did when I saw her in that green dress. I am pulled back to the present as the jeweler hands me the platinum, 2 carat princess cut solitaire ring I intend to propose next weekend with. This ring takes my breath away just like River does when I look into her deep brown eyes, and she says, "I love you, Troy." I hope my proposal takes her breath away too.