Her Eternal Love

INTRO Marisha is what my mother named me, but I've never felt like that fit who I am. While everyone else my age is running out every weekend; going to concerts, the mall, movies and dates. I simply love to sit at home or maybe go to the library if I'm feeling a little cooped up. I've never really been much for socialization anyways. it's as if something has been missing from my life. But I'm only 19, what could I possibly be missing so badly? I've got my college courses and my love of reading to always keep me comfortable. what else is there?? *Marisha* POV Another rainy Tuesday, how I hate myself for getting out of bed today. But I have to finish these college credits before my financial aid runs out, so every day, without fail, I climb into my 'beater with a heater' hand me down '94 Explorer and I take as many classes per semester as the school can allow me. Not only is today the final day before spring break but it's also my Birthday. It's not much to celebrate but I'm grabbing my favorite Mexican dinner on my way home and I will snuggle up with my newest addiction book. Honestly, I don't know why it's so easy to get wrapped up in these fantastical stories. But books have brought me so much happiness where people have fallen short. My own family doesn't see me or really even know anything about me. But the books, they see me. Every. single. day without fail. I graduated almost a year ahead of my intended class in high school because I didn't get sucked into the drama and theatrics of dating and friends. I fell like this was my best path, now I'm a year ahead of everyone who ever bullied me and with any luck I'll be gone and graduated before they get into my classes. The professor yells across the room "Alright people, I'll see you all in two weeks. Stay out of trouble and PLEASE for the love of Pete, work on your essays, they are due first thing Tuesday morning when you all come back from break!" I notice everyone talking with their friends about their plans and parties but all I really want is to go grab a cigarette with my afternoon iced caramel coffee before I head off to my night job at the only bookstore in 100 miles that hasn't become a chain. I'll work extra hours during my spring break in order to pad my savings account for when my schooling is finished. I've managed to cram two years of college into this first year and seeing as my family thinks college is a waste of time they've refused to help me get more financial aid. So, other than that stupid essay on the ineptitude of modern politics, I will work, eat, sleep, and read. My only friend, Annie, finds my life incredibly boring and to tell the truth it's very lonely but I find comfort in my time alone. I've watched her have dozens of boyfriends, she has tons of friends or acquaintances as she refers to them and she's perfect in every way. Annie is a music and theater major, which I think is just her way of p***ing off her incredibly uptight parents. She works with me at the bookstore twice a week just because she's bored, I've never actually seen her read anything more than a script. Having taken my time to pack my things into my bag so as to not bump into anyone on my way out I feel incredibly uneasy but I'm always uneasy when I'm around alot of people. I lazily stroll from the classroom and out onto the quad but I feel like I'm being watched... Who would even be watching me? Trying not to draw attention to myself and get out of the rain as quickly as possible, I pull my hood up on my over sized jacket and take a quick peek around but see no one. It's got to just be my imagination, my anxiety playing tricks on me again. Walking quick enough to not seem out of place I cut across the quad and climb gingerly into my safe, dry SUV. But I can still feel it, that creepy feeling like someone is staring straight through me. Locking my doors quickly, I start fumbling for my keys within my laptop bag. After seeming to touch everything but my keys *KNOCK*KNOCK*KNOCK* on my driver side window! I jump nearly clear out of my seat and into the passenger seat. Holding my chest, keys clutched like they're my most precious jewel. I finally let out the breath I didn't realize I had been holding in anticipation. Glancing out my window to see who on earth would need to talk to me I nearly fall to the floor... Slowly taking in every inch of the I'm guessing nearly 6'4, narrow and skinny but muscular frame outside my door. I finally have the courage to look up into the face of this person. this man. I am left speechless. He is dirty blonde with a short hair cut, strong chin and jaw but the bluest eyes I think I've ever seen. They look so sad, like he's never had anyone to talk to in his life. I realize I've been staring for far too long and finally stutter out a simple "y-yeah??" not able to tear away from his eyes, I can barely hear what he's saying. "Are you Marisha?" he asks again because I didn't respond to him the first time he asked me. Bright red from embarrassment I finally connect the synapse in my brain to form a sentence. "umm yeah... why?"...is he...is he smiling...at me? oh my God I can't breath. "you left your phone on the desk in political science... I was trying to catch you on your way out but I don't think you could hear me over everyone leaving for break" "oh um...thanks?" I say sheepishly as I climb back into the driver's seat and then I roll my window down enough that he can slide me my phone. Out of his hoodie pocket he produces my lime green case that holds the phone that I'm suddenly embarrassed by. I've never been embarrassed that I don't have much money but this guy looks like he could pay for my entire college ride without even batting an eye at the price. *Kaden*POV* I've been watching her for the past year. She doesn't even know I exist but soon, I'll get a chance to speak to her. it doesn't make any sense that I'd be afraid to talk to her but she seems perfectly content without me in her life. I don't want to complicate anything for her but I know she's the one. I've been looking for her for centuries... *500 years ago* "I don't have the slightest inclination as to what you think your accusing me of Herra" i speak as dignified as possible but I know what she wants to hear me say. Herra, my dearest friend, stares daggers thru me as though I'm not the royal she serves under. "you are an absurd and malicious liar Kaden, you have been alone for years, your father cannot hand you your rightful place on the throne without you taking a wife, vampire or not your need to find a wife to produce an heir and become king!" Herra screams at me. But I know all of this and have spent the past decade preparing for my final meeting with my father. As the son of the king, I have certain responsibilities, but I do not wish to follow in this ridiculous hierarchy. I will look for her for the rest of time if that's what it takes, I know my one true love is out in the world someplace waiting for me.... *today* I don't even attend this class for the knowledge, my lineage pretty much created all political parties that are seen in these modern times. I come here to watch her, my Marisha, she never seems very interested in this class but then again she's never interested in anything except her books. I've been collecting everything shes read for the past year and everything I've ever heard her mention. She's left her phone on her desk. I move as fast as lightening after she leaves the classroom, gathering her phone in my hand like the precious gift from above that it truly is. Not wanting to be a 'creep' as the kids say these days but wanting to know her deeper, I slide the lock screen and search thru the phone for contacts, music, text messages, anything to feel a connection to her. vampire speed comes in handy when your gathering information with very little time. I can't let her get too far ahead of me or she'll think I'm a lurker, but if I catch up to her too soon she may not even give me a chance. She's quite flighty my little dove, anxious even. Constantly looking as if the sky is about to fall any minute. I don't know why but I will figure it out someday. I've gathered much information about her but she's very smart, no social media, everything kept to herself like she doesn't want people to see her. I finally find what I'm looking for, texts from her best friend Annie. As I've learned from my musings over the new age mumbo, everything you need to know about a woman is written to her best friend. Annie has made plans with Marisha for her birthday. I must sacrifice this day to her for the rest of my life, every day will be dedicated to her if she will allow me. I've never seen her with any man but surely she wants to spend her time with someone, right? I realize I've been reading every message for the past 6 months and I know that she's getting ready to make the trek across the quad. My exceptional hearing. even over all these other blood bag students and the pouring rain can make out her heartbeat anywhere. I close the tabs and lock the phone storing it safely in my hoodie pocket as I use my speed to jog toward the quad. Stopping just short of the door so I can watch her walking. But as if she can feel me watching her she suddenly tenses up and looks around her, trying to be inconspicuous I blend into the crowd walking out the door keeping my eyes trained on her. Staying back around 10 yards I follow her towards the parking area closest to the building. This is my first chance in about year to talk to her and I'm going to do everything in my power not to mess it up. I hang back a second as she climbs into her beat up SUV. I can hear her heart beating irrationally. Have I frightened her?? Surely she didn't see me out of the hundred plus faces walking along the quad. I'm panicking, this is my chance, I'm going to blow it unless I talk to her now. Using my speed as to not let her see me walking up to her and frighten her even more, I hear her fumbling for her keys, I have to do this now before she takes off and I have no excuse to speak with her. *KNOCK*KNOCK*KNOCK* She nearly jumped thru the passenger window, I've frightened her to death. I need to try and get a date with her or her telephone number or something, anything so that I can try and win her heart. I have to have her in my life. she is who I'm meant to spend eternity with...