History In The Making

"Today wee are learning about Young's Double Slit Experiment." The classroom groaned in unison as the teacher, Mr. Graves, walked to the board and began drawing a representation of what looked like three vertical bars stacked on top of each other with spaces in between. I frantically copied the picture into my notebook along with a shorter version of what he was saying.

Physics wasn't exactly my strong suit when it came to classes, but I was late in enrolling so I took what I could get. I was a part-time photography student at NYU Though, as much as I hated Physics, I knew it was necessary to take generals first in case I ever decided to switch majors.

Our teacher droned on and on, boring the entire class to death. I mostly paid attention, taking glances at the clock every now and then and periodically looking around the room to see more heads that had dropped down onto their desks every time I looked.

After what seemed like hours of listening to the monotone droning that is Mr. Graves, the bell rang and I was out of my seat and out the door of the classroom in a flash. I was ready for the weekend and more importantly, ready for tonight.

Yes, tonight was the one year anniversary of Chris and I's very first date. I smiled and picked up the pace as I saw the silver BMW waiting in the parking area. Leaning against the body of the car was Chris himself, sporting a new all black suit with a red tie and sunglasses that complimented his tanned face.

Students were staring at him, most of them thinking he was a rockstar or something, just wanting to ask for his autograph in case it was actually worth something to have. No doubt he loved all the attention, after all, that's why he became a teacher; all eyes in the classroom were on him.

I caught him smirking as I approached his 'cool' stance of leaning against his car. I gave him a once over before I came to my destination. He had kept his hair dyed black, "a new place means a new look", he said on our drive to New York. I didn't mind at all, his hair suited him. What made me laugh though, was the half hour he spent in front of the bathroom mirror trying to perfect it's messiness.

I felt arms wrapping themselves around my waist, lifting me into the air and giving me a quick spin before putting me on the ground. He stared into my eyes with his forehead laying against mine and his arms still wrapped around my waist.

"Why are you so dressed up?" I asked while wrapping my arms around his neck.

"We're going out tonight. I thought it a black tie event, so I bought a new suit." He smirked and added, "I expect you to dress up too, in a dress, no complaining." My lip jutted out in a pout. I honestly didn't own a dress. Knowing my predicament, Chris pulled out his wallet and handed me the credit card I had entrusted to him so I wouldn't use it. I frowned and took it from him.

"Where did you find the money to buy all of this?" I asked while pulling my wallet out of my purse and sliding the plastic card of death and financial insecurity into one of the slots.

"That's part of the news for tonight. And don't worry, I put about $800 on that card for you to spend." He smirked again, opened the car door and ushered me inside before I could ask another question. He started talking again as soon as he sat down in the driver's seat. "You should have a friend go shopping with you. Maybe like Mandy or something." He gave me a soft smile, started the car and pulled out of the parking lot.

"Why?" I asked curiously, turning towards him in my seat to read his facial expressions.

"I don't feel safe with you walking around New York by yourself. Besides, she can tell you how great you look since I'm not there to." He flashed me a quick, dazzling smile and turned his attention back to the road ahead of him. I rolled my eyes, slightly annoyed by his nonchalant attitude.

"Fine.." I muttered and slouched down in my seat. He chuckled at my stance. He knew I hated shopping, especially in New York.

Ten more minutes had passed and Chris's car pulled alongside our apartment building. I unbuckled my seat belt and opened the door before turning to look at Chris with an alarmed look on my face.

"Aren't you coming?" The car sat idling next to the sidewalk.

"Actually, I have to go back to work for a bit, but you have fun shopping and I'll pick you up at 6:30." He flashed another smile as I nodded and stepped away from the car. "Love you!" He called out the window, but before I could reply he was back on the road.

I trudged up the steps and into the building, pressing the button and stepping into the elevator. The ride up to the 29th floor was redundant, me pacing around until I heard the familiar dinging sound.

I slowly walked to the apartment door, wanting to off this shopping thing as long as I could. It was only 2:30 after all. I walked into the apartment and threw my key onto the table. Only then did I notice someone sitting on the couch watching T.V. I knew instantly who it was and wasn't surprised at all to see her.

"He called you didn't he." I sighed and ran a hand down my face, a habit I no doubt picked up from Chris.

"Yeah," she said standing up and facing me, "he said you would've put shopping off as long as you could, so he called me to make sure I took you as soon as you got home." The petite figure known as my friend Mandy bounded over to me, grabbed the key off the table and pulled me outside with her.

******

After being dragged from store to store and being forced to try on more dresses than I had seen in my life, Mandy seemed satisfied with one. We found a pair of matching shoes and I was safely back home getting ready for the date.

After I showered, shaved and put lotion on, I focused on my hair. I blow-dried it first, brushing it to get the softness Chris loved so much and curled it in lose rings. I made my makeup accent my dress. I looked perfect.

My dress was a black halter that went halfway to my knees. The neckline plummeted to an inch or two above my bellybutton. The bottom half of the dress kind of cascaded down to the end of it, but was belted in the middle across the neckline. I never thought I could pull off a dress like this. I was wrong.

I heard my phone ringing in the kitchen and ran to answer it. Chris's name glowed on the I.D. screen. I flipped it open, but before I could even get out a simple 'hello' he was talking.

"I'm waiting outside the apartment." Was all he said before hanging up.

I sighed, grabbing my purse and throwing my phone, along with some emergency makeup supplies, into it. I opened the door and was greeted with a single red rose with a note attached to it on the doorstep. I picked up the rose and read the note: Happy one year anniversary. I love you.

I looked at the ground to see a trail of rose petals leading my way to the elevator. I followed them with the rose still in my hand and descended down to the main floor in the elevator where, upon the door opening, another trail of rose petals lead my way outside and up to Chris who was holding a bouquet or roses with one rose missing from it.

"For you madam." He smiled and handed the bouquet to me. Smiling, I slipped the single rose into its spot as Chris opened the car door for me.

I sat inside, watching him close the door and bound around to the driver's side. His eyes were gleaming and his smile was still intact as he got into the car himself.

I could tell he was excited beyond belief for tonight. We sat in a comfortable silence, me constantly smelling my bouquet of roses and both of us glancing at each other every now and then.

I looked out the window when Chris pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant he had picked out. To my surprise, it was one of the most expensive restaurants in New York City that specialized in Italian Cuizine, which was both mine and his favorite.

Before I could protest what he was thinking, he was out of the car and by my side pulling me out by my hand.

Every time I opened my mouth to protest during dinner, Chris would shush me and lean across the table and kiss me sweetly. He even ordered champagne (despite me being too young to drink it legally) and he never let me know how much the bill ended up being.

As soon as dinner was over and we were both outside of the restaurant, Chris reached into his back pocket and turned to face me, holding the same exact handkerchief he had used on our very first date to blindfold me.

"I think you should know the drill by now." I gaped at the object to Chris and back at the object. I turned around and let him tie the handkerchief around my eyes. "Don't worry, it's not for as long as the first time. And no music, I can't even hear anything in New York City." He chuckled, taking my hand and leading me to the car to get in.

As soon as I heard his own door close and the car turn on, I was all questions.

"Will you please tell me where we're going?" I begged and crossed my arms over my chest. I turned to face him, even though I couldn't see him I could tell he was trying to hold back laughing.

"Sorry, I can't do that." I just knew he was smirking while we pulled back onto the street.

"Will you at least tell me how you can suddenly afford all of this stuff?" I felt his hand slide into mine and squeeze it for a moment.

"Guess I forgot to mention that over dinner. I got a job offer at Columbia University teaching History there full time as a professor. They gave me an advanced check hat was worth more money that I have seen in my life." I could feel his eyes on me, trying to observe my reaction. I figured he couldn't see my eyes widen, so I said something instead.

"Wow! That's great Chris!" I smiled my best smile that I knew he was returning.

"But as of right now, we're here." I sighed in relief and lifted my hands to take the blindfold off. "No, no, not yet." He reached his hand over and took mine away. "Just wait," he said faintly and I heard him get out of the car. Shortly after, my door opened and I was lead out and up some steps. I was lead into a small room which I quickly found out was an elevator.

About five minutes later we stepped out of the elevator and I was lead forward a bit.

"Okay, you can take off the blindfold now." I reached my hands back and undid the knot. I took in where I was, on the top of the Empire State Building. I stepped to the edge of the railing to take in the nighttime view of the city.

I heard a violin playing from behind me. I turned around to see where it was when it happened.

There Chris was, down on one knee with the most beautiful ring I had ever seen placed between his thumb and index finger.

"Charlotte Marie Reynolds, will you marry me?"