I gave a great sigh; I was looking out the window and saw the other kids my age playing in the streets. “What are doing Jacqueline?” my sister demanded as she walked into my room. “Oh nothing” I responded with a hint of annoyance in my voice. She sensed it, raising her voice at me she said “I know what you’re doing, looking at those poor kids play, aren’t you?” “What? I can’t look at someone who has less money then my family?” “You can, but it isn’t right to want to be like them” “Oh just get out Gabrielle”. Giving a sigh she left, she didn’t want to argue with me. Either way, I was alone again, open to think about it. The reason my sister along with the rest of my family didn’t like the middle-class was because they had more rights now, some that were only restricted to people like us, plus they wanted more. But of course everyone was stressed; this war that we’re going through is tough. From what I heard my father saying, the English were taking over France and these people called the Burgundies were allying with the English. It was confusing and overwhelming for me, being only 13 I didn’t understand much about politics or anything that the adults talk about. My sister knew plenty about it, even though she was only 16, she tried explaining it to me but it was still confusing as ever. So everything was pretty hectic around town, I can only imagine what it was like for the people who got conquered though, it must be hell. But, something strange happened today, I was walking along the street coming back from a shop with my mother. Then some boy about my age came up to me shyly and handed me a flower, he darted off before I could say anything. My mother told me to throw the flower away, probably thinking it was dangerous or something crazy, so I did because I knew she would get mad if I didn’t. I still wonder who that boy was though. Maybe I’ll see him again; at least, I hope I do. Perhaps he could be my friend, which would be lovely if it did happen.

I saw her again today, looking out of her window. The first time I saw her I fell in love. She was beautiful, with cascading curly blonde hair, bright beautiful eyes, and an amazing complexion; who wouldn’t love her? I’ve seen her walk the streets in such an elegant way, she seems perfect. But there’s one problem, she’s a higher class then me. Such a person would never even want to look at me. I can dream though, right? I heard someone behind me “Looking at that girl again?” “Why do you care?” I bluntly responded. “Oh come on, you’ve been stalking her forever.” “I’m not stalking her; I’m just following where she goes.” “That’s stalking, last time I checked.” “Well you don’t know the situation Cain, I love her.” “Well then, why don’t you get the guts to ask her to be your friend?” “You know how shy I get.” “Yea, you’ve been like that for a while.” It was true, I was always so nervous around girls. It’s been like this ever since I was a kid. Every time I got close to one I always froze up and started saying the most ridiculous things. I’ve tried to overcome it but it was nearly impossible. He broke the silence, “Fine how about this, I ask her to be my friend and then by default she’ll be your friend too.” “No, that will never work” “Hey, listen, if you don’t do anything you go on with life and grow separate from her; never knowing if it could’ve worked or not.” He had me; I hated to have regret, because I could always think ‘What if?’ If I did not do it. “Alright, I’ll do it” I said with confidence. “Wait, what?” “You heard me; I’m going to ask to be her friend” Cain laughed loudly “Good luck with that.” he laughed, I responded with a cocky tone “Thank you” and I walked off. Friendship always started with me by giving someone a gift, and what’s better gift for someone for trying to befriend someone you love? So I thought, a flower, it was perfect. I went around town finding coins that people had dropped or lost and eventually scraped up enough to buy a single flower. I proceeded by going to the flower shop and buying a lovely bright red rose. I managed to find a snippet of twine and some parchment, using coal that I “found” I wrote “Will you be my friend?” I knew it sounded stupid but it was the only thing I could think of at the moment. I roamed the streets and saw her, strolling with her mother. I walked up to her, timidly giving her the flower, then I ran. I don’t know what she did with it, but I hope she kept it.

It has been a total of 3 years since me and that boy, Mason, have met. Since then we have both matured greatly. I have grown into a young woman, as for him, he is a strong man. Since then we have become very close friends, and something more. I think I love him, I am not all that sure. I do not know what his feelings toward me are. So, I have stayed silent about it. Oddly enough, my parents do not mind him at all. They seem to find him very polite and a well-mannered man. We spend most of our days just talking, we find that is makes us busy and it’s just fun to discuss things. There was many times where I swear he was going to admit what his feelings were towards me, but he always got nervous. Good old Mason, nervous like he used to be. He has changed though; his bravery has jumped to new levels. For instance, he is completely normal around me. For other girls, he all he does is just stammer. Today we’re going to walk the gardens. It’s a really special place, so he probably wants to tell me something important; I can’t wait! I rose up from the seat in my bedroom and went downstairs. Telling my parents where I was going, and then I quickly sprinted out of the door.

Jacqueline came, walking down the side of the road with such great posture and elegance. I was lucky to be her friend, but at the same time it seemed as if I was a burden to her, me being a lower class then her and all. But enough about my troubles, I’ll get to the subject of the matter. She stopped in front of me, smiling in such a cute way. “Hi!” she exclaimed. “Hello” I responded, showing no emotion. “What’s wrong Mason?” Jacqueline obviously new something was bothering me. “I have some bad news to tell you, but some good news too.” She was a bit puzzled, then hesitantly responded “What is it?” “Well, the goods news will have you overjoyed, so I suppose I will tell you that first.” She silently nodded her head, “Go on.” I decided that it was either now or never, and of course I didn’t want to regret not telling her, I pulled her close to me, wrapping my arms around her. She blushed and looked away, embarrassed but still liking it. I put my head close to hers and whispered three words, “I love you.” Her face immediately flushed, responding she said “What exactly do you mean?” “I love you, I want nothing more then to be with you forever” She broke away from my hold on her and faced away from me, she was shaking, perhaps a bit shocked by what I told her, “I’m glad you feel the same about me then.”  I was confused, and naturally I asked her “What does that mean?” She turned around, her eyes started to tear up, “I love you too Mason. I’ve just haven’t had the courage to tell you.” She hugged me, it took me a while too gather up my thoughts, but then I hugged her back. Now came the hard part though, “But here is the bad news.” She stopped hugging me, and looked up at me “What is it?” “Well, as you might have heard already; our country is having problems. The English are starting to invade, and our country needs all the help from knights as possible. So they are now requesting every able male from the age eighteen to forty and since I just turned eighteen last week I am obliged to go.” “So, you’re leaving?” “Yes, I will be leaving tomorrow at sun up.” “Wait, so first you tell me you love me, and then you’re leaving?” I nodded my head reluctantly. Tears started to form in her eyes, I moved my hand to wipe them away but she shoved my arm away. Without even a word, she ran off, running as fast as she could go. I wanted to run after her but I knew it was useless, I had gotten her hopes up so high but then I crushed her heart. Perhaps she will forgive me, or perhaps not.

I dashed as fast as I could to the eastern gate of the city, holding up my dress and trying not to trip over it. I could see him along with other boys his age and some older. He saw me coming and stopped walking, looking at me with his soft and forgiving eyes. I stopped right in front of him, panting like crazy. “Why are you here? I thought that you were mad at Me.” he asked. “I was, but then I thought about it and I would have done the same thing. You just wanted me to know before you left, because if you didn’t tell me you would always regret it.” He nodded his head, “That’s basically what it is.” “Well, I’m sorry for getting mad at you, and I thank you for telling me. I just wish that you did not have to leave.” “Well, if you wish, we can still keep in contact. We can send each other letters.” I nodded my head and smiled, “That seems like a good idea, and you know, I’ll do it every week.” He smiled too, “Don’t worry though; I will be back when this is over and we can be together. I could tell that I was blushing a lot by now, but he seemed to like that. All of a sudden, he leaned in close to me, and kissed me on the lips. I was shocked, even after he had done it I was in shock. He walked away, following his fellow knights, and as he did so I was smiling.