I stood out like a sore thumb in the old stone church, my suit feeling stiff and uncomfortable. I fidgeted with my tie, wondering how I ended up here, surrounded by people who seemed to know each other so well. The pews creaked beneath my feet as I shifted my weight, feeling like an outsider in a place where everyone else seemed to belong. My short blonde hair was slicked back, and I couldn't help but feel like I was putting on a show, pretending to be someone I wasn't.
The church was dimly lit, with only a few rays of sunlight peeking through the stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the floor. The air was thick with the scent of old books and dust. I felt like I was holding my breath, waiting for something to happen, waiting for someone to notice me.
And then, she walked in.
Marie.
The world stopped. Literally. I swear, time froze. The creaking of the old wooden pews ceased, the murmurs of the congregation died down, and all that was left was her. She glided into the room, her dark hair cut in a chic, short style that framed her heart-shaped face perfectly. Her brown eyes sparkled like stars in the dim light, reminding me of the galaxy, full of mystery and wonder. Her skin was radiant, glowing with an otherworldly light.
She was wearing a flowy skirt that swirled around her ankles, and a crisp white button-up shirt that was tied up in a relaxed knot, accentuating her slender waist. She looked like a dream, a vision of loveliness that took my breath away. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, like all the air had been sucked out of me.
As she made her way to the front of the church, our eyes met, and I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body. I looked away, feeling like I'd been caught staring, but I couldn't help sneaking glances at her throughout the class.
After what felt like an eternity, the class finally ended, and Marie made her way over to me, a bright smile on her face. "Hi," she said, her voice like music. "I'm Marie."
I stuttered, feeling like a fool. "I-I'm... nice to meet you," I managed to stammer out.
She laughed, a throaty sound that sent shivers down my spine, and said, "I like your hair. It's really... swooped back."
As she turned to walk away, I panicked, not wanting the conversation to end. "I like yours too!" I screamed, feeling like a total idiot.
She turned back, a surprised look on her face, and smiled. "Thanks," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
And just like that, the world started moving again. The pews creaked, the congregation murmured, and I felt like I was walking on air.
From that moment on, I was hooked. I couldn't stop thinking about Marie, wondering if I'd see her again, if she'd even want to talk to me again. But as it turned out, that was just the beginning of our love story.
As the church class came to a close, I reluctantly tore my gaze away from Marie and followed the crowd out of the old stone building. The bright sunlight was a harsh contrast to the dimly lit church, and I squinted as I made my way home.
My home was far from the picturesque church. I lived in a cramped 2-bedroom apartment on the wrong side of town, where the streets were lined with worn-down buildings and littered sidewalks. The apartment was filled with people, the sounds of arguing and laughter echoing through the thin walls. I shared a small room with my sister Kylie, who was also my best friend.
As I walked in, Kylie looked up from her book, her short dark hair falling across her forehead. Her brown eyes sparkled with curiosity, matching the shade of Marie's eyes that were still etched in my mind. Kylie's chubby cheeks rounded out her features, giving her a perpetually cheerful look. "Hey, what's wrong?" she asked, noticing the dazed expression on my face.
I flopped down on the bed, running a hand through my short blonde hair. "Nothing," I said, trying to play it cool.
Kylie raised an eyebrow. "Don't give me that. You're smiling like a fool. What happened?" She set her book aside, her eyes locked on mine.
Our baby sister Maggie, who was 4 years old, climbed onto the bed beside me, her short brown hair tied up in a long braid that swung behind her. She looked up at me with big brown eyes, her chin jutting out in a way that made me chuckle. "Yeah, what 'happened?" she echoed, her voice high-pitched.
I sighed, knowing I wouldn't be able to get out of telling Kylie what happened. "I met someone," I said, feeling a goofy grin spread across my face.
Kylie's eyes lit up. "Who is it? Tell me everything!" She leaned forward, her elbows on her knees.
As I recounted the story of meeting Marie, Kylie's questions came rapid-fire. "What's she like? Is she nice? Did you talk to her for long? What did she say?" Maggie listened intently, her eyes wide with excitement.
I told Kylie everything, from Marie's stunning beauty to her sparkling brown eyes, and how I'd stuttered like a fool when she tried to talk to me. Kylie listened with a knowing glint in her eye, a smile spreading across her face.
"I think you're in love," she said, her voice full of amusement.
I blushed, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. "I don't know," I said, trying to play it cool. "But I do know I couldn't stop thinking about her."
Kylie laughed. "That's love at first sight if I've ever seen it."
As we talked, Maggie climbed off the bed and started playing with her toys on the floor, humming a tune. I watched her, feeling grateful for my little sisters, but my mind kept wandering back to Marie. I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was about to change in ways I couldn't even imagine.