When I was younger, my mother would read me old fairytales or make one up as she put me to bed. And every night, I'd wish I could have a fairytale ending like that. My grandma said that to have an ending like that would be luck. My mother responded by saying we make our own luck in this crazy, mixed-up world.
As I got older, I gave up on those old fairytale dreams and pictured myself as more of me instead of some princess who got everything she wanted. Sure, I'd love to have that but I'd rather earn something I've wanted instead of getting it when I order some stuck-up butler to get it.
When I was thirteen and finally able to understand the meaning of 'true love' (ok, so maybe not really but I did know what it was), my grandma told me a wise tale of true love. I'd always remember that day because that story stayed with me up to this day.
It was in the middle of winter and my mother had brought me over to my grandma's. As my mom made me hot chocolate in the kitchen, me grandma told me stories in the living room.
"Sweetheart," she started as I had been listening to the noise coming from the kitchen and the smell of hot chocolate filled the room. I turned and faced her as she continued, "When I was your age, my mother told me an old story I promised I'd never forget. And indeed, I haven't. You see, place your hand over your heart."
I did. I felt my heart beat.
"So?" I asked, not fully understanding the purpose of this.
"Well, my mother told me that everyone on this earth has a different heart beat. Every single person. But, there is one person on this earth who has the exact same heart beat as you," she said. The look on my face had obviously told her I had absolutely no idea what she was talking about. She sighed.
"And who might that person be and why?" I asked as my mom came over and handed me my hot chocolate.
"It will be the person you love for the rest of your life," she explained almost triumphantly.
"Don't listen to her, Gabby. She doesn't know what she's talking about," my mom joked, sitting down on the couch. I giggled.
"I know more than you do. And this girl will some day find that one special boy who's heart beats in time with hers," my grandma argued.
"She's thirteen. She doesn't need to be thinking about anything like that. True love is something she needs to wait for, not go looking for it," my mom said.
"Whether she looks for it or not, I'm sure you won't be too happy with whatever boy she brings home," grandma said.
"Not true. Gabriella has a good taste in boys," my mom said.
"I haven't even dated a boy yet. How can I know if I have good judgment in boys?" I asked, shrugging and taking a sip of the hot chocolate. It burnt my lip, which I licked repeatedly.
"You're friends with David. He's a nice boy," my mom said, looking rather proud that she found me wrong.
"Mom, he's ten. And he's our next-door neighbor. Of course he's nice. He doesn't know how to do anything wrong other than not cleaning his room and throwing his cereal at their dog," I complained. My mom couldn't help but laugh. I was right. David was a little obnoxious at times.
"Well, trust me on this, you'll find a boy sooner or later. And when you do, make sure he's right before you bring him home and upset one of us," my mom said.
"Don't worry. Nothing like that will be on my mind for a long time," I said, standing up and walking away. And I kept that promise. For the next few years, I was never the one to date a boy. My friends would date a different boy every month, mostly because they "hadn't found the right heart", as my grandma put it.
As they dated guys every Friday or Saturday night, I became more interested in my studies. I got good grades and sooner or later, I had become the shy math genius who sat in the corner reading during lunchtime. I had a few friends who were similar to me. Other than that, I kinda lost my old friends.
Once we graduated from grade school, things definitely changed. None of us went to the same high school. Not that it mattered much to me. My mom's company transferred her so much, I was never around long enough to make friends.
And, no matter how many times I moved or how many friends I did have enough 'luck' to make, my grandma's story never left me. And I was hoping to someday find that boy whose heart did beat with mine. And I did. I just never thought I, Gabriella Montez, would find him in high school!
Alright, it doesn't take much brainpower to figure out where this story is headed! And if you can't figure it out, well, all I can say is continue to read! Well, I mean, read even if you already know what's going to happen…alright, I'm babbling! Please r&r!