A/N: So, I'm going to try to not post author notes. I really don't like them. I'm going to try to update this pretty often. About once a week. I wasn't planning on posting again today, but I didn't want you guys to have to wait too long before figuring out what is going on. Although, you won't figure out for sure what the first chapter is about until later chapters. Also, just so you know what's going on, this story will go back and forth between the past and the present until it works back up to the first chapter, then it will continue on.
August 17, 1987
Elizabeth Adams was excited to start her class "Modern Catholicism and Women's Roles in the Modern World." She wasn't Catholic, but she was interested on the women's roles parts. Elizabeth considered it to be an odd grouping for what the class was about, but she guessed that it had to do with the modern world. She had always believed in women's rights, but she was looking forward to becoming more of a feminist in her college years. She had had her independence for awhile now, because of the death of her parents, but college just had a liberating effect to it.
It was an upper level course, and she would probably be the only freshman in the class, but she wasn't going to let that affect her level of participation or effort. She arrived in her class early, so she sat down and started to read more of her book. She had thirty minutes to spare. "I guess I got a little too excited." she thought.
More and more students started arriving. About ten minutes before the class started, the most handsome man she had ever seen walked into the classroom. There weren't that many seats left, so he sat down in the second row, which no one wanted to be in. Before he sat down, he turned back and saw Elizabeth. He gave her a little smile and sat down.
Elizabeth was stunned. She was used to guys being forward, but she wasn't expecting it. She tried not to read too much into it. Maybe he saw her looking and was just trying to be nice. Maybe he was smiling at someone else. Elizabeth turned around to look behind her and then realized that she was sitting in the very back row that had people in it.
For the rest of class, she tried to pay attention, but she couldn't focus. She knew that he must be older. It was an upper level class after all. Elizabeth had a hard time focusing. Her last relationship was horrendous to say the least and she wasn't sure that she was going to be able to handle a relationship right now, or maybe ever. Why was she even thinking about this? It was a smile.
At the end of class, she packed up her stuff and tried to leave as soon as she could. She was walking down the hall when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She flinched at the touch, but turned around. When she turned around, she was expecting to see him, even though rationally, she knew he wasn't there.
Instead, when she turned around, she saw the mystery man from her class who smiled at her. "Hi, I'm Henry McCord." Henry said as he reached out to shake hands with her. She shook his hand, reluctantly. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Elizabeth Adams." Elizabeth said. She silently kicked herself. That was awkward and not at all casual. She was trying to relearn this whole flirting thing.
Elizabeth contemplated what to do next. She needed to overcome this. She needed to get herself back. This was her chance. Just take a risk. Yes. No. What was she supposed to do? Her mind kept telling her to go for it, that she needed to be her again, but her heart was telling her that it couldn't handle being broken again. After thinking, she decided to go for it. "It may not turn into anything." she thought. Little did she know, it would turn into everything.
There was a moment of an awkward silence, before Elizabeth spoke up. What happened next surprised Elizabeth and Henry. "Would you like to get some coffee?" Elizabeth asked. Henry thought for a moment, and then decided to accept the offer.
Elizabeth used to be a very forward person until he walked into her life. She desperately wanted to become that person again. She knew nothing about Henry, other than the fact that he was an incredibly handsome man and that he was older than her. But, she was going to take a risk. She couldn't let what he did destroy her. She would rise above it and become herself again. Because, if she didn't, then he won. Elizabeth refused to let him win.
Henry and Elizabeth walked to the coffee shop that was right around the corner. They talked for hours. Even though they had only known each other for a few hours, he started to make her feel comfortable. Elizabeth was trying her best to focus on Henry and not think about him.
August 11, 1986
Elizabeth Adams was searching her closet for the perfect outfit. It was the first day of her senior year of high school. It was days like these that made her wish her parents were still alive. Her fashion sense wasn't horrible, but her mom should be here to help her. Her parents should be here to take her picture and to say "Look at you. Our little girl is all grown up." Then, they would start to tear up. Elizabeth was brought out of her thoughts by a knock on her door.
The door opened and Joey walked in. "Joey" Elizabeth squealed. She hadn't seen him all summer and was looking forward to spending time with him, especially since it was their senior year. They embraced each other. "Are you ready for this?" Joey asked, kidding around. "Yeah" Elizabeth said in a sullen voice and then she looked down at the ground.
"Hey what's wrong?" Joey asked, reaching out to touch her arm. "I just wish my parents were here today. Will isn't even here." Elizabeth said. Joey wrapped an arm around Elizabeth and pulled her into his side. "I know it stinks that they can't be here today, but I am. You're my best friend Lizzy." Elizabeth nodded, believing Joey. To lighten the mood, Joey said "And who knows? Maybe you'll meet a guy who you'll fall helplessly in love with." Elizabeth laughed. "Maybe," even though Elizabeth highly doubted this.
Elizabeth and Joey walked to their next class together. Seats were chosen alphabetically, so they weren't sitting next to each other. Instead Elizabeth had to sit next to a guy named Jake Anderson. He was already sitting down when she sat down at her desk.
He turned to her and introduced himself. They exchanged the typical introductions before Jake spoke up. "Excuse me for being blunt, but you are gorgeous." Jake said. Elizabeth blushed and looked at her hands in her lap. "Maybe Joey was right." Elizabeth thought.
Her and Jake continued to talk until class started. They were seated next to each other in every class. They continued to talk for the rest of the day. It seemed to be the beginning of a wonderful relationship. One that would change both of their lives. If only it had been a positive change.
August 17, 1987
"Elizabeth?" Henry asked. Elizabeth shook her head to bring her out of her thoughts. "Sorry, what were you saying?" Henry continued on with what he was saying. Elizabeth relaxed again. At the end of the coffee date, Elizabeth thought to herself "Maybe this is the one who can make me forget him."
