Love Story (OxA)

APOV

"I cannot believe my daughter does not want to go to her own engagement party," my father stood in the doorway of my bedroom scowling.

I sat on the seat next to my window staring out into the darkness. I didn't answer him. I just hoped he would show himself sometime tonight. He was the only one I truly wanted to see even though I'd be in big trouble if my parents knew. I was forbidden to ever speak to him again after we had been caught once together. The Della Robbia's and my family the Hoppers had been fighting forever. That fact didn't bother us though. We weren't supposed to fall in love, but we did anyway.

"I'm…not…marrying…him," I said slowly pronouncing every word still staring out the window.

"Oh yes you are. It's been arranged for years and you won't screw it up. Your mother and I spent a long time deciding this when you were young and-" he started his speech and I turned around cutting him off.

"Don't I have a choice? I've never even met this guy and you want me to be his wife! Don't you get how crazy that is? Shouldn't you marry for love?"

"Oh you'll grow to love him eventually, you'll see and thank me eventually for this. You're having a financially secure future which is the only thing that matters. Besides, love is nothing but hormones. You will come down stairs even if I have to have your mother drag you by force!" he slammed the door shut and I threw a shoe at the door out of anger.

I would never grow to love some stranger. There was another boy who had my heart. I stared out the window again and thought I saw something move in the darkness. I smiled. Maybe I should go down stairs after all.

We were both young when I first saw you,

I close my eyes, as the flashback starts

I'm standing there, on a balcony in summer air

I quickly got dressed and went downstairs to see the biggest group of strangers to celebrate my engagement. It sickened me, but I put on a happy face. My father smiled satisfied and danced with my mother. Everyone was dancing which made it hard to get through the crowd to the door that led outside. They were also in masquerade masks and I was the only one without one.

See the lights, see the party, the ball gowns,

See you make your way through the crowd and say "hello"

Little did I know…

Just before I got to the door a hand caught mine. I was about to yell at whoever it was but I noticed a familiar pair of eyes. The same pair of eyes that always made me blush whenever mine met his.

That you were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles,

And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet"

And I was crying on the staircase begging you, "Please don't go"

And I said…

Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone

I'll be waiting; all that's left to do is run

You'll be the prince, and I'll be the princess,

It's a love story, baby just say "Yes".

"Odd," I was startled but thrilled, "How did you-"

"Shh," he grinned, "Better stop blushing before you give us away. Come on," he led me through the crowd, carefully avoiding my parents sight, and opened a door that led to our huge hallway.

As soon as everyone's voices and the music was fading away I asked why we hadn't gone out the front door.

"Much too obvious, princess," he answered, "This is your house. Where are we going? Where's a place they'll never find us?"

"Hmm," I thought for a moment, "One of the guest rooms, or outside somewhere."

"It's too cold for you to be outside dressed like that," he grinned, "So I guess guest room it is."

I blushed again and pointed to a door at the end of the hall.

"Take off your mask," I said without thinking but I longed to see his face.

"Not until we're in the clear," he smiled and we quickly slipped inside a guest room and shut the door.

It was dark, but moonlight from the window luminated the room just enough to see. Odd took off his mask and I hugged him.

"I missed you," I said squeezing him and he hugged me back. My whole body was warm instantly.

"I missed you too a lot, Aelita," he sighed and stroked my hair.

I started crying and he was horrified.

"What's wrong?" he wiped a tear away with his thumb.

"Do you know what this party is for?" I asked.

"No," he answered.

"It's…it's an engagement party. I supposed to marry some guy I don't even know!"

"Shhh," he soothed, "It won't happen. I promise."

"How can you promise that?"

"I have no clue," he chuckled, "But all I know is I love you and I'm not going to stand by while you marry someone else. If we can't get them to understand we can run away if we have to."

"You'd do that for me?" I looked at him.

"Yes," he brushed a strand of hair out of my face before smiling and pressing his lips to mine.

So I sneak out to the garden to see you,

We keep quiet 'cause we're dead if they knew

So close your eyes…escape this town for a little while

I kissed him back softly at first, but soon we were both having trouble controlling ourselves. I knotted my fingers through his hair and kissed him harder trying to get the most I could out of our short time together. He did the same and his hands were in my waist. It still wasn't enough for me, and I wanted closer, I threw my arms around his neck anchoring myself to him.

He groaned and pushed me against the wall, not hard enough to hurt, but hard enough to send butterflies through my stomach. He took my hands in his and lifted them over my head. He held my wrists in one hand as he kissed his way down my neck. I sighed and tilted my head back to give him easier access.

I shivered, "Odd," I sighed.

"Shhh we have to stay quiet," he whispered and kissed my forehead. Then he let my hands go much to my disappointment.

"Why'd you stop?" I complained a little breathless and he chuckled.

"If I didn't we would've gotten too carried away and they'd find us for sure."

"I like it when you get carried away," I said shyly and he grinned.

"Me too. My self-control is tested every time you say my name like that. But here isn't the best place to lose control so try to relax princess," he kissed me again gently, but I couldn't help myself and practically attacked him.

He sighed and pulled back again, "Aelita, calm down," he chuckled taking my hands again.

"I'm sorry," I gasped.

"Breathe," he whispered before tantalizing slowly pressing his lips to mine again. Even though I wanted him so much it hurt I did what he said and tried to calm down. We kissed slowly and I savored each one. It was only a matter of time before someone noticed I was gone.

He pulled back again and I breathed heavily into his neck.

"I love you," he whispered and kissed my forehead. I blushed and clung to him tighter.

"I love you too," I whispered and started kissing his neck. He sighed and tilted his head back.

Then our moment ended abruptly when we heard voices out in the hall saying "Where is she? Search everywhere," mostly my father's voice.

Odd sighed, "I have to go now, princess."

I nodded, "Hurry, through the window."

He took my hand and kissed it, "I'll see you soon, I promise," he assured before opening the window.

"I love you," I murmured even though he was already gone.

'Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter,

And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet"

But you were everything to me I was begging you "Please don't go"

A few moments later the bedroom door opened and my father stood in the doorway looking furious.

"What are you doing in here?" he demanded then he looked at the open window and glared at me, "He was here wasn't he? I thought I told you he was not allowed in this house!"

"And I thought I told you, that his last name won't change the way I feel about him," I shot back, "You can't keep us from seeing each other!"

"We'll just see about that," he hissed before turning around, "take her to her room. She is not to come out the rest of the night," he told our maid, "And she does not leave the house without an escort from now on."

"Yes, sir," she said avoiding his gaze and took my arm gently. I went without a fight because she was always nice to me and also thought this arranged marriage was unfair to me.

I followed her in silence down the hall and up the stairs into my room. My father resumed the party and continued to dance with my mother. I grimaced.

"I'm truly sorry Miss Aelita," she said looking at me with sad eyes before she shut the door when I was in my room.

Then it hit me. I was never to leave without an escort. How would I ever be able to see Odd again? I ran to my bed and sobbed into my pillow. After worrying and crying for about an hour I managed to cry myself to sleep. Of course who else could I dream of besides him?

Romeo save me they're trying to tell me how to feel,

This love is difficult, but it's real,

Don't be afraid we'll make it out of this mess,

It's a love story, baby just say, "Yes"

A few weeks later:

I was losing all hope as I walked with our maid to the bridal store on the edge of town. I hadn't seen Odd in weeks. Had he even tried to come see me? Did he know I was under house arrest? Had he changed his mind about me? He had said this wouldn't happen. He promised. He wouldn't break his promise would he?

"Cheer up Miss Aelita," Maya, our maid, patted my shoulder, "I'm sure that sneaky boyfriend of yours will show himself sometime," she chuckled, "Probably when you're least expecting it."

"Maybe. Or maybe he'll be too late and I'll be married, or perhaps he's forgotten me," I said the words sounding horrifying out loud.

She stopped and grabbed my shoulders looking at me in the eye with a frown, "Never give up on true love, Miss Aelita. I did and it was the worst mistake I ever made. If you do, you will never truly be happy, for the heart is not satisfied easily."

I smiled weakly and nodded and we continued walking. In a lot of ways I preferred Maya to my own parents.

We came to the door of the bridal shop. I felt sick looking at all the beautiful white gowns through the window. I would have to pick out one for the day that would mean I belong to some stranger. It wasn't fair. Didn't anyone besides Maya see the madness in this?

"Maya, please," I begged as walked in, "Can't you talk to my father? Get him to change his mind?"

"Believe me, child. I've tried, but no luck," she looked thoughtful, "Now I know your father would have my head for this, but I'm going next door to get groceries. I won't be back to get you for a while," she grinned and I was confused, "I expect you to pick out your dress and not," she winked, "To go to around the corner to the park where lover boy might be waiting to see you." I blinked still confused.

"But I don't-" I started.

"And I mean it," she raised her eyebrows and grinned more, "Do not go around the corner into the park." She turned with a chuckle and left the store and I stood there piecing together what she had said.

Then I bolted out the door and down the street. I knew I would be so disappointed if he wasn't there, but why else would Maya have said all that? I turned the corner and ran to the entrance to the park. The park was a huge place and I hoped I would be able to find him.

I stopped running, out of breath and looked around. No Odd. I walked through the trees that were getting thicker. Why couldn't Maya have said where not to find him?

I got tired of waiting,

Wondering if you were ever coming around,

My faith in you was fading,

When I met you on the outskirts of town and I said…

Romeo save me I've been feeling so alone,

I keep waiting for you but you never come,

Is this in my head? I don't know what to think,

He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said…

Marry me Juliet you'll never have to be alone,

I love you and that's all I really know,

I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress,

It's a love story, baby just say, "Yes"

I turned around to run to the other side of the park and there he was right in front of me grinning cutely. I gasped and threw my arms around him in a bear hug.

"Odd!" I was so happy to see him.

He laughed, "Hey princess," he hugged me back and rubbed my back, "How are you?"

"Terrible! I missed you so much! Why didn't you come back sooner? I was afraid you had forgotten me," I said squeezing him tighter.

"Never! I promised you remember?"

I pulled back, "But how did…I mean what?"

"Your maid likes me," he grinned, "She's on our side and arranged for you to be able to see me. Although the sneaking around won't be necessary anymore," he kissed my forehead.

"What do you mean?"

"I talked to your dad. We had an agreement after I pointed out you loved me, and I guess he was tired of seeing you mope around," he smiled and I blushed.

He cleared his throat and his cheeks got all rosy as well. Then he got down on one knee in front of me and I held my breath.

"Aelita Hopper, I love you and I will keep loving you every moment of the rest of my life. You are the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?" he was nervous and that made the moment all the more cute.

"Yes!" I was jumping up and down uncontrollably. I leaned down to hug him.

"Wait, I'm not finished," he chuckled pulling a velvet black box out of his pocket. He opened it and it had a beautiful ring inside. Not too fancy but still perfect and pink which was my favorite color.

"Odd it's perfect," I took his hand and pulled him to his feet, "I guess I should get back to picking my dress out," I grinned stupidly and he kissed me. I felt whole again and this time he didn't bother trying to calm me down. We attacked each other.

After we had made out making up for the weeks apart, he put the ring on my finger. I couldn't wait to become Aelita Della Robbia. Maybe, just maybe our families wouldn't feud anymore afterward.

Sorry if the ending sucked. Had a bit of writers block. Not sure when I'll update again because I'd like to update "Code: Forver Part ll" first. But I'd still appreciate reviews :)