"You wait for a silence, I wait for your word. Lie next to your frame - girl unobserved."
…
the first time he sees her, it's during some winter's ball.
…
He's introduced as some mundane trooper from a New York regiment, and she's introduced as a third of the Schuyler sisters - she giggles as they try to say her surname, and he decides he's never been so in love with a sound before.
Throughout the ball, the sound of her laughter is the only thing he can focus on; so gleeful and saccharine that he feels like jumping in the air.
It is only after 7 and half glasses of champagne that he finally finds the courage to strike up a conversation; sauntering towards her, as she stood alone amongst the crowd (something he finds so peculiar, because there is always someone with her).
"Good evening!" he says, drawing out the words slowly and carefully; to a point where it forces her to pay attention.
She smiles in return; and though it seems to be a rather dull smile, he takes it graciously. "Hi...", she whispers, eyes not really concentrating on him.
He doesn't say anything else - she's too busy staring at her sister and a (very distinguished looking) man from across the room, that he doubts she'd notice him anyway - rather he quietly stands by her side; eyes losing the fire that should be their, as his smile slowly shifts into something rather helpless.
He doesn't mind that she won't speak to him, doesn't (does, does so much) mind that she won't look his way.
He's content just being by her side.
…
"I try out a smile, I aim it at you. You must've missed it - you always do."
...
(well at least almost, anyway.)
A:N: If you're wondering which sister is in the story… that's the beauty of it! You can picture whomever you want! Song credit: Ellie Goulding - The Writer)