ENTRY 2
THE RED UMBRELLA

All my wildest fantasies were her, the girl with the red umbrella. Her brunette hair and big brown doe-like eyes would draw me in. I could never resist watching her trying to find some sort of strength inside of me to just say hello to her. I would see her almost every day at the bus stop and consistently carrying her red umbrella.

I never had the nerve to talk to her until one day when she left the umbrella sitting beside her seat on the bus. I tried to get her attention, but I was too late.

So here I stand at the same bus stop waiting for her arrival. Finally, finally, today is the day I have no choice but to talk to the girl I've been fantasizing about for the last few weeks.

It's almost Valentine's Day, the feeling of love is in the air at every corner. There are couples everywhere, enjoying their time wrapped up in one another and walking hand in hand down the street. It makes me smile that others can be so lucky in love.

The weather is somewhat dreary, but it isn't cold. Rain clouds are scattered across the sky, threatening to open up at a moment's notice—the gray skies a staple for this time of year. My thoughts wander to her, the girl I'm so patiently waiting on, and I hope she can make it to the bus stop before the rain starts since I'm standing here holding onto her red umbrella.

Minutes fly by, and before I know it, I have been sitting here for two hours with no sign of the brunette beauty; perhaps I missed her, and she took an earlier bus. But, unfortunately, I don't work today, so I am resigning to walk the three blocks back to my apartment to try again tomorrow morning.

As the day drags on, I can't stop glancing at the red umbrella propped beside my door, taunting me and willing me to seek out its owner once more. Finally, I decided to give in and grab the umbrella to make my way to the beach a few blocks away. Even though it looks like it may rain, the umbrella will protect me.

The walk to the beach is pleasant. I glance into shop windows as I pass everything plastered in pinks and reds to celebrate the holiday; something within me pulls me to buy a single red rose from a man standing on the corner where I need to cross the street. I make my purchase and walk the remaining four blocks to my destination as the light misting rain begins to fall. As I shift the umbrella to open it up, my thoughts immediately drift to her, and I hope she's not been caught out in the rain without her umbrella.

When I finally reach the beach, I notice a girl in a white dress sitting at one of the covered picnic tables near the bank of rocks. I make my way closer and realize she has the same shade of brunette hair belonging to the object of my desires. Not watching where I walk, I stumbled on a rock sending it toward the bank, making a noise, she looks up, and my heart stops when she smiles in my direction.

"I see you found my umbrella. I wondered if you would take the bait or not," the girl says as she stands still smiling before revealing. "I'm Bella, and I've been waiting for you to talk to me every morning."

My words are caught in my throat when I realize what she, Bella, has just admitted. She's been watching and waiting for me to talk to her. I immediately stand straighter as I walk closer to her.

"I'm Edward, and I think this belongs to you," I manage to speak without stuttering over my words. "I also have this rose if you'll accept it."

Her smile is bright as she nods her head. "Hello Edward, it's so nice to meet you finally."

"Bella," the sound of her name on my lips sends a spark into my soul, "you left this on the bus on purpose," I ask, holding up the now-folded umbrella.

"I have. Now may I ask you a question?" Bella inquires, reaching to take the umbrella.

I'm rendered speechless as our fingers touch, and an electric tingle shoots straight into my heart; she must feel it too because her gasp is immediate.

"Sure," I responded.

Bella tucks a hair behind her ear moving to stand closer to me. "Do you believe in fate?"

I had never given much thought to fate and destiny but now, standing here on the bank of the lake, I think I believe this is how it was supposed to happen; maybe this is fate.

"I think I believe it now," I admit, holding her gaze as her cheeks turn a soft shade of pink.

"Walk with me?" Bella asks, holding out her hand for me to take it as she steps out from under the ramada.

I take her hand as she opens the umbrella. I accept the umbrella to hold over our heads since I'm so much taller. As we walked, she told me how she was too shy to talk to me at the bus stop each day but hoped by leaving her umbrella; I would notice and look for her.

I can't explain the pull I feel to this girl and the undeniable connection; it's like magnets being pulled together, and I can't stop the urge I feel when I stop and turn to face her.

"Do you know how bad I want to kiss you right now?" I implored, swallowing down my nervousness.

I breathed a sigh of relief when she smiled brightly, standing on her toes to lean in close.

"Then kiss me," she whispered.

I swear I can hear fireworks and a chorus of angels singing as our lips meet. I think I'm in love.

#V3ENTRIES

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