Happy Birthday, Caitlin! I hope you have the best day ever, despite circumstances! I guess I'm updating this once a year lol. Diane and Charles in 1989-1990!

We were both young when I first saw you
I close my eyes and the flashback starts
I'm standin' there
On a balcony in summer air
See the lights, see the party, the ball gowns
See you make your way through the crowd
And say, "Hello"
Little did I know

It was at prom night when she'd spotted him for the first time.

Diane had been silently sobbing over Lee Burley, who had brought her here just for a quick grind and dump after they had sex in the cab ride to the decorated gym that April evening. She'd spent so long pampering and her red dress, curly hair, makeup, and shoes were all perfect. That is, until Lee left her to grope some other chick and she ran upstairs to the balcony, buried her red face into her shaky hands, and allowed tears to leak out and smudge her eyeliner and mascara.

Someone cleared their throat above her and she glanced up to see a handsome black guy in a tux. He was around her age, sixteen, unlike her older ex. "Hi. You alright?" he asked gently, a hint of a smile on his attractive features.

Diane sniffled and wiped her arm across her eyes. "Do I look it?"

"Damn, stupid question..." He scratched the back of his head. "I'm sorry, I get hella dumb around beautiful girls. Uh...you look like you need a friend, I feel bad you're standing here all alone. Someone so pretty doesn't deserve that...nobody does!"

She laughed awkwardly and choked on an anguished sob. "I came here with my...my boyfriend, but he's not...he's..." She gestured to where Lee was with his new girlfriend. "We ended it...he ditched me!"

"Wow, he's a jerk!" the boy exclaimed with a frown.

"What's your name?" she asked.

"Charles Ford." He grinned. "It's a pleasure to meet you, though I'm sorry about the circumstances."

"Diane Vause, and thank you...um..." She gazed at all the neon-colored lights that were spinning around the room from the disco ball and the whole space was glowing bluish-purple. "Great music they got here!"

"Hell, yeah!" Charles agreed. He pulled out some Kleenex from the pocket of his slacks and offered it to her.

"Thanks, again..." Diane blew her nose a few times and then used another tissue and her own compact mirror that she had in her small black purse, to clean up her face a bit.

"Would you like to dance with me?"

"Really?" She giggled, despite her sadness. It was the way he was looking at her with such fondness, that made her fall for him. She just hoped he wasn't the wrong guy this time.

"Of course!" He held out his hand and Diane took it. Charles guided her down the steps. Her dress glided behind her and she noticed that he didn't take his gaze off of her once. "Whoa, you've got such amazing eyes..."

"I do?" she wondered aloud uncertainly.

"Mm-hm, like, all of you is lovely!"

Diane felt herself blush. He hadn't stared at her breasts once, even with her huge cleavage on display, or tried to touch her inappropriately. She was impressed and it was love at first sight-for her, at least. She could only hope for the same in his case. Obviously, they'd need to get to know each other-she was well aware of that-but one dance with a cute fellow student wouldn't hurt.

"Aww, that's so sweet of you to say! I appreciate the compliment, you look good in your tux! I've always liked a dude in a suit," she murmured flirtatiously and his cheeks turned red. He was adorable. "So, are you from around here, or did you come with somebody? I've never seen you at Martin Van Buren High..."

"I went stag, actually, so yeah, I...I go to the same school as you," he admitted shyly. "Just moved to the area."

"Oh, I see!"

They merge through the crowds together until they're outside under the glittering moon. "It's nice out here," he commented.

"Yes, a fresh, cool breeze," Diane stated. "It was so stuffy in there!"

He laughed. "Loud, too! I could barely hear myself!"

"Same...I like the quiet." They shared a smile and some heavy eye contact before Diane looked down at her feet. She wasn't used to any boy or man looking at her with anything but lust. Charles had desire and tenderness in his gaze upon her and his right hand was at her middle back. His left was still holding hers until he spun her all of a sudden. She burst out giggling and covered her face as she tripped over her heels and back into his arms.

"Hey, don't let me fall! I'm not wearing the most sensible shoes for twirling around the pavement!" she protested through a giggle. Charles, bless his soul, never let her go. They moved as one to an invisible beat until he drew her so close that she could feel his sweet breath fanning her face. He bent down and their lips were almost touching. She felt like they were staring into each other's souls.

Diane reached up to stroke the stubble on his cheek. She could barely breathe; just thinking about him probably being a passionate lover in bed and out, made her swoon and grow weak in the knees. His face was flushed and hers was heating up. Something tingled inside of her and she licked her bottom lip. She bit it as he held her gaze longer. She gasped when he caressed her hair and shivered excitedly once his knuckles brushed the underside of her jaw. "What you waitin' for?" she asked boldly. Just plant one on me! she wanted to beg him.

"Is it cool if I...kiss you?" His deep voice just...did stuff to her.

She nodded silently, beaming. Their mouths joined and molded, spreading the best sensation through her whole body. Her legs shook under her as her tongue tangled with his. They were moaning and she suddenly wanted him inside of her.

No, no, too fast! Too fast! she scolded herself. She didn't usually have a dirty mind, but with him, it was different. Charles was special, like nobody she'd ever met before. She knew her racist parents would never approve, but she didn't care. She'd risk everything to be with him. He was a gentleman and the perfect romantic partner for her.

That you were Romeo, you were throwin' pebbles
And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet"
And I was cryin' on the staircase
Beggin' you, "Please don't go, " and I said

Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone
I'll be waiting, all there'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"

"No more about this, Gertrude! You're not seeing that ape again!" Edward roared at her.

She cringed at her birth name; she'd changed it long ago, but her hellish mother and father insisted upon calling her Gertrude. "Please, Dad!" she shrieked, grabbing onto him with tears in her eyes. "You gotta let me go! We're supposed to be on a date by now, he's waiting outside!"

"Shut up! Go to your room, I'll make him leave!"

Diane shook her head and glanced over at Phyllis. "Mom, say something! I know you wanna marry me off..."

"We both do," Phyllis snapped as Edward pushed Diane off him so she landed painfully on her hands and knees. "We have the perfect man for you, and it's not this trash bag! I'll get rid of him."

"No!" Diane ran to the bottom of the staircase and hugged her knees to her chest while rocking back and forth. She whimpered. "Noooo...I love Charles! I'll run away with him, you'll never see me again, I promise! You won't have to deal with me...I'll no longer be a burden!"

"He doesn't make us money!' Diane squeaks in terror as Edward grabs her up by her hair. "He's dirty and it's sickening that you're so infatuated with him! Do as I said and go upstairs. You're not getting dinner!" He pushes her back down and she tries to stand and run past him, but he's too fast for her. He trips her and then forces her to climb the steps. She's hyperventilating by the time she crawls into her bed.

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, oh oh

This sneaking around thing felt so natural, like breathing. It was no big deal, Diane and Charles have just had to be very careful these past six months, that was all. They had to get up at nine in the morning, and she had to return to her house when the sun started to break through the clouds, about five in the morning. Charles gently woke her up with a kiss. "Good morning, my beautiful Juliet. The blush on your cheeks is as beautiful as the roses in the garden and your smile is like the sun. I love you and your laugh, it's the cutest I have ever heard!"

"I love you too, Romeo. You're so handsome, and I adore that in a guy. You're also a gentleman who really knows how to treat a lady," Diane murmured, kissing his lips with a lot of passion. "Mmm, bring on the romance!" He leaned back on his elbows and let her crawl further up his chest until her arms reached around his neck. Before she knew it, their crotches were touching, and they both jumped.

"Whoa, there, my darling, I don't want us to go too fast! I don't even have a condom with me!"

"Sorry, I guess I got carried away," Diane giggled.

"Oh, there it is again. You tempt me with that soft laugh of yours. It's so sexy!"

"Yours is sexy too. I love me a gentleman!"

"I love me a cute goth chick," he said, tapping her nose lightly. He stood up and she jumped on his back so he could help her up the tree.

"Sleep tight, I'll see you in the morning."

"Oh, if I could only speed up time! Until school, baby."

Charles placed a kiss on Diane's lips and left her dazed and staring out the window with her cheek in her hand.

'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 beggin' you, "Please don't go, " and I said

When Charles got to school on Monday, Diane ran up to him and made out with him while he spun her around. She was wearing the cutest outfit, a magenta pink band t-shirt with a black skirt and hot neon pink leggings, complete with black flats. She had two earrings on her ears and her makeup was done perfectly. He was glad she was able to dress how she wanted, but he figured maybe she had the outfit she left the house in, stuffed into her backpack, and changed her clothes in the girls' bathroom. Her parents were so strict that he wouldn't be surprised if that was what had happened.

Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone
I'll be waiting, all there'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"
Romeo, save me, they're tryna 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"
Oh, oh

He couldn't have her ripped away from him again. Who did her parents think they were? Charles hated those idiots and he wished he could just run away with his Diane. He stood outside her window, picked up a pebble, and threw it to get her attention. Her window slid open, her face peeked out, and she smiled. Oh, if I could just kiss her smile and feel her tongue entwine with mine! There was a tree outside her window and while stepping out on her balcony, she climbed down the tree with such grace, but he was still worried that she'd fall. Charles ran under the tree just as Diane was about to slip off the lowest branch. He caught her before her white nightgown could rip, and he carried her to his house, bridal style.

"Oh, Charles, you rescued me! I've been waiting for you all night long!" Diane breathed into his chest.

"I had to find the right time, Diane. It's so stupid that we're all against your evil parents, even your brother and Frieda are on our side!"

"Well, Mitch supports me and Frieda is my mother figure!"

"I think it's wonderful, but why can't Edward and Phyllis understand that we belong together?"

"That is a mystery," she said, shaking her head. "Actually, they're just racist, but...it's the nineties! They're so behind the times." Diane rolled her eyes.

He lifted her up to reach his lips and they kissed. He put a red rose in her hair and she giggled while thanking him. They slept under the stars, hiding away from everyone so they wouldn't get caught. Other bigots who were friends with Edward and Phyllis would rat them out for sure, so the couple had to sneak behind buildings at school.

I got tired of waiting
Wonderin' if you were ever comin' around
My faith in you was fading
When I met you on the outskirts of town, and I said

Diane felt like she could be herself in his arms. She felt so free, even though she was sneaking out to meet him. She knew they adored each other, and they wouldn't let their different races get in the way of their love. It wasn't a big deal at all. He took her hand and they ran behind his house.

"So, homecoming is coming up, wanna go?" he asked.

Her heart fluttered in excitement. "Of course, but you'd have to pick me up at Frieda's house. My brother is going there too, so it'll be perfect!"

"I love you, my sweet girlfriend," he said, touching his lips to hers. She responded to the kiss and invited him in with her tongue. Her lips parted, and his tongue slipped through her mouth, grazing along her teeth and her tongue. She pushed him farther into the wall and began to moan from the bliss. Then, a twig snapped under her feet, and they both jumped.

"I have to go," Diane said, worried now. Charles carried her back to the tree and she climbed up it with ease. She waved goodbye to her angel as she peered out the window. Within seconds, he was gone.

She slipped under the covers and prayed for a miracle that they could be together without always having to hide things from her parents. Why did they have to make everything so complicated? It was so dumb! All she wanted was a boyfriend, and she knew Charles was the one. They were burning with a passionate love for each other. She found herself missing him terribly, and the next nightmare she had was her dad finding them together and shooting him dead. She stabbed a knife through her own heart and woke up screaming bloody murder.

It's just a dream, it's just a horrible dream, she kept reminding herself, but she wondered, what would really happen if they got caught?

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"
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
'Cause we were both young when I first saw you

Late in the middle of the night, Diane snuck out of bed and then downstairs with a flashlight in her hand. She was meeting Charles outside her house, and she couldn't have anyone seeing the two of them. She shined the flashlight everywhere, and she found his face.

"Diane," he whispered and pulled her into a bone-breaking hug. "You're safe, I've got you."

"Oh, my brave soldier, I'm sorry this is the only other time we can be alone together, away from the world. It breaks my heart at the thought of never seeing you again."

"Diane, I do see you, my love. I see you with longing eyes every day in school, every moment, wishing that I was yours and you were mine. We can have each other, but not for long. We can do it right now when no one is looking. That way, we can get married and no one can separate us."

"Yeah, but we're so young, Charles. We're only in high school. We need to wait and I guess we can sneak around until I'm eighteen. Then I'll be in college and they'll be out of my hair!"

"Oh right. I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'll wait forever for you."

"You don't have to wait forever," she said, quietly laughing. "You can wait a year."

He scooped her into another hug and spun her around. She pushed him down and jumped on him, kissing his lips while he moaned in pleasure. Then, she just rolled off of him and laid down next to him, and they both watched the stars together. His hand was wrapped around hers the whole time, and fifteen minutes later, she found herself in her own bed. He'd tucked her in and kissed her lips one last time before departing to his own house. Their hands slowly left each other's and she sighed sadly in the dark. No one outside Mitch, Frieda, and her close friends-Lila, James, and Debbie- understood Diane and Charles' love.

A few days later, under the sparkling moonlight, he got down on one knee before her and held a tiny black box in his hand. A gasp escaped her as he opened it. "Marry me, please, honey."

"You didn't even have to ask, dear boy!" Diane put her hands over her mouth, concealing her cheerful laughter and then he slid the ring carefully over the third finger of her left hand.

"I finally got through to 'em...well, they still can't stand me, but since you're going away to college, they're not as bothered by us being together!"

Diane nodded quickly, happy tears spilling from her eyes. "I know, they've disowned me, but I don't care! I've got Frieda's approval and our friends' and my brother's!"

"That's right, beautiful," he said as their lips locked. She could not wait to be his wife, and he was so looking forward to calling himself her husband. It would definitely be a spectacular wedding they'd always remember.

Their love transcended time, flesh, the pounding of their hearts thrashing in their chests. Her breath sustained him, the glimmering of her bright, blue eyes below the dark curve of her lashes enticed him. It was all new, exciting, and he knew without a doubt she would be his now, tomorrow and always.

Thank you for reading and reviewing, A Star In My Universe (Glad you enjoyed!), Boris Yeltsin, VeraRose19, Juliette45, Johanna002, and guest!