Elise stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her hands wrapped around her waist. Fingers held onto her cotton undergarments. She had noticed, over the past few weeks, how much more she was maturing. Her body still had growing pains. The blood flowed monthly. It still pained her. She did not tell her mother, of course, otherwise she would have to prepare for many doctors visits and medicines being shoved down her throat. Her mother seemed to overthink everything. It was a trait she had, unfortunately, passed down to Elise.

The girl sighed and turned to her bed. Laid out was her baby blue church dress with sky blue stockings. Moritz loves when I wear this, she thought happily. Her heart fluttered like it always did when she thought of Moritz. She couldn't wait to see him. Over the week, he'd been so happy. He had actually passed his middle term exams! Elise was so proud of him. She had faith in him.

Hanschen, she knew, was not very happy about this. He had never liked Moritz and disliked him even more that he was succeeding in school and spending time with Elise. She was sure Hanschen knew of her and Moritz's relationship. But until his suspicions were confirmed, the couple had nothing to worry about.

"Fraulein Rilow, you must get dressed and come down stairs at once! Your parents are anxious to get to Mass early!"

Elise dressed quickly and ran a brush through her long hair. She pinned two of the sides back out of her face before running down the stairs. Her cheeks were flushed pink by the time she reached the bottom step. Hanschen sneered at her disapprovingly and exited the house. Gisela Rilow scolded her daughter about running down the stairs as she fixed her dress, squabbling about making a good impression. Elise merely nodded and said, "Yes, Mama" as obediantly as she could. She did not want a long lecture on the way to Mass.

She was met with the solemn faces of Anna and Thea. Wendla was nowhere to be seen. "Elise, did she tell you," asked Thea quietly, keeping her tone low as the boys filtered in behind them. "Who?" "Martha," replied Anna emotionlessly. So she told them at last Elise thought sadly. "..Yes. She told me." "What on earth should we do?" Fraulein Grossenbustenhalter shushed the girls before turning back to Georg, who seemed infatuated with the elder woman.

"What should we do," asked Thea in a quieter voice. Elise smoothed out her wrinkled skirt and stared ahead. Moritz, who was in her line of view, gave her an encouraging smile. "Pray," she whispered back. "It is all we can do for now."

Elise had difficulty concentrating during the mass. Hanschen seemed to pick up on it about halfway through. He leaned forward and poked her nonchalantly. "What is your problem," he hissed. His sister turned slightly to him. "Mind your business," she snapped. Thea stifled a giggle and Anna smirked as the older brother leaned back with a reddening face. When Father Kaulbach ended the mass, Elise jumped out of her chair and stormed outside. She needed to think. The subject of her best friend's abuse was consuming her thoughts. It pained her physically and mentally.

Moritz watched Elise briskly walk out of the church. He excused himself from his parents' prescence and followed her.

"Lise? L-Lise, what is it?"

Thy boy found the blonde in the cemetary passing through the rows of graves. Her eyes were wide as she read the information carved on them. He stepped over to her. "Lise a-are you a-alright? Wh-What is the matter?"

"..She could end up here, Moritz." Elise pointed at a random tombstone. "If he keeps beating her, she could be could happen today, tomorrow, or even right this second! And I'm powerless to do anything because she made me promise to-!"

The girl hid her face from her beloved. She could feel the emotion welling up and threatening to spill over. It was so frustrating that she could help her dearest friend and paramour, but not her best friend.

"I can't do anything and it's just frustrating! I can't bear to watch her die day by day! What Herr Bessel is doing is wrong and immoral!" She curled her hands into fists. She squeezed and squeezed until she felt blood. Moritz took in a breath sharply at the spot of blood pooling on Elise's hands. "L-Lise." "We must do something! Anything! If I do not help her, I will regret it for the rest of my life."

Her lips curled into a pout. Tears flowed freely down her face. Moritz's heart panged with sorrow. He encircled the girl in his arms. Elise buried her face in his chest. "S-Shh. I-It's going to be al-alright," Moritz told her soothingly. He took her hand in his. He saw the wound on her hand had stopped bleeding. "D-Do you have anything for.." He motioned to her hands. Elise nodded and pulled out a handkerchief. "I-I don't care if it is ruined," she told him unsteadily. Moritz cleaned her hand off and pressed her close to him again.

"E-Everything will be alright," he promised. In reality, he had no idea. He had no way of knowing how serious and how frequent Martha was being beaten. He could only hope for the best.

Moritz took Elise's hand in his once more. "Come, before someone catches us." The girl shook her head. "This is what I despise about living here. We must keep our feelings a secret, locked in our hearts forever." She looped her arm in with his and laid her head on his shoulder. Moritz walked them to the still-closed church door.

Elise's delicate hand covered his. "I do not want to go back in there. I want to leave and go look at the clouds with you. I want to go lie down on the grass near the pond. Come, Moritz.""B-But your Mama, Papa, and Hanschen! A-And my Mama a-and P-Papa-!"

"So? It is not a big deal. Someone is bound to realize where we are! Please, Moritz?"

Moritz looked from the door to Elise. He sighed and removed his hand. "W-Well can we at least tell-" "Absolutely not! Come on, let's go!" Elise grabbed Moritz's hand and ran off towards the pond. Moritz looked back to the church briefly. He prayed that he wouldn't be punished once he and Elise were found.

He could do nothing but stare at her in awe. She looked like a beautiful fairy in the sunlight. Her doll-like skin shone and her eyes sparkled with happiness. The girl took Moritz's hand in hers and just held it.

"Isn't this lovely? I love doing this when I am with my friends. We just stare and stare up at the sky for hours without care."

Elise turned her head to the side. Moritz looked up at the sky with wonder. His hand squeezed hers. "It is truly b-beautiful," he marveled aloud. Elise rolled onto her side, with her palm resting on Moritz's chest. Instinctively, the teenaged boy put his arm around his companion's shoulder and drew her close. They laid in silence listening to the late winter breeze. The snow had melted over the week. The ground was still damp, but Moritz had laid out his jacket so the two wouldn't get dirty.

"This is perfect," Elise whispered to Moritz after a few minutes' silence. The boy nodded slowly and pressed a kiss to the girl's head. "I wish every day could be like this. No lessons, no meeting Mother's friends, no Hanschen."

No school, no Herr Sonnenstitch, no coming home to beatings every other day.

"J-Just you and I-I. Laying side by side." Moritz propped his elbow up and leaned on his hand. Elise giggled and copied him. Moritz lightly pushed her down then climbed on top, kissing her passionately.

Elise's arms wrapped around Moritz's neck as they kissed, pulling the boy closer. Moritz felt the girl's lips curl into a smile. His hands slipped down and held her hips. Elise brought Moritz closer to her. Gently she pulled her lips off of his and touched his nose with her own. Both breathed heavily, shocked by how heated their kisses had become. Moritz's eyes met Elise's again. The blue orbs were wide with curiousity and excitement.

"A-Are you o-okay?"

The fifteen year old nodded and sat upright. Moritz brushed back a piece of her hair. "You're red," Elise teased as she placed her hand on his cheek. Moritz looked away and coughed. Elise stood up, brushing the dirt and wrinkles from her dress. "Let's go walking back to the clearing. We haven't been there since the rainstorm the last week of February." "L-Lise, it's getting la-later. Y-Your M-Mama and P-Papa will be worr-"

"ELISE?"

"Speak of the Devil," Elise said, surprised. Her Mama's voice rang through the wooded area. Moritz stood and brushed his jacket and pants off. "O-Oh God, what do we d-do?" "Hush! Be calm," Lise told him, giving his hand a short squeeze before dropping it.

"Elise Elisabeth Rilow! Where on Earth have you been?" Frau Rilow ran over to her daughter, followed closely by Hanschen and Moritz's parents. His Mama looked pale and worried while his father...unbelievably angry. Moritz felt his stomach drop.

"You and Herr Stiefel disappear! No word! You could have been taken and, God forbid, killed! Those bohemians could have stolen you from us!" Elise noticed the disgust in her mother's tone at the word 'bohemians'.

"Entschuldigen sie m-mich, F-Frau Rilow."

The mother and daughter turned to Moritz, one with angry eyes and the other with panicked ones. Hanschen crossed his arms and gritted his teeth. Moritz cast an anxious look at his parents.

"I-If you please. E-Elise wasn't f-feeling too well. S-She wan-wanted to come here and g-get some air. I went with h-her to m-make sure she wasn't harmed." Elise stared blankly at Moritz. Inside she was ever greatful. Her mother turned back to her and Elise nodded in agreement. "Yes, Mama. I wasn't feeling well a-and needed air, just like Moritz said. I came here and Moritz followed me."

Elise cast Moritz a smile. "He was about to take me back to church when you, Hanschen, Frau and Herr Stiefel showed up," she said sweetly. "Your son is a true gentleman. Frau Stiefel."

Moritz nodded in agreement.

"Y-Yes. Mama, Father, I am sorry I did not tell you. I w-wanted to, but Elise went off and I didn't w-want her to get hurt."

Frau Rilow nodded at the boy and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Well I must thank you, Herr Stiefel, for your instinct. But Elise! You know not to leave the area. When we arrive home, you are to go to your room while I decide your punishment."

The girl nodded solemnly. When the adults turned to leave, she rolled her eyes. The two families walked back to the church in silence before taking their separate paths home. Moritz waved his fingers in farewell to Elise.

Elise collapsed on her bed once she reached home. She had no problem with staying in her room while her mother decided how to punish her. The worst thing her mother could do was hit her, and it never really fazed her. Her mother's slaps were stinging but they went away after a few seconds. Elise was rarely punished. This was one of the rare times.

A knock sounded ten minutes later and Frau Rilow entered.

"That was a dangerous thing to do, Elise. You could have been taken away from us for who knows how long?"

Elise said nothing. She played with a string that she found on her dress.

"I have decided your punishment. For a week, you will come directly home after school. You will attend to your studies for the entire day. No spending time with your friends. Your tutor will be here each night from five to nine to ensure you are becoming a proper lady."

The girl opened her mouth to protest but stopped herself. "Hanschen can not always take you home. He is already occupied with tutoring Ernst Robel after classes. Therefore, I have decided that Moritz Stiefel will escort you home for now on. You two seem to be on good terms already. I trust that he is a responsible young man."

Elise's eyes brightened. She wanted to hug her mother tightly and scream in joy and thanks. Instead she nodded her head and said, "Yes, Mama." "Good. Now come downstairs for your tea."

Moritz waited outside the girl's school for Elise. He was extremely happy about this arrangement his parents made with the Rilows nearly a month ago. He was to walk Elise home everyday from school. Most times, Moritz stayed over longer since the boys were studying.

The final exams had been a week ago, April 5th. Moritz felt completely confident that he had passed. He had Elise to thank for that. She motivated him daily to study and concentrate hard on his work.

The door opened and the girls began to file out. Moritz recognized Marianna Wheelan, who gave him a short sneer and walked past. Marianna had always been rude to him ever since he refused to play prince and princess with her when they were younger. Martha walked out the school building quickly followed by Thea and Anna. Wendla and Elise were the last to leave, giggling to each other. Moritz straightened up his posture and smiled at the girls. Elise took notice of her beloved and ran into his arms. Wendla smiled and said something about going to catch up with the others.

"I missed you all day! The hours seemed to pass by so slowly," murmured Elise before kissing Moritz chastly. "I-I missed you too." "Did you get your exam results back yet?" "N-Not yet," replied Moritz with a sigh.

"Well, I am sure you passed. You have nothing to worry about."

"Herr Stiefel, if you please!"

The teenagers turned around to see the headmistress, Fraulein Knupledick, standing in the doorway. Elise stepped away from Moritz and looked down. "Herr Stiefel, a word?" Moritz blinked. What would the headmistress need to speak to him for?

"It's okay. I'll catch up with Wendla and the others," Elise told him. "I'll see you at the pond in a little?"

Moritz nodded and went to Fraulein Knuppledick. She took the boy inside the school to an office. Inside stood Herr Knochenbruch, who had a smirk on his face. Moritz smiled nervously. "H-Herr Knochenb-bruch," he greeted.

The teacher slapped down a small pile of papers. Moritz took in a breath and let a smile grace his lips. He was not prepared for what was coming next.

Elise held her knees to her chest and stared out the window to the moon. Today had been wonderful. She smiled to herself and combed her hair out of the braid. However, Moritz had not met her at the pond like he promised.

The girl frowned slightly but shook it off. "He must have had a good reason," she decided aloud. Elise turned to go to her bed when a click reached her ears. Then another. Elise curiously strolled to the window. She opened the window and let out a small shriek.

"S-S-Shh. Please!"

Moritz held up his hand to Elise. The young man was clinging onto the white ladder that laid against the side of the house. The vines that grew on the ladder cut into his hands the harder her gripped them.

"Moritz, what in God's name are you doing here? Do you not know what time it is?" "P-Pull me up!"

The girl obeyed and pulled Moritz quickly into her room.

His eyes were haunted and sad. His body shook. Elise saw that his knees and feet were turned in slightly."Moritz? Moritz, what is it?" Moritz opened his mouth but only to close it. He looked at Elise with sad eyes. His lip began to tremble. "S-Stop it. Y-You're scaring m-me," Elise said shakily.

Moritz opened his arms and said simply:

"...I failed."

Elise's face fell. Words failed her. Her lips moved but nothing came out. "Failed," repeated Moritz. He shook his head in disbelief. "N-No...N-No it's not possible. Melchior and I helped...surely it was an error!"

Moritz shrugged. Tears burned in his eyes. "I-I can't believe I failed. F-Failed! A-And out o-of the e-entire school t-t-too!" He lifted his head to Elise, showing her his tear-stained face. "I-I can't-"

He doubled over, feeling weak. Elise gatheredhim in her arms and held him close as he began to break down. Thankfully her Papa was out of town for the week. Her Mama was attending to Frau Schindler, who had fallen ill. Hanschen had retreated to his study in the opposite side of the house.

"M-Moritz," she started, feeling like crying herself.

The boy buried his head in her shoulder. "F-Failed. L-Lise, what will my parents say? M-M-My F-Father wi-will-"

He stopped and sucked in a breath. The blonde held her beloved closer. His tears stained her white nightgown, but she didn't care.

"I-I'm so sorry, Moritz," she told him sorrowfully, meaning it. "...I-I'll be disowned."

Moritz pulled out of the embrace. He looked into Elise's eyes seriously. "I'll have nowhere to go. No one w-will want to associate with me. Not Melchi, Frau Gabor, Otto, Georg, or even y-you!" Elise took his hand and brought it to her lips. "I have no place here. No one will want me. There's no hope for me to continue living...here."

He added the last word because of the fear he saw in her eyes.

Lise began to tear up. This was a lot for her to take in. It was true; Moritz would be abandoned. She would not be allowed to even look at him. She didn't want this to happen. She would rather die.

"W-W-Wait...E-Elise, tha-that's it!"

Moritz's eyes brightened. He took the girl by the shoulders and shook her excitedly. "W-We'll get out!" "M-Moritz?"

"We'll leave! G-Go to Ameria, where the streets a-are paved with gold! M-My great-uncle Klaus went there!" He brough Elise into a long embrace. The girl broke away and stood on her feet.

"America? How on Earth-?"

"I-I could a-ask Frau Gabor for money! S-She'd help us gladly! Oh Elise, we can start anew!"

"W-We?"

Moritz stopped and met her eyes. He nodded and took her hand. "E-Elise, I-I love you. I've l-loved you since we kissed. A-And I promise, nothing w-will ever happen to you. You'll be f-free, a-away from t-the rules and r-restrictions. We both will!"

He kissed her hand then stood to his feet. "M-Marry me, Lise," he said before capturing her lips with his own.

Marry me. Marry me. Marry me.

The words rang over and over again in her mind. Marriage. Married to Moritz. Mrs. Moritz Stiefel. Elise Stiefel. A fifteen year old wife.

Elise couldn't speak. Moritz stroked her cheek, "I-I must go. I'm going t-t-to write Frau Gabor. I'll come back t-tomorrow night."

Moritz kissed her one last time and climbed out the window.