Persuasion is not mine. It belongs to Jane Austen.

It was the first day of our British Literature class. Rick and I were both sophomores at the University of Missouri. I was an English Education major and Rick was a History and English major with a minor in philosophy. I had a class before British Lit, so I sat on a bench outside the classroom and waited for class to start.

I was rereading Villette when someone sat next to me. "What are you reading?" he asked.

I sighed and looked up. I was always annoyed when people asked me what I was reading. I was surprised when I saw how cute the guy was. He had wavy black hair, dark brown eyes, and chiseled features. "Villette," I answered.

"Not one of my favorites by Charlotte Bronte, but it has its good points," the guy said.

I grinned. For once, a guy who appreciated the classics and gorgeous to boot. "What is your favorite book of hers?"

"Jane Eyre."

"Of course, it's Jane Eyre.

He rolled his eyes. "It's just that there's not much that happens in Villette. Lucy Snowe doesn't go after the man she loves. Jane goes after what she wants and doesn't give a shit about what other people think," he said.

"It's just who she is."

"But she never has a happy ending."

"Not everyone can have a happy ending," I answered.

"I'm Frederick Wentworth. You can call me Rick." Rick held out his hand.

I shook his hand. "Anne Elliot."

The doors to our classroom opened and students came out. "I think that's us. How about we talk more about Charlotte Bronte after class?"

"Uh, okay." We stood up and walked into the classroom. I smiled. I felt happy for the first time in months.

We met for lunch after class and that was the beginning of our relationship. We were a couple by the end of the semester.

The first time he told me he loved me was on my twentieth birthday. He had taken me to an expensive Italian restaurant. I didn't want him to spend all of that money on me; he couldn't afford it. When we were finished with dinner, we walked out to his car. I was about to get in, but he told me to not get in. He turned on the car's CD player and started dancing with me in the parking lot. He told me he loved me and I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.

Our relationship wasn't always as romantic as that night. We had our arguments and disagreements like any other couple. A lot of our time spent together was on homework or just hanging out. I introduced him to the music I liked; he took me out to see local bands play. He joked about everything and thought he was always right; I was often serious and preferred to get others' opinions before I made decisions. He brought me more out of my shell. His more extroverted personality complimented my introversion; we balanced each other.

Rick, as smart as he was, had no idea what he wanted to do besides be a writer. He knew it would take time to get published, so he wanted to have a backup career. He took the LSATs and applied to several law schools. He was accepted to all of the schools but would go to the school that gave the best funding. He decided on St. Thomas Aquinas in Minneapolis because they offered him full tuition.

The Christmas of our senior year, Rick proposed to me. I said yes. We would wait to marry until he was done with law school since I would be only certified to teach in Missouri. I would get certified to teach in whatever state Rick found a job. We had plans. We were so happy together.

My family, especially Dad and Molly, were less than thrilled with my relationship with Rick. He came from a working-class family and the only reason he was in college was because of scholarships. He was too poor and not good enough for me. They told me Rick wouldn't wait three years to marry and would find someone else. Dad also threatened to cut me off financially if I didn't break off the engagement.

My people-pleasing tendency kicked in and I caved. I broke up with Rick the week after graduation. I told him it was stupid to wait another three years and better if we broke up and moved on. I gave him back his ring and ran out of his apartment, not wanting to look at his eyes.

I found a job teaching in a Kansas City suburb and Rick went to Minneapolis. From what I've heard through mutual friends, Rick is successful. He found a job right after school and pulls in six figures a year. He lives in Minneapolis and is still single. The fact that he is still single is a small comfort.

I drove home and parked my car in the apartment's lot. I went up to my apartment and collapsed onto my bed. My cat, Burnsy, jumped up onto the bed, wanting to be petted. He laid down by me and I stroked him behind his ears.

The tears started and they wouldn't stop. I cried myself to sleep. I knew I wouldn't get a second chance with Rick.