Marta never imagined this is how she would fall in love. Growing up, her father would always read her a bedtime story, and those stories always included a prince charming rescuing a damsel in distress. Marta, until very recently, was sure that was how she would meet her prince charming. As a child, she loved to play pretend and climb up into her tree house and pretend she was being held captive. 

Marta also believed she would only find love once. She didn’t imagine it happening twice. So for her to admit these feelings to Ezra, was like signing her name in blood. Yes, he was her first love, but Marta was sure he would be her last. But it seemed Ezra had different thoughts. 

Ezra’s mind seemed set on the fact that whatever was happening between them was fleeting. It would disappear with just a blink of the eye. And who knows, that may be what happens, but Marta didn’t want to believe it. Her optimism once again, convincing her that her and Ezra would fight through this. They would defeat every obstacle they faced, and they would someone gain acceptance from their families, and they would be together. And live happily ever after. At least, that is what Marta wanted to believe. 

Hearing Ezra start to quote Shakespeare, Marta listened. Marta was very familiar with this sonnet. She knew all of Shakespeare’s sonnets. And this one was dear to her, not because she could relate to it (up to this point), but just the flow of the words. They created music without a single note being played. But suddenly, this sonnet took on new meaning to her. Ezra was reciting this sonnet to establish her as some untouchable, immortal thing he can’t obtain. It was his way of showing his love for her, but from a distance. He believed that this is all it ever will be. Marta was never to be his.

But that isn’t what Marta wanted. She wanted to be the person that Ezra enjoyed a summer’s day with, not compare her to it. As cheesy as it sounded. 

“Ezra…” she whispered, suddenly feeling tears forming in her eyes, “Please… I just...I don’t want…” 

She was lost for words. How could she convey to him that this will be lasting? How can she make him realize he wasn’t in some magical bubble that would pop soon? It was like he was the sheltered one now. 

She blinked, a few tears falling into her lap, which she was now staring at. She felt lost. Ezra was so close, physically, yet she almost felt emotionally he was miles away. It was like Marta was on a movie screen, being displayed and he was loving her from the audience. But Marta was right, her arms wide open, emotionally and physically, ready to give her all to him.

Looking up again, she asked, “Why are you putting me on a pedestal? Why can’t you accept that you are good enough for me? Will I ever be yours?”