A Glance

A glance across the room started a lifetime. At least that’s the way Katie will always remember it. Katie had always envisioned the meeting something close to this, and thought she had been dreaming when the moment actually had happened. This party had been somewhat lackluster, not at all what Christina had promised her earlier that day when convincing Katie to go. “It will be a blast, a chance to get out and let your hair down.” Christina said, “Come on, Katie, you know you need a night out.” Reluctantly she agreed to go, and had been regretting it all evening. There were finals that she needed to be studying for, and this party was a bust. She had just about all that she could stand, and was getting ready to find Christina and leave, when he caught her eye.

Rob had given up. He had his choice of almost any girl he wanted, but he just couldn’t seem to find one that had any substance. He was not in the mood to go to the party, but it was expected of him to be there. He decided he was going solo to this one, he just didn’t want the inconvenience of entertaining another self-involved woman. He checked the mirror, decided he was ready, grabbed his keys and cell phone, and left.

Rob looked up and caught a beautiful brunette looking in his direction. She looked like this was the last place she wanted to be, and he knew immediately that he must get to know her. He made his way through the crowd, approached her, and introduced himself. The last thing Katie wanted was to be hit on, she was hot and tired, but something about him was different. "I'm Katie", she muttered, and looked down to straighten her dress. She couldn’t believe how uncharacteristically nervous she had instantly become.

Rob couldn’t help but smile at how nervous she was, especially since he was every bit as nervous as she. They just stood there for a moment, when Rob suggested they go outside so that they could talk. Katie agreed. The cool night air was refreshing after being in that stuffy room for so long. After some small talk, they realized that they attended the same college, Rob one year ahead of her. As Katie talked of her ambitions, Rob was silently thanking God for finally meeting someone that could see past tomorrow.

As attractive as Katie’s intelligence was to Rob, she was just as attracted to him. He was stunningly handsome, and actually had plans to go on to graduate school next fall. This was a far cry from the guys that she normally met, that could do nothing but drink and spend their parents’ money. There was something in his eyes, and though she wasn’t sure, she almost believed it to be love. She couldn’t wait to thank Christina tomorrow for dragging her to this party.

As they talked outside for hours, their hands naturally fell into place with each others. They were natural lovers who finally met their fate. The time flew by, and Christina came out looking for Katie. She told Christina to go on without her, Rob was going to give her a ride home. Christina was a little apprehensive about it, but there wasn’t much she could do, so she kissed Katie goodbye and left after receiving a promise of a phone call from Katie when she arrived home.

A light rain had started, so Katie and Rob decided to go get some coffee. Fifteen minutes later, sipping on a cappuccino, Rob couldn’t believe how lucky he was. He suspected it when he first noticed her, and now he knew it, he had found someone he would love forever. It was getting late, and he needed to get her home. As they walked outside and stopped at the car, Rob leaned down and gently kissed her on the lips. Katie felt that kiss throughout her body, and the emotion that was behind it cemented her soul to his.

While Katie was giving him directions to her apartment, his phone began to ring. Rob reached to answer it and it fell by his feet. He glanced down to find it, and Katie screamed. The car flipped three times before crashing into a tree. Rob was killed instantly, and Katie lies in a vegetative state at the hospital, remembering the glance that started her new life.