Dinner time

At exactly seven thirty, he rang the doorbell of her house. He knew she had only agreed to go to dinner with him, because she wanted to be away from home for once. She had told him so many times. To be away from her parents, away from her brothers, just one evening. She loved them, but sometimes, it all became too much. They all wanted her attention, or her help. During the day, everyone else always wanted her attention as well. Being a popular girl isn't easy, he had always told her. She never really believed him. Said she was just social like that. She liked to make people happy. But he had seen how it had been wearing on her. So he decided to take her out, for just one evening.
She opened the door right away, as if she had been waiting in the hallway. With her coat, the one with the fluffy neck, already on. She yelled something to her family in the living room, and he could hear a faint reply, saying something that sounded as "Don't be too late." He rolled his eyes. For once she goes away, and they're already missing her. A feeling he knew too well. He always missed her too when she left. She closed the door, and turned the key. When she turned around, he held one single rose in front of her. It looked as if someone had just plucked it. Fresh, and clean. Just because, for her. She smiled, and blushed lightly.
"It's cold, let's go." she whispered. He insisted they did everything properly, and extended his arm. She hooked in while giggling. He had always adored that giggle of her. Maybe it was the childish innocence that sounded in it. Maybe it was just because it was her. He never knew. He never gave it much thought either. He simply enjoyed it, and made jokes just to get her to giggle. They didn't speak while they walked to the restaurant. She just smiled faintly, and was glad to be away from everything for once. He was smiling, and peeked at her with the corner of his eyes. Today, he got all her attention. She was the popular girl, going out with him. He didn't care. She was with him, and that's all that mattered. She was special to him. Not special like he was. No, there were few like him, and he knew that too. He also knew she didn't know that. She never saw him as special. At least not in the way he was special. But he couldn't just show that to her, could he? Maybe there was one trick he could do later.

The restaurant he had reserved a table in, was only two streets further. He quickened his pace a few steps, to open the door for her with a courteous bow and a twirling movement of the hand. She called him crazy, and giggled again. The place had elegance like she had never seen. Golden rails along the walls, purple drapes at the windows, white cloths on the tables, candles. Everything was so serene, that she was overcome with a calm like she hadn't felt in years. A waiter in a three piece suit guided them to their table. He took her chair, and pulled it back. He left again, and she looked around again, amazed. There was even a classic band, playing music. She wondered how he could afford this place. He just smiled and said he had saved up some money for a special occasion. Tonight was a special occasion. She didn't reply. Instead, she took the menu card. She wanted to see what the place had to offer. He knew she was just trying to hide another blush. The waiter came back, and they placed an order. Then the band started to play their tunes a bit louder. He stood up, and walked to her chair, while she asked what he was doing.
"I'm asking you for a dance, young lady. I will not take a no for an answer." he smiled. She giggled again and stood up. She claimed she couldn't do a waltz, but he didn't care. Dancing is never about dancing, he said. It's an excuse to hold her.
"This is nice." she said," Away from everything, and just dancing, music. I wish it would last longer, but we can't stop time, can we?" He stopped dancing, and just held her hand, and one arm around her waist.
"We can. But are you sure you want that?" She nodded. Who wouldn't want to stop time at a nice evening like this? Then she noticed how the music had stopped. She looked around, and saw everything, and everyone, standing still. Frozen. Even the band. The violin player just stood there, his chin on his instrument. The waiter at the other side pouring a glass of wine still held the bottle of seemingly frozen liquid over a glass. She stared at him again, while he let her go. He want to the waiter, and lifted the bottle up a bit. To prevent accidents later on. He looked around the restaurant, saw nothing else that could cause accidents, and turned his attention to the band. With a wave of his hand, they continued playing.
"Well, let's keep on dancing?" She was baffled, and let him lead the dance. He told her not to worry, no one would see this. The band will just leave earlier because they've played their songs. Yes, it's not a nice thing to do, mixing up people's schedules like this. But for once, does it matter? She slowly dared to speak again, and said she guessed not. Good, he was glad she agreed. After all, he did this for her. But how did he... He put a finger on her lips while the dance had taken them in a position where he held her low, his hand supporting her back. Don't ask. Just enjoy this... new found time.

After a dance, they sat down again. He said he'd arrange for the food fast, while he headed towards the kitchen. She looked around while waiting. That waiter was still standing there with his bottle. It looked funny. Ah, how he adored that giggle. She blushed again, feeling caught. The food was on it's way, he said. He just had to arrange some schedules, resulting in some people getting cold food later on probably. She wanted to ask how he did that, but decided not to. It was all so amazing, that she was sure she was dreaming. He said she wasn't. She'd see that eventually. Still, she did not believe him. The more she looked around and saw everyone frozen, the more she was convinced it was all a dream. A reflection of her wish to get away from everything once. A wish granted in the illusions of the mind. He just smiled, and picked up the rose.
"Don't forget to take it home tonight." Then their order arrived.

She came home and closed the door behind her. When she entered the living room, her family gazed at her. They asked what was wrong, that she had come home so early. She frowned at them. The old clock at the wall sounded. Eight times. She stared at it. Is it really only eight yet?
"You've been gone for half an hour only..." Then she was sure she was still dreaming. She went to hallway, picked up the rose, and went to her room.

The next morning she woke up, remembering what she had dreamt. Her friend stopping time, what a silly dream. She stretched her arms, and looked at her left side. On the bedside table, lay a rose. It looked as if someone had just plucked it. Fresh, and clean. Exactly like in her dream. Which hadn't been a dream, she knew now.

And that rose, is still lying on the bedside table, many years later. She never moved it. And it still looks like it's freshly plucked, as if it were frozen in time.