I am writing this account on New Years, however, I am recounting the events of the thirty-first. The celebrations of today were very similar to those of the ones on Christmas. All of the boys and I went down to the village plaza. Instead of standing there awkwardly like the first time we had done this, we had people to dance with.

  Maria brought me to the dance floor very quickly, and we began dancing to the music that they were playing. She tried to teach me a folk dance of the village, but I wasn't good at it at all.

  "What do you think about the proposition?" Maria eventually questioned. I knew that she would ask at some point and I couldn't help but tell the complete truth to her.

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  I closed my eyes and looked down, "I want to stay with you so bad. I really do. I want to spend the rest of my life in this village. Having nothing to come home to will do that to you."

  "What about your parents and siblings? Do you have any of those?" she inquired.

  "My parents and I are not on the best terms," I told her.

  "I don't know why. You're so sweet to everyone and you always help out."

  I thanked her and continued, "Well, anyway, I feel like I need to fulfill a duty to my country. I want nothing more than to stay with you, but my honor gets the best of me."

  She hugged me and told me that I shouldn't worry and I should decide on my own terms, despite her really wanting me to stay. We continued on our day like this. I have hope for the future now, no matter what we end up picking. Maria understands and isn't mad at me. Besides, I'd come back to live in the village; this was just a small detour.