Romance Short Story.

The door closed, leaving only silence in the room. Alphonse banged his clutched fist on the wall. He didn’t know what to do; his parents weren’t giving him an option. 

“Ugh,” he whispered to himself. “What am I going to do?”

Giving a sigh, Alphonse started to walk around the room. His parents wanted him to agree to a peace marriage, but he didn’t want anything to do with it. But if he stayed, then he would have no choice but to marry a girl he never meet. If he left he didn’t have a place to go. Alphonse didn’t want to stay here, he knew that much.

“I got to go somewhere,” he finally decided.

Alphonse stormed out of the room and rushed down the hallway heading down to the stairwell. He wasn’t going to give a second thought to any of it. He didn’t want to back down; he knew he was going to change his mind if he thought about it anymore than he did.  

After wandering for days, Alphonse was tired and worn out; he didn’t know where he was or where he was heading. His hands touched a tree, trying to support his weight before he collapsed.

“What am I doing?” he asked himself as he leaned on the tree.

“Well I don’t know what you are doing,” a voice answered the question. “But I do know that you shouldn’t be here.”

Alphonse jumped at the voice, bringing a little life back to him. He turned slightly around to get a view of who was speaking.

Standing there was a girl, holding a basket of fruits and flowers. Her hair tied back into a French braid with her bangs falling to the sides in a mess. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of him.

“Who are you?” Alphonse asked. His hand was shaking as he pointed at her.

“Me?” she asked raising her brows. “What does that matter? Are you okay?” She moved closer to Alphonse, causing him to back away. Only to find out his legs gave out and he fell to the ground.

The girl rushed to him, only to have Alphonse push her hands away.

“I’m fine. Just was unsteady for a moment,” he said pushing himself from the girl.

“My name is Celia,” she answered. “I live near here. I can help-“

“I don’t need your help,” he hissed, finally standing back up. Alphonse stared down at the crouched down on the ground.

Celia stared up at him and shook her head.

“Fine,” she said getting up herself. “If that’s how you feel, okay. I won’t bother you.”

Alphonse stared at the girl as she hurried away.

Grunting, he started forward after she was gone to make sure no one would bother him again. That was the last thing he wanted.

At least he limped into a village full of busy people. They hurried along the houses getting from one point to another, giving a ‘hi’ and a ‘hello’ to friends passing by.

“Great,” he said rolling his eyes. “A small town. Wonder if they have an inn I can stay at.”

Alphonse slowly moved around the tiny village, reading the signs on doors, looking for a place to stay.

After a while, he stumbled upon a small inn in the middle of the village. Shrugging his shoulders he pushed the door open.

“Hello, welcome to Lancourt Inn, the finest Inn in all of Lancourt!” a voice by the door happily chirped.

Alphonse turned to look at the greeter. He noticed the hair style and smirked. “This is where you live?”

Celia jolted up and stared at Alphonse.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I need a place to stay.”

“Go somewhere else.”

“Rude,” Alphonse muttered.

An elderly lady came over and patted Celia on the arm. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing grandma,” Celia said softly. “Go back to your chair.”

The elderly lady stared at Alphonse as he started to turn around.

“Are you looking for a place to stay, Lad?” she asked.

He pointed at Celia, “she said that I have to find another place to stay.”

“Celia!” the woman’s voice turned harsh. She turned back to Alphonse, “we have plenty of room. If you cannot pay, you can work it off.” She smiled sweetly. “Just can’t me gran-gran or grandma.” She walked away and pulled out a key and walked back handing it to him. “Celia can show you the room.”

“Thanks,” he smiled.

Celia rolled her eyes. “This way.”

“Celia, your manners,” Grandma called after them.

After showing Alphonse his room, Celia walked to her room and flopped on the bed.

“He was rude earlier…why does he have to stay here?” she asked as she rolled on her side hugging her pillow. “No worry, he just can’t get in the way of my work.

A few hours later, Celia smiled and fixed her bangs, brushing them out of her eyes. “Time to start the clean up!” she said happily as she pulled an apron on.

She hurried down the staircase and into the dining area of the inn. It was her job to make sure the place was kept clean and the guests happy.

“Are you good?” “Need anything else?” she asked over and over to people walking in and out, having their meals as she cleaned and swiftly got anything that was needed.

“I’m not good,” Alphonse said loudly catching Celia’s attention.

“Oh?” she said heading to him.

Alphonse was sitting alone at a table with his arms crossed at his chest.

“You clean up nicely,” she said.

“I’m hungry.”

“What would you like to eat?” she asked.

“Whatever is good.”

Sighing she shook her head, “I don’t know your name, but do you have anything in mind on what you’d like to eat. You can look at the menu if you like,” she said gesturing at the paper lying on the bare table.

“What’s the special?”

“For you bread and water.”

“Manners, Celia,” he smirked.

She sighed and placed a glass of water on the table.

“I’ll get you something delicious,” she said. Then added a smile and walked off.

When Celia was far enough away she scoffed and muttered the word “brat”.

The other workers at the Inn took a quick liking to Alphonse. He was pleasing to the eyes, and had manners when needed. They gave him what he wanted and giggled off happily to gossip about him to each other. Celia kept staring at him. She didn’t dislike him, but from the way he treated her in their first meeting she was a little hostile towards him. She knew that she shouldn’t be since he was a guest and a traveler. More so Grandma told her to welcome strangers with open arms.

So after receiving the meal for Alphonse, she skirted around the people and the tables and chairs making her way to him. She placed the dish on the table along with a fork, spoon and knife.

“Dig in!” she said happily. “It’s the best in town.”

Celia pulled a chair to the table and sat down as Alphonse started eating. She looked down at her lap not knowing if she should speak or not.

“What are you doing?” he asked her.

Blushing Celia shook her head. “Nothing. Nothing at all,” she said with a nervous laugh.

As she played with her fingers, she took a deep breath and exhaled.

“Sorry about earlier. That was rude of me, I shouldn’t have done that,” she said quickly.

“It’s fine.”

“You know…you never told me your name,” she said nervously. “Mind telling me?”

“Why?”

“I mean, I’d like to call you by something.”

“It doesn’t matter what you call me.”

“But…”

Alphonse finished off the meal and held out his glass. He leaned on the table, his face against his fist, a smile (or smirk, Celia couldn’t tell the difference) on his face. His blue eyes shining.

“Water.”

“Eh?” Celia squeaked.

“I am thirsty. Get me more water.”

Sighing she took the glass and went to the kitchen.

As she pushed the doors opened she shook her head, her hair swaying along her movement.

“Here, refill it please Leon,” she asked wearily.

“What’s wrong Hon?” he asked her as he took the glass and poured more water in it.

“The new guest.”

“Ah, the Lad that has captured the entire maiden’s hearts in this Inn?”

Celia nodded.

“I wouldn’t have thought you were that kind of lass, Celia,” Leon said handing her the now filled glass.

“I don’t like him. But Gran told me he is to work with me while he stays here. Who knows how long that’ll be. So I want to get along with him,” she said looking down into the water.

“You’ll be just fine.”

“Sure. Thanks by the way,” she said smiling as she left the kitchen to return to Alphonse to discuss the arrangement of his stay.

“No way.”

“Why not?” Celia asked.

“I don’t work.”

“Well why not?

“I never work.”

Sighing, Celia put her hands to her head. She was starting to get a headache talking to Alphonse.

“Look, I don’t know your name. I don’t know why you are here, and what happened to you…but Gran asked me to watch over you as you worked. So please just try and do something?” she pleaded to him.

“Fine,” he said as he took a last sip of water. Grabbing his coat, Alphonse headed for the door.

“Hey! Where are you going?” Celia hollered after him.

Since he didn’t answer her call, she hurried after him. She threw off her apron and hurried out the door.

“Hey! Wait!” she called as her pace sped up.

Alphonse walked on faster as he heard her voice.

“Can you slow down, please?” she asked him.

“What do you want? Following me? Are you a stalker?” Alphonse asked her.

Taken by surprised, Celia’s eyes filled with tears. She didn’t mean anything by it; she just wanted to make sure he wasn’t going to be in any kind of harm.

“No…” she mustered up the voice to answer him. “I just don’t think it’s safe if you are out at night.”

Alphonse stared at her in disbelief. “Really?”

“Yes! You just stormed off and you just got here, and you seemed liked you pushed yourself too far and you need a few days rest to get back to normal. It’ll be bad if you just wandered off,” she explained.

“Don’t worry about me.”

“But-“

“Don’t bother.”

Alphonse strolled off and turned a corner, leaving Celia standing in the street alone.

Celia didn’t like being left alone in the dark streets. She hugged her arms and hurried after Alphonse to make sure he was going to be okay.

Celia didn’t seem to find him as she walked the night streets. She started to worry a little as she didn’t want to stay out too late into the night since Gran would have a fit if she stayed out. Pulling on her hair, she looked around.

“Just a little further, then I’ll head back,” she whispered to keep her nerve.

She hurried down the path she was already on and didn’t see anyone who seemed like Alphonse, so she turned around. It was already late. Her heart pounded, she didn’t really want to go back to the Inn without him. She was sure Gran wouldn’t be happy if she made someone upset and he never paid for anything. She knew she couldn’t go home empty handed.

Sighing, Celia headed down an alley way continuing her search for the man she just met, and didn’t know the name to.

It took her hours for wandering the streets before she finally gave up. Going home empty handed, and late would get her into a lot of trouble, but she couldn’t help it. She headed back to the Inn, in hopes the Gran was already in bed and her friend was manning the front desk.

As she opened the door, she realized that Gran was still up. Fuming from worry.

“What in the world are you doing?” she squeaked.

“Nothing Gran.”

“Storming out when you are supposed to be working, and staying out for hours. At night nonetheless!” Gran was mad at what happened. “What has gotten into you?”

“Nothing,” she whispered. Her body ached from walking fast for hours, she didn’t want to tell Gran that they got ripped off by the man from earlier when she was already mad. She decided it’ll be best to tell her in the morning when her mood was better.

“You are in trouble young lady.”

“I know.”

“What do you have to say for yourself?”

Celia shook her head. She didn’t know what to say. So she bit her tongue.

“Go clean up the dining room, and kitchen. Your work will be doubled tomorrow,” Gran said as she hopped off to the staircase and headed to bed. “Don’t make me keep a closer eye on you, sweetie. I just want to keep you safe. Good night,” she smiled and disappeared.

Grabbing a rag, Celia started to pick up the dishware that was left out for her. Her area was a mess. She knew no one was going to cover her. It’s against the rules at working here. Everyone had to carry their own weight. Celia knew she was stupid to try and befriend the man.

She gave a sigh.

“Doesn’t matter, it’ll all pass,” she sang as she piled the dishes in the kitchen and started to wash them. Her clothes were splashed with the water and she made a face, stopping her singing those words. “Great…now it’s all wet.”

She leaned on the counter and looked out the window. The stars shone brightly above and it helped her smile.

“No biggie, I can handle this,” she said smiling as she pulled her sleeves up higher and started picking up the pace.

She was done with the washing quicker than she thought, and she bounced off to clean up her serving area. She couldn’t sleep unless it was clean. Cleanliness was the thing Gran took pride in, she couldn’t ignore it.

Celia wiped the tables, and swept  the floors clean. A few hours later, she felt really tired. She yawned and stretched her arms in the air.

“Good work for last minute,” she said proudly. Looking around, she nodded at the work she just did. “Gran will be happy to see I took care of everything when she awakes.” She took the items she used and put them back where they belong.

Since no one else was up, Celia looked around making sure everything was locked and secure before sitting in the big chair in the waiting room. Her heart was heavy at the thought she, made someone mad at the Inn and took advantage of Gran and the rest of them. Sighing she leaned back, before she knew it, Celia fell fast asleep.

 The next morning, Gran found Celia sleeping on the chair, curled up trying to keep warm. Gran gave a sigh, and went to get a blanket and covered her up.

Alphonse walked down the staircase, stretching and taking in the fresh morning air. Looking around he spotted Gran at the desk, and asked her what he could do to help out.

Gran smiled and told him he can just sweep the dining area, but to ask the people to keep their voices down since a newly born slacker is sleeping in the waiting area.

Not knowing what she meant, Alphonse nodded and asked where the broom was kept. After being told, he walked to the dining area to retrieve the broom and start the work that was asked of him. On his way there, he noticed Celia sleeping on the chair peacefully.

“Slacker,” he smirked. He started working. A few other people that were working were waiting for the guests to wake up.

He overheard them whispering.

“I heard Gran yelling at her last night for coming in late.”

“No way! Celia isn’t like that. Do you think she is doing something bad?”

“I bet, I mean look at her, she always wander off during the day time breaks. Doesn’t surprise me one bit she was out last night.”

“I think she does it every night and Gran just never caught her.”

“Maybe!”

“Now she’ll be getting in more trouble than before.”

Alphonse looked over at the gossiping girls.

“So you know Celia well?” he asked them.

“Oh, yes. Been working with her for many years now.”

“Working with her doesn’t mean you know her.”

“I know her better than you do.”

Alphonse chuckled.

“What you got a thing for her or something?”

“Not at all, I wouldn’t ever have a thing for her,” he said coldly as he started to sweep. He didn’t care about Celia, or anyone in the village. He didn’t want anyone to think otherwise.

“Well, nice to know,” Celia’s voice replied behind him.

Alphonse looked over his shoulder the girl.

“The truth is the truth.”

“Doesn’t matter,” she said softly. Celia turned to the girls that were bad mouthing her, “just so you know, I had some business to take care of unlike you. So either shut your yap and get to work, or you can walk right out that door.” Celia pointed to the front door of the Inn as she spoke.

“Hmph.” The girls hurried off to start their jobs.

Celia took a deep breath and smiled at him.

“Good morning,” she said.

He nodded.

The two of them started their work as guests from that night started filing into the area.

From time to time Alphonse glanced over at Celia as she worked. He started wondering what she was doing out so late that night. He was sure she would have headed home after he left her in the streets.

“What were you doing last night?” he finally asked her.

Celia jumped at the question nearly dropping the dishes.

“Nothing,” she stammered.

“Oh?”

“Yeah.”

She hurried of into the kitchen to put the dishes into the sink.

“Hon, your face is burning red, you got a fever?” Leon asked as Celia pressed her hands on the counter.

“No. Just got a little flustered is all,” she answered catching her breath and steadying her heartbeat.  “I’ll feel better in a second.”

Leon walked over to her, and put his ladle down. He placed his hand on her shoulder. “You okay? I heard them girls making lies about you a bit ago. Anything to do with that?” he asked her.

 Celia shook her head. The people talking bad about her didn’t bother her at all. She knew what she was doing wasn’t bad, but she also knew staying out late and being a female was bad if people knew about it. Rumors would circulate and then Gran would have to deal with all the bad reviews about her Inn because of her. Sighing, she turned to Leon.

“It’s nothing. Just felt light headed is all,” she lied to him.

“Okay. Best stay out of trouble, Hon,” he advice her. 

Celia nodded. She knows better.

She walked back out at the dining area, and scanned the room. The breakfast rush was about over, and that meant that they would have a few hours of free time.

“Hey,” she called out to Alphonse. “After the people leave to do what they do around here, it’s done until noon. That’s when we do lunch. It’s a break so you don’t have to stay here…but you do have to come back.”

He nodded.

After cleaning up the last of the mess left by the people, Celia smiled at the work well done.

“Hey, thanks,” she said to Alphonse.

“Hm?”

Alphonse leaned on the broom.

“Nevermind.”

Alphonse shook his head; a small smile appeared but disappeared as he talked.

“You should learn to say what’s on your mind.”

“Oh?” Celia raised a brow. “You apparently don’t know anything about my life.”

“It’s not good to hold things in.”

“Not good to open up either.”

“Celia!” Gran’s voice broke in.

Celia turned to Gran, who was rushing into the dining area.

“What’s wrong?”

“I need you to go to the next village and ask for some more supplies.”

“Again?”

“Yes,” Gran said in a firm voice.

“Why? I went only last week. We should have had enough supplies to last us a little longer than this,” Celia complained.

“Just please go and do it. Don’t waste time. Go, now!” Gran said and disappeared in a rush.

“Sheesh,” Celia muttered as she took off her apron.

Alphonse looked at her.

After hours of walking, Celia took a rest. She hated having to travel to the other village to ask for help. She never understood why Gran always seemed to be running out of supplies. Sitting on a log, she pulled her bag to her lap.

“Better take my lunch now,” she said with a sad voice.

As she pulled out some bread, jam and fruits, she heard rustling nearby. She tried to pay no attention to it as she broke off a piece of bread to eat. But as the sound was getting closer and closer, she couldn’t help but get up and throw a rock in the direction of the noise.

“Ouch! What the heck,” the voice said.

Celia covered her mouth. She knew that voice.

Alphonse emerged out of the bushes, rubbing his head. His face wasn’t friendly at all. Scaring Celia she threw her hands in front of her and started laughing.

“I didn’t know it was you! I swear,” she said through her laughter.

“I know that.”

Alphonse rubbed the spot that the rock had apparently hit.

“What are you doing here?”

He didn’t answer the question.

“Oh no! You’re going to have your way with me, and then kill me,” she said. “Please don’t.”

“Be quiet,” he said in what almost seemed like a sigh. “I came to make sure no harm came to you.”

“You mean you were worried?”

“Not really, but a lady shouldn’t be venturing long distances alone.”

“You are secretly a nice guy?”

Alphonse stared at her.

“Okay I get it,” she said with a laugh. Secretly Celia was happy to see him. She didn’t really like to travel alone, more so at this time. “Did you eat lunch yet?” she asked as she sat back down on the log.

“Yes.”

“Oh,” she said as she finished a little more of her food.

Alphonse just stood there leaning on the tree.

After a few minutes of Celia sitting there resting, she finally stood up and smiled. They both started forward to get to the next village.

“Hey,” Alphonse said, breaking the silence after a few hours of walking. “How long does it take to get to the next village?”

Celia shrugged. “Usually if I don’t take break other than sleeping then it’ll take me 2 days to day there. But depending on how many times we stop to rest depends on how long it’ll take,” she explained.

“Oh,” he said drifting back into silence.

She stared at the ground, trying to step on every dried up leaf. She loved hearing the sound of it crumbling under her step.

The two of them walked in silence for a few more hours before taking a break by a bush of berries. Celia was braiding her hair to keep it from getting in her face and Alphonse was standing nearby looking back from where they came from.

“Alphonse.”

“Huh?” she said turning her head to him.

“My name.”

“Oh, that’s a nice name,” she said smiling. “Thanks for telling me.”

He grunted and shifted his body weight.

“Hey, we can make camp now or later,” she said looking at the sky.

“Later, we should head forward a little bit. Too early.”

She nodded. A few more hours wouldn’t hurt; the sun was still high in the sky.

They both continued forward.

The sun was starting to sink under the horizon, so Celia and Alphonse were making a camp fire. Alphonse was sitting near the fire as Celia was handing him some bread and dried fruit.

“Here,” she said. “It’ll keep you full.”

He took and ate it slowly.

She looked at him from over the fire.

“Hey, Alphonse, care to tell me what you are doing?”

“Hm?”

“I mean, when I first saw you….were you in trouble? Are you in trouble?” she asked with a worried face.

Alphonse broke into laughter.

Celia couldn’t help but blush. She hadn’t heard him laugh. Watching him wipe a tear away, and smile at her and laugh, she felt her heart skip a beat.

“I’ll take that as a no,” she said embarrassed.

“I am not in trouble, but thanks for worrying about me.”

She nodded.

“I just didn’t want to be at home. Things came up where I had to go and make a new change,” he explained.

“Oh well, hopefully it’s all for the best,” she said happily.

He nodded, “let’s hope.”

Soon enough the two of them started laughing and making jokes together. Alphonse was feeling much better as he talked the night away with Celia, he calmed down and allowed to tell her a little about his life, but not much as he listened and asked her questions about her own.

Laughing, Celia brushed her bangs out of her face.

“And that’s how I ended up with Gran,” she said with a sad smile.

“I’m sorry about that, but it seems like you’re happy with your life.”

“Of course, Gran is amazing. Ever since I came to that village, she welcomed me with opened arms and told me that I can have everything I wanted, that I’d have to work for what mattered to me. Over all….she never treated me like I wanted. She helped me grow.”

“That’s good.”

Celia nodded. “I owe her so much...but I don’t know what is going on anymore.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not even sure anymore.”

They both laughed.

“You don’t make any sense Celia,” Alphonse said smiling.

“Neither do you. I guess that’s why we get along so well Alphonse.”

“Mhm, I think so too.”

Celia fell into silence. Alphonse followed.

After a few hours of star gazing, Celia fell asleep, leaving Alphonse awake by himself.

“I hope it’s for the best,” he whispered to himself.

As the sun greeted them, those two were already on the road, spending the rest of the time walking and having small talk to each other, as they follow the path way to the next village.

The next morning, they reached the village; Celia happily hurried forward as Alphonse kept a close eye on her from behind. He gave a smile, happy to see her rush forward to get things done.

After a few hours, Celia and Alphonse were sitting at a small outside café.

“Thanks for coming out here with me,” Celia said sipping some tea.

“I was happy to,” Alphonse admitted.

“You know, you didn’t turn out to be the kind of person I thought you’d be,” she said amused.

“I figured as much.”

Smiling Celia looked down at the supplies she had to bring back to Gran. She wasn’t really sure what the supplies was for, but she knew that Gran needed it, and it should last a while.

Having a good time, the two of them wandered the little village for a while longer before heading back to their own village. On the way back they became good friends, and Gran was happy to see her supplies have arrived safely along with Celia being safe. Thanking Alphonse for helping out she set them to work right away.

A few days passed, weeks, and months passed as they both were working at the Inn together, happily enjoying the time they were spending.

Celia was signing guests out as a group of people stopped in front of the Inn, and shoved people out of the way.

“Hey,” Celia said stepping out behind the desk. “You need to wait behind the people already here, please.”

“I’m looking for someone,” said a heavy voice from a guy in armor.

“Well can you please wait?”

“No,” he roared.

The tone shook Celia’s nerves, causing her to quickly apologize to the other guests for this mishap.

Gran came down the steps of the stairs and asked who it was. Celia rushed over to her and explained what happened. Gran’s eyes narrowed. Something she couldn’t stand was rudeness within her own Inn, from the guests or the workers.

“I would like you guys to take your leave now,” Gran ordered.

“And if I refused?”

“I said out!” she shrieked.

 The people laughed.

“Not until you tell me where I can find someone,” the man said.

“No,” Gran refused.

“I’m looking for Alphonse,” the guy stated.

Celia’s eyes popped opened.

“Alphonse?” she asked slowly making sure she understood correctly.

“Yes, do you know him?” the guy asked stepping closer to Celia.

“No, not at all,” she said lying for the first time.

“Hm…” the guy turned to her companions. “I guess that they are either hiding him, or we were given wrong information.”

Grunting the group of people turned and left.

“Celia, get back to work,” Gran said to her. Celia hurried back behind the desk and started to help the guests again.

Alphonse walked down the stairs scratching his head. He had just woken up, and the noise from down stairs woke him up.

“What’s going on?” he asked with a yawn.

“Nothing,” Celia said quickly before Gran heard.

They continued on with the day as if nothing happened.

As the night fell over them, Celia grew nervous as she didn’t know why people wanted Alphonse. She found herself glancing over at him as he worked until Gran walked in and told them that’s it for the day.

Alphonse walked over to Celia and tapped her on the shoulder with a smile.

“Hey there,” he said startling her.

“Oh!” she said smiling nervously. “What’s up?” she asked placing her apron on the table.

“Want to go for a walk?”

Celia looked at him. “Right now?”

“Yes.”

“It’s night time Alphonse.”

“So?”

Celia nodded. She would like to take a walk at night, but Gran wouldn’t let her in case of danger. Hopefully she wouldn’t mind if she went with Alphonse. “Sure,” she said finally.

The two of them hurried out of the Inn and down the road passing by the few people left wandering the village.

They started joking around as they sat under the stars and just told each other some stories about what they did as kids; each finding embarrassing moments to point out for fun. Celia was happy to be around him.

“Say, Alphonse,” she said as she laid down on the grass.

“Hm?”

“Some guys came over today,” she said slowly. “And they were looking for you.”

“What did they look like?” he voice became harsh.

“Well, one was this big buff guy with a deep voice…” she said. “Why were they looking for you?” She rolled on her side.

“It’s nothing. Just some old friends.”

“Oh,” she said ending it. She didn’t believe him.

A few hours later Celia fell asleep, and Alphonse picked her up and he took them both back to the Inn. He was greeted with Gran as he walked in.

“Where have you been?” she asked.

“We were nearby, just took a short walk and gazed at the stars,” he told her.

“Your look,” Gran said. “You plan on leaving?”

Alphonse put Celia down and covered her with a blanket.

“Yes, thank you for all your help Gran,” he said. “Please don’t worry about me.”

Gran nodded and handed him a bag.

“Some supplies to help you on the road,” she smiled and walked out.

Days passed as Alphonse wandered around, and he eventually stopped at a small village where people were happily gossiping about the news of a warlord taking the land of a poor village that was a few days away from here. His ears perked at the news. He walked by a group of villagers and asked them to tell him what they knew. As he was told, he felt his heart drop.  It was Lancourt. The last village he stayed at. Clutching, his fist his knuckles turned white.

“Damn,” he whispered as he hurried out of the village.

He didn’t know where he should go, home or to the lord that was on a rampage from the disappearance of the groom to his daughter. Either way the fate would be the same: Marriage. But he first had to make sure the village was going to be okay. He begged to borrow a horse from a couple at the end of the village, upon agreeing to bring it back in a few days, Alphonse rode off into the woods towards the lord.

Two days later, Alphonse arrived at the castle of the lord he was suppose to be living at. Taking a deep breath, he rode on in.

The guards stayed down as Alphonse tied the horse out front and walked in with a pardon from a man out front.

“We’ve been expecting you Young Prince,” the man said.

Alphonse brushed it off. He didn’t care for his title at all.

They walked to the court room. Standing there was the lord, and the princess he would be married off to.

“How do you do Alphonse,” the lord said. A sneaky smile appeared on his face. “You broke the treaty of your land and mine, and look what it brought. A poor fate to the little village that open its arms for you.”

Alphonse stared.

“But, now that you are here, I will call my men out and leave them alone,” he said.

“That would be very kind of you Sir,” Alphonse said taking a short bow.

“If you go through with the marriage.”

These words pinned Alphonse in the heart. He didn’t want to get married. He had someone in mind he wanted to be with.

“If you refuse, the village and the villagers will be gone in a few hours,” the lord smiled. “What will you choose?”

“I happily accept your offer,” Alphonse said.

“Grand, prepare the banquet!”

Alphonse was led out of the along with the princess.

“I am happy to finally meet you, Alphonse,” she said sweetly. “I’ve been dreaming of the day we’ll be wed.”

He nodded. He didn’t want to speak to her. But he had to be nice so he held out his hand for hers. The princess giggled and happily took it.

“My name is Yoni,” she said.

“Nice name, you already know my name,” he smiled to her.

“Of course.”

Yoni smiled back at him.

“Soon we will be married.”

Celia grabbed a piece of bread and swallowed it quickly down.

“Sweetie,” Gran said patting her on the back. “You shouldn’t be mad.”

“I shouldn’t?” she screeched. “I fell for him!” She covered her face with her hands. “He was promised to someone else. What is wrong with him?”

“Maybe he liked you too.”

“Gran! If he liked me then he should have left.”

“Celia, you know better than anyone people do things for their own reasons. He could just be protecting you.”

“I don’t need protecting.”

Gran looked at her and shook her head. “Your parents would be upset hearing the way you talk. They didn’t die for you to be spoiled.”

“I know Gran,” she softly said. She was acting like a child. She shouldn’t be. Tomorrow was the day Alphonse and his bride would be married, and this village was to attend the wedding.

“We should prepare our gift Child.”

Gran took Celia’s hand and led her out of the room.

They worked on making a cake that the newly wedded couple would enjoy.

The next morning, Gran took out a sweet dress for Celia to wear. After a short fight about Gran not attending, Celia put the dress on and carried the cake to the center of the village where they would be awaiting the rest of the wedding.

As soon as Alphonse and Yoni arrived everyone started whispering, and welcoming the couple on their big day. Nodding, Alphonse greeted everyone who approached them.

His eyes fell on Celia, and he quickly looked away. He didn’t want to meet her gaze.

“Congratulations Alphonse,” Celia called loudly over to him. She walked closer to give her respects. “This cake if from Gran and I, please enjoy it.” She handed over the cake and walked away, glancing over her shoulder at Alphonse. Giving a small smile she finally understood why he left and why he was to get married. He was protecting this little village from harm. “Like hell I accept that,” she said to herself. But looking at the people being happy she smiled, “oh well. I should be happy for him.”

The couple waved and bowed thanking the village for their blessing.

“With this union, your village will no longer be in harm’s way,” Princess Yoni announced.

“Please feel free to enjoy yourselves at this celebration,” Prince Alphonse said.

Celia looked at them and smiled. I guess this is how it is to be. She hurried to her friend from the Inn and they started dancing to the music. She wasn’t going to be down on this day. She was going to be happy for him, happy for the Princess, and happy that the village will be safe.

Later on, she wearily walked into the Inn, and Gran was standing near the window. “Gran?” she asked as she walked to her. “What’s wrong?”

“Celia, you should have stopped Alphonse. He didn’t want to marry her. He wanted you,” Gran said.

“No,” Celia smiled. “If I did no good would have come from it. I was hoping he’ll look my way and then make everything stop, but he didn’t. I know I’m important to him, we’re important to him. He wanted to save us from any pain from the lord and his army, so he did what he had to do.” A tear ran down her face. “I’m happy to have known Alphonse,” she admitted.

Gran took Celia into her arms and hushed the child.

Alphonse and Yoni went back to the castle, and they sat in the room.

Yoni took her hair out and gave a sigh.

“You didn’t want this marriage did you?”

Alphonse didn’t answer.

“You love someone else?”

He remained silent.

“Don’t worry; we won’t have to do anything. If you want you can see her, I’ll talk to father.”

“Why?”

“Because you put up with me even though you didn’t. You smiled for me without me asking you too. So I am not going to ruin your life if you show me kindness without wanting to.”

Yoni walked out of the room.

Alphonse was left sitting on the bed. He didn’t know what he should do.

As Yoni returned she smiled. “You’re a free man. Father even said he’ll leave the village alone as long as you become a knight and fight for his army.”

“I’m a prince not a knight.”

“Yes, but we know your background. Take it or leave it. If you leave it then you are stuck with me,” Yoni said.

“So you don’t want me?”

“I want you…but that’s not what you want. Despite always getting what I want, I’m a nice person,” she said laughing. “It’s your choose. I’m going to sleep in my other chamber.” She left Alphonse in the room alone.

Leaving early morning, Alphonse hurried out of the castle and back to the village where Celia was working. He stared at the window and watched her work around the Inn. He pushed the door open and walked to Celia.

“Hey,” he said.

Celia turned to him. Her eyes widened and then narrowed as she saw him. She sharply turned away from him.

“I’m here for my job.”

“We don’t need you.”

“I’m a guest and I don’t have money to stay.”

“Well then you can’t stay.”

Alphonse smiled.

“I thought that you welcome travelers of all kind, at least that’s what Gran said.”

“Go back to your wife.”

“I don’t have one.”

Gran walked and smiling and hit Celia in the head with a rolled up paper.

“You better start right away, Alphonse,” Gran said. “Well get to it.”

Alphonse hurried and got his broom and started sweeping away.

Celia couldn’t help but smile.

“I’m going to work unless I’m called to the castle. I’m now a knight,” he said as they worked. “With a long time off.”

“That’s nice.”

Celia threw a towel at him.

“Then you better make sure you have a room here,” she smiled at him.

They both laughed and started working together again.

Short Story

It was day time again, as the streets roared with life. Everyone was hurrying to their destination, not giving heed to the others who they blocked on their way.

But that was life.

No one cared about what the other did; Kim was no different.

Kim was just a lonely average college student. She dreamt about becoming a teacher. Aiding children in schools, helping them do the best they can to give back to the world that they lived in. She didn’t mind not going to any of the big parties, nor having many friends. No. Kim just kept to herself.

She wandered the halls of her college, looking just over her nose at the people who hurried past one another. It was just like looking outside on a Monday morning. Everyone in a hurry. A few people caught her eye; they gave their morning rituals of a hello and then a wave. That’s all Kim ever got from these people. Not that she minded.

Keep to yourself, she thought as she hurried along with the flow of people.

As she stepped into the first class of the day, she realized that many of the students were still missing, the perfect opportunity to get the favored seat in the front of the class, right next to the door.

Not wasting any more time, Kim slipped past a student and slid into the chair.

Perfect, her mind cheerfully said.

It was not often someone other than the school’s favorite student occupied this seat. Feeling proud of herself, she opened her bag, pulling out the notes from the class before. Kim had the habit of always going over notes; she didn’t want to mess up her classes. Not like her older sister, Hannah.

Hannah was Kim’s older twin sister. Even though they were only a few seconds apart, Kim always felt like she didn’t belong. But there was no doubt they were sisters. They looked alike ever since they were babies. Even to this every day they looked like the other. People always had trouble telling who was who when they first met them, but after some time passes, people found that Hannah was the one who always stood out more. Kim, she was a wallflower. Blending in was her best feature.

Soon more students piled into the classroom, each taking only a second to glance around the room and pick a seat mentally before moving onward.

A boy, tall with black shiny hair walked in. His ice blue eyes seemed dead as he looked around. The look given off from most of the people who wandered into this early morning class. Kim leaned on her hand as she stared at his movements. The boy was graceful as he moved to the seat a row away from her.

“Derek!” a high pitched voice cried out, grabbing everyone’s attention.

The boy turned and looked at her, just as everyone else in the room had. “What?” he answered to the name.

“Look!” the high pitched girl squealed. She pointed at Kim. “She is in my seat!”

A soft blush covered Kim’s face. She had forgotten that the favorite student loved making scenes.

Sighing, Derek leaned back in the chair. “What do you want me to do about it?”

“Make her move,” the girl demanded.

This time he shook his head. “Laura, you have to learn. The seats in this class are: first come first serve. You didn’t make it here in time, you lucked out.”

Laura furrowed her eyes. Turning her head, she glared at Kim. “You get out.”

Kim lowered her eyes to her notes once more.

She’ll go away.

“Out!” she screamed.

Her voice made everyone jump.

This time Derek stood up. He walked over to Laura and put his arm around her tense tiny shoulders. Giving his warm half smile to her, he led her away.

“La,” he started. “You don’t have to seat there. Wouldn’t you rather be with your boyfriend?” He pulled her over to a seat next to his. The student sitting there quickly moved out of the way of the princess.

“Fine,” she groaned. “But that girl better watch it.”

Before class started, Laura threw another glare at Kim.

Lunch time. The time of day the students looked around for food. Kim was on her way to meet her sister at the parking lot. Hannah was picking her up to head over to the food joint down the street. A five minute drive. She never ate lunch without her sister.

Kim noticed her sister’s silhouette on the pavement, she rushed over.

“Hey!” she cried happily.

Hannah turned. Her green eyes sparkled in the sunlight.  “Hey baby sis,” she greeted. “You ready to go?”

Kim nodded.

“Let’s head out then.”

The girls piled into the beaten up car and drove out and onto the road, and soon enough the food place. After ordering their meals, they sat down.

“So anything interesting happened in school?” Hannah asked.

“I finally had the class’ attention,” Kim dully stated.

“Really? That great!”

Shaking her head she explained what had happened with Laura in the morning.

“Kim,” she said full of concern. “How much longer are you going to be like that? When are you going to take charge and tell her “No, I am sitting here today, go find a different seat,”?” Hannah pointed a soggy fry at her sister before taking a bite out of it.

“I just can’t do that. What if she gets mad?”

“What will she do? Make a scene like she already did?”

Kim pondered the thought.

“You know Hannah, it’s different. Everyone treated you with honor. Just knowing you was a privilege.  Not like me. I have nothing. Only the minutes in class where I feel like I am on the same level as everyone else. If I screw up then she’ll take that only pleasure away,” Kim complained.

“Oh, Kim,” Hannah said shaking her head.

“I wish you didn’t drop out so then at least I’d have you there,” she muttered under her breath.

A few days had passed since the encounter with Laura. Things had gone back the way they were before. No one remembered Kim, and she was happy about that too.

But one Friday after class had finished, the teacher called her over.

“Kim,” he started. “One of the students in the class is failing. You are the top student; I have a favor to ask you.”

Kim listened. She didn’t dare speak.

“I want you to help him bring his grade up.”

“Okay. Who is he, Sir?” she asked.

“Derek Burke.”

“Derek?” she asked as if her ears deceived her.

“Yes. You know him, tall, black hair, blue eyes,” the teacher said in a voice telling her to get going and start on what he told her to do.

Nodding, Kim hurried out the classroom.

“Not what I need,” she said in a soft voice. “Surely no good will come from this.”

Finding Derek was the easy part, talking to him was another story.

Kim looked at the group of students sitting on the bench outside waiting for others to come join before heading home. Taking a deep breath, Kim started for them.

As soon as she got there, no one even noticed her. But the beating in her chest felt as if it was going to burst. Her blood was rushing, and she worried what she was going to say. Standing dully in front of the people, she practiced what she would say in her head.

“What are you doing?” a voice pulled her back into reality.

“Huh?” she asked in a daze.

“What are you doing?” the voice asked again.

Kim looked around the group, and realized Derek was the one questioning her.

“Um, uh,” she muttered in a barely audio voice.

“You were looking at me,” he stated.

The others roared.

“Maybe she has a crush on you and came to confess,” another boy said. “Not that is matters, you already have Laura, the hottest girl on campus, and this chick is hideous in comparison.”

A girl with light brown hair slapped the boy who commented on the arm. “Hush you,” she said in a sweet voice. Turning to Kim, she smiled. “What do you want?” she asked.

“Um,” she started again in a voice just a little louder than before. “I need to talk to Derek,” she finally said.

“Figures,” Derek said. “What is it?”

“Mr. Louis asked me to help bring your grade up,” she lowered her voice.

His friends broke out in laughter.

“What! You’re failing that easy class?” one asked.

“How? It’s basic grade school work.”

“Shut up,” Derek said a bit annoyed. He turned his attention back to Kim. “Couldn’t think of finding me when I was alone and asked me then?” he asked in a harsh voice.

Kim pulled at her cuffs of her long sweater. “He asked me to do it right away,” she answered with her head lowered.

“Look you scared her,” the girl commented. “Meanie Derek. I thought you knew how to treat a girl.”

Running his fingers through his hair, he let out a sigh of defeat.

“Look, I’ll get back to you. I have to tell Laura I can’t make it to her meeting today then. Since it’s so much more important I study and do work with you,” Derek said. With that he stood up. “Wait here.”  

He left.

The group of friends stared at Kim for a few seconds, and then resumed their conversation as if they weren’t interrupted.   

It took Derek a few minutes to return to the front and face Kim.

“It’s done.”

He walked off leaving Kim to hurry behind him.

“No,” Kim said pointing at the paper again. “It’s not like that at all. How did you get that?”

“I did exactly what you had told me to do,” Derek whined.

“No you didn’t,” she turned a page in the book again. “You did this equation. You wanted to do the other,” she explained. “The type of problem wouldn’t work with this equation, try again.”

Derek stared at her.

“What?” she asked pushing her glasses back up her nose.

“You’re different than you are at school,” he said.

“Eh?”

“Yeah, you are more outspoken than in class.”

Kim lowered her eyes. That was true. When it came to teaching, it was as if a different person took over, and Kim left.

“Oh, sorry,” she said in a soft voice. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

Derek laughed. “What are you sorry for? You’re better like this,” he smiled. “I enjoy this better.”

“Oh?” she was surprised.

He nodded.  “I didn’t even know who you were until Laura made that scene. You’re really a Plain Jane, who only cared about taking notes and reading in school. More so you wear glasses, who would have guessed the quiet nerd actually can speak normally,” he laughed.

Blushing she took them off.

“I need them to read properly,” she explained. “I never wore contacts.”

“Why not?”

Thinking of a reason she shrugged. “I just ever had a reason to, glasses work just fine,” she said. Kim flipped a few pages forward in the book. “Back to the homework,” she ordered.

Derek nodded and fixed himself to get a better view of the book in front of the two of them.

It was a few hours until Kim and Derek finished their homework at the library. If it was just Kim alone, she would have been done earlier. But she was helping Derek until the very last question on the homework.

“Hey, thanks,” he said as they walked into the parking lot. “It was nice doing the work with you.” He pulled out a set of keys and opened his car door. “Want a ride?” he offered.

“Oh no, I couldn’t,” she said throwing her hands to refuse.

“Nonsense, you helped me a ton with the homework,” he said. “Besides now I feel like I won’t fail the quiz on Monday.”

Kim looked around; there was no sign of her sister.

Figured, she thought. Tell her that I will be staying after school for a few hours, she doesn’t ever show up.

Not really having a choice, Kim agreed to the offer, she knew her parents wouldn’t enjoy her walking home in the evening.

“Great, hop in.”

They drove along, on their way to Kim’s house. She looked over at the clock inside Derek’s car.

“Is that the right time?” she asked moving closer to the time.

“Huh?” He darted his eyes to the time. “No, it’s like an hour or so late.”

“It’s so late already,” she said sadly.

She missed dinner. If there was one thing in her family, they all ate on time, they didn’t wait for no one, mand they didn’t save anything for the person who ditched the table.

“Why? Plans?”

“No, just strict parents.”

“Oh? What you’re not going to eat dinner because you’re getting home really late?”

“Pretty much,” she said.

“Oh,” Derek lowered his voice. “Sorry, I suppose it’s my fault you’re in trouble.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes.

Derek turned off the main road and took a way to a plaza.

Kim looked out her window in confusion.

“Where are you going? I told you I’ll tell you when to turn,” she said.

Derek didn’t say anything.

He parked the car.

“Well get out.”

“Wait?” she stammered. She didn’t understand what was going on.

“It’s my fault if you don’t eat, and I wouldn’t be able to sleep knowing that, I have got to feed you. Get out, we’re at my favorite restaurant,” he said getting out of the car before she was able to comprehend what he had said.

Climbing out of her seat and closing the door, she hurried to Derek and pulled his arm. “You don’t need to, I didn’t do much,” she said in a rushed voice.

“Nonsense.”

Grabbing her hand, Derek led her into the restaurant. Not allowing her to decide.

Once they were inside, they got a booth by the window. Kim slide in and sat by the window. She wasn’t use to eating out with anyone other than Hannah. They sat in silence. The waiter had came and gone. They still hadn’t spoken a word.

“Are you mad?” Derek ventured to converse.

She shook her head.

“Then what happened? You were all talky earlier.”

Kim sighed. “You don’t get it.”

“No, I don’t.”

“If Laura knew you were treating me to food, she’d eat me alive.”

“You scared of her, huh?”

“You think?” Kim said looking out the window. “I am no match for her. And I don’t need any trouble in school. I just want to finish and get out as fast as I can.”

“Think I’ll cause you problems?”

“Don’t know. But I have a feeling involving you in my life will have a bad affect.”

“Well, if any harm comes to you, then I’ll be sure to be there to protect you,” Derek said softly so only she could hear him.

The waiter interrupted placing their order of food on the table.

Kim let out a nervous laugh and started to eat the food.

Safely home, Kim closed her bedroom door. She flopped on her bed, hiding her face in her pillow.

A knock on her door disturbed her thoughts.

“Yes?” she sighed.

“Kim? Can I come in?” Hannah said in a small voice.

Kim sat up.  It was unlike her sister to whisper, more so at their own house. “Sure, come in,” she said.

Hannah opened the door and walked slowly into the room. She sat down on the edge of Kim’s bed.

“What’s up?” she asked her sister.

Hannah just stared at the ground.

“Han?” she asked craning her neck to take a look at her face.

“Kim, you’ll always love me no matter what, right?”

Confused, she answered, “Yes, of course. We’re sisters, twins. The closest thing to each other we have. We’re one of the same. Why do you ask?”

Hannah shook her head.

“No reason, just wanted to know,” she laughed.

Kim made a face and hit her sister with her pillow.

“Weirdo, you had me worried,” she said.

Hannah laughed. “You were always the worrywart out of the two of us.”

They shared a laugh, and Hannah bid her sister a good night and left the room.

“Wonder what that was about,” Kim said to herself. She pulled herself to her desk. Even though she wanted to get to sleep, she had to update her journal first. A habit she had since she was a kid. Opening her laptop, she found her last saved document, and quickly read over it in case she had a spelling or grammar problem. Everything looked fine. So she opened a fresh page and started.

A half an hour later, Kim saved and closed the laptop. “That’s enough for now,” she said with a yawn. Looking at her clock by her bedside she read “ten-forty-five”. It was already so late for her, and she had to wake up at six in the morning to get to school. Peeling off her clothes from the day, she slipped into her bed time clothes.

Days passed since she and Derek studied together. Slowly the two people got closer, sharing stories about one another once in a while as they studied. Derek even offered her rides home after school, much to Laura’s distaste.

Rumors flew around school.

“Did you hear Derek is cheating on Laura with this nerdy looking girl?”

“I heard she is paying him for attention.”

“She used some kind of trick to get in between those two.”

Kim sighed every time she walked past people gossiping about her. She couldn’t believe how fast people made stories up. This was a reason why she didn’t want to “hang” with him inside school and outside. She knew this was going to happen.

Derek waved at her from his locker.

“Hey, Ki-Kimi,” he called.

Kim’s blood rose as he called her the nickname Hannah had given her when they were kids. She stormed over to him.

“Don’t call me that,” she said. “Aren’t you upset at all about these rumors?”

Derek shrugged. “Should I be?”

“Yes!”

“Why?”

“Clearly because your girlfriend is ruining my school life, everyone is treating me worse than before, can’t you do something?” she asked in a desperate attempt to get life the way it was before.

“Look, I’m sure it’ll die down as soon as this term is over. I promise to study harder without your help next term,” he said and walked off leaving Kim there dumbfounded.

“What is with him, doesn’t he know that I can’t handle this?” Kim walked to the girl’s bathroom.

Sitting on the toilet, Kim held her head. She didn’t know what she was supposed to do. The rumors were getting worse every waking moment. Derek wasn’t denying, nor trying to calm them down. Tears started to form inside her eyes. Her feelings were mixed about what she should be doing.

The creak of the door brought her attention back to earth. Girls were talking. Kim shut her eyes tightly, in hopes she could drown the voices out.

“She is such a little whore,” a high pitch voice said.

“Seriously, we all thought she was just the shy nerd, showed us,” another girl said. “Boyfriend stealer.”

Kim bit her lip.

“I can’t believe Derek either! I bet he wouldn’t like hearing what I was told,” the high pitch voice spoke.

“Oh! What did you hear?”

“Kim is pregnant.”

A gasp was let out from someone beyond the bathroom stall.

“What kind of rumor is that?” Kim asked herself quietly. “I never even had a boyfriend!”

Feet shuffled, the sound of a door closing signaled that she was now alone in the bathroom again.

“How am I to face any of this now?” she sighed. “If that rumor spreads then…Then,” she choked down on her words.

Forcing the tears back, Kim walked out of the bathroom.

As she walked the halls, no one made mention of the rumor she heard in the bathroom. Feeling a bit better, she started to think it was going to be bearable now that things seem to be dying down. Walking to her locker, she noticed Derek standing there.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hi,” her shy voice answered.

She looked over her shoulder; people were looking at her again.

“I was wondering if you would like to help me with tonight’s homework,” he asked.

“Hm?” she furrowed her eyes. “I thought you were getting the hang of the class!”

“Yeah,” he said and scratched his head. “I wasn’t really paying attention with the lesson today, so I figured you’d be able to help. You free to do so?”

Kim gave a sigh. She didn’t want to help; she knew it was a bad idea. But did she really have a choice. She promised their teacher that she’d help him whenever he needed since his grade improved.

“Okay,” she finally said as she closed her locker. “I’ll help. Meet you at the library?”

“No,” he said. “I am tired of the library, besides I have to watch over my younger brother this afternoon, just come to my place. That okay?”

A going to a boy’s place? I much rather die. Why is he even bothering?

She nodded.

“It’s fine.”

“Good, see you after school,” Derek said and he walked off.

Kim ran her finger across the spine of her text book. “Derek sure is pushy,” she commented to herself.

“Oh yes he is,” a voice behind her answered her.

Kim jumped and turned to see who was listening. Right before her eyes was Laura. Her blonde hair tied neatly into a braid that fell down her back and past her waist.

“I bet you love the attention Derek is giving you,” Laura said. “A girl like you, no guy would think twice.”

“Leave me alone,” Kim said with a soft voice. “Please.”

“Why should I?” Laura pushed Kim into the lockers. “You took my boyfriend you whore. What right do you have to tell me to leave you alone?” she asked her.

“Stop it!” Kim cried. “Please let me be!”

“No! The very least you can do for what you did, is become my toy! I am so mad at you bitch!” Laura screamed.

Everyone in the hall ignored what was going on.

Kim pleaded with her eyes to her peers whose backs were turned from her.

“You’ll regret all of this,” Laura said before storming off.

Kim collapsed to the ground, holding onto her shoulder. Her teeth dug into her lower lip. How much longer will she have to put up with this nonsense? She just want it to go back to the way it was just a few weeks ago. She started to regret picking the seat by the door. If she had only given it up. If she only got out when Laura told her to, Kim believed that if she had only listened then none of this would have happened.

After school, Kim saw Derek waiting but the front doors of the school. He waved her down. With no hope of ignoring him, she walked over to him with baby steps. As much as she wanted to get out of the school as soon as possible, she didn’t want to leave with him.

“Great,” he said with a cheery voice. “Thought you’d skip out on me.”

“Wouldn’t dare,” she said with a monotone voice. She was tired from the day.

They drove in silence. She felt Derek take glances at her. But she looked down at her hands in her lap. She didn’t know what to talk about, fact being she just wanted to stop talking and being around him. She wanted to go back being a wallflower. A wallflower no one knew, or remembered. One that can peacefully get by in life with all the other normal people. Being near Derek wouldn’t allow this.

Soon enough they arrived at a two story house, Derek opened the car door for her, taking her by surprise.

“Welcome to Castle Burke,” he laughed.

“Thanks for having me,” she said.

They walked inside and up to his room.

“Where’s your younger brother?” she asked.

“He’ll be home shortly, his school lets out a little after three,” Derek explained.

“Oh,” she said.

Kim took out her text book and flipped through the pages until she found the chapter they were learning in class.

“What were your questions?” she asked.

Derek moved closer to her to see the page. Kim felt uncomfortable; she was able to feel his breath on the back of her neck.

“This one,” he said wrapping his arm around her to point out a section of the chapter. “I didn’t understand what I’d use that for.”

“Um,” she looked at the part he pointed out. “That’s fairly simple, but the teacher told us we didn’t have to learn- Ah!”

She was cut off as Derek started to lightly kiss her neck. Trying not to make a sound, she turned around and pushed him away.

“No,” she said. “I’m only here to help.”

Derek didn’t listen to what she was saying. Only a matter of minutes was he able to pin her down to the floor. His hands touching her, feeling every inch he could. Kim started gasping between the kisses he was forcing onto her.

“Derek!” she cried out trying to get him to stop. But he wasn’t listening.

His fingers found her sensitive spot between her legs, despite her twist away; Kim was no match to his strength. He had her pinned against her will. Slowly feeling weak from struggling, Derek was able to take her clothes off, exposing her nude body before him. Taking her shirt, he tied her wrist together and reached onto the table for his camera phone. Snapping only a few photos of her, he tossed it aside and had his way.

By the time he was finished, Kim was in tears. She couldn’t believe what he had done. Touching her face Derek smiled.

“Don’t worry, no one will know but us,” he said in a soft sweet voice.

Kim whimpered.

“No one but you and I…and of course Laura,” he said.

The name of his girlfriend filled Kim with fear. She didn’t want her to find out. She was already scared of what that girl would do to her. If she knew what Derek did, she wouldn’t be able to face the school.

He let her go.

Days passed and Kim didn’t go to school. She sulked in bed over what she went through. Hannah stayed by her side. Cooing her to stop being so depressed. Eventually Hannah had to go to work, leaving Kim alone in the house as their parents had to go aboard for a business meeting.

Kim moved around the house, she couldn’t bare look at mirrors. She felt gross and sick to her stomach. Trying to rack her mind to why Derek would think of doing something like that confused her. He had Laura to do those things with, why would he do that to her. Kim couldn’t hold back her tears, and she let them flow out.

“I knew it!” she cried. “Nothing good will come from having to talk to him.”

Hannah walked in on her sister sobbing on the kitchen floor.

“Kim,” she said. “You have to snap out of it!”

She looked at her older sister. The picture of pure beauty. The beauty she knew she held.

“Hannah,” she said. “What exactly is your job?”

“Huh?” Hannah was taken by surprised.

Kim started blankly at the floor.

“You go off every night and day to work, your pay is big,” she said. “But no one knows what your job is.”

Hannah bit her lower lip.

“I’m sorry!” she cried. “I tried to stop, but I just couldn’t!”

Hearing her sister cry, made Kim snap her head back to her sister. Watching the tears stream down her face, cut Kim’s heart.

No, no! Hannah is supposed to be the better one! She isn’t supposed to cry, she thought as she stood up to hug her.

“I just couldn’t get away from him,” Hannah choked. “Mr. Louis was just too cunning.”

The name froze Kim.

“Mr. Louis?” she asked. “What does he have to do with anything?”

Hannah covered her face.

“I sleep with him for money. It was like that ever since I meet him. First it started off as a way to pay off late fees, something that was supposed to be a onetime thing. But then he had pictures. So I left, I cut all ties with him.”

“Then what does he have to do with any of this?” Kim asked again.

“When you told me what had happened, I went to school to see who Derek was, and I noticed him and Mr. Louis talking.” Hannah choked. It took her a few minutes before she was able to continue. “He…he gave Derek money and took a phone. I figured that that was the phone that held your photos.” She started to sob again. “I couldn’t let that pervert have some of you too! So I went back to him. He planned it all! He used Derek to get to you! He paid him to rape you so he can get me back so he can be inside of me again.” She cried even harder. “I’m sorry Kim! I figured this might have happened when you had told me you had his class. That day. That day you told me about Laura harassing you, I went to speak to Mr. Louis as well. I begged him to leave you alone. I asked him to help you, not hurt you. He also had his way. He vowed to have both of us. I already knew before any of this happened.”

Kim couldn’t take anything her sister told her in. It didn’t make any sense to her. How could her sister not tell her something as important as that? They had always shared everything. Secrets, memories, lives. Everything.

Hannah tried to give Kim a hug. Kim shoved her away.

Standing up, Kim went to the door. As soon as she got in the car, she drove away. She drove to school.

She walked to Mr. Louis’s classroom. As luck would have it, he was inside grading papers. In her hand she clutched a knife, hidden within her skirt.

“You!” she yelled. “This is your entire fault!”

Mr. Louis was taken by surprise and looked up from his papers with a startled look.

“Ah, Kim, the younger of the two lovely twins,” he said with a low voice.

She narrowed her eyes.

“Why?” she asked. “Why would you do that to my sister?”

“Your sister? She asked me. She didn’t want to be kicked out. She feared of being a failure. Funny how instead she ended up dropping out isn’t it?” he laughed. Getting up from his chair he moved towards Kim.

“She was your student. I’m your student,” Kim stated unnerved.

“Yes, my lovely students. My sexy students. Your looks are exactly the same as your sister’s. Even the look of fear and regret in the pictures are the same.”

Kim bit her lip.

“Even your habits are the same,” he said as he lifted her face to his. “I always loved watching Hannah and you bite your bottom lip in class as you took notes. That always got me excited. Just like it is now.” He took her hand and forced her to feel a lump rising, getting bigger by seconds.

She never took her eyes off him.

“You should leave Hannah and I alone,” she said. “Leave us alone.”

Mr. Louis laughed not removing her hand from its spot.

“You really think I can do that? I just love you too much. I love your sister as well,”

At that moment, the door swung open.

“Get your hands off of her!” Hannah’s voice rang through the room. She pushed Mr. Louis away grabbing Kim. “You okay? He didn’t do anything did he?” she asked with concern.

“Stay out of this Hannah,” Kim said not taking her eyes off Mr. Louis.

Hannah was taken back. “But Kim, there’s nothing we can do,” she said.

Mr. Louis started to laugh again and pointed at the girls.

“Do you really think you can outsmart me?’ he asked. “You aren’t nearly as smart as I.” He moved towards his desk and grabbed a letter opener. “I better teach you guys a lesson, starting with the youngest.”

He leaped at Kim, aiming for her chest.

“Ah!” was all the escaped. Hannah fell to the ground clutching her chest that held the letter opener. “I’m so sorry for all of this Ki-Kimi,” she said with tears in her eyes. “I really am.”

The nickname her sister gave her brought tears to her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said back. Turning to her teacher she lowered her eyes. “You should have listened. You shouldn’t have gotten me involved,” she said. “I just wanted to left alone. Why couldn’t you do that?” she asked walking slowly towards him.

“I love you too much, don’t you see that? Your sister and you, you two are one of the same. I love you!” Mr. Louis declared.

Kim plunged the knife she was holding into his stomach. She turned it making sure she hit the triangle of danger. Pulling the knife upward then downward, she made sure to cut him, cut him deep. As soon as she took the knife out, Mr. Louis fell to the ground. His eyes lost life in them.

“I asked you, you didn’t listen,” she said in a sad voice. “Why couldn’t you just listen and leave us alone?” She picked up her teacher’s head and cut it off the body. Blood spilled all over the classroom floor. Holding the head in her hand by the hair she noticed the teacher’s backpack still at the desk, dumping the items inside out, she placed his head in the bag.

Taking the bag with her, she headed home.

The light dimmed, as soon as she closed the door she knew what she had done. Kim didn't feel as if it was her fault. The others brought it upon themselves. She only tried to stay away. Tried to not get involved. They were the ones who pulled her in. She didn't want it. She didn't ask for it. Despite knowing this, Kim felt the tug of guilt in her stomach. Moving to the windows, she stole a glance at the dark street.

"If only they had listened," she whispered. "If only they let it be. Why couldn't they listen?" 

Upset over what happened, Kim hurried to her bed. Flopping down as if to be absorbed into a new world. How she longed that would actually happened. That would save her many troubles in the future. How it would have saved her from the past, from what happened. Turning to her side, she knew that wasn't possibly. Knew that this was reality.

Looking at the clock on her nightstand, she read the time: "Eleven-Thirty-Two." 

"Better time than any to get up and leave," she stared at her closet. 

What should she bring? Should she ever bother taking items with her?

Shaking her head, Kim grabbed her bag. The emergency bag she put together in case something like this had happened. Starting for the front door, she realized the blood was still on her hands. She had to do something or it'll get everywhere. As she washed her hands clean, she checked under her nails to make sure she didn't miss any blood that could be hiding. A short spin in front of the mirror approved there was no stain on her. Nodding, she hurried off.

Now on the road, Kim drove. She drove, and drove for hours. It started getting really late.

"I should pull over," she said in a sleepy voice. "I should..." 

A Motel sign caught her eye, and she turned off the road. Walking in, she asked if they had a room. The old lady at the desk eyed her. Kim's blood started to rush. Did she knew? Was she already busted? Reaching for a pocketknife in her pant's pocket, the lady stood up.

"Only you tonight?" she croaked as if she expected Kim to have a guy with her.

"Yes. A single bed, please," Kim answered in a hurry. 

The old lady handed her a key. "Room five-zero-six," she croaked again.

Kim nodded and left. Happy to be away, and safe, she looked out the crack of her blinds. No cops, she noted. Good sign.

Signing, she turned over and looked at the bags by her feet. Opening the furthest one, she pulled out a guy's head. Dried blood covered the neck, cuts and bruises left all over the face. Hold it by the hair, she gave a sad smile.

"I told you not to drag me into this, I begged you. Why couldn't you just listen?"