“Be back soon mother,” I cried through the front door as we started into town. Adam trailed behind me as I left my front yard. I headed left down the street, not bothering to walk next to him.
He soon caught up to my fast pace. I surveyed his outfit. He was wearing a casual white shirt with black pants, made out of some material I had never seen a man wear before. “That’s an odd thing for a Kings servant to wear.”
“I am not his servant.” He said nonchalantly.
“Right, you’re his mule.” I sped up, but his legs, being longer than mine, kept up without trying.
“Sabrina,” he took my arm to stop me on this barren dirt road; I lived quite far from town. “Why do you resent me so much?” His eyes were earnest, and I felt as though he was actually hurt.
“I- I do not resent you…” I stared into his light eyes, “I-I am just trying to figure you out.” He gently let go of my arm. I wished he didn’t let go; his fingers were so soft, and warm.
“You have nothing to figure out.” He rubbed my arm where he loosely held it, as if apologizing.
I nodded and pressed on, keeping without conversation till we reached the town. A half a dozen people were idly chatting, taking a moment out of their not-so-busy lives to catch up on the latest news. There were only a few buildings in our town. On the left side of road supply store, where farmers went to see their crops, a small bookstore, and my uncle’s bar, which most of the towns-people were standing around. On the right was the town barber, where I had never been since my mother cut my hair, and a small clothing store. These shops were the last you could visit before treading the Mountains. The town was small, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I shrugged, “Well, it’s not much, but, you know-“
“I think it’s beautiful.” He looked at me. I started forward, wishing to avoid his piercing gaze.
“Did you want to see anything?”
“I’ll just follow you,” but I had not heard his comment. I was preoccupied with the fact my fiancé was staring at me, looking more hurt than I have ever seen him before. He stood watching me in front of the library, a small book in hand.
“Well, I, uh, need to make a private stop at the Library. Why don’t you go to my Uncles bar and, uh, say hello.” I ran off to John, leaving Adam and his gaping jaw to himself. He watched for a minute, I noticed, but soon slouched over to the bar.
“John,” he stood leaning against the library’s front window.
“Who is he?” John nodded toward Adam, who was pacing back and forth in front of the bar.
“The Kings servant. He’s just passing by; my mother invited him to stay with us...”
“Maybe you should stay with me while he is here.” He stared at Adam, his eyes freezing over.
“What good will that do? Leave my mother alone with a stranger?” I was shocked at his idiotic suggestion. Usually John was so calm and sincere. Why had he let his raging jealousy take over?
“Your right, I’m sorry. How are you? Have you thought about us?”
I nodded. “I want to marry you, John. I just don’t know how badly I wish to, and if it is enough. I mean, I am only eighteen; you nineteen… are we rushing too much? We are a little young to be thinking of marriage, aren’t we?”
John shook his head, “My love for you matters more than age.” He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulled me in and gently kissed me on the cheek. He slowly backed up, making sure to look over my shoulder. I turned my head to see that he was watching Adam. I pushed away, “What are you doing?”
“He looks at you funny…” John took hold of my shoulders. “Can I come over for dinner tonight?”
"John, my mother still doesn’t want you in our house…”
He nodded, “Well, we need to discuss wedding plans. I want to marry you as soon as possible.”
“I will come see you soon.”
“Goodbye, my Sabrina.”
As he walked off towards his home, John shot a nasty look at Adam. But, Adam wasn’t fazed. He walked over to me, smiling as if nothing were wrong.
“So, ready to go back?” With Adam by my side, I headed in the opposite direction of John. And for some reason, was happy about it.
Short, Short, Short! Oh well, it is one of my favorite chapters.
