Give me your true and honest opinion!
The Runaway
“Will you marry me?” There was sincerity in his cool, blue eyes.
“I will.” I wrapped my arms around his thick shoulders, not sure if it was the right decision. Did I love this man? Did he love me? Maybe this was just a hoax; never before had a man fallen so hard for a Swane girl.
“That’s wonderful!” He laughed and lifted my petite body into the sky. Surely I was happy, but what would come of this marriage? My John’s bank account was filled with old money, and his house was with high-class citizens, whom I would surely embarrass myself to. John wore expensive suits, and I wore hand-stitched dresses by my mother. The only reason my family accompanied riches, was because of my Uncle, who owned the greatest bar this side of the Comanche Mountains.
“Yes, yes it is.” I smiled as he looked at me, trying to figure out why my voice was not as full of joy as his.
“What is wrong?” He tilted his head to the left, keeping his hands on my hips. I shivered at the cold of the wind that moved the tips of my long brown hair. We were in his backyard, under the great apple tree that was so frequently occupied. What was it about him that made me so scared? His eyes were so welcoming, his touch so gentle, and his words so kind. Why was I so afraid to commit to my dearest friend?
“Not a thing; I am just a bit cold.” He frantically bent down to pick up our books, linked his arm through mine, and led us back to his glorious mansion.
“Some food?” He asked as we entered his kitchen. Big brown countertops lined every long wall, and were covered in soft brown granite. A small icebox was in the farthest corner from the door, and a pantry door lie on the left wall. The room was lit by searing streams of light coming on from the five-or-so windows.
I shook my head. All I wanted was to find an easy way to escape. “Sabrina, listen.” His head was down, as if counting every little piece of wood that lined the floor. “I know I am not the bravest man. I’m not a soldier, or a prince, or any other kind of man you could get, but, I love you, and I want you forever; all to myself.”
He slowly looked up, hoping to see a bright expression on my face. Sadly, there wasn’t. My face was formed into a look somewhere between bored and frightened. “John, I need some time to think. You don’t mind if I leave?” His shoulders sunk, but he nodded, reaching over to me for a hug.
“Don’t be afraid, Sabrina,” he whispered into my ear, before walking back outside. I watched him through the open door for a minute. He stared at the Comanche Mountains, as if searching for some sort of light among the tall brown lumps. What was wrong with me? I had corrupted the one man who loved me for my, well… not-so-rich self.
I walked to the hallway, grabbed my sweater, and left without looking back. It was just a few minutes from his mansion to my small cozy-like home. I walked past men on horses, woman with baskets, and children with books. All of them seemed to be smiling more than I ever had, and they weren’t just told someone loved them.
I reached my front yard, instantly regretting the decision to leave. Once I saw the small house I had to return to, my heart sank. Even our front yard displayed the little amount of money that had gone into our front yard. The grass in the front yard was dying, the fence that lined the grass had peeling white paint, and the once beautiful walkway was overrun by weeds. I stepped up to my front door, taking as long as I could to reach the handle. “Mama, I’m home.” I heard her clanking pans in the kitchen, and followed her noises. As I got closer, the sweet smell of homemade bread embraced my nose.
“Oh, you are going to love her,” I heard my mother say. Who was in my house? My mother barely ever allowed visitors; she wouldn’t even let John come in.
I walked through the doorway to see my mother seated on our dining room table, drinking tea. Across from her was a big man with brown hair. How did he get here before me? “John?” The man rounded his head to reveal features of a man the exact opposite
from my John.
“Sabrina! Sit, we have a visitor. This is Adam. He needed a place to stay, running around the Kingdom doing errands for the King.” Adam nodded, and extended a hand. I shook it, my cheeks turning pink at the sight of this gorgeous man. He had striking light-brown eyes, which flowed into sharp cheek bones. His well-structured face ended with a straight, pointy nose, and nice thin lips. What was it about this man that made me want to leave John and run away with him?
