Lucy - A Selection Story

Lucy: The Kiss Pt.2

Aspen sat behind me after a heated conversation with AMerica, who pushed him away 

Heartbroken, I lay in my seat, desperate to be loved. I closed my eyes, the full impact of what had happened crushin down on me. 

Chance was kind. Day after day, we continued to meet in the kitchen. There was a willow tree just barely outside of the house. and we hid under there, having picnics. I laughed as Chance tickled me on the side of my stomach. 

"Chance!" I shouted, laughing, shying away, "Stop!" 

He stopped for a second, letting my catch my breath. 

"Lucy," he paused, as if waiting to talk more, but couldn't find the words. "I love you." 

I stared at him, gobsmacked. My mouth hung open. I quietly put the food in the basket and folded the blanket. 

"Luce?" I turned around, the tears in my eyes swelling. 

"Chance, I-" I didn't have the chance to finish my sentence when he surged forward. 

He embraced me, his willowing, blonde hair slightly covering his eyes. Dropping the basket, I put my hands around him.  Stepping even closer, he kissed me. 

It was like a thousand sparks that ignited in my body at once. Wrapping my arms around him, he pulled me by the waist to bring me closer. I smiled, and he laughed, his pinky playing with a strand of my hair that had fallen loose. His face was loving, caring, even. I pulled back, wiping my mouth. Was he feeling the same feeling I was?

"Sorry, Chance." I pulled away, wiping my mouth on my sleeve. 

I really did love him. I did. But there was something there. The barriers of the castes, and the burden of keeping this all a secret. Someone's heavy feet marched on the grass. 

A maid and a butler both laughed and hugged us, even though they straightened Chance's tie after the embrace had finished. They both clasped hands, and couldn't help hugging me again. 

A bubble of a laugh was stuck in my throat as I wrapped my arms around Marilyn, the maid. 

John, the butler, was extremely formal, and only stopped to hug me again. 

Chance looked embarrassed. So did I, as I looked at my red skin. 

Marilyn laughed, then waved and left. John smiled too, and left, his hands strictly behind his back. Chance looked at me again, and I left him there, standing, still comprehending what was happening in his mind. 

.      .       .

I lay down in my cot sleeping. My father lays comfortably by my side. I hear whispered voices, and the hushed tones of CHance's mother. 

Ignoring it, I fall asleep. 

.      .      .

"Jason!" a man calls. 

The room abruptly stops, and I suddenly realize that my father is with me, sleeping silently with a pillow. 

Too dazed to remember anything, I watch as a bunch of maids swarm the carriage, ready to tend to our every need. 

My father is brought down from the carriage, and I walk down the steps. We are in Angeles. 

I immediately break down into tears. Chance is gone. The maids console me, and lead me to a side door, where the servants come in. 

Everyone congratulates me, but I can't see the warmness in their eyes, as they quickly fill with salty tears. 

I turn away from the crowd, and that's when I see an empty cot. Curling into a ball, I cried. I cried and cried, until the tears wouldn't come out anymore. 

"Lucy. We're here." 

Aspen is shaking me awake again, and I can't help but sob into his arms. 

"Oh, Aspen." I sob at the loss, the loss of Chance, my mother. Aspen holds me, comfortingly, but distanced. 

America gets up, and holds my hand as we walk down the steps of the plane, which have been laid for us by Markson. 

America goes into the Palace, and I enter through the sidedoor, Aspen following close behind. 

"Lucy, I tried to tell her, but she wouldn't listen." he pleaded. 

I put my hand in front of his face, and he stopped. 

"Officer Leger, calm down, you have done nothing wrong. I have." I turn away and walk into the kitchen, while Anne and Mary giggle at Officer Leger's presence, and embrace me at mine. 

I turn, and Aspen gives me a wink. I blush, while my face turns away, but my face turns cold as I turn back to him, my eye glaring. He backs off, and runs towards the Guard's Quarters. 

I hug Anne and Mary again, and they giggle at the sight of me. 

"Anne, Mary, you won;t believe the day I've had."