Storm & Silence | FANFICTION

02. Typical Ball Nights

Lilly

I sat on this very chair for far too long to the point where I feel as if I'm going to get a hemorrhoid. This hoop skirted dress was dangerously uncomfortable while sitting on a flat surface, and the solid chocolate I was consuming was not distracting me from my discomfort.

Biting into the chocolate with a satisfying chip, I sighed and slumped down into the seat, glancing around the colossal ballroom, noticing the flustered young women being accompanied by their fellow younger men, not missing the smug looks on their face by the satisfactory of winning the ladies.

All of the happy-looking couples made me frown, knowing that any man did not accompany me. Indeed not the man that I couldn't get my mind off of ever since I laid eyes on him. His sea-coloured eyes had me captivated within him, making me gravitate towards him whenever he laid eyes on me. There was no doubt that I had fallen in love with the man, but I whole-heartily knew that he didn't feel the same.

I peeked over to my right, seeing my Aunt and her fake smile blethering to other fellows middle-aged woman. I couldn't help but snicker at the other woman's faces, seeing their happy expressions, knowing damn well they wanted to get away from the witch.

Then I peeked over to my right, noticing Anne and Maria chatting their arses away to the men that were way over their age, then seeing Ella talking to our dearest neighbor, Edmund. The two have practically been acting like a married couple have of the time, minus the rings— and the wealth.

Slumping down further, I couldn't help but feel my eyes getting droopy the more I lay down. I know very well that if I fall asleep, then my arse would be kicked by my Aunt. But I don't give a damn right now.

Moving and adjusting my position, I heard a very familiar masculine voice call out my name, "M—Miss Linton?"

My head jerked up fast; I knew that voice. I knew that oh-so-happy voice when I heard it! I turned around quickly, only to be welcomed by a smiling Captain, James Carter. Ha! I tell you, me and my genius, feminist mind are always on point.

I grinned, "Greetings to you, my lovely friend," I got up and bowed dramatically, which equaled a chuckle out of his mouth.

"And to you, Lillian," he took my hand and kissed it. I felt tingly inside, not the lovey-dovey kind, but the one in perhaps relief. Captian Carter has always been my number one. My rock. Although I don't see him frequently, I still never fail to smile when he's around.

"How have you and your hard-working self been? Y'know, I don't see you often,"

He flapped his hand, and I didn't notice the faint color in his cheeks, "Oh, don't flatter me, Miss Linton. I've been doing... well, okay, I guess. Yourself? I won't hesitate to admit that I've missed you,"

My smile widened, "Ditto, Captian Carter, ditto," I paused, "I won't deny that I've been struggling recently,"

I spoke the truth. With my feelings for Mr. Ambrose, I couldn't help but feel as if things have gone downhill. I can't love him. I could never. And that's what brings me low.

His light smile turned downward into a truthfully concerning frown, "And why is that? If you don't mind me asking,"

I froze slightly, and I couldn't tell him about my boy problems. Not only is it out of line, but it's somewhat selfish. So instead, I came up with the first thing that entered my mind, "uh, well, erm, my family, I guess you could say. My— my father has been, uh, ill? Yeah, ill, and my family isn't good at giving someone reassurance,"