Electric Blue Rose - Book One. [COMPLETED] Undergoing Edits

Chapter One - His Future

Jade walks around the room, taping all her boxes closed, ensuring they are ready to be sent off to an Omega the next day. Dust kicks up as she moves the furniture, checking every crevice of the room to be sure nothing is forgotten. The last thing remaining is the small blue velvet ring box atop the dresser, which holds the most important promise. Shoving the box into her dress pocket, she rushes down the stairs, allowing the aroma of eggs and fresh-baked bread to lure her. Jade sits at the table, soaking in every detail of the aging farmhouse. Her father, Amorio, places the food in front of her while she smooths out the creases on her dress. He sits across from her with his plate, his eyes glossing over as he takes her in.

"I can't believe your Omega Ceremony is already here. Are you ready?"

Jade's smile takes over her face. She nods, pulling her attention away from her dress. "For the ceremony, yes. But, to see Alex?" She chews her nails. "Well, I'm a bit nervous." Amorio turns his attention to his plate, avoiding her gaze as Alex's name enters the conversation.

"Jade, I-." Amorio starts.

"Don't want me to get my hopes up? Yeah, I know."

"You deserve a love so powerful that he feels like he could barely survive a day without you. Alex hasn't reached out since he left, and I don't want you to get hurt."

"Alex wouldn't do that to me. He told me I was his future and wouldn't just say that if he didn't mean it."

"Then why hasn't he written you back?"

"He's been busy, Dad. With his tour and studying his ability on the road. Probably hasn't had a moment to himself." Jade tugs on her long brown braid, looking down at her plate.

"In three years?"

"Maybe." Jade pushes the remnants of her food away.

"Honey, I want you to have everything, but I also want you to be prepared. Sometimes changes are for the best." Amorio reaches over and grabs her hand. "Don't let Alex be your only plan; you're too talented to ignore all you have to offer."

"I'll be fine. Alex isn't going to hurt me." Jade glances at the clock. "I have to head to the station; his train is arriving soon." Amorio's gaze remains on her. She sighs before crossing over to kiss his cheek. "You'll see. Everything will be okay," she reassures him before leaving.

Outside the farmhouse doors, the sun shines over their farm. A large "SOLD" sign hangs on the white fence. Seven similar farmhouses, narrow rusting two-story buildings, surround acres of crops. In the center of it all, a pond stretches for a mile each way. As she approaches the train station, Jade breathes in the fresh air and the sweet scent of blooming Chandra.

The path toward the Marketplace is distinctive in each part of the city. The dirt path leads from the Farmlands to the Serf Territory, gravel from the Serf Territory to the Marketplace, whose terrain is stone. Jade enters the Serf Territory. The Farmlands have large two-story buildings, unlike the Serf Territory, where most homes are small shacks with boarded-up windows. Children run around barefoot and in the remains of years of hand-me-downs. Jade waves to the other Serfs but is met with the same responses she has received in recent years. The turned chins and aggravated glares should be enough to get her to quit trying to reach out, but she remains relentless.

Jade's feet step on the stone pathway; her eyes shoot to the ground. Each step is rehearsed and cautious. The pitter-patter of Arc shoes, the scent of fresh pastries, and the confetti that litters the path through the Marketplace indicate the start of the annual Omega Ceremony. Finally, this year is Jade's turn to attend. She reaches the train station entrance and crosses toward it. A large group of Arcs waits by the entrance where Alex's train will stop. They all jump up and down, holding large signs to show their love and idolization for him. Despite Alex's parents' desires for his future, he followed his heart and toured the kingdom, singing songs he and Jade composed. The gamble has paid off; not a single person in Findere doesn't know who Alex Caldwell is.

Jade fiddles with the ring box, only returning it to her pocket as the train's whistle sounds. In a matter of minutes, a childhood of promises will come true. The train screeches to a stop, and soon after, the doors open. The opening of the doors cues the screams from fans and flashes from the reporters' cameras. Alex waves to the crowd as he steps out. Time slows with each step he takes. Jade's lips part as his wavy brown hair sways in the wind. The sun reflects in his blue eyes, bringing attention to the smile that claims her heart.

"Breathe, Jade. Breathe," she repeats, working up the courage to make her way toward him. Alex's smile widens as he poses for photos and signs autographs. There he stands, surrounded by flawless Arcs, and still, for some reason, he chose her. Jade takes a deep breath and wipes her hands on her dress before approaching him.

At last, the long-awaited reconciliation is here. "Alex?" Jade says in a soft-spoken tone. A crowd of eyes turns toward her, sending her own to the ground. It takes only a few seconds before a soft hand lifts her chin, bringing her eyes to his. Alex studies her; his lips pinch together. Jade's heart pounds as the space between them grows smaller.

"Jade," Alex breathes, picking her up by the waist and spinning her around. Jade melts as his eyes focus on hers, his warm breath against hers. Alex leans forward; her lips part in anticipation. He whispers, loud enough for only her ears, "I'm sorry about this, and I'll explain later." Before Jade can process his words, he dips her, bringing his mouth to hers.

A warmth fills her as a long-awaited dream comes to life. Trembles shoot down her limbs as her eyes close, enjoying the feel of his body pressed against hers. The hoard of fans surrounds them with judgmental looks, and why hers? None of it matters to her when Alex's warm lips and firm grip around her. The moment plays out like a line in one of their songs. When their lips part, Alex smiles at her before turning to answer questions from fans and reporters. Jade's cheeks become sore from the broad smile across her face. But as she listens to his words, doubt seeps in. His responses are vague and impersonal, reducing their history to a single phrase: "A dream come true." The passion is gone. And his whispered words repeat in her mind: I'm sorry. I'll explain later.