Forbidden Fate

Chapter two: Saying Goodbye

I arrive at the community garden and my friend Artemis is waiting for me in the
daffodils. Beautiful as ever, she sits on a carved bench and pats the empty seat next
to her. I sit and we sit in silence for a moment. We both know this might be the last
day that we see each other. She's a year younger than me, so she's not allowed to
accompany me at the dance. The eligible ages are 18-26. Artemis reaches for my
hand and gently holds it in hers. I look up at her, she's definitely been crying this
morning.

"How can someone look so beautiful and be so sad? Smile, love. It's a 50/50
chance. I might very well be here tomorrow morning," I softly say.

"Kore, you know you're the next queen. Let's face it. You're the most captivating
woman in the kingdom. Everybody knows it. There's something about you that draws
people to you. It's like magic," Artemis says. "Trust me, I know," I want to say.

"Artemis, I have a way out. I can't tell you, but I promise you I have a way out if
he chooses me," I wink at her.

"What? What does that mean?" she looks confused, but more hopeful than
before.

"Can't tell you. But I promise it'll work." I squeeze her hand and stand up. "Let's
plant some flowers."

"Kore, you're not getting caught up in magic, right?" She whispers.

"I'm doing what I must." I say.

She gets off of the bench and down in the dirt with me. We sort through dozens
of different kinds of seeds, water all of the plants the perfect amount. We sing to
some of them, happy songs of course. It's just a midwife's tale that singing to your
plants will help them grow faster, but we like to do it anyway. We soothe the plants
with music and trim their vines. Working with plants has always been a joy of mine.
Leonna says I have a green thumb, funny she'd mention it. She's a green witch. I
really think her plan is going to save me. All I have to do is get through the work day,
sleep through the night, and through the dance tomorrow. I know I'll make it. I begin
planting some seeds in the brown soil. In a few months, they'll be beautiful flowers. I
think I saw some strawberry seeds, too.

The sun begins to hide itself behind the gate. The air is a little cooler, and stars
are awakening from their nap. Alas, the working day is over. I kiss Artemis on the cheek and bid her farewell for the night. Not goodbye forever, because I will surely be back. I'm confident in that now. I walk home tiredly. The children that were dancing in the road this morning are probably all tucked away in bed. I bet mom's already home. I accidentally stayed longer than I usually do. I pat my dress where my pocket is to make sure I haven't lost my potion. Thankfully, it still rests in between the cloth. I look up to the stars. Suddenly one flies across the sky! I wish upon this shooting star; I will find true happiness. It's been a while since I've wished on a shooting star. It feels nice.

I walk home as the village quiets. I hope I'll still be here tomorrow. At least I
know I have a way out. I have some hope. Since I already have powers, kissing the
prince won't cause the evil transformation that it usually does. I'll just have to pretend
that it worked. Every male in the royal family was born with their powers, however
the females got the powers once they kissed the princes on their wedding day. I
hope that I don't mess it up. My stomach is turning every which way, I feel as if I'm
going to be sick. Nerves are the worst. I just have to believe that everything will be
okay. I have a plan a and a plan b, therefore I will be okay.

When I return home the door is left unlocked for me. I sneak in quietly and take
off my shoes. I walk to mom's room and gently kiss her forehead. In my room, the
dress that Leonna made me is hanging up. She is truly gifted. I collapse onto my bed
and fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.