Learn to Love

Chapter 1

She sat on the dry frosted grass, her head leaned against the smooth stone. Silent tears fell as she traced the ingraved letters with her index finger. "Cassidy Jasper Wells, June 18 1209- March 27 1230" she whispered to herself. Her sister lay only 6 feet underneath her. Cassidy had died exactly 2 years ago but it felt like yesterday when they got the news of her passing. She died on the battlefield, at the hands of a Historkian soldier. To her unease, the name of this person was unbeknownst to her.

She kissed the top of the gravestone and stood slowly. A single white rose lay at the base of it, it was Cassidy's favorite. She walked away, every step was a reminder of the tragedy. The sun began to fall into the never ending horizon as she started to her house. It was almost curfew, if she wasn't home soon she would be punished.

She looked around at her surroundings. Every house was the same. As she walked down the slim gravel sidewalk every house was just a blur of the other.

The sun had finally set by the time she reached her abode. She opened the door to a calming silence. A candle lay waiting for her on the table. They were already asleep. She walked down the narrow hallway and found her door. She walked in and opened the drawer of her dresser. She grabbed a small white piece of fabric and closed the drawer. She sat on her small bed, pulling her thin white nightgown over her head. She tucked the sheets in and layed on her side. She slowly blew out the flame and sat the candle on her nightstand. She was restless. It was almost an hour before her eyes fully closed and her body succumbed to sleep.

She dreamed of her family. They sat on a thin oak raft that lay adrift at sea. There was nothing to be seen for miles except for the bright blue ocean that surrounded them. The calm waters began to change as the makeshift raft began to tilt as the waves crashed up against it. Clouds began to form above them and cold drops of rain began to fall. She clung to her brother and tried to reach for her sister but it was to late. Lightning struck the boat. A great flash of white blinded her and left her motionless. Fear. She clenched her eyes shut. The resonating sound of thunder continued as her eyes fluttered open. She was gone. Cassidy was gone. Another bolt of lighting cracked in front of her.

She woke up in a cold sweat, panting in fear. It was only a dream. It was one she had seen many times before.

She heard the quiet sound of birds chirping. It was almost sunrise. She sat up and walked across the quaint room. She opened a different drawer to find clothes fitting for the day. She picked a plain sage green dress. She tightened her small corset around her waist before pulling her dress over her head. The pale fabric fit her perfectly. Little cleavage was shown, the sleeves barely reached her elbows. The skirt of the dress reached her ankles. She slid a thin pair of white socks over her feet to cover the remaining skin.

She brushed her thick brown hair with a comb and tied it back with a ribbon into a neat low ponytail. She straightened the bow she made with the white ribbon and patted and wrinkles left on her dress. She slipped on a pair of black flats and looked at herself in the mirror.

Her eyes were nearly the same color as the dress. Her tan skin complimented the colors beautifully.

By the time she had finished getting ready the sun had fully risen. She walked into the kitchen and her brother followed. He was dressed but his hair was a tangled mess. His hair was a bit darker than his sisters but besides that they were almost identical. She ran her fingers through his hair and attempted to make him look more presentable. He smiled in response and pushed her in the direction of the kitchen.

Their mother stood in front of the stove while she cooked some fresh eggs.

"Good morning!" She said with a tired smile. She severed the two their breakfast and began to clean the dishes.

Once they finished their meal they grabbed their bags and headed in the direction of the door. Callum kissed his mother's forehead and opened the door for his sister. What a gentleman he had become.

She put the leather sachel over her shoulder and began to walk out the door. Callum caught up to her and walked by her side. They walked together in silence, preparing themselves for yet another day of school.

It took five minutes for them to reach the building. Callum held her hands in his as they stood in front of the large doors. "Have a good day." He whispered. Before heading inside he planted a soft kiss on her forehead. She gave him a short smile and walked through the doors. The siblings parted and headed towards their designated classrooms.

Boys and girls do not share the same curriculum. That's how it's been and how it will continue to be. Most are not bothered by this because in the end they will both have the chance to learn even if some parts are different. They say this method of learning is much better for them. This hasn't proven false yet so it doesn't cause any disagreement.

Except for Carissa Wells that is.

Thank you for reading chapter one of Learn to Love! I hope you enjoyed!

•Addison•