Bittersweet Tragedy

Cruel World

Year:1606
The young girl hummed a small tune, her hands caressing the black fluffy cat laying on her stomach. She let out a breath, her black eyes fluttering as she looked at the ceiling of her room. Her room sparkled with shiny objects. Golden chimes and glass prisms hung on the ceiling and around the room. Each one clinging against each other when a gust of wind traveled through her open window. She heard a small meow from the black ragdoll cat. The 16-year-old girl looked down, smiled, and hummed while petting the cat, making it purr. “You’re such a cute boy, Cocoa.” She spoke. The cat licked her face in response. She giggled and brought Cocoa closer to her. 

A yelp was ripped from the girl's mouth when her door suddenly opened. “Evangeline! What in God’s name are you doing up? You need to be well rested for your marriage in a few days!” Her mother scolded to which Evangeline simply huffed and brought the blanket over her head. After a moment she heard the door close and her eyes fluttered closed. Cocoa crawled under her blanket, snuggling under her arms, and licking her nose before falling asleep.
Sunlight shined through the windows of the room.

The glass prisms and crystals scattered around reflected rainbows and sparkles. Evangeline’s black eyes fluttered open, rubbing her eyes. She looked around the room groggily before noticing Cocoa under her arms. She smiled before patting him on the back and throwing off the covers, yawning. The girl hummed as she got dressed, putting on a long black dress and socks with black flats, making sure her whole body was covered. She pushed her long black silky hair out of her face, smiling in the small mirror.

Quick footsteps walked downstairs. She saw her mother cooking breakfast and her big brother reading a book. Evangeline quickly went to the seat next to her brother. “Hey! Are you going to teach me how to read now?” She asked excitedly. Her big brother smirked at her and ruffled her hair. “Maybe tomorrow kid.” He said to which Evangeline whined. “Where is father?” She mused, brushing off her brother's words and looking around. “He is at work.” Her big brother replied nonchalantly, not taking his black eyes off the book. Evangeline sighed, laying back in her seat. “Father is always busy...we barely see him anymore.” She murmured, crossing her arms, and slumping down in her chair. “Sit up and wipe that frown off your face! Your father works hard. Do you know how hard it is to be a welder?” Her mother scolded. “And Evan, don’t encourage your sister to be a slob like you.” She huffed, glaring at her son. Evan just shrugged. “Do not worry Eva’ she is just grumpy.” Evan teased; Evangeline rolled her eyes at the nickname. After eating breakfast Evangeline waved goodbye to her family and set off to do her chores.

The teen walked out of the house, carrying a bucket of water and clothes, walking to the nearby stream. Her feet crunched on the snow beneath her. She hummed as she set the bucket down, soaking the clothes in the water before grabbing her trodden. The birds chirped and crickets hopped around, nature sounded all around her as she did the laundry. Evangeline smiled, clearly happy with her surroundings.

She was snapped out of her focus by footsteps behind her. She narrowed her eyes, grabbing a rock beside her and twirling around to face the person. The boy gasped and his hands flew up. ‘It’s me!” The boy exclaimed in a panic. Evangeline dropped the rock and smiled. “Simon.” She blushed, becoming shy at the sight of her fiancé. Simon brushed some of his short golden hair out of the way, blushing slightly. “Our wedding is in a few days, so I wanted to surprise you with a gift.” He said, grabbing her hand and kissing the back. Evangeline was caught off guard by his confidence. He was usually a very timid boy. She looked at him curiously as he reached into his pocket. “I know it is not the best but...I thought you might like it.” Simon said with a sheepish smile, his green eyes looking into her black ones lovingly. He opened his hands to reveal a small wooden sculpture of a bird. Evangeline grabbed it and examined it with a happy smile. “Oh! It is so beautiful Simon! Thank you!” She exclaimed, hugging Simon, and kissing him on the cheek. The 17-year-old boy's face exploded in a red hue, and he looked at the ground. “It was my pleasure...” He mumbled before skittering off. Evangeline blinked at the spot where he once stood. “How cute.” She mused, holding the wooden bird close to her cheek before putting it in her dress pocket.