Rebellious Constantly Running

Chapter Two

I stood in front of our partly cracked full length mirror tugging at the bottom of a black dress. It was a beautiful dress but it was also uncomfortably short. It was made of black chiffon and was seemly inspiredby the Greek toga. It was a one shoulder dress that was tight fitting at the top and its flowing fabric ended just above my knees.

"Did you buy this?" I asked my mother who was standing behind me a mixture of proudness and loss in her reflection.

"No it used to be mine when I was younger," She answered her slight hands resting on my shoulders. We shared the same olive skin tone and long brown hair, the same starved figure only she was tall and slender with hazel eyes. People always said how alike we looked and right now I could see her in my own reflection, the soft features and full lips the only difference really was her slightly aged skin and the eyes and nose I had inherited from my Dad.

"You look beautiful," She smiled.

"Thank you," I replied. " Has Jason made up his mind yet?"

"You're Father is making him go. He doesn't want you to get married Helena."

"Nat's an honest guy," I told her.

"I know and I understand why you feel like you have to do this Helena but we will manage."

"I don't want you to manage Mum I want you to be able to eat three meals a day and send Rosie to school."

I turned and hugged her. She was stunned at first but hugged me back tightly her petite body holding mine.

"I love you Mum," I said quietly my voice quavering.

"All you have to do is smile and be courteous and they will see what a beautiful and gracious young woman you are," She told me.

I nodded putting on a brave face I didn't want to cry in front of her.

I left her bedroom and walked into my kitchen, my Dad was sat at the kitchen table his head in his hands. I hated to see him in so much pain. No father wants to sell his daughter in marriage but that was the cruelness of this tainted land.

"I'll be safe," I told him. Stopping by his side for a second.

"I'm sorry Helena," He said lifting his head.

"Don't be. This was my decision," I said strongly.

I waited for a moment but then left to see my sister. I knocked her bedroom door.

"Come in," She called.

I pushed open her door. She was dressed in a white summer dress that used to be mine. Her light brown hair was pulled back into a neat bun and her smile radiant. She didn't understand her big sister was doing this all for her but she would when she grew up.

"My little goddess," I smiled softly. She giggled giving me a twirl. "You look so pretty."

Her smiled grew, spreading across her blissfully innocent face. Even her grey-blue eyes shinned. She hugged me tightly.

"Is Jason coming too?" She asked.

"Yes." I answered trying to hide the sour taste in my mouth.

"You look like a princess." She smiled her little fingers brushing through my curled hair.

I picked her up in a hug spinning her around she shrieked with laughter.

Once I put her down I kept my hands on her shoulder and bent down so that I was on her level. "Rosie this dinner, it's very important you need to be on your best behaviour. You must be polite and helpful, can you dothat for me?" I told her firmly.