Against the Stars

Chapter 36

Ginny awoke the next morning, her head overwhelmed. She couldn't believe anything anymore. Her mind slowly began to process the events from the previous night. Ben had told her he thought he loved her. And how did she respond? I think so too. I think so too. What in the world had caused her to say that? Was it even true? Did she think that?

Ginny dashed out of bed, and quickly headed downstairs. Maybe she could escape mother's eye and go and think about what had happened yesterday. But she knew she needed some help.

Ginny sought out of the troublemakers, the notorious two, knowing they could help her out. She found them in the parlor, one draped across the couch in no form, and the other laying on the ground, her face shoved into the floor.

"Nelly, Bess, I need help," Ginny said, getting their attention.

Nelly rolled off the couch and Bess spun around. "Well, what do you need?" Bess asked.

"I need to get out of the house."

"Oh you're sneaking off to see your lover again, aren't you?" Nelly teased.

"No, I just need some time alone and I'll never get that with mother watching me. So can you please help me?"

"Of course we will, dearest sister. Let me just check with my fine companion," Nelly said, leaving over whisper Bess's ear. The two talked for a moment, sending shivers up Ginny's spine. Finally they turned back around.

"We'll help you," Bess said.

"So what's the plan?"

"Bess and I here are going to create noise, a lot of noise, and then when mother's yelling at us, you slip out. Then, when mother's looks for you, we'll say you're sleeping because you weren't feeling the best. Got it?"

"How do you field come up with stuff like that?" Ginny asked trying her hardest to understand how her younger sisters’ minds worked.

"That knowledge is not for your ears," Nelly said, smirking. "Now get ready, Bess and I will take our places."

Ginny nodded and dashed off to get her cloak and shoes. She was grateful that Nelly and Bess were helping her out here. Their minds seemed to be set on trouble mode -permanently.

Ginny waited by the door, hoping that her mother wouldn't see her. That was the last thing she needed right now. Come on Nelly, come on Bess. She thought.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash followed by a quick scream. "Nelly! Why did you do that?" Ginny didn't stay around to hear the rest. She ran, out the door and into the streets.

Once outside, Ginny began to breathe easily. It so nice out here. Spring was slowly rolling in and Ginny's archenemy -the cold- was gone. Instead it was Ginny's best friend, the warmth. Ginny waited through the streets, not quite sure what she should do.

Finally, she entered a small grove of tree on the side of the road. Walking deeper, she found a small patch of grass where she's could sit, and think.

Ginny lie in the grass and let her mind wander. So many thoughts ran through her head, each trying for its voice to be heard. The noise they made was enough to give anyone a headache. Ginny screamed for quiet and her mind listened.

One thought at a time, Ginny scolded herself. She couldn't let herself go mad, that would not be good. Who was first? She asked her thoughts.

Ben.  Ben was the first thought on her mind. She squeezed her eyes tighter, trying to remember everything that had happened. It seemed so long ago, but in truth, it was yesterday. He had listened to her. Looking into his big blue eyes, Ginny felt like she could spill anything, and she did. She told him everything that had been wracking her mind. And how did he respond? He kissed her. He kissed her. He kissed her.

Ginny couldn’t believe it. It didn’t seem real. It seemed like a fairytale that was only a story. It felt like a story. But Ginny had a feeling that it wouldn’t last long. There was also a villain in a story, so where was this one’s villain and where would they strike?

A breeze rustled Ginny hair, sending it into her face. She welcomed the comforting feeling of her red hair against her cheek. Her pretty red hair. Ginny sat up, and began to run her fingers through her hair, smiling at how soft it felt.

A small puddle was on the ground near Ginny. Ginny wandered over to it and stared inside. There was the small face that had been staring back at her for nearly fifteen years. Same green eyes, same red hair, small freckles, her high cheekbones that matched her high forehead. Nothing was new. However, something seemed different. 

Looking into the puddle, Ginny knew she was beautiful.

Before Ginny had felt beautiful, but that feeling always had disappeared. Now she knew that it was true. She was beautiful at all times. A shy smile slipped on her face, and to her horror, Ginny had realized she had made herself blush. Suddenly, she thought back to something Stephen had told her shortly before his death, everyone has their own beauty. Stephen had been right.

She had found hers.

Ginny wanted to get up and dance and sing. She felt that her voice could reach new heights, and soar towards the sky. This was the moment she’d been longing for. Her flaws had suddenly vanished from her mind. She was perfectly Ginny. She wasn’t meant to be anyone else, she was just Ginny.

Ginny rose to her feet and began to spin around, a laugh soaring out of her mouth. The world was beautiful, she was beautiful! Everything was beautiful. It was a perfect moment.

Then suddenly, Ginny came crashing down, tripping on her own feet. She fell into a thicket of branches, starching her cheek on the branches. Well that was not the ending I was expecting. Ginny thought as she dusted herself off. Guess it’s time to go home, she thought as she started home, hoping Nelly and Bess had figured out a way to get her back inside.