Against the Stars

Chapter 49

Ginny awoke the next morning with the feeling that her childhood would be ending soon. Her mother seemed eager to marry her off and make sure she did not leave. The house seemed to be slowly getting quieter after Stephen's death.  Nelly was less rambunctious, Bess less rowdy. To Ginny, it almost felt like there was a dark storm cloud hanging over her head. Occasionally, it would lessen its hold and a ready of run would some through. However, that easy was always swallowed up again.

Ginny felt especially that way waking up in a dark quiet run. A stern cloud hung over Williamsburg and sent a dreary light through Ginny's room. Since she had her own room, it seemed to quiet. She felt alone, swallowed up, waiting for that burst of sin that may never come.

Ginny knew it was not a good sign when someone knocked on her site. No one ever knocked. "Who's there?"

"It's Edward, may I come in?"

"Yeah sure, come on in Eddy," Ginny replied.

Edward cracked open the door slowly and then fully opened it. "Don't call me Eddy, and anyways, Mother says to get ready, Christian's going to be here in an hour."

"Ugh!" Ginny cried, falling on her bed and groaning.

"What's wrong? I thought you liked Christian," Edward asked, coming to sit by her.

"I didn't jump out of his carriage because I like him! I cannot stand him! Mother likes him, he's rich, quiet, and would make sure I don't run away, which I'm not planning to."

"So Mother wants you to marry a man you don't love, yet alone even like? That doesn't sound fair. I'll try to change her mind."

Ginny pulled Edward into a hug. "You're sweet Edward. Thank you."

Edward wiggled out of her arms, but smiled. He mouthed good luck and left the room, leaving Ginny alone again.

Ginny clambered off her bed, sighing as she did so. She wished her mother wouldn't do this to her. She wanted so badly to storm downstairs and tell her mother how she felt. She couldn't though, she just couldn't.

She dug through her trunk trying ry find something to wear. She wanted to put on the ugliest brown dress she had, but shffe knew her mother would make her wear something acceptable. Ginny knew she only had limited options.

She eventually settled on a simple green dress. It wasn't fancy but it was nice enough that Mother should let her leave. She left her hair limp since she wasn't in the mood to go anything with it.

She walked towards the door, grasped the handle and froze. She slowly backed away from the door, as if it was going to bite her if she made any student moves. Her mother couldn't make her leave the room, so why should she?

She collasped on the floor. She thought of Ben and Celia and wished she could be with them right now. They had the same childish spirit that she had; the part of them that would never grow up. They knew what fun was, but also knew when enough was enough. The world could learn a thing or two from them. Ginny wished Mother would.

Before she could stop herself, Ginny began to pace around the room. She couldn't help it. She was filled with worry and fear of what would happen if Mother made her marry Christian. See was only fourteen! She had plenty of time. There was always another sunrise waiting on the horizon.

"Ginny!" Came a voice from downstairs. "Your beloved's here!"

"Nelly!" Ginny cried, agitated with her sister. Net knew far too well that Christian was not her beloved.

Ginny made her way downstairs slowly, trying to delay her meeting with Christian for as long as possible. She did not want to see him. Why couldn't Mother understand that? She had jumped out of a carriage to avoid him!

Ginny saw Christian waiting in the doorway, this time a rose in her hand. She sighed, knowing that she was expected to wear it in her hair. It was a white rose and she knew that was not a good sign.

"Hello Christian," Ginny said. Christian looked up, his face held an expression of surprise, pleasant surprise. Ginny had a feeling she had not made the best choice in clothes.

"Good day Ginny, I brought this for you," Christian said, holding out the rose.

"Oh thank you," Ginny said, trying to put emotion into her voice. From her mother's glare, she didn't do a good enough job.

"Shall we go?" Christian asked.

"Yes," Ginny said, though she was thinking I rather die.

Christian offered his arm for Ginny to take. Ginny, however, walked right passed him, without even glancing at his arm. Christian sighed with disappointment, but he followed out the door.

"Where are we going?" Ginny asked, wishing the answer was back to her house.

"I have a surprise. I want to show you, follow me," Christian said, taking off into run. Ginny duff her best to keep up.

Christian wove through the streets at lightning speed. Ginny tried toy follow, but her skirts kept slowing her down. People shall seemed less willing to move for her. Eventually she lost sight of Christian. She had no choice but to call out," Christian!"

As soon as the echoed from her mouth, Ginny felt a hand on her waist. The hand spun her around till she was looking in the big brown eyes of Christian.

"See that's why you should have taken my arm," Christian said, laughing. Ginny did not find it very funny. Christian saw her unpleased face and stopped laughing.

"Anyways, would you like see my surprise?" Christian asked.

"I guess," Ginny said with no excitement. Christian, on the other hand, seemed to be bouncing off the walls.

He tried to take her hand, but Ginny pulled away. Christian sighed, but motioned for her to come him. Ginny did so, scared of what she was going to see. Christian led her to a small grove of trees.

"Look," he said, brushing back leaves. He revealed a small pond hidden in the groves of trees. Flower sprung up, blooming in every shade of every color.

"Oh my!" Ginny cried as she walked into the grove. Sunlight caught the water she rejected back with a brilliant light. Ginny wanted to collaspe on the ground and soak of the beauty.

"It's beautiful isn't it? It reminds me of you; with its beauty  and your beauty," Christian said rambling on. "I thought you, as a lover of nature, would appreciate it."

"I do love it, is gorgeous," Ginny said, dipping here hands in the clear water of the pond. It was cool and cooled her hot skin. She splashed water on her face, cooling her down. The hot Virginia sun never let down her power during the summer months.

Christian seemed annoyed by Ginny's lack of appreciation for what he had done. He wanted her attention to be on him, not on the surroundings. Suddenly, his face lit up. He had a way to get Ginny's attention.

"Ginny, I think I love you."

That one sentence caught Ginny attention more than anything else could. She sun around and starred at Christian. She knew what he wanted to hear back, what she should say. But she couldn't  say it. It was lie, a lie that wouldn't pocess one drop of truth. Since she was unable to say it, she stood there, her mouth open like a fish. Christian looked at the ground, embarrassed and saddened.

Then a cry of "Ginny!" Spilt the air. Ginny said a prayer of thankfulness. Edward had saved her, she probably not because Mother had told him to.

"I've got to go," Ginny said running away, the lily falling out of her ear.