Only for you

I got chosen.

"I don't even believe in this stupidness." I mumbled while my mother was combing my hair.

"Shhh. Don't say that, all the children have to be pure." My mother said and slowly got up.

"But-" I got caught off my my mother again.

"No. Your father needs this for our family, they will be here soon, Laurel." She silenced me. I rolled my eyes and got up. I looked out the window and saw them - three men- walking towards my house. I gulped down and then I heard a knock. Ms. Stella got it, my second mother and greeted them.

"Hello, Ashford family." One of the men talked. All of my 14 other siblings, three mothers and father lined up.

"Sit down on these chairs." Ms. Benil pointed to out most comfortable chairs.

"Thank you so much." The leader sat down with the he other man.

"Alright Mr. Ashford, we see that you have 3 woman and 15 children. Very good, sir." The leader looked at all of us. My uncle stood there and smiled.

"Now I'm just going to look into your souls." My uncle started from youngest to oldest. I gulped, I haven't been following this religious belief. In fact, I cursed it this morning! I started praying, inside my head. Oh please help me, please forgive me, my father needs this, I'm sorry. My uncle was right next to my sister and then looked at me. He looked into my eyes, my soul! He stared and took a long time. I gave an innocent smile, but he didn't budge. Everyone stared at me I was the longest he'd ever token. Finally, he went to my older brother and looked into his eyes for a few seconds and smiled. I heard him whisper to the other man and look at me, I'm shaking.

"Laurel is it?" My uncle asked and smiled. I nodded softly still shaking.

"Yes, sir." My father said looking at me.

"I see something special in her, I choose her to be my first wife." My 34 year old uncle came closer to me. I was in shock, I was about to die. My mother looked at me and she knew I was gonna go numb anytime soon. She softly grabbed me and smiled.

"Alright it is then, in two months it's our wedding, sweetheart." He looked at me and I tried to smile, but wanted to cry instead. With that they all left. I burst into tears.

"Oh, Laurel, I'm so sorry." My 15 year old sister, Elizabeth took my hand. My mother came rushing towards me and took my other hand.

"I promise, I'll try to change your uncle's mind. I promise I'll try." Was the last thing I heard.

~

"Laurel?" I heard a soft voice come from my window.

"Yes?" I got up from my bed.

"Are you okay? I saw the men coming out of your house." His warm breath was against my neck.

"Hunter?" My blurry vision came clear.

"Yes, it's me." He held my hand.

"What are you doing? You are going to get caught!" I let go of him.

"Laurel, tell me. Are you okay?" He bit his lip.

"No, Hunter." I looked at him.

"Whats wrong." He took my hand once again and got me up.

"Everything." I started walking towards the window.

"I need to go, Laurel. Tomorrow please meet me at sundown by the logs." He gave me a small smile and jumped off my window sill.