Seconds in Time

Page 7

"Hm, what other awkward things can we say to make you smile before you're taken away?" Crystal asked no one in particular and looked to the ceiling for answers.

"Oh god." I laughed slightly and waited. These things never ended well, but it was usually me who made them worse. And I'm sure when they come up with something I'm going to answer it literally, which will make it sound more wrong that it will originally be.

"I wonder if they have a pool." Juliet said, being completely off topic and living up to her nickname; the Queen of Randomness.

"Ah, that would be nice. I bet it's an awesome pool." And so my mind wandered as well. For the next hour we sat there and talked about a pool and hot tub that might not even exist. I actually smiled and laughed, which was good because I was really worried I wouldn't for a long time.

Eventually the conversation circled back to the serious things.

"Even if he's horrible don't have an affair. Well, not unless he's physically abusive, then you might as well. "Crystal told me, as if I would really do such a thing.

"Yeah, I won't cheat on him. I'm too good for that." And part of the reason I won't is because I'm terrified of getting in trouble. Ever since I was little I was just always really good and never got yelled at, so when I do get in trouble I have a mini freak out. I get all paranoid and think everyone knows. Well, there's that and the fact that I'm a really bad liar.

"We should probably go to bed. I bet they'll be here early." Juliet said and Crystal and I agreed. We walked up to my room and changed into our pajamas. Juliet and Crystal insisted on sleeping on the floor so I could sleep alone in my bed for the last night. As soon as her head hit the pillow Juliet was out and Crystal probably wouldn't be far behind her.

I curled up with my back to them and took my ring off. I stared at it for a moment, watching the stones shine in the moonlight. I finally broke down and let myself cry. I muffled it in my pillow so the girls wouldn't hear. After I had calmed down enough I looked back down at the ring and made a frantic wish.

Oh please let this work. I don't know him, he doesn't know me, and we obviously don't love each other, but please let it be okay. I don't want to waste my life away in a castle, trapped in a loveless marriage. I know it's going to be hard, but please, just don't let it be as horrible as I have it in my head that it will be.

After I got done pleading to no one and nothing, I put the ring safely in the drawer of my nightstand and fell asleep. I slept well because I had cried before hand, so when my mother woke me up the next morning it took a minute to realize what today was. My heart suddenly dropped to my stomach and I sat up.

"Stupid...existence." I had to think a moment to decide what to curse.