Runaway With Me

The Ceremony - Chapter 1

Ama's Point of View -

All my life, i've been told what to do. Who to love. Where to go. What to do. I've hated for these 16 years. Tonight, that ends.

-1 year earlier-

Today's' the day. Finally, 15 and the necklace ceremony is upon me. If you're wondering, the Necklace Ceremony is a prestigious yet intriguing rite of passage in my world. At the banquet you receive the necklace stone and you pick your chain. The stone is matched to another that heats up and glows when near it. The persons who carry these two stones are soul mates. They are meant to be. The eldest of the monarchy is chosen to hand out these necklaces after a year's journey. My birthday happens to fall on the day where the banquet is held. Every parent wants their child to be prepared so they have a course in most schools about how to handle it.

"Ama, are you ready?" my mother questions from beside me. She squeezes my hand and I nod. Feeling my heart race a mile a minute, I step out of the car. The lights around the banquet house are soft gold. Everyone is in their best, that their parents have to go out and blow money on, meaning a tuxedo or a fluffy ball gown. I gaze around at all the color, reds and golds and greens to behold. I glance down at my white ball gown and feel under-colored. My red, wavy hair dances as we walk. I have no intention to celebrate tonight. Everyone will eat their fill and dance the night away with their friends. My friends spot me and try to wave me over but I decline with a hand.

I see him, the boy I've crushed on since 3rd. Grade. He's beautiful and sweet to me. We'd always been  lose friends since kids but we never had much serious "Alone Time". Cole's green eyes gaze down at me, me being 5'7 and him being 6 foot and all.

"How are you Am'? You look stunning." He whispers down at me. My cheeks heat up and I respond,

"I'm holding up well. You went all out tonight. I'm loving the black tux." I giggle, or whatever that noise was and look up at him. We stand there for a minute joking about our lives so far and how "important" tonight is. The music dies out and a voice comes out of the p.a.

"Excuse me, soulmates. If you could politely recede to your assigned tables so the ceremony could begin?" I wish him good luck as he kisses my hand and we walk our separate ways. I never told him how in love with him I was. I was afraid it was too late.

The banquet is in full motion with the quiet orchestral music sounding from the tiny band. Names are called to the stage as we sit in patient silence. Cole's name is called and cheering sounds from everyone. The predecessor  says a few words before hand a pale white stone. Everyone's stone is different so you never know who is your soulmate. They say the matches always work out exceedingly well but I've seen some who turn into a nightmare or they simply don't like each other.

Cole picks up a white, pearly chain and walks down stage. He winks at me as the next name is called. He'd never been this talkative with me in one night. It felt like something was up with him. Maybe he finally found his head and started to like me but maybe I was delusional.

After an hour of waiting,  the predecessor announced ,

    "Amaranthus Wright, please come to the stage." His tone is silky and smooth. My heart pounds in my ears as people clap. I climb the stairs and stand in front of the man. He was old, but still handsome.

    "Hello, Ama. I know you're nervous but sweet one there's no need. I promise this man who is your betrothed is the one you've loved for a long, long while. He is here tonight, follow your heart and you find him." I nod my head. He pulls this stone out of his left pocket. He holds out his hand, opening it slowing, then I see it. A opaque black stone with empty inside. I take it and feel it's smooth surface in my palm. I choose a royal, silver chain and proceed to my sweet. My stone is feeling slightly warm. They are supposed to start working when you're in the general area of the person who's meant to be with you. I glance around and notice Cole, glancing down at his stone as well.  Could it be?