Another Selection Story

Chapter 29: Louise

Hey sorry this is a long chapter. Sorry! Really long. It'll be good though! I hope...

Louise POV

I tried to remain positive, even though I couldn't get the image of Taigen and Kendra out of my head. I even made a ship name. Taidra. Blah.

You know what? There are two other princes here. I mean neither of them showed any interest, but I'm still here right?

Still enjoying my lovely black jeans, I wiped my tears and took a deep breath. Luckily, when I cry, my face and or eyes don't get red. But my nose twitches. It's embarrassing!

I put on a smile and tried to think happy thoughts. I was almost grateful for the selection. I didn't have to be the depressed, sarcastic person I was known to be, because nobody knew me here. It gave me a chance to change.

A knock on my door interrupted my thoughts. I took a deep breath. Who ever it was, I was going to act happy around them. Even if it was Taigen.

I opened the door. Taigen. Of course. He smiled.

"I'm sorry to disturb you-why is your nose twitching?"

I laughed. "It doesn't matter. What were you going to say?"

"Right. I see you are enjoying your jeans. But I must know: how on earth are you that fast?" He looked at me, bewilderment in his eyes. I shrugged my shoulders. And decided to sit on my bed.

"I guess I've just always been fast."

Taigen rolled his eyes and also sat down on my bed. "Puhlease. No one who runs that fast in a dress Is just naturally fast. Please tell me."

I took a shaky breath in. This was not a wound I meant to open. I don't know why I felt the need to tell him. But before I could stop myself, the story came spilling out.

"I was 12. Everything was great. Me and my dad were all packed for a campouts we planned for the next day, he just had to finish his shift. Then disaster struck. Bandits raided the village. All I remember was Mom told me to run. I did. I ran to the protection of a Weeping Willow's long branches. Then I remembered my father. He was at work. He wouldn't know to hide. I burst out of the shady branches of the willow tree, and ran as fast as I could to Daddy's workshop, about a quarter of a mile away. I was almost there when I heard the screams. I burst into the workshop door. But I was too late. I suddenly tripped. It was over a dead man on the floor. I shook it off and watched in horror as two masked men took Daddy away. I made eye contact with him. I yelled "No!" As if that would stop them. "Run!" He yelled back. With tears so heavy in my eyes that I couldn't see, I ran. I didn't know where I would go, I just ran....

If only I was fast enough. If I was faster that day, my father would still be alive."

I almost had forgotten I was telling the story. It was as if I was simply reliving it.

Taigen was silent. The memory wasnt over.

"Everyday after that I ran. Pushing myself every day until I either puked or collapsed. I couldn't let that happen again. It was my fault my father was taken. If I had only been faster..."

I didn't realize I had been crying until a tear splashed on my hand and my nose started Twitching.

I also realized that I wasn't just telling Taigen this. I was telling myself it too. I had to face what I've done. It felt good to release it. Like at least I wasn't burdened with the secret anymore.

"I'm so sorry." Taigen said, "I didn't-"

"No."I said cutting him off. "I'm sorry. You obviously didn't want that answer. I shouldn't have laid that all on you. I am so sorr-" this time he cut me off. His lips met mine without any warning.  One hand was on my cheek and the other was on the back of my head. After a few seconds of the sweetest thing ever, He slowly pulled away. He looked embarrassed.

"I'm so sorry! I don't know why I just... Ugh... Gosh I'm sorry I don't know what came over me..." He raked his hand through his hair. I didn't say anything.

"Louise, I'm sorry." He got up and started walking towards the door. "I should go."

"Wait!" I said and got up. He turned around.

"Thank you." My nose twitched.

He smiled and nodded. He outstretched his arms, and i gladly came into them. He held me against his chest.

"Your nose is twitching again."

I laughed.

But then a fierce knock came at the door. Taigen released me and opened it. It was my maid. She looked frantic.

"Rebels." She whispered. I froze. There was a crash in a room a couple doors away. The flashback of when My father was taken replayed. Windows crashed, people screamed, I ran. Not fast enough.

I could not let that happen again.

"Miss, we have to hurry." She said, bringing me back to reality. The maid gestured for me to come, but I shook my head.

Taigen must've known what I was thinking. "Louise, no. Your friends will be able to get to safety. We have to hide. " I shook my head again.

"I'm sorry. I can't let it happen again."

Taigen tried grabbing my arm but wasn't quick enough. "No!" I heard him yell, but he must've known it was no use running after me.

I sprinted to Raquel's and Grace's room. They were on the second story and wouldn't receive the news yet. I hurried up the stairs as fast as I could. I will not let it happen again.