Bitter

   He had just received the news. He was going to fight for the army. Gaston was just a teen boy, and his loving sweetheart waited at home for him. He walked down the pathways of the village. France. He was going to fight for France! Gaston nearly started shaking from excitement. He saw his little house and ran towards it. He opened the door seeing the petite woman from across the room.

   "I'm home dear", he told. She giggled and threw her arms around his neck, breathing in his scent. "Finally. Three weeks was too long to wait", she said. Gaston let out a chuckle. Her hand cupped his cheek. "Oh Gaston, my precious Gaston", she whispered. He leaned his head into her hand. "Don't ever leave again", she continued. Gaston took in a deep breath. "Sweetheart, I'm afraid I must". "For how long", she replied. "I don't know". It took her a moment to realize that he was going to war. 

   "Gaston! You can't go to war! I might never see you again!", she cried. "It's to protect France!", he retorted. She shoved him back. "Gaston you are a selfish man!", she screamed. "I'm fighting for France"! "Because you want to be a war hero! You want everyone in France to know your name, and that's it Gaston! It seems pretty selfish"! Gaston growled under his breath. And it terrified the young girl. He had never done that before. "I'm fighting to keep you safe"! "Your fighting for fame Gaston! If you were fighting for me you wouldn't go! How do you keep me safe by going off to war somewhere else"! "Because no one else will rule over France except he who was appointed"! 

   A tear ran down her cheek. "Gaston, if you go we are over". Gaston paused. Her fingers wrapped around the engagement ring on her finger and threw it at him. He stared in shock. "I didn't say I was going"! His eyes started to water. "But you thought about it didn't you". He said nothing. She knew though. She walked out the door. Gaston had tears pouring down his cheeks. She was gone. All that he had ever loved had left. 

   A tear dripped onto his lips the moment he licked them. It was bitter. In that moment Gaston changed. He became selfish, cocky, rude, arrogant, but worst of all, he became completely bitter.