Protecting the princess (GXG) *Complete*

8. Just something I've never done

~Past day, 20th day of winter.
10 years of age.

The winter was cold and frosty. I saw children leave their warm cottages in woolen coats and heavy jackets. They went to play in the snow, while i was pushed to train harder in the military house. I was beginning to lose hope that I would ever make it out alive, for they would strike you in the back many times if you messed up. My father begged the general to take me in, but he thought it would make him look small if he took in a young girl. He accepted the challenge to mold me into something my mother would not have approved of.

The thought of my mother always made me feel like she was still here. The general told me that she was dead and couldn't be brought back, but fairy tales told me otherwise. I'd sit at the edge of my cot at night and speak to her. Swearing that i was getting answers, that it wasn't the military house smells or tension making me insane.

We were summoned for roll call, and if we weren't standing straight or looking straight ahead, we would be struck and expected to stay on our feet. They called my name," SOLDIER HAILEY TRUMAN, STEP FORWARD!!" And I did so. I don't know what happened I must have zoned out because just seconds after I was struck with a horse whip to my back. I struggled to stand on my feet, I wasn't ment for this. No one was. I was struck several more times and dropped to my knees. Tears formed in my eyes but I wouldn't allow them to come out. My breathing got heavier and I began to lose consciousness, and then I was hit with one last strike.

~present day, 18th day of Spring
21 years of age.

I gasped and sprung up, feeling like that last hit was given to me just moments prior. I felt a wet towel slip off my head and into my lap. I looked around and saw that Annabelle wasn't to be seen. I layed my head back down and ran my fingers through my hair in a sigh of relief that the dream was only a distant memory.

Annabelle walked around the couch and knelt next to my head, taking the towel from my lap and back onto my forehead." You okay?"

I looked at her as she ran her hand in my hair after mine. I just layed there in silence and didn't face her. She took the towel feeling that it was dry and set it on the table between the t.v and the couch. I sat up alittle and began to tear up. She reached out and grabbed me by the arm and then pulled me into her embrace.

"Your breathing woke me up so I grabbed a towel and of course layed it on your forehead. But then you started started shaking, so i figured something was up." She stroked my hair like i did last night. She must have noticed the hitch in my breath because she responded," you've held it in for far too long, it's good to cry when you haven't for a while."

I loosened up and just let out everything i had stored up in me. I gripped onto her gown like a little kid sad from losing a toy. She got up and sat in the little bit of space there was in the couch and i allowed her to move completely under me. She crossed her legs and adjusted me into her hold. My cheek half buried in her chest and my hand gripping on her thin silky gown, I calmed down and tried to slow my breathing and heartbeat. I closed my eyes and for once instead of making someone feel safe, I felt safe.

She then moved the little bit of hair out of my eyes and smiled softly. Forcing me to look up at her. " I went and got extra food so, why don't you go take a shower to wash away all the negative feedback, then come and join me to eat?" I nodded and lifted myself off of her and sat up while rubbing my eye. She sat up next to me and pulled my hand away from my face, then wiped away the last visible tear on my cheek. Then stood up and walked to the kitchen, while I walked to my room and got loose pants and a light tunic out of my closet, then turned to the bathroom.

I stretched as I came out from the shower and dressed myself. Then yawned walking out to the kitchen. I saw Annabelle cooking at the stove and walked over to her. I slipped my arms around her from behind and placed my forehead on her neck.

She jumped alittle,"What are you doing?" She asked.

"Just something I've never done." I hugged her, that was it, just a hug. She didn't seem to mind, she just wanted to know what I was up to.

I lifted my hands and grabbed the knife and potato she was cutting and began to help. She ducked and went under my arms to tend to the toast and eggs she was making. I looked behind myself and saw her. Then because of my lack of attention I ended up slightly cutting my finger and dropped the knife and potato on the counter. She turned around and took my finger so she could see. Then reached under the counter and grabbed a bandage, after cleaning the cut she covered it and returned to the stove." I had a feeling you might have wanted to help. Just be careful this time." She chuckled.

I blushed and went back to cutting the potatoes. I gathered all of them and placed the bowl next to the stove. She reached for the seasoning at the top shelf, but couldn't get it. I laughed a bit. Then grabbed the one she wanted," you need this one right?" I asked. She nodded and took it from me to season the potatoes. Annabelle mixed them up then put them in a pan to fry.

After all the food was made we called my groggy brother in to eat and he looked at us confused as to why I was sitting next to her and not a cross from her. I just told him that I wanted a change of senenory and continued to eat. Tyler might as well be blind because Annabelle can read me better than he could ever have. Or could she?