Matthew
Morning came after a long night out with both families, my head hurting a little perhaps from drinking a little too much. But I groaned out of bed anyway, smiling when I see the glass of water and the painkillers and a note.
"My little bunny, here's some painkillers for your possible hungover. Also, I've prepared your winter uniform as well for school. Your father has added the engagement ring. Give it to Aileene when you see her, maybe you should propose to her on Thursday in public at your assembly. I love you, Mum"
I smile, mum had some ways of always giving love to each equally, she loved us all, and sometimes it became a little overbearing, but we loved her even more. Getting ready, I take the pills. Change in my school uniform and open the ring box. It was Tuesday so perhaps he could publicly announce it on Thursday. He was pretty much excited and as he stepped out to join breakfast downstairs, everyone smiled at him and he did too, even to the house staff. Everyone here was treated with respect, you don't receive it until you earned it but also, treat others the way you want to be treated. So it is no surprise that they treat their staff like they were family, loving, and accepting of diversity. Matthew couldn't be more excited to go to school and see the girl he has always liked. He was glad they now shared school, that she was near to him. He had always liked her in a distance, not getting too close since Connor was with Leia - didn't stop Sinead to date Archie. Rushing to school was a first for him, but he'd done it yesterday just to see Aileene, and he will today. Although.. today... she didn't show up and he was saddened, even his friends noticed. "yo dude, stop mopping, she was probably too hungover to come today, you will see her tomorrow"
and.. the next she didn't either. Matt was a little worried about this but his friend managed to convince him that maybe she got sick and that was why. Thursday finally came, the day of the announcement. His father had already called the school and explained what would happen so the teacher already knew that they would need to call him on stage before he starts speaking. As he looked over at Aileene, he noticed the tiredness under her eyes. She did look a little bit sick. Soon the assembly began and talk after talk bored the hell out of Matthew, he just wanted to get it done.
Aileene:
Mum had said not to go to school after she had violently shredded my back, I was thankful because when I woke up, there was blood everywhere, and the next day as well. I was tired, and I felt weak and shivery. I was starting to bleed the lack of food and the loss of blood just made me very unwell. I felt faint. And I was not looking towards today. Dad briefly mentioned that the engagement would be announced today at the assembly. I was half daydreaming when Matthew's name was called to the stage.
"You must have heard some rumors going around" he began "about me and some other related stuff." He continued, his eyes searching mine till they land, and he smiled. "Firstly, I am the heir of my father's company and will take over once I turned 18 and I finish school, not only that, but I am officially announcing my engagement, but also asking in public because my father wanted me to ask in public. So I will call my dear fiance on stage, come on don't be shy come on up" He didn't say a name, everyone looked around suspiciously. Wondering who was so lucky, I just wanted to sink in my chair, I wasn't very good with attention. And internships. But with a sigh of courage, I stood up. All heads turned toward me and people started to whisper. I clenched my hands into fists anxiously, they were sweaty as I walk to the stage. My vision blurred a little. I didn't feel right, or well. My back hurts, and the hunger long disappeared due to the numerous times I starved. I feel so "ill" so many times, that my father doesn't question it when I don't eat anymore. But I managed to get onto the stage and smile at the crowd. My nerves and anxiety reached so high I want to run away. "Aileene Mai Shea is my fiance, but to give you a snippet of what happened..." He said as he dropped to one knee. God my heart is fluttering, he does not need to do that. I feel lightheaded. Too many people. My back. I can't... "Aileene in front of this crowd that bears witness.." witness, fucking witness. they are just vultures waiting to feed on y- "will you marry me?" I'm going to be sick, I need to go before I start to... I won't be able to breathe, god I feel sick... My eyes fell to his eyes and immediately flashed with worry upon seeing my expression. "um..i..yes...yes, I do!" I said a little louder at the end, and he grinned. Standing up as he fished out the ring. People, people, people...People everywhere. I felt my knees buckle a little and I had to hold on to Matthew. I knew he could sense something, but I didn't want to tell anyone. And right as he placed the ring, on my finger, his eyes knotted more at the sight of them. "Matthew-" I whispered, my eyes closed briefly, his hold tightening. I looked down at the ring, I had to fake a reaction... no... it was indeed very pretty. But I had no energy to react. I didn't have time to finish my sentence when the world rolled and everything went black.
I groaned when I woke up. The lights to bright for my eyes as I sat up. I realized I was in the infirmary. I wondered for a few minutes why I was here until I recalled what happened. "You didn't tell me you had stage frights" A voice broke her thoughts and she turned towards Matthew. "you never bothered to ask me, or well, never asked me. Didn't ask if I was okay with that kind of announcement too. It's not staged frights, I just don't like the attention, makes me feel... anxious" I mumbled.
"I'm pretty sure that's stage fright" Matthew chuckled. "hey it's okay, you were sick the last two days too, and people already know of your health history and how you've always been a sick child. I think most of them understood you were probably just dehydrated in front of blaring hot lights and a crowd with a surprised 'pop the questions' any girl would have fainted. Don't worry, sweetheart" He sat next to me, getting my hair out of the way and behind my ear. Kissing my forehead. He continued to play with my hair when he noticed something on my neck, oh no. He frowned and pull down my collar to find a bruise there "what did you do?" he ask, and he noticed my injured hands as he look down and examine them. I pulled my hands back and replaced my collar properly, looking away. "
