Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

6 months later

     “Do you have everything?” my roommate Bev asked.

     “Yes I have everything.” Bev had been my roommate since my freshman year in college. She was the one who helped me pull out of my emotional rut 6 months ago. A fiery redhead from England, she has a red hot temper, but a sweet compassionate personality. She was always worrying about something or someone. We were at the airport now, waiting for my flight to France. I was going to study French in Andorra for a little while, to get my mind off of Collin. So far it wasn’t working.

     “Remember, I’ll always send you your stuff if you’ve forgotten anything. But you have to send me letters, and call me, okay?” she said.

     Okay, I will, and don’t worry; I don’t think I forgot anything.” I said patting her on the shoulder.

     She leaned a little closer. “Do you have the ring?” she asked quietly.

     “Yes, and the picture” I said quickly before she could ask.

      She nodded. “Good.”

     Ruby had refused to take the ring back. So I kept it and now I was bringing it with me. Bev pressed a wrapped package into my hand. “Don’t open this until you get on the plane, okay?” she said looking at me intently.

     “I promise.” I said. Before I could say anything more, someone ran into me. I looked down and smiled. Taylor was hugging my legs as tight as she could.

     Taylor is Collin’s five year old little sister. I adore her, because she is the sister I never had. “Krissy, do you have to go?!” she wailed, her eyes wet with tears. I bent down to her level, and wiped the tears off her face.

     “I’m sorry Tay Tay, but I have to go to the big kid world.” I said smiling. She frowned, but then brightened again. “Can I open your letter?” Taylor asked.

     I cocked my head. “What letter?” I asked, confused.

     “Taylor!” said a scolding voice from in front of me. “That was supposed to be a surprise!” Ruby said.

     I stood up, still holding Taylor’s hand. “What letter?” I asked, curious. “Well I was going through Collin’s stuff today, and I found this.” Ruby said holding out a letter. “It had your name on it so I didn’t open it.” It did have my name on it.

     “Thank you” I said.

     Before I could say anything else, a voice came over the intercom. “Flight 26 to France is now boarding.”

     I turned to my friends, and my adopted family. “Thank you, for coming to see me off.” I said, “You don’t know how much I appreciate this.” My eyes were suddenly blurry with tears. Then, before I could hide my tears or walk away, I was engulfed in a giant group hug. Soon, they broke off. Ruby took Taylor’s hand, and I grabbed my suitcase. “Goodbye! I’ll call you guys as often as I can! I love you!” I said and I walked toward the portal. When I got to the portal I turned around and waved. They waved back. I turned back towards the portal, took a deep breath and walked to the plane.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Prolouge

Prologue


     He knelt on one knee, and pulled out a ring. “Will you, Kristen Dennin, consent to be my lawfully wedded wife from now through eternity?” Collin asked. Tall and blonde with striking blue eyes, Collin looked a little uncomfortable kneeling on the floor. I blinked. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” I said, smiling as I let it sink it. I was going to get married to the man of my dreams! Collin laughed, and with a mischievous glint in his eyes said, “Say it properly please.” I rolled my eyes. “I, Kristen Dennin, consent to being Collin Wakeworth’s lawfully wedded wife for now through eternity.” He smiled and put the ring on my finger and kissed me. Right in the middle of the kiss, his phone rang. He broke off and looked at his phone. He looked at me. “I have to take this. Forgive me?” he asked. “Of course,” I said giggling, “You just asked me to marry you! There will be plenty of time for payback later.” I said, jokes going through my head. He shook his head and laughed. His phone rang again. “I’m going in the kitchen, okay?” he asked, walking. I waved him off. “Ya go ahead. But don’t touch the cake!” I called.

     I stood up and straightened the blanket on the back of the couch. My roommates would be coming home soon. I laughed to myself. Boy, I owed them ice-cream. Collin’s voice was wafting towards me from the kitchen. “When do I leave?” He asked, his voice serious. “Yes, sir.” I heard a snap as his phone shut. I busied myself organizing magazines. He came in and hugged me from behind. “Well, hello to you, too.” I said, turning around and giving him a kiss. He laughed and let go. “I have to leave. Something came up at work. I should be back in a couple of weeks.” His voice was serious. Then his eyes crinkled. “In the meantime, you and my mom had better get working on my wedding.” He said mock serious. I raised my eyebrows. “Your wedding? Huh, I seemed to think you were proposing to me just now, not yourself.” I said, teasing him. He laughed, but then grew serious. “Do you trust me?” Collin asked.

     “Completely” I said.

     “Don’t forget that.”

      He walked over to get his jacket, but paused at the door. “I love you, Kris.” Collin said, smiling.

     “I love you too” I said. He walked out the door.

     Two weeks later, I was looking at a bridal magazine when the phone rang. I ran to the kitchen and picked it up hoping it was Collin. It was his mom, Ruby. She was crying. My mind immediately jumped to conclusions. Was Collin hurt? “He’s dead Kris! He’s dead!” She sobbed.

    “What?” I said, the word freezing my whole body. “Dead?” I asked faintly.

     Ruby just sobbed harder. I sank down on a kitchen chair. My whole body had gone numb. He can’t be dead, we are getting married. We were getting married. A deep breath from the phone pulled me out of my shock. It was Ruby, recovering from her crying.

     “Are you still there, dear?” she asked.

     “Ya” I said. “I have to go, the pizza man is here.” We both knew it was a lie, but she let it go.

     “You’re always welcome in our home, Kristen.”

     “I know” I said and hung up.

     After I had said goodbye to Ruby, I stood up and walked down the hall to my room. On top of my dresser was the velvet box that the ring had come in. I took the ring off my finger, carefully put it in the box, then put it in my sock drawer, out of sight. Then I collapsed on my bed and cried.