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Post by kristay on Feb 25, 2011 23:52:02 GMT -5
I smiled patiently; I had expected many questions and I took a long sip of the tea before sighing and answering her. "No not many of the rich I'm afraid; my parents before they passed away were part of the resistance but they died during one of their travels. I'm not sure I know many others. We try to keep our identities a secret to prevent being found..." I shrugged. "Would you be comfortable acting as my girlfriend or even more-so, my betrothed?" I paused and took out a cellphone which I put on the table. "Speaking of which, you'll need to call your parents. Tell them where you are..."
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Post by Tiff on Feb 26, 2011 0:23:58 GMT -5
I hung my head as he mentioned that not many Rich were involved in the resistance, I felt that maybe with more Rich involved they might have a fighting chance. "I didn't know your parents were a part of the resistance." I smacked my forehead with my palm and shook my head as I laughed at myself. "Well of course not, sorry. So did they know you had joined before they passed?" I asked. "Sorry if I'm asking too many..." His question stopped me in my tracks and before I had a chance to hide it, a blush crossed my cheeks. "I wouldn't mind..." I glanced at the cell phone and then picked it up and bravely called my so called home. "Mom, calm down, it's me. I'm at Alec Wilson's house...." I grinned, the blush brightening on my cheeks as I glanced at him. "No, I'm going to stay here, uh huh, I can't be too sure, but keep your fingers crossed. I have to go mom, we're having dinner...love you too, stop worrying." I hung up and found it difficult to meet his eyes. "She's more than thrilled to know that I'm here with you and I bet you can guess the first question out of her mouth when I mentioned your name?" Still I couldn't look him in the eyes, I was secretly elated that Alec Wilson wanted to be my pretend betrothed.
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Post by kristay on Feb 26, 2011 0:36:02 GMT -5
I shook my head. "No, I didn't; that's why I learned about it through my mentor... About the resistance I mean. I only found out when Raina's brother told me later on; they played a very small part however; just giving food and supplies through their servants." I had been very proud of them when I learned of the part they played and it had intensified my stand on fighting for the same people my parents had fought for. I had to smile at her reaction to my question and I watched her call her parents on my phone; I had to swallow down a shudder at her responses. What did her parents think? I didn't feel bad about the charade we were going to have to play however; if I had to pretend to be engaged to anyone, Frankie Conrad was my best choice. "So uhh... fiance?" I chuckled at how awkward the word seemed when it came from my lips.. "The way you're avoiding my eyes, I'm pretty sure I don't want to know what she asked."
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Post by Tiff on Feb 26, 2011 2:59:15 GMT -5
I smiled and shook my head, finally able to meet his eyes though that demure girl inside of me was fighting tooth and nail for me to avoid his eyes. "It's honestly not that bad." I was afraid my newly appointed crush on Alec was going to show on my face, no matter how much I told myself it was all just for show. "She simply wanted to know if there was more to us than what usually can be seen under the scrutiny of the public eye at parties and such. As you heard I don't know and we shall see." I turned my gaze from him and stared at my glass of tea. "Did you need to go back to camp?" I asked. I didn't want him to go though if he were going to leave me anywhere I would prefer it to be in the safety of his home. "Oh and yes Fiancé." I replied. "We might not want to wait long to announce it." I cleared my throat. Sure it wasn't uncommon these days for couples to reside in the same house beneath the safe roof of ones parents, but in the event the parents were deceased it would be customary for them to engage swiftly or in extreme cases where the living parents or community was strictly orthodox, wed immediately. Her parents weren't orthodox by any means and a swift engagement to Alec Wilson would only result in good fortune for the Conrad clan. "But of course,..." I shook my head feeling far more foolish than I had when I announced to him that I didn't know his parents were part of the resistance. "You already know how this society works, probably far better than myself." Again I blushed and glanced away feeling inferior to him in more ways than one. A tear trickled down my face, I one fourths wanted this to just be a strange, horrific dream where I'd wake up on my velvet couch and no resistance would exist and three fourths wanted it to be real and turn out in our, the Poor, the Resistances favor.
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Post by kristay on Feb 26, 2011 6:16:39 GMT -5
I smiled. "Well there has to be more than friendship between us now, huh?" It wasn't such a bad position to be in, considering how pretty and intelligent Frankie Conrad was. She seemed really shy though and I hoped I could get to know her through the ordeal. I shook my head at her question. "Not tonight; maybe tomorrow. You can come with me if you like; I don't think I can hold any secrets from you and I'm pretty sure you'd want to talk to Joe and Maggie." I saw a tear run down her face and worry and protectiveness rushed into me fiercely and I closed the distance between us and wrapped her in my embrace. I didn't care in that moment if she thought I was overstepping the boundary between us but whatever was making her hurt... I wanted it gone. "I'm sorry if this is a big change for you; I'm sorry I can't do anything to make you feel better but if you ever need my shoulder to cry on or if you ever need a hug I'll always be here for you." I pulled away after kissing her hair. "I promised I'd protect you remember?"
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Post by Tiff on Feb 26, 2011 13:27:00 GMT -5
I nodded at his question about there needing to be more than just friendship between us, at least in front of the people we lived around. I wondered just how exactly I would put a stop to the affection once we no longer needed the act. I nodded again as he said he didn't need to go to the meeting again and bit my lip as he mentioned that I could go with him tomorrow. I wanted to, but I was having a hard time finding my own voice. Talking to Joe and Maggie would be difficult, I was sure of it, it would break my heart, two years away from them and I hadn't known. He'd noticed the tear streaming down my face and the next thing I knew his arms were around me and I lost it. I wrapped my own arms around him and fought hard to stop crying. It worked, he made promises to me and I knew I'd be safe until everything was sorted out. I nodded again. "Alec, I think I'll retire to my bedroom, unless you have something else you need to tell me." I didn't want to blow everything, but I wasn't sure how to ask him how I should act.
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Post by kristay on Feb 26, 2011 17:20:36 GMT -5
I felt a little awkward holding her, that was the honest truth. I had never been in a relationship where I truly liked the person and it wasn't all for show. I always had to pretend but I felt like even if pretending was the game we had to play, I couldn't pretend with Frankie. I wanted to protect this girl and I had no idea why but the idea was already set in stone. I scooped her up easily in my arms when she asked to go to bed. "Alright then, I'll take you." I set off for her room even if I had a hard time looking at her; I didn't know if I was allowed such liberties but I was pretty sure she'd say something if it did bother her. I opened her door with my free hand and set her down on the bed gently. "That tapestry hides a door to my room if you need me. I know that sounds extremely old fashioned but my dad liked those kinds of things." I smiled a bit at that, suddenly missing my parents. I turned back to her, offered her a tiny shrug before wishing her a goodnight. I turned on my heel and made my way to the door, set on returning to the library and probably eating that cake while I thought of a plan.
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Post by Tiff on Feb 27, 2011 0:30:27 GMT -5
He was just full of surprises tonight, but I didn't resist or fight him, I should have said something so he didn't think he needed to extend these pleasantries to me. I could walk, but I liked the attention and it was simply easier for me to just let it go. I blushed a little as he placed me on the bed and nodded as he pointed out the tapestry. I eyed it and wondered if I would need to use it. I turned my attention back to him, but he'd already wished me goodnight and started out the door. I whispered a goodnight to him, though he wouldn't hear it and slid beneath the comforter. I glanced back at the tapestry feeling that if any dream came to me in the night I might need him more than I expected.
Finally after what felt like an eternity, I fell asleep and lucky for me, I only dreamed of Alec. Though something was very wrong with us being together. We were engaged and suddenly the Rich swarmed on us, violently. Telling Alec he couldn't marry me because I wasn't who I was supposed to be and he stood up for me saying no one had a problem with me before the engagement, but now that she was scheduled to marry one of the top richest they wouldn't stand for it. They were alright with stealing the children of the Poor, but having one of them become the heiress to such a large fortune was preposterous. They protested and if Alec took me out of the house, they'd attack me. I woke with a start when one such outing started to get particularly violent, them ripping my clothes, pulling my hair, coming at me with blades and threatening to slit my throat.
I found myself at his bedroom door before I could convince myself that it was just a dream. I pounded against the door, scratched, crying and out of breath, scared for my life. "Alec, please." I slid down the door and landed in a heap at the door.
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Post by kristay on Feb 27, 2011 0:44:10 GMT -5
I stayed in the library for a good hour or two, finishing Frankie's food because I didn't realize how hungry I was till I was alone. I thought of a plan for the both of us but my mind and heart wasn't in it. I was drained... Today was just too full of surprises. Once I had given up on making a plan, I decided to go to bed. Once I had returned the tray to the kitchen, I made my way to my room and once I was inside, I removed my shirt and climbed into the large bed. I put my hands behind my head and was trying to get to sleep when all I could think about was Frankie... I shook it off as I closed my eyes when a harried knocking from the other door startled me. I sat up when I heard her voice and practically ran to open the door. I knelt and picked her up, wondering what had happened to leave her in such a devastated state. "Was it a dream, Frankie?" I carried her to the couch by the fire and set her down gently, picking up a blanket which I offered her because I didn't know what else to do. Was I supposed to hug her and comfort her? I wasn't very good at that.
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Post by Tiff on Feb 27, 2011 0:54:22 GMT -5
The door opened and for whatever reason I still didn't feel relieved or calmed like I thought I would. I continued to sob as he carried me to the couch and covered me with a blanket. "They all know." I finally got out. "They all know I'm not one of you. They'll attack me and shun me and banish me from everything I know." I cried a little hard at this new realization. "I'm not Rich and I'm not Poor, their customs are so ingrown in me I'll never make it in the poor world and..." I stared up into his face and roughly rubbed the tears away. "I'll just end up exposing you and everything you've worked so hard for with the resistance, and I don't want to be that girl." This dream had affected me and my thought process far more than I thought, maybe it was the drug they'd given me that was working half assed, maybe they'd cooked up a way to confuse me just in case I ever did find out I wasn't who they said I was. "I need to know what's going to happen to me. I can't live in that beautiful room of yours for the rest of my life, they'll storm the place."
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Post by kristay on Feb 27, 2011 6:52:31 GMT -5
I was at a loss for words; I had never needed to comfort anyone in my life, and to make the fact worse, Frankie was a girl and that just seemed to magnify the situation ten times more in my head. I had tried to comfort Raina when her brother had died but the only thing I was able to do with that was get her drunk and make sure she got home safely. Not very effective but it worked for Raina; I was pretty sure it wasn't the right approach for Frankie. "Frankie, you have to remember that soon, there won't be such a thing as rich or poor. It'll be equal and you won't have to worry about these things." I shook my head as I took one hand and squeezed it gently. "I know it's a lot to ask of you but I'm going to have to ask you to pretend with me... Pretend like you figured out nothing, like you're still their child, like you're still their friend and classmate... I know it's going to be hard but I promise you, you won't have to live with your parents if you don't want to... My house is always open to you." I felt guilty for asking her to do it; I knew she wasn't prepared and she was scared but it was the only way... "I honestly don't know what's going to happen later on... Maybe when we've fixed everything, we can rebuild this place you know? I wouldn't mind... I never liked how big and empty this place was anyway... It never did feel like a home." I looked down at her hand in my lap and I smiled a bit. "I bet you if I asked Raina to live with me she'd say no... But maybe, maybe after all of this is over we could stay together." Wait... what? I wasn't sure what I was saying... I was probably dreaming it, I probably didn't say that... Right?
I shook my head and smiled. "I mean... If you don't want to stay with Joe and Maggie, you know?" It was getting late and I knew she didn't want to be alone so I did the only thing I could think of. "Come here, if you don't want to go back to your room, then I suggest you use this couch to sleep. It's really late and you have school tomorrow, right? I'll stay with you Frankie... You don't have to be scared."
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Post by Tiff on Feb 28, 2011 0:56:32 GMT -5
He wasn't understanding what I was saying, I couldn't live with him, someone would become suspicious, I needed to stay somewhere else, but I wouldn't be careful with the Conrads or even trying to live in the poor districts, though that seemed out of the question. "Please explain to me how that's going to happen?" I asked, feeling out of place and out of the loop. "How big is this resistance? How soon do you think it'll happen?" The questions were erupting out of me and I had to put the breaks on again as he said something that sent my Rich heart pounding and my crush on him soaring. "I...you?" I stopped all together and looked away, not sure how to respond to his offer. I was lost for words and didn't want to sound too eager to live with him even after the entire whatever was over. He corrected himself and I tried to tell myself that his correction was what he'd really meant, though deep down I felt he'd meant what he'd originally said. "Yes, I do have to go to school tomorrow." I curled onto the couch beneath the blanket he'd given me and found his eyes with my own. "Thank you."
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Post by kristay on Feb 28, 2011 3:07:43 GMT -5
I shook my head and set my hands to her shoulder to stop the flurry of questions that didn't seem to stop coming out of his mouth. "Hey hey hey, relax, relax... It's too late in the night for this..." I smiled gently before answering. "Think the entire poor class and then just 2% of the rich. That is the entire group of the resistance. Every one who wants equality, fairness... They are part of the group who resist the restrictions we have placed on the society." I bit my lip; I wasn't sure how to explain things to her yet... Of the plans that were being set into motion. "I think they can explain it better than I can right now; can you wait till tomorrow night for the meeting?"
I cradled her in my arms and stretched out, thankful for the length the couch afforded me. I was warm enough against Frankie that I didn't bother with a blanket for myself. I said to myself that I'd stay with her till she fell asleep but as soon as the words processed in my head, I forgot them. "You're welcome Frankie."
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Post by Tiff on Mar 1, 2011 3:28:57 GMT -5
I relaxed in his arms, I still had an avalanche of questions spilling into my mind, but I knew better than to ask him tonight, not after he'd been so accommodating and helpful. I turned my head so that my cheek rested against his bare chest and closed my eyes and quickly fell back asleep. I wasn't sure what time it was when I did fall asleep, I just know that it was late and waking for school the next day was going to be difficult, Frankie Conrad hated waking up, she liked her sleep, I wondered if maybe the real me liked to get up early or if maybe I was more like her now that I'd spent two years in her life.
An alarm went off somewhere and I slowly opened my eyes, wishing that the incessant noise would cease and then realized it was probably my alarm for school. What I didn't realize was that I wasn't in my own bed, that I wasn't even in my own home, and the individual beneath me was Alec Wilson, I suppose I thought I had dreamt it all and that the horrific noise was just stirring me from the dream. I jumped and I'm fairly certain my body temperature sky rocketed when I realized it was Alec and then it went several degrees higher when I realized I hadn't dreamt it at all and that I was sleeping in his room with him because my parents weren't my parents and I wasn't who they said I was. I didn't want to wake him, but I knew I had to get up and the only way would be to climb over him.
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Post by kristay on Mar 1, 2011 9:11:40 GMT -5
I lay awake for another half an hour, just trying to lay still because Frankie was using me as a pillow; not that I minded in the least. I just didn't want to wake her up again after she had such a trying day. I fell asleep soon after, still thinking of the things I needed to explain, the things we needed to do and the people she needed to meet. Even if my mind was filled with things that had to be done, I had never felt so at peace when going to bed. I wasn't sure if it was because I was on the couch or because I wasn't alone.
My typical alarm was the first noise that pierced the darkness that sleep had drowned me in. I didn't even dream; maybe I was just that exhausted. I groaned softly and moved my hand around, trying to find the blasted alarm to shut it off. I opened one eye and then another and saw that Frankie was awake and was trying to climb off me. I couldn't help the sleepy grin that found its way to my mouth as I watched her try to get off me without waking me up. "Morning... What time is your class?" My alarm was always set for 5:45 so it was probably a bit early for her class... I wasn't sure though.
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