Flames

''It would only be a fling - she wasn't about to break up the happy home of Jack Summerbach. ''Katie thought. They'd been meeting in secret for a couple of months now, but they both knew it would have to end, as his parents would rather he marry someone else, with money and beauty. ''I am beautiful, according to everyone else I know, but I'm not attractive enough for his parents. ''She looked up as footsteps entered the clearing. "Hi, Jack." She said, smiling happily at him. He smiled back, but there was a sadness in his eyes. "What is it?" Katie asked, going to him and taking his hand. "..My..My parents...They found a suitable girl for me." He responded. "...oh..." Katie said, shell shocked. There was no way they could still meet now. "But I still want to meet you!" he said, quickly, grabbing her arm as she turned away. "She doesn't love me, I know she doesn't, but she still wants me, if only to have a husband...I love you, Katie Fardream." Katie looked at him. She saw his eyes were full of love, but also disgust, left from thinking about the woman, she assumed. "I love you too," she responded, as they sat on the grass and watched the sun turn the sky scarlet.

I snuck back into the house, as silent as possible. I crept toward the stairs. "Jack." ''Crap. ''"Mother." "Why did you sneak out in the middle of the night? You need to be perfect for her tomorrow." "Mom! You know I don't love Sally. She doesn't love-" "Who marries for love these days! All you need is someone pretty and with money, so you have a large inheritance." I tried to use logic instead. "But the dowry needed-" Once again, she cut me off. "Anything is worth it for you to have a bright future." "Mom, that's really sweet of you, but I-" "Yes I know, now get to bed!" She said, pointing upstairs. "ugh..." I muttered under my breath. As I reached the second floor, my little sister peered out from her room. "Oooo, imagine how mad she'd be if she knew you were seeing Katie!" she said, her eyes narrowing mavolently. "Don't you dare." When I'd first been meeting Katie, she had followed me. Of course, she was threatening me. "She'd be so mad..." She added. "Fine. What do you want, Rachael?" "Chocolate truffles from the store tomorrow." I sighed in defeat. "Thanks!" she trilled before leaping back into bed. I curled back into my bed. "How could I possibly get out of this?" I asked the ceiling. My pet bird, a goldfinch named Flick, chirruped at me sleepily. "Fine, Flick, I'll shut up," I muttered, turning over and I tried to fall asleep.