I was running, that was all I knew. I had no clue where I was or even what direction I went upon leaving the house. All I did know was that I had to get out; another moment in there would have driven me mad. I kept running, past trees and rocks. I quickly found that there was no path and the deeper I went into the forest the darker it got. I tried to stop but it seemed like my mind was no longer communicating with my legs.
Why did he have to do that? I thought bitterly. Why did he not understand that we were just friends? That is all we have ever been and that can not change now.
I was thinking of him when I was running and with each thought I had my legs lead me another step. Another step away from him but also another step away from myself; I wanted to go to a place that I could think. The problem was that this place was so unfamiliar to me. This was not my home.
I found a clearing by a small stream and sat upon a rock. I did not know how far I was from the party but I knew I must not be too far off, for I could still hear the music. I just sat and thought of everything that had happened over the last six months.
Before I could really think about how I ended up in this position, there was a crack of a stick in front of me.
“Who’s there?” I said in my deep southern voice.
“Jesus, it’s just me” said the familiar voice.
“Why Delaney, you scared me half to death” I breathed out. I did not even know I was holding my breath till then.
“Sorry, Cadence; I didn’t mean to scare you. I just saw you take off and I did not think it best to leave you all alone out here.”
“Always the gentlemen now aren’t ya” I laughed at the man standing before me. Some women would consider him handsome; I on the other had only saw him as a brother. Delaney and I were only a couple years apart but we were as close as twins. We did everything together from birth and he was always there being the protective brother. He stood in front of me wearing his best clothes; a black suit that was tailored to him perfectly. He was the best dressed man in the whole North and he should be.
“Well anything for my best girl. Now are you going to tell me why you ran out of our Pa’s party like that?” Delaney leaned against a tree and looked at me.
“I just needed some fresh air is all” I replied as sweetly as I could. I knew he would see through that lie in a second but I thought he might take a hint and realize I did not want to talk about it.
“Right. Because you always ran out of a perfectly good party just to get fresh air. I know you, Cadence, parties are your favorite.” He said it all smoothly as if he was murmuring to a baby. His eyes darted from my face to the moon and I found myself wanting to pour my heart out to him like I have done so many other times.
“I just hate him sometimes. I try to be nice and kind and he just takes it the wrong way. I like him a lot but only as a friend. You know that I do not want to get married.” I got up and paced. My head was reeling with all the thoughts going through it and I am sure I sounded like a mad woman.
“Have you told him this personally?” Delaney was calm as if a flustered woman talking nonsense was the most nature thing in the world. I guess it was since I live with him.
“Yes, I thought I made it clear from day one that I would have nothing to do with him in that way. You know how I feel about Yankees. The war may be over but I still do not trust them. He is lucky I allow myself to be friends with him. I have promised that as long as I live in the North I will never marry. That is the end of the discussion and no man is going to change that. Southern or not.” I stopped in front of Delaney and pointed my finger in his face.
“I understand you completely even if I do think your reasons are a little crazy. Denying yourself what could be true love just because you hate it here. I just think that he is cocky enough that he will not listen to your protests, which may be a good thing.” He grabbed my h
Unknown "sweet kay -NFS" Seductive
- 16 years, 10 months, 18 days ago
