themselves and that those who do not suffer, as is the nature of all things.”
“And what of those who work hard and are given nothing, because of their status, as you say?” Bastien whipped back. I was not used to someone speaking to me this way… debating with me. His opinions infuriated me mostly because if he was right, he would take away my essence. Everything I had ever been taught to believe would be wrong. And I didn’t want to face that possibility. I forced a bubbly laugh.
“Well now you are being silly, Bastien. Please stop with all this political nonsense, admit you are wrong, and stop giving me a frightful headache,” I crooned, pouring a small glass of crisp wine and taking a sip to calm my nerves. Having watched our exchange as though it were a tennis match, Jacqueline began to look around the woods. An awkward silence fell before she found something that excited her.
“Oh, do you see that trail of flowers? I bet it leads to my favorite ones, Bastien! Do you care if I go have a look?” she asked, all innocence. Bastien cast one sideway glance at me, the heavy realization that we would be alone in a romantic forest grove not lost on either of us, before nodding his head in approval. Scooping up her yellow dress, Jacqueline ran clumsily through the bush and was out of sight in minutes, leaving us to our general disagreements. Bastien finally leaned toward me, his expression earnest.
“J, if you do not believe that the world is about to come crashing down around you, then you will not survive what is to come next. With poverty comes violence…once you take food away from a hungry mouth, it has naught to do but rise up and bite. The poor are beginning to assemble, and I fear the world will not be a safe cocoon for you much longer.”
“It is your cocoon too, Bastien. I wonder why you choose to live in it if you hate it as much as you seem to,” I said. His answer was quick.
“I do it for Jacqueline. I don’t know why she strives so hard to be a part of this world…maybe because it is one that will never accept her. But no matter what my beliefs, my primary job is to protect her with all that I have. It is why we are friends, is it not? Because she likes you?”
“Are you saying that you only treat me as you do, as you might a potential love, because it benefits your sister?” Don’t ask me how I got so bold. He always brought out the worst in me…and the best. He smirked.
“Well, now who is being silly?” he teased, and I pulled back my hand to give him a playful slap, which he caught easily, pulling me in close. Our playful laughter died as soon as it had come, delicious desire immediately taking its place.
“J…” he whispered, his face so close to mine I could feel his breath skim my eager lips. My eyes melted into his, the brown so dark I became lost in their depths.
“There’s something about you I just don’t understand. I’m drawn to you…I can think of nothing else while you are gone and want nothing more than to kiss you when you’re near. I haven’t the slightest idea why, because you’re so elitist, but I do…”
Well. You can imagine how that bucket of water cooled me right off. I froze, my body tense, and gave him a hard stare.
“You call me elitist simply because I could never marry you? You choose to live in my society and yet not abide by its rules?” I challenged. Our embrace slowly pulled apart as the helplessness of our situation solidified itself in our minds, turning our desperation and want for each other into anger. His eyes turned cold as he placed distance between us once again.
“Well, as I said, my sister needs a friend, and therefore you must be tolerated. Perhaps there is little hope for you after all.”
“Perhaps even smaller hope for you, you arrogant man!” I spat, unable to repress my anger, which was doubled by the fact that I still wanted him to kiss me. Jacqueline made her way back through the trees noisily, her arms laden with