Fall for Me

one

~ l e o r a

IT WAS EVENING when I finally finished my chores. Dusting my hands off on the apron I wore, I edged through the chicken pen and shut it behind me with a click. 

My parents owned the only farm in the village, which would seem unusual, but because most of the space had been taken up by the market, there was barely any room left for anything else. My parents weren't rich but weren't considered the poorest in the area either. We had struggled a few times in winter when we couldn't grow any crops, but we managed in the end with the help of some friends in the village who could afford to give away a portion of their food.

I was just turning the corner to head back to the farm house when thunderous shouts captured my attention. A horde of villagers were gathered around a vehicle, the polished surface glistening. Hitching up my thick skirts, I elbowed my way through the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of whatever was going on.

A row of guards stood before the car, glaring at whoever stepped too close. They each wore immaculate navy dress coats with white breeches and held guns the length of their arm. I swallowed fearfully at the sight. As each person craned their necks to observe the commotion, two identical heeled shoes appeared through the car doors, followed by a pair of long, creamy legs. The entire street fell silent.

The shimmer of crystals could be seen under the faintly gleaming sun, flashing like fireworks in the night sky. A delicate, jeweled hand perched itself atop of the palm of one of the guards. Billowing, dark brown hair cascaded down the shoulders of the woman, stopping just below the low neckline of her glowing dress. Her eyes pierced the air around the market as they drifted conscientiously across the side of the street where everyone stood, waiting. I shrank back slightly under her unimpassioned gaze.

A moment passed by before the woman murmured something to the guard holding her. He shook his head and continued staring forward, his face expressionless. An audible sigh escaped the woman's lips and she turned to duck back into the vehicle. Curious whispers echoed amongst the villagers and I watched as the driver started the engine and the car traveled slowly down the street, the guards trailing after them.

As soon as it left the market, it was bustling with noise and liveliness once again. I spun and made my way around the acre of land adjacent to the market, shaking away the perturbing thoughts of what had just happened, my eyes trained on the patched, wooden door of the farmhouse not too far away. The paint on the walls were chipped, either worn away by the intense weather, or scraped away by the children who played near the ancient building.

Stepping through the door, I was met by a wave of laughter and the mouthwatering scent of soup and freshly baked bread. My two brothers were prancing about the living room in front of the sofa where my father was sat, their left eyes concealed by a black piece of fabric with the unmistakable drawing of a skull. My mother was busy arranging the bowls and plates in the cupboard, trying to decide which to use for dinner, with my older sister stirring the pot of soup with a ladle. They all looked up as I entered the house.

"Leora, sweetie, do you mind setting the table?" My mother asked, finally choosing a set with flowers twisting about the rims. 

Nodding, I rinsed my hands under the cold tap and grasped the cutlery from their drawer, laying them out neatly on the dining room table. Both living and dining rooms were connected and formed the entire first floor, along with the kitchen where my mother and sister usually spent her time. 

"Ora! Come play with us!" The oldest of my brothers tugged on my sleeve and gazed up at me with his uncovered eye pleadingly. I gave him an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, Flynn. I'm busy helping Mama set the table. Why don't you continue playing with Weston?" I kneeled down to his height and cupped his face. He pouted and stormed off, his arms crossing over his chest. Weston hastened after him as I sighed.

"Don't be too hard on yourself, pumpkin, we all know how busy you are," my father said, rising from his sitting position. I set down the cutlery and rushed up to him, melting in his warm arms. 

Ever since my mother had given birth to Weston, I wanted to keep a look out for my family. My parents had worked so hard to keep our family together and going, but deep down, I knew they needed me and from then on, I burdened myself with the responsibilities for caring for everyone and meeting their requirements.

"I just wish I could do more," I sniffled, closing my eyes.

"You have already done so much for us all, pumpkin." He pulled away, smiling down at me with his brown eyes. My father always knew what to say. 

Giving me a small squeeze on the arm, he steered me to the dining table and called out for my brothers, who came racing back with delighted faces. I laughed. Sitting myself down, I immediately grabbed for a plate and spooned some carrots and peas onto it. Natasha, my older sister, perched on her chair gracefully and filled a bowl of soup for my parents before placing one down onto the table for me. I thanked her and reached for a roll.

"Prayers now, children," my mother reminded us, clinging onto Flynn's arm as he was about to munch on a piece of bread. He groaned.

When we had all clasped onto one another's hands and closed our eyes, my father recited the prayers, his low voice resonating through the rooms. The prayer ended with the sound of Weston's cough.

As we dug in, my mother asked each of us if we had finished our chores, which led to the simultaneous replies of yes. There was a silence between us all before the clattering of cutlery against china reverberated around the dining room. My mother had her hand pressed tightly over her mouth, silent sobs rocking through her.

Years ago, during an attack on the village, my older brother and father had joined the group of men and boys who had gathered to defend the area, but he was killed by one of them. My father had brought home his corpse and my mother had broken down right in front of us. We all mourned for our loss. Even now, my mother still thought of him and how he sacrificed his life protecting the ones he loved.

A minute later, my mother regained her composure and swiped the tears from her now puffy face. She gave us all a sad smile and assured us that she was alright. The house was silent once again.

While those who were already finished waited for those who hadn't, I glanced out the dining room window. The sky was streaked with magenta and the lambent light of the setting sun stretched out, fading under the brilliance of the moon.

I jerked upright as a voice called my name. Striding after the others as they collapsed onto the large sofa, I lowered myself to the floor, not wanting to squeeze. I occupied myself with analyzing the thin fibers of the beige carpet. The sound of the television turning on reached my ears and I raised my head.

On the screen was the same woman I had saw in the market. She stood regally beside a man with four girls on the other side of him. They were all clothed in sparkling fabric that glimmered every time the cameras flashed. Another man in a red coat and slicked back brown hair held a microphone in his hand.

"Tonight, we have the king and queen of Rheane and their daughters joining us. They claim they have some tragic news to share with everyone." He waved a thin finger at the camera and I gasped.

The woman in the market was the queen? Why would the queen suddenly visit the village and leave just as quickly?

"But before we get to that, we have an announcement from Chief Kaine, the man in charge of the Rheane Police Force. Over to you, Chief." The chief took the microphone from the man.

"We have had a few attacks from all across the country, and Rheane's Police would like to advise you all not to go out too late at night. Please do not panic. This is only to protect you all and to ensure attacks like these do not occur again. Stay safe and have a good night." The chief handed the microphone back to the man, whom I just realized to be the reporter.

"Now the king would like to make his announcement." The reporter stepped back and watched as the king stood, adjusting his coat before clearing his throat.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have terrible news for you all. Only a few hours ago, my wife and I's youngest child, Princess Leorane, had been discovered to have gone missing." A few gasps could be heard, but the king ignored them. "If every citizen of Rheane could keep a look out for my daughter, my family and I would deeply appreciate it." 

A screen behind the king and his family flickered to life and a photo of a dazzling girl appeared, but a moment later, the screen of the television turned black.

"What happened?" Flynn cried, bounding down from where he sat. The ten-year-old picked up the remote and frustratingly pressed a button various times, but the screen remained the same.

"I'm sorry, honey. This television is quite old." My mother cradled Weston to her chest and beckoned for Flynn to follow as she headed up the stairs, despite his unending complaints. "Maybe we should all go to bed. It's quite late."

We all stood and made our way to our rooms. My father retreated into his alongside my mother after she had bid the boys goodnight. My sister and I shared the same room, but we always respected each other's property and we never argued about anything. She shut the door behind her and I flicked on the switch of my lamp. The dim lighting flooded the room. Twitching the curtains closed, I stripped myself of my day clothes, snuggling into my nightgown and crawling into bed. Natasha followed suit.

"Goodnight, Nat," I whispered, extending a hand to turn off the light, my fingers hovering over the switch.

"Night, Leora." Her eyes found mine and I smiled, shutting off the lamp, drowning the room in darkness.

Rolling over, my mind filled with thoughts about the princess and wondered if she would be found soon enough, but a fog of sleepiness enveloped me, and I floated off into unconsciousness.

~*~

~ l e o r a

My fingers swiped at the long stalks of grass, ignoring the stinging cuts it left on my skin. Picking my way through the field, I could sense his presence. His blonde hair flopped over his forehead and he lazily brushed the strands back. My boots crunched along the crisp soil and he snapped his head in my direction, a pair of honey-brown eyes meeting mine, glowing beneath the twinkling moonlight.

Rylan was my best friend. Although he may not strike you as kind and caring, deep down, he had the gentlest heart. Whenever someone was in need, he would risk everything just to help them. He had twelve siblings and his mother died giving birth to the youngest, so his dad remarried, but his stepmother was selfish and never did anything. Being the oldest in the family of thirteen children, everyone relied on him to make money and bring home food for them all. I admired him.

For him, living on the other side of the village where most of the homeless people wandered the streets, stealing food and money and begging for shelter was terrible. He could not afford the other houses in the better parts of the village, so he had to stay there. My parents didn't know about me spending time with Rylan. He was of a lower status than my family, so if we were ever discovered, it would bring shame upon me and my family, but I couldn't bring myself to stay away from him. He was a friend and I enjoyed his company.

As I brushed past the last of the grass and slouched down beside him, a wide grin making itself onto his face. He wore a casual button-down shirt and ragged brown breeches which had been tucked into his work boots, muddy from the day's work. He hadn't changed clothes yet.

"Lee," he breathed, watching my every movement. 

I greeted him in return and tilted my head back, my gaze dropping onto the luminous moon. It was full, radiating brilliance. The stars winked down at us and coruscated like diamonds in the night sky. I felt a hand graze mine and a shudder ran down my spine, goosebumps sprinkling across my bare arms. Wordlessly, he shook off his shirt and wrapped it around me, thinking I was cold, leaving himself in just a white t-shirt. I hugged it around me tighter and inhaled sharply, the scent of the meadow itching my nose.

"How was your day?" He asked softly, tucking a stray curl behind my ear.

"Tiring," I muttered. "But it was worth it." 

He nodded slowly, leaning back on his hands, his blonde hair swaying in the undulating gusts of wind. I drew my legs up to my chest and covered my knees with the thin fabric of my nightgown. It was mid-spring and the temperature wasn't freezing, but it still wasn't warm enough to be walking around in shorts. 

Sneaking a peek at him from the corner of my eye, I saw that he was regarding the moon unblinkingly. Even though I had known him for five years of my life and we were inseparable, I knew what I had to end this. I needed to protect my family and Rylan, but the problem was, I wasn't sure I knew how to put it in a tender way.

"Rylan." I turn my head to look at him. He raises his eyebrows at him questioningly. "I-" I couldn't speak. My throat was suddenly as dry as a cotton bud. 

"You..." he urged, the corner of his lips twitching upward in amusement. He tipped forward, his face inches away.

"I-I think w-we should...y-you know," I stammered, my head drooping. 

He lifted my chin with his hand and purred lightly, "Be together?" 

My eyes shot up and I searched his for any sign of him just playing around, but his countenance was serious. I blinked. We were just friends and I had wanted to tell him the direct opposite.

"No!" My tone was harsher than I had intended and a look of hurt crossed his face. "I mean, I'm sorry. We're just friends, Rylan. I can't, you know that."

"What do you mean, you can't?" A hint of bitterness lined his voice. "It's because I'm poorer than you, isn't it? I shame you." His eyebrows were slanted downward in anger.

"No, of course not." I tried to sound firm, but the way he looked at me as if I had tried to murder him made my voice shake with fright. I had never seen this side of him.

"Then what, Leora? What do you want?" He didn't use his nickname for me anymore. 

"I..." I didn't know how to put it in a gentle way.

"What do you want?" He asked again, his hands clenched into fists by his side.

"I-I don't want us to spend time together anymore," I mumbled, avoiding his eyes. 

"You don't want that," he stated unwaveringly, but I could tell from all the years of being with him that he was holding back from breaking down.

I willed my voice not to quiver. "Yes, Rylan. I want that."

He sighed and rubbed a hand down his face and observed me with his rheumy eyes. Without a word, he shot up and turned his back to me.

"Leora." My eyes followed him as his lean figure stepped away from me, waiting for him to speak. "You really are the most selfish person I have known."

As he hauled himself away, my body racked with sobs. For the sake of him, his family and mine, I had to have ended this friendship. He had said he wanted to be together, but I knew I would never see him in that way. My mind lingered on his last words, my heart throbbing painfully.

You really are the most selfish person I have known.

It hurt because it was true.