Th_omas

" How about we help each other?" He says and I look up at him, eyes still wet from the tears streaming down my cheeks, heart freshly broken from the public humiliation and betrayal that was Lucas's breakup. I can faintly make out the first droppings of snow floating magically under the light of the street lamps. It's that time of the year, a time for wool coats, a time for relaxing, none of which I'll be doing. "I'm an orphan with a wicked aunt and a boyfriend who left her because she has nothing to her name, how could I possibly help you?" I say another sob escaping my lips. "Marry me" he replies and my eyes widen in anger. Is he mocking me?. I look into the eyes of this stranger and see he's dead serious. "I need a wife, you need a home, marry me and you'll have all you want". I nod.

A Snowy Marriage (A Christmas agreement)

The tension in the air is tangible.

I can literally see everyone shuffling their feet on the floor, or unobtrusively scratching an ear, or just doing some action that blandly goes on to show their nervousness.

Everyone is nervous at what is going to happen today, and I think I am even more nervous as for that reason. It seems even those have spent half their lives here are still nervous of today's game, and it seems I, who I probably just new here will be caught today, in a pool of my own sweat, fainting from nervousness.

Adrian holds my hand reassuringly, and it seems I do not mind the action anymore. We have to act like we are married after all, and I think holding hands is just a trivial thing. What is actually on my mind right now, Is how we will excel in this game.

I don't really know exactly what they're doing yet, but Adrian told me it'd be a mix of some sports, if i have learnt anything from four days here, it's that nothing is done without an ulterior motive.

I just need to figure out the true motive behind this one, and then maybe I can actually do something to help. Only the guys are participating in this event, no ladies allowed.

My eyes dart to and fro looking for Arden and Alice, for a moment there my heart actually drops with the fact that even with all the fun that we had last night, and the way Alice's presence seemed to grow on me, she might actually not be on our side.

It is just a thought, yes, but it is a very possible thought. I don't think allegiance is so easily won in this place, and I find myself doubting my own plan. Is it really possible to just get everyone to simply be your friend?, is friendship really the answer in a place where there is so much enemity so they kill themselves because of it?.

My eyes keep on probing each and every corner of this place, trying to look for a familiar face.

I think apart from Adrian there is no one else that I should possibly know here, the notion scares me, it scares me that I will be all alone once Adrian leaves, I'll be all alone and left to the whims and fancies of horrible little kids.

I can already see the murderous intent in their eyes, and it makes me wonder exactly what made them like this.

What couod have possibly turned a group of teenagers into murdering little bandits, who would take advantage of you and kill you the next minute. What sort of experiences could have shipped their minds into eliminating other people in such a way, and leaving no room for friendship or comfort.

I can't see how i have time to sympathize right now, as I am literally in a panic, but yet I keep it all in.

I do not want Adrian to sense any of the discomfort or nervousness that I am currently displaying, he's trying his best to hide the fact that he's scared from mez but yet I can see it in his eyes.

This would be new to all of them, but yet I'm sure each and everyone's parents here would have already briefed them on exactly what is happening. I wonder why Adrian's parents didn't do so with him, and it occurs to me that will be some form of cheating. Having information of what is going to happen before it does isn't fair to anybody, and so I learnt the matter slide.

My eyes stray to look for a familiar face one more, but instead they meet that of a stunningly handsome face, and golden flecked eyes.

Chapter 81