No Rain… (Violet)

Rain looks down at his trembling hands.

I reach out to take one, to still it, but he snatches it away from me.

Looks at me with tear filled eyes.

'I can't,' he says.

'Can't what?' I ask gently.

'I can't marry you.'

'Oh.'

'I'm sorry.'

I felt the same,' I tell him. 'But Mother says we will learn to love each other. It will be all right.' I stroke his arm. 'We have a head start, we like each other. Don't we?'

He sighs. 'Of course I like you. You're my cousin, but I just can't marry you. I can't.'

'All right.' I look at my feet.

He touches my cheek, wipes the single tear that's falling down it.

'Don't cry Violet, I don't think I can cope if you cry.'

'I'm sorry.'

'No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I can't love you, not like that. Not as a wife deserves to be loved. But I just can't.'

I nod my head.

'And don't think it is anything to do with you. You're an amazing girl, a true friend and I am honoured to have you in my life.'

'Why then?'

He sighs.

'I just can't. I…' he shivers and then takes a deep breath. 'I don't like you like that. I don't like any young woman like that.'

I frown. 'I don't understand,' I say.

'I'm gay. I like men.'

'Oh.' I stare into his blue eyes. 'Oh, I understand.' I touch his hand. 'And it is all right.'

He smiles, hugs me and then goes to tell the leaders that we won't be getting married after all.

So after all that's happened, I am alone.

I glance over to where Tulip is pushing herself up against Rocky.

Who looks embarrassed.

I wish I was marrying him.

But I'm not.

I have no one.

I have no intended.

And with Storm the only available male, I'm not going to have one any time soon.

I hope.

I slip out of the tent before the leaders can decide to change that.