Chapter Three

Date?!

The next day I practically ran to the village, although I was almost late because I was trying to find out what to wear for Calostire. So I wore my favorite dress, a crimson red dress that went down to my knees with a white v crest on the front. It was a gift from my father on my sixteenth birthday, and I treasured it very much. I just hope Calostire likes it.

I was a bit nervous I admit but also excited, this was my very first time being alone with someone I cared about. People in the village were kind, but there was no one I could ever really call a friend. Now I have someone who I can actually talk to and be happy with.

I was almost to the fountain when I felt an arm wrap around my waist and pull me towards a chest. The owner of the arm whispered in my ear,

"My Rose, don't you look beautiful today? What's the occasion? Can't wait to see my handsome face, and giant arms of steel?"

I instantly new it was Gaston and tried to pry myself from his grip, but his grip only tightened.

"Let me go GASTON!" I yelled "I'm not here for you, so if you don't mind…" I struggled even more. He only laughed.

"No, not unless you…kiss me."

I was about to yell when a voice came from behind Gaston.

"Rose, is this man bothering you?"

My heart leaped, it was Calostire; Gaston, seeing my smile, turned to face Calostire, his arms still around me.

"Who are you and how do you now MY Rose?"

I instantly frowned at his tone of 'MY' Rose and yelled at him,

"I am not YOUR Rose now let me go!"

Gaston only continued to laugh when Calostire got a very threatening voice, almost like a growl.

"I am Calostire, and if you don't mind letting her go, her and I have a date to go to."

My face must have resembled a tomato, because I turned as red as my dress when he said that I was on a date with him. Not that I don't want to go on a date with him, but as soon as the words left Calostires mouth, I felt Gaston's grip on me falter. Not wanting to lose the opportunity to escape, I used this moment to run towards Calostire and give him the biggest hug I could manage. For two reasons, one to make Gaston know for sure that I was with Calostire, and two because I was thankful that Calostire came and helped me.

Calostire was surprised at first but hugged me back warmly, making me turn red even more.

Gaston, who was still slack-jawed, had had enough.

"Who do you think you are? Rose is my girl!" he tried to grab me from Calostire, but Calostire somehow moved swiftly and was behind Gaston in an instant.

I stared in awe at how quick Calostire was on his feet; from what Calostire told me he had been trained to fight as a child. Apparently he wasn't lying (not that I thought he was), and was no amateur when it came to combat.

Gaston whipped around and tried to take a swing at Calostire, but somehow he easily avoided what so many others got hit by. Gaston, after several other tries of knocking Calostire's face off, was slowing losing this battle. Somehow though, I could see something flicker in Calostires eyes, rage, after Gaston mumbled about me being his and his alone. With tremendous speed Gaston was then thrown to the ground. I saw him try and get up and regain composure, but Calostire then punched Gaston in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. To then finish it off, he punched him in the face; knocking Gaston out cold. Calostire walked over to me, asking if I was alright, I merely nodded. Calostire was not hit once by the 'hunk' of the town, and I just made me smile at how Calostire had done it with ease.

Wow, I never thought that I would see the day that Gaston would get beaten so badly. Calostire really is great!

Later that day after things had settled down, Calostire asked who Gaston was.

"He is the villages' best hunter and the town's ladies man. Everyone adores him and thinks he's the greatest."

He nodded and then asked why he was giving me trouble and grabbing me. I told him, "He wants me to marry him."

As I said that I saw Calostire look down and frown.

"But I don't to be married to him; there is someone else I care for. He's strong, smart, caring, and loves to read as much as I do."

I almost couldn't say it because I was afraid of what he might say, but I finally managed to say it.

"You."

He looked down at me with those blue eyes. For a moment I thought he was going to say he didn't feel the same way, but then he came closer and kissed me.

Oh my gosh! He kissed me, what do I do? This is my first kiss…but I feel great that Calostire was the man to give me this kiss.

He broke away from me only to find me blushing like mad.

"I know we haven't known each other very long, but I feel the same about you Rose."

We sat in yet another comfortable silence for a while. Then Calostire faced me and said.

"Well I guess we can finish our…date, if that's ok with you Rose?"

I nodded still too stunned from the kiss.