Debuting

I walked out into the room, wearing the most expensive and beautiful dress that has ever touched my skin. It was white silk with black trimming, a puffed sleeve shrug overtop, a white lily bouquet in my hands.

"Oh, Elizabeth! You look wonderful!" my mother exclaimed coming over to me. I smiled at her and looked around at the men. They all smiled nicely at me. I smiled back with courtesy of course, but I was really looking for the brown curls and gorgeous eyes that I always saw going off with his father in the morning.

"May I have this dance?" Came a voice that caused me to jump. I turned to see Frederick Holling. I remember mother talking about him the day before.

"Frederick will be there! His family does quite well. He plans to continue in the business of banking. His parents own one you know? In Washington! Isn't that exciting?! He would support you very well. Plus, think of the opportunities you would have there!" She then pressed on about others who were going to be there. A lot of them had business in Washington, most likely trying to get as close to politics as possible. But I didn't want that. I wanted as far away from politics as I could get.

I took Frederick's hand and dropped my bouquet with my mother. We started to dance and he talked to me about his career plans, just like my mother had explained.

All the other men went just like Frederick, talking of their plans to follow in their father's footsteps. Wanting to support me, and how many children they were hoping for. I barely listened, considering I could almost recite what they were going to say next. The night was coming to a close, and I felt tears behind my eyes as Emmett had never shown up. Not to mention no one I had any interest in.

They were all the same. Boring, uptight, and going to every single debut possible. They weren't here for me, they were here for a trophy wife.

I practically ripped the earrings from my ears as I sat in my bedroom; my once perfect hair for the night now a tangled web. I grabbed a brush, ripping at the snags in my hair. I couldn't stand how the world worked. Women were used for simply looking good on a man's arm, not caring about your well-being.

I pictured myself with Frederick Holling. Our wedding: simple church wedding, showing off more to his friends than to treat me with dignity. Then our first night together, satisfying himself before even considering if I was happy. I shuddered thinking of that little tid-bit, remembering his already appearing bald spot on the right side of his square head. Then there was our first born. If it was a boy, he would be with him 24/7, teaching him how to be just as treacherous as himself. If it was a girl, she would be with me 24/7, barely seeing her father until he was given a son.

"So archaic." I snarled. I smashed down my brush and grabbed the bag under my bed. I shoved all my precious belongings in it as well as all my comfy traveling clothes.

I grabbed paper and a pen and began writing:

Dear Mother,

You know I love you, and I know you will never accept me leaving but, I can't go through with all of this. I don't want to be with someone who won't love me. I want to be with someone I can cherish and will cherish me. Not spoil me with presents, but spoil me with himself. Please understand that I love you, and I will return one day, but I will not be alone. I will come home with someone suitable. Not for society necessarily, but for myself.

All my love,

Elizabeth.

I dropped the note on my bed and lifted up my window. I looked down to see it was quite a drop.

"Oh my…" I felt myself lose hope for leaving, but decided to suck it up. I tossed my bag out the window and stuck one foot out. The chilly night air hit my face, so I quickly tossed a blanket out too. I grabbed onto the vines that grew down my house, their flowers slipping off as I touched them.

I climbed down ever so slowly, not looking for even a moment. Suddenly, a pedal fell into my eye and I went to wipe at it. As I did, there was a sickening snap as the vine I held onto to became lose in my hands and I fell to the ground.

I landed on my side, hard. Feeling the pain in my hip as I got up, I noticed a shadow on the other side of the fence. My heart raced, thinking it was a burglar, or someone else terrible.

"Elizabeth?" My heart stopped again, hearing a voice that soothed me. A match burst and the face was revealed.

"Emmett! What are you doing out here?" I hissed, picking up my things.

"Me? What are you doing...Are you running away!?"

"Shhh!" the match went out and we were left in the darkness again.

"Hello? Who's there!?" came my father's voice. I panicked. My escape plan was already crumbling to pieces and I hadn't even gotten off the property. My breath came in crisp quick clouds as I wondered what to do.

"Quick! Over here! My parents and brothers are out of town." I tossed my things to him as we ran onto his property. I saw a lantern whipping around behind me, hearing my dad coming closer to the edge of our lawn.

I heard Emmett open his door; his arm extended and pulled me in. We were left in absolute darkness and silence, waiting. I wasn't sure what we were waiting for, maybe our thoughts to catch up to us. A light then flicked on, revealing Emmett wearing a handsome tux. His hair was a little ruffled and his eyes looked like he had been rubbing them.

"Are you okay? Where were you?" His mouth closed and he moved to the window without a word, breezing past me.

"Emmett-"

"I was going to your debut." He cut off, his cheeks going pink.

"What? You went? How come I didn't see you?"

"I couldn't do it. I just saw all the other men there, and…they'd be much better suited for you than me. They all have successful families, and a house already picked out. I don't have much of anything to offer you. I could barely buy us a house." I felt my breath seize. Hearing him talk about us having a future together made my heart flutter.

"Well, don't buy me a house." I suggested. He gave me a look of sarcasm.

"Just help me run." I took his hand and led him to the front door when there was a knock on it.

"Shit! It's your dad! He grabbed me and shoved me in a closet, throwing my things in with me. I then heard his footsteps toward the front door.

EMMETT'S POV

I quickly closed the closet door and practically ran back to the front door. I smoothed down my hair and fixed my suit before opening the door. I felt the sweat already bead on my head as Elizabeth's father stood there in his house coat and holding a shot gun.

"Emmett."

"Mr. Browning. What's the trouble? I thought I heard you shouting earlier." As I spoke I let him in. I tried not to laugh as his knobby knees clunked together under his house coat. How this balding, wrinkled old man bared the beautiful, flawless skinned girl that was hiding in my closet was beyond me. Even looking at his wife, who was no looker herself.

I recalled the first day they came to their new house six months ago. Out came Mr. and Mrs. Browning from their car, summered up and gleaming at the house. Then out stepped their only child Elizabeth. Red lipstick was on her lips, her hair completely straight, rather then the curly look most girls went for these days. She looked casually at the house. Disappointment nor excitement touched her face.

"Isn't it wonderful darling!? I'm sure we can find a perfect husband for you here. Not to mention the city isn't far, so your father will be home a lot more often. I recalled her smiling, the beauty in her face was remarkable.

"Emmett? Did you hear me boy?" I quickly snapped up to see Mr. Browning, ready to poke me with his rifle.

"Sorry sir?"

"I said did you hear or see anyone out here?" The sweat now dripped down my back as I looked the very stern, half naked man in the eyes.

"N-no sir. Nothing." Then came the most blood curdling scream I had ever heard. We both took off like a flash to his house. Mrs. Browning came out, holding a piece of paper.

"She's gone Henry! Our little Eliza is gone!" she wept and held her husband. I just stood there in utter silence. Unsure whether to leave, or help comfort.

ELIZABETH'S POV

I heard my mother's scream and almost leapt out of the closet, but knew better. I waited and waited. There was absolute silence. I sat down and hugged my knees, hating that I hurt my mother.

Footsteps then came into the house and closed the door. They then started coming towards the closet. I got up quickly and sunk back into the coats, fearing it was my father. The door then swung open. My vision corrected in the light to reveal a very sweaty Emmett.

"Are you okay?"

"I hate lying. You owe me big time!" He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his face. I stepped out with him, clasping my hands behind my back. I popped my lips as I opened them.

"Uhm, Emmett? Can you do me on more favour?" He turned around, giving me a stern look. He came close to me, he towered over me, my shadow barely visible on the floor.

"What?" He asked low and what seemed scared.

"Could you drive me into town? I need a place to stay." His hands fell to his sides and he gave me an insane look.

"You think your parents won't find you in town!? You need to go somewhere else Elizabeth. Going into town won't get you away from your parents, or the men you're running from." I felt myself stop breathing. He walked off to the kitchen, making tea I think. I walked around his house, looking curiously at everything. I then came to a closed door down the wooden hallway. I looked back to see no one in the hallway. I opened to door to a boy's bedroom. Emmett's bedroom.

There were plenty of pictures, and hobbies. He had a baseball glove, a fishing pole, and his own rifle. I touched the rifle, feeling the cold steel of the pipe, and the gun powder gritty against my fingertips.

"There's only one way to get you out of here." Came his voice behind me. I jumped and turned. He walked over and handed me a mug.

"I'm going to get you out of here. I'll help you run." He then clinked my mug and drank. I felt myself grin, thinking of being on the road, just me and Emmett.