Chapter V: The Aftermath
POV- KAREN
I'd left that dance as soon as I could. I didn't want to dance. I didn't want to pick up anyone.
I didn't want to.
I wouldn't want to. I was simply much too afraid of a long-lasting relationship with someone during that damn war.
I'd already lost more than I wanted to.
I heard the sound of steadily running footsteps.
I sighed then I turned around to see the man with beautiful sapphire irises- the man who'd had his eyes on the prize. He gave a gentle smile as he said, "I didn't mean to stare at you. You're just very beautiful."
His smile was of genuine love. No, not passion nor lust; not some false smile nor an evil smile.
All I saw was a loving smile.
All I felt in my heart towards him was true love.
"Young love is a flame; very pretty, often very hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. The love of the older and disciplined heart is as coals, deep-burning, unquenchable."
My father had told me that when I'd been young myself and had my heart torn apart like paper. I'd had tears streaming down my face. My crush loved another girl. My father had held me close to him then told me that as he had wiped away my tears with his thumbs.
I knew to wary of strangers, but I trusted this man.
He was in the Alliance; an ally.
I gave a sigh as I continued to look at the rather handsome man. I'd told him that it was fine. "It isn't alright," the blue-eyed man insisted. "I'd been taught that it isn't polite to stare."
I saw the mischief twinkling in his beautiful eyes as he reached for my right hand and gentle kissed its back. "It especially isn't polite to stare at beautiful ladies like you." I'd grinned as I chuckled. Somehow- just how?- he'd managed to keep a straight face. I gave him a gentle smile. "You're cute, Blondie." He looked a bit offended by the nickname. "You really are."
With that, I decided to go. I didn't look back in an attempt to look braver than I really was.
As much as he really was cute- more so handsome- I didn't want a relationship in a time that I could lose him; lose him to this war. I didn't know a thing about him- not even his name.
POV- LUKE
I'd gaped at her as she left me to stand there.
I didn't know what to do.
Didn't know what to say.
Didn't know what to think.
I gave a resigned sigh then I walked away from where she had left me standing there. It must've been that my mind felt it was too awkward to move away from where I'd been left to stand. I'd sighed then simply walked away, my head held low. No one else was around except for my shadow, which just slumped along as I walked away from the spot she'd left me at.