The day had come. And Travis had joined the other festival goers in the main square. Everywhere he looked there were couples exchanging gifts, girls smiling boys laughing. Some even crying having been presented rings by their partners. Yet everywhere he looked he couldn’t find the one girl he was looking for…Madaline was nowhere to be seen. And as the night drew one Travis thought she might not attend this year.
"What’s with the long face?" He jumped at the voice. Madaline was in front of him, she giggled at his jumpyness arms tucked neatly behind her back like any proper noble woman.
"N-nothing. I was just looking for someone is all. I don’t know if she’s coming or not!" He nervously rubbed the back of his neck.
"Oh." Madaline’s expression sort of changed, surprise mixing with something else he couldn’t quite place. "So you have someone?" She asked as she took a set beside him on the fountain wall, his little box sitting neatly in her lap.
"N-not really?" The boy was starting to choke on his own words. "I h-haven’t really asked her yet."
"You haven’t asked her yet?" Madaline’s head tilted, the box somewhat unsteady in her lap.
Travis pushed his little box in front of her. The girl blinked, a few seconds passing before she took a hold of it. He heard the noticeable click as the lid opened, the melody of the old song playing a second or two later. Madaline looked completely stunned. He just smiled at her till the girl of his dream finally caught herself.
"Th-thank you so much Travis!" Madaline’s face was beat red, the rosy red blush had climbed across her nose with her cheeks similarly following suit. Her deep ocean blue eyes were almost glittering, like she was in the twilight between crying and laughing.
"You’re welcome." Travis smiled meekly, rather proud of himself as several onlookers regarded the two with warm smiles…a few others with barred teeth from raging jealously. The boy stood. "Well. Please enjoy your night my lady ~" He smiled softly before stepping away - though something caught his arm. Or rather someone. "Madaline?" He asked looking back at the girl who was quite the flutter.
Suddenly her head bowed and his own box was shoved in front of him, almost blunting his nose with the sudden force of it all. “For you!” Madaline spluttered out.
"No! I really mean it!" The girls eyes were shinning at him, her cheeks seemed to deepen in colour. "I-I’ve wanted to give you something each and every year b-but never knew what to give you! I-I tried a letter one year but then I could never find the courage to follow through! S-so this year! I…I! I wanted to give you something special!" The box opened, and one the little bell were four words inscribed on it.
He smiled. It wasn’t the same gift he had given her, no. Madaline had taken time to make this her own. The letters had obviously taken her all night to carve in - several mistakes from when she was drowsy were covered up by cutting deeper into the metal. The girl had even sown a fabric sheet that was placed inside, all pretty patterns and swirls. Travis only realized he had kissed her when he pulled away…and Madaline just stood there. The happiest look he had ever seen on her soft features.
And at that moment he could her it. The sound of her heart bell…perfectly in time with his. ~
”~ And they both lived. Happily, ever after. The end.”
titsay
areudirty
gracieabrams
snowghoul
amandla
