Based off of this plot.
@greatdivides
The soft quiver of fragile fingertips cascaded through her blonde curls early this morning. It was just daylight so with the last few hours she had, Zoey was spending in her room with her mother. A faint scent of honey and rose lingered with the spray used to keep her curls intact, soft and springy. The gentle bristles of the brush felt nice against her scalp, a homey feeling. Something only a daughter and mother could share with one another, a pastime shared between Zoey and her mother since she was small. As much as it pained Zoey to be leaving her mother behind in this house that held nothing but dark memories, she was joyous. Finally starting a new life somewhere, and with all of the novels and promises of good men from her mother, for the first time in what felt like forever: Zoey was happy. A bit fidgety even, excitement burning in her veins. A particular itch along her skin she couldn’t scratch and yet in so many hours she would finally be free.
With a final spritz of her perfume, the mist coating her blonde curls, adding a particular sparkle to them in the sunlight she was ready. Her mother gave her shoulders a firm squeeze and left Zoey alone for a few moments in her childhood bedroom. Studying the pale pink walls and the white wooded bed she simply smiled, a soft way of saying ‘goodbye.’ Not much was in her bags, simply her books and a few clothes. The most important thing was around her neck, a necklace with her mother’s photo and that was to be something she would never part without. Every moment of her life had led up to this and the only reason she survived in this home was because of this, it was her Contract Day, and she was finally leaving.
Her father so kindly drove the family to the Government building, the coward wouldn’t look her in the eye, not even as they briefly, awkwardly hugged. A vile taste forming in the back of her throat but she simply reminded herself that this was the last time she would see him. A sense of relief at that fact. Her mother simply offered a small smile, and Zoey swore she saw a bit of envy in the woman’s eyes, and for that Zoey pitied her. A softer smile was reserved for her younger sister, the two girls exchanging hugs and soft goodbyes. With that and the help of a kind official, she walked into the building and once she passed the threshold, her old life was behind her.
It was busy as any official government building should be. Some girls a bit upset that this might be the last time they see their families. Unlike others, Zoey’s smile was radiating with nothing but pure emotion, pure happiness radiating in her eyes. With her paperwork laid out, Zoey didn’t even think twice to sign on the bottom line. With the line striking through her last name and a quick flick of the wrist, Zoey Eaton was now and forever bonded with a... Her blue eyes scanned over the documents placed in front of her now and his name was a bit interesting. Romes Delfino. The simple identification photo paperclipped to the packet had her at ease. Not that she could ever have a choice, but at least he wasn’t too hard on the eyes.
The sight of this man, strange and unknown as could be, it made her smile. This was her husband, her new life...and she couldn’t help but to find this packet of information to be the best set of words she had ever read.
The small blonde had been studying her packet of information for a few minutes as they rounded up the next train for her. Zoey’s fingertip trailing over the sleekness of his photo and she was curious about this man. The simple government statements not giving her much other than the standard, eyes, height, weight, what he studied in school, and where they would now live. Along in her packet was the keys to her new home, plus a photograph of that. She could tell wherever they were going to live must be beautiful. To Zoey however, the middle of the desert would be beautiful, anywhere away from this place. A bit lost in all of the paperwork and information she almost missed them announce her train. Ticket in hand she boarded it and didn’t bother to even look back.
The train journey there had been simple, fast. Complimentary food and drink, but Zoey simply sipped on some flavored water and re-read the packet a few times. It wasn’t enough to sate her curiosity of her new husband, but for now it was enough to keep her from jumping in her seat. As they neared the destination the slightest inkling of doubt and anxiety did form in the pit of her stomach. What if her fate would be like her own mother’s? What if.. “No..” She whispered to herself, staring at her reflection in the trains window. “It’s going to be okay. It had to be.” She assured herself, and with the announcement they would be arrived soon, Zoey went into one of the restrooms as did most of the other girls.
Small bag in hand she touched up the make-up she had perfected onto her face. Nothing too drastic, a simple look. Her lips tinted pink, cheeks with a rosy hue of her own natural beauty. It was hard for her to not be flushed given the way her blood was simply pounding in her veins, however the eye-liner she had smudged a bit. So she quickly neatened that up and with a spritz of her favorite perfume, she assumed this was as good as she could possibly be.
After re-brushing her teeth and double checking she had all of her luggage documents in her wallet... Her new ID card with her fresh last name and photo resting in the slot she smiled. This was going to be okay, it had to be. As she climbed off the train into the frantic station she was immediately overwhelmed. She was only 5′3″ and in the slight heels she had on it was a bit terrifying to be around so many people in a new place. Tugging the large purple suitcase behind her the small blonde saw many new couples meeting for the first time. Some girls awkward, others crying... Too many emotions for her to focus on. What was she even feeling? How could it be possible she was simply numb in this moment?
Her blue eyes scanned over some of the men in a group, obviously awaiting their new partners. A slight movement in the far back caught her eye and that was when she saw him. The sudden clicking of her heels against the floor came to a stop and she swallowed as an anaconda formed in the bit of her stomach, nerves springing to life. Zoey’s first thought when she saw him was simple. He looked tired, and very tall. Gaining whatever courage she could she began moving towards him, hoping to exempt a sense of grace as she walked. However she felt anything but as he seemed to realize that yes, she was the girl in the picture, and yes, she was his new wife.
Swallowing the lump in her throat as she approached and a soft, dimpled smile managed to work it’s way to her face. Sighing softly to level herself as they met in the middle, the shorter girl peeking up at him. “Hi.” She said in a soft voice, tentative, her breath caught in her chest. Her biggest mistakes was locking eyes with him. the swirling depths of his chocolate orbs had her a bit unsteady on her feet and though her mind began to spin at the reality of everything around her, she remained upright. “I’m Zoey.” She continued in the same breath exhaling a bit shakily. Her voice was small as she wondered what he thought of her in this moment. Was she to his satisfaction or would he resent her for not being something else? She was hoping that to not be the case. “It’s nice to meet you.” With that her smile grew a bit because she hoped with everything in her, that this was going to be a better life.