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The Falling

Summary:
In the action itself, she is weightless and free. The flight is not to be feared, only the impact. A story on the life of Esme Cullen. Image Hosted by ImageShack.us Banner By incredible Iris!

Notes:
I may submit this to the official site. What do you think?

29. Chapter 29

Rating 0/5   Word Count 540   Review this Chapter

Sometimes you want to reach ground,

The boy is so stiff. I just want to reach out and shake him, hard. I can’t, but it’s going right under “marry Carlisle” on my Impossible Wishlist.

Or smack him. That might be equally satisfying. I grumble to myself.

Finally, Edward does something. “I’m sorry, Esme. I am not very good company. I’m simply not a people person. And no offense, but I don’t wish to marry you.”

I appreciate the honesty. In fact, I find myself reevaluating this boy. “Frankly, Edward, I don’t wish to marry you. I don’t wish to marry anyone… well, one person, but that’s a moot point which has nothing to do with this conversation.”

“I just didn’t want you thinking I despised you. I’m not who I act like when forced into the company of pretty young women for long periods of time.”

“That happens frequently?”

“Yes. My mother would like to see me married.”

“So would mine.”

“I’m surprised you aren’t. You seem very acceptable.”

I glower at him. What a dingy compliment. “Well, I find you acceptable.”

“I meant to society as a whole. Not to me personally… wait, that was offensive again. This is what I meant about my utter lack of social skills. You seem like the kind of person people would like. Very…”

“Normal? Well, I try.” He seems utterly bewildered by this admittedly bewildering statement.

“Excuse me?”

I decide to just tell him the truth. He’s been very honest with me, once he got over the standoffishness. “I’m not who I’ve been acting like either. I’m a disobedient tomboy in love with a mysterious doctor who rode off into the sunset and forgot to take me with him when he went. I’m pretending to be normal so my mother leaves me alone.”

“I hope it works for you, Esme.” He seems honest. I smile at him.

“I hope so too. So, now that you’re talking, are you less boring than you pretended to be?”

“I like to think so.”

“Elaborate.”

“Well, I want to be a soldier. Of course, I’m not old enough, but the Great War in Europe gets worse every day. We’re bound to join in soon.”

“Why would you want to be part of that?” All the killing, the horror…

He stares at me, clearly not understanding. “Because. It’s the right thing to do! Our country… Men are needed to fight. And they’ll be a chance for so much glory! We’ll be remembered forever! Anyone can go fight, and anyone…”

“Anyone can die.”

“Exactly!” His eyes are feverish. “Anyone. Everyone’s the same…”

“But why do you want to all be the same?”

“To unite! For the nation, for the world, for freedom and democracy!”

He sounds like a fanatic. And here I was liking this boy. “Oh. Well, I really hope you don’t get yourself killed.”

He looks away angrily. After a pause, he says, “When you’re done destroying my dreams, why don’t you share some of yours?”

But there’s no end to falling…