Chapter 1 A VALENTINE'S DAY ESCAPE

I attempted to conceal myself from reality, but in the end, I came to terms with it. The bully that was life was a passive-aggressive one. It compelled me to conceal the aspects of myself that the rest of the world did not want to see. In response to those portions, I refused.

After locking them up, I exiled them from the area. Why so?

Today's culture is judgmental.

And I'd cursed my existence a trillion times.

Yet instead of being foul-mouthed in a closet full of skeletons, I read literature.

My goodness!

That was the end? No kiss?

I collapsed on my knees, wept my heart out, and tossed the book across my room.

The narrative wouldn't have ended out this way if my favorite character hadn't been killed.

Bad, bad author!

To aggravate the matter, there was neither a sequel nor a forerunner, to this novel.

It concluded with an unresolved question that tore me apart; Are happily ever after real?

Like pepper was squirted into my eyes, a few drops of tears trickled down my cheeks.

Hmmm, such a terrible situation.

So I was up throughout the night to watch such a tragedy?

Shouts eloped from below.

Sophia, hurry up. Get out of bed.

She was at it again displaying her crazy.

The last time Ella yelled my name from below I slammed my head on the closet and became unconscious.

Everyone in our area detested her strange voice because she was constantly hitting high-pitched like a mad lady.

Guess who recently got a gift for Valentine's Day?!

Of course, she must have received a box from Chris, that's why she couldn't stay without flaunting it in my face.

Give me a minute, I stood on my feet and slid into my pink flip-flops.

I was downstairs as soon as the door to my room bagged behind me.

Get yourself a partner, she screamed and threw many stylish bags on the well-sculptured glass framework that stood in between us. And quit gazing at my desk, nothing is yours.

I licked my lips while striving not to clench my hand.

Just because she was dating didn't give her the right to make me unhappy with my choice not to have a partner.

Keep your viewpoint for yourself, I grinned and slid upon one of our sofas. It's not required.

It was just a matter of seconds until her giggle flooded my little bubble.

She closed the space between us.

Listen to me very attentively, her emerald hazel eyes, a quality we both got from our dad, blazed into mine.

On Valentine's Day, your buddies are getting roses. They are laughing with their lovers and enjoying their youth. If you desire, remain here and wait for your creator to send your lover from heaven. I hope he will not pass you by. You risk dying alone.

Ella's tongue had poison which swooped like lighting on my heart.

I've had enough, you speak much. Let me be. I sprang off of the sofa to hurry upstairs to my room, but she grasped my wrist and tossed me back on the couch. Dang it! What do you want?

She shifted her face away from mine, adjusted her crop top, and posed like a stripper.

I have a date tonight with Chris. If you are interested, I may ask him to plead with one of his pals to handle you for tonight.

Ignoring Ella seemed best these days while waiting for our parents to return home from their favorite romantic vacation and look into the situation.

I don't need help. Get lost!

Ella scooped her luggage from the table, blew a kiss at me, and went upstairs.

Her lovely curled-up, dark brown hair spilled down her back and bounced as she flopped her feet on each step.

I turned my gaze away from her big set of hips.

Why boast about a high school boy?

Aside from partying and casual sex, what else could he offer?

Ella half-walked and half-ran out of the home.

Her tight fabric showed her magnificent assets, however she shook the controversy off and toed her shame out of the house.

I groaned and traveled to my chamber.

Goodness, the spoilt diva was gone.

She has always been a nightmare.

I marched to the restroom and completed my morning ritual.

The restroom was a definite passport to fun; a location I won't miss for anything in the world.

The only location that allowed croaked voices and off-pitch lyrics.

I got out of the bathroom, dried my hair, and hurried to my closet.

I rummaged through my ensembles, landing on a pink floral gown that ended at knee length, and a black leather cloak to pair with panda fur sandals.

The enchantment of Valentine's Day couldn't pass me by.

I would rather spend time in the park than stay at home and be bombarded by Ella's foolishness.

I put on a dazzling lip gloss, nestled my star-shaped earrings, and let my thick brown hair flow to my back.

I was good to leave and nothing could stop me, not even Ella Jones, the adored princess.

THE STREETS WERE COLD and bright following the rain that soaked the town earlier this cold morning.

The month of February arrived with its stakes of snowfall, but this year the flakes didn't come up.

So, no nice snowball guys for couples this year.

I ambled passed a garden and paused to catch a couple making out on the green grounds.

They snuggled, caressed, and grinned at each other like there wasn't tomorrow.

It was hilarious to fall into the clutches of dependency, screwing the fact that; love will leap through the back door eventually.

They were in love, but how long would love last?

Shouldn't it be characterized as dumb to grab onto a stranger? One day this stranger could go, and then that small heart he left behind would break into pieces and flow to ashes.

Boys were all the same, from the high school sweethearts to the college golden-age playboys and most older males, the sugar daddies; all sucked.

Love, the dictator, the woman with unsightly piercings, a lethal monstrosity, the tattooed beast; she wasn't a role model to any aspiring medical practitioner.

Though it made a lot of sense to stay single, I still couldn't keep myself from fantasizing about having a partner.

"I wish I had a boyfriend," my lips curled into a tiny grin, but I was eager to shove such thoughts into the

Back of my skull, down the grimy webs of amnesia, hoping they linger for eternity in the trenches.

Head high up and shoulders squared; my gaze flew onto the street and I admired the glamour of nature.

"Get off my way, are you blind?"

I slipped out of my daze and glanced at the Lady whose scream pulled me out of my thoughts.

My Gosh!

Her charm radiated in one light save for the sneer on her lips.

Her diamond earrings glittered like refined wine, matching the scattered emerald stones on her gorgeous cream-white strapless bridal gown.

Her bridal bun was incredibly lovely and her cosmetics raked off money.

"I'm-I'm sorry..."

I chewed my bottom lip and cast my attention to the floor.

Shit!

Her veil, surrounded by a bouquet of colorful petals, smashed at my feet.

Did she just drop her bouquet?

I blinked a million times at her movements.

In the next second, she sprinted across the street and got into the backseat of a cab, which drove away in no time.

One word, 'splendid,' for this year's Valentine's Day; a woman escaping from her wedding.

It didn't disturb me, so, I took the bouquet and savored its lovely aroma.

It confused my senses with lavender and sandalwood.

I was taken off-guard by a slight pressure on my shoulders. "I realize it's a hard choice for you to be married at a young age. But you have to marry for the well-being of our family."

"I beg your pardon?" I met eyes with a lady in her late forties. "Is this supposed to be a joke?"

Her blue eyes peered intently into mine as she put her palms on my cheeks and massaged my face. "Katerina, you can't ruin this wedding."

"What? Who is Katerina?!"