I curled closer to May, comforted by her warmth.

I pranced around the room like a blind moose, but what I lacked in grace I made up for in effort.

So far, I had a solid collection of my honest opinions.

I couldn't joke about the person who'd saved me from facing absolute heartbreak at home, who fed my family boxes of sweets, who ran to me worried that i was hurt if I asked for him. A month ago, I had looked at the TV and seen a stiff, distant, boring person-someone I couldn't imagine anyone loving. And while he wasn't anything close to the person I did love, he was worthy of having someone to love in his life.

That was my great ambition. Not to be Illea's princess. To be Aspen's.

She couldn’t have been more than twelve years old. In her hands was a sign that said RED-HEADS RULE! with a little crown painted in the corner and tiny stars everywhere. I knew I was the only redhead in the competition, and I noticed that her hair and mine were very nearly the same shade.

I only wish I knew that you'd actually want to be with me when that time is over.