she has such a lovely voice

Veen hummed along as she braided Red's hair. She placed a pink lily in her hair

"Your hair, it's such a lovely shade. It almost looks a dark blue when wet," said Veen.

"Thanks," said Red, her voice meek and awkward. She wasn't used to getting compliments.

Red got up. Veen's fingers brushed her arms.

"Please, relax. You had a big night. A bigger day lies ahead."

"I forgot to empty the bath," said Red

"I can do it," said Veen. "Not a bother."

Red felt peculiar. She never received nice treatment after her father passed. All the elders wanted her to feel special. To feel proud of becoming a woman. Yesterday she flowered, and tonight would be the first dance with her future husband. Eight years from this day she would be married to Drav.

Veen returned and gave Red a warm smile. "I can help you clean your rags if you want. I know a great trick."

"No thanks," said Red. "I do all the laundry at home. Both mine and Gramma's."

"Well that's sweet of you," Veen's eyes crinkled at the ends.

Red wanted to go on. I also do the cooking, the cleaning, the sewing... She held her tongue. During the spiritual awakenings the elders often discussed how we must respect those who have aged. The oldest led, as the youngest followed. They also often spoke about ill thoughts, and to banish them from your mind.

Veen brushed a stray hair behind Red's ear. "Drav is a handsome boy. You're so lucky."

"Yeah, I guess."

All the girls her age fancied him. Light green eyes, cute blonde curls. Girls loved to make him laugh because he had dimples whenever he smiled. Red liked his dimples too, but she didn't find him attractive. Not like the other girls.

"He reminds me of his father. Klin has been to many dances. He had four marriage candidates," she said matter of factly. "Drav though, the only dance he will attend is yours,' her eyes sparkled. "Klin was just as handsome."

Red thought of Klin. A quiet man. He spent most of his time outside with his two cows and his sow. His wife Ruby, often the night alone in her room. Sometimes you could see her watch him from the window, a glass of wine in hand. Would Red want that for herself? She pulled the hood back over her head.

"I think you should keep the hood down," said Veen. She pulled it back down. "Such a pretty face."

The door creaked open. Baiza walked through. A mink shawl rested over her shoulders.

"The family is here, may we do a quick rehearsal," said Baiza

She grabbed Red's hand, and walked with her down the stairs. As they made their way down the hall with the elders paintings, her grasp tightened.

In the spiritual chamber stood Drav and his family. His eyes met Red's, a smug look followed.

"Young Drav, your chosen flower has blossomed" said Baiza. "Now we must celebrate. She is now a woman, and one day yours to love forever. One day she will bring you a child."

Baiza lit an incense. She lifted it over Red's head and spun it around her creating a ring of smoke. She told Red to walk. Now she did the same with Drav. He was told to walk behind his flower. Red felt a tug on the back of her hood, as Drav stepped on it. She flew forward, the front of her face breaking her fall with a slap. The elders rushed over. Yayha, Drav and his family stood back. Veen picked Red up, Grishina studied Reds face. She grabbed a bottle out of her pocket then wiped the liquid on Red's nose and lips. It stung, making Red cringe.

"Squeeze your nose and lie your head back," said Grishina. "It may be broken. We should hold the festival off for a few more hours."

Veen walked Red back to sit on a pew. They walked passed Drav and his shoulder slammed against Red's. She turned to him, and he gave her a lopsided smile.

"Ooops," he said with spite "I should have watched where I was stepping." He beamed even more. "I have to say it is a bit, of an improvement. Your face I mean."

"Drav, don't be rude." said his mom. "You might as well get used to the fact she yours by now."

"Ok, everyone." said Veen. "Lets just give this time. Why don't we give Red a moment to heal. Let her meditate under The Holy One's light. We can move the festival and the dance from two stones to five stones. The sun will still be up by then." Veen gave Red a sympathetic look. "Red took quite the fall. And on all days, but her day to be the center piece."

No one argued, and everyone but Red and the elders left. Whenever an elder told you what to do, you did it. Veen put an arm around Red's shoulder. She whispered that everything would be all right.

"I would like to keep my hood up," said Red.

"If you wish, my lovely. Maybe if you want. Maybe I can hold the end of your cape for you. Would you like that?"

"I think," said Red. "I think that would be nice. "Thank you Elder Veen."

Red said she wanted to meditate, but she just wanted to be alone with her thoughts. She sat on a meditation mat and closed her eyes. She thought of Bo's smile. She then thought of Mariwan's smile, while she was audience to her first festival of the flower. When Mariwan's eyes met one of her suitors, Heiv's. Red doubted that Drav could give her one once of that happiness.

Mariwan had three suitors. The shy boy Edwich with an elder as his father. The pudgy boy named Fraun, and the tall boy named Heiv, whom caught her eye. Fraun and Heiv were once friends. The best of friends. Mariwans attention cost them that friendship that night. They made up for a while, then Layr had her flower. It should have been easy, three boys two girls. The two liked Mariwan of course, but both boys had been completely infatuated with Layr. In fact, many of the boys liked Layr. She had her mother's soft features. Her dad's full lips. Light blonde hair that looked golden in the sun. Layr was always destined to be a beautiful woman. Her family had money to boot. All three of the boys now live with some resentment towards eachother. One deserving Layr's hand more then the other. Layr's festival was interesting to say the least.

The green doors opened and Red took in a deep breath. The villagers started to rise as she walked out the door. All eyes were on Red. She made her way down a path of flower pedals towards Drav. Drav donned a tight jacket and black trousers. His curls had been slicked back. He looked disgusted. His dad kneed him from behind and he forced on a smile. Elder Baiza lit the insence and did the same thing with it as the rehearsal. Red walked first. Drav came behind her. Veen rushed up, and set her self between them. She grabbed onto the bottom of Red's crimson cape. The three of them walked all the way down the pews towards the meditation ring. Heads turned as they walked hand in hand.

"I'm so, sorry," whispered Drav. Something about his voice made it insincere. "You're mine, and mine only. I have no choice but to be sorry. Although...," his eyes wandered towards Layr in the corner with her family. "Its a shame I wasn't a year older."

Red ignored him, and kept her gaze forward. They kept walking until they reached the end of the room.

"Since you fell, we couldn't practice this. I hope you can dance. Just follow my lead, he placed a palm against the small of her back. His other hand grabbed hers. He took a step back. She took a step forward. He took one to the left and her feet followed his. He spun her around. She saw faces upon faces, flashing back like a blur. They all watched as the two of them danced. He planted Red's lips with a deep kiss. The villagers cheered. From behind Drav's shoulder she could see some girls near her age glare. Layr's eyes were cold as ice.

After the dance, Red opened gifts. Mostly dresses, and hair jewels. A large sack of pastries from Froster. She gave everyone their thanks and Drav carried her gifts to her home. He grumbled the whole way, but had no choice. It was customary.

"Well, it is your night. No chores. Go off. Do whatever it is you do during the day," said Yayha after Red dropped off her new things.

Perfect. She needed to get out.

She cut across the chicken farm down the road. The lights were out. Mariwans parents were sleeping. She ran across a field of corn and down a hill. Dravs house now stood at her left. A candle's light flickered from inside the barn. No light gleemed from the bedroom upstairs. Ruby must have went to bed. She threw a rock to his window and ran. Ran towards the gate and out. No one would see her now. She kicked at stones as she walked down a well known path, passed her favorite tree, and down some more. She was never out of the village this late before, but she could still find her way.

She could see the glistening water peek out from behind the tall foliage. She made a light jog the rest of the way down the hill.

The moon reflected off the water, almost a perfect quarter moon. Red stared in wonder at the stillness of it all. The water almost like a pristine mirror, except with occasional bug skimming off the surface.

"It's beautiful, isn't it."

She turned around. Her face met with Bo's chest. He held her tight.

"Didn't think if I would see you here tonight," his embrace loosened.

"Yeah, I had a thing," said Red.

"A thing?"

She was about to explain when Bo stopped her. He pulled down her hood and touched her face.

"Who did this to you," he barked. "Did she do it."

"No. It was, it was Drav."

He sat down on the edge of the deck. With his hands squeezing his head..
Red sat beside him. She explained everything. From the flowering to the Drav stepping on her cape, to the dance.

"The more I hear about this village of yours," Bo exhausperated. "And that Drav." He got up and walked towards a darker part of the woods. He turned his body away from Reds line of sight. "You deserve better." His voice lowered, gargled a bit. "It's getting late. Go home Red. Trust me, just go."