prologue

she was there to watch him depart for the south with the rest of his army platoon. she didn't want him to go, the war had already taken countless lives and she feared for him. on her face was a look of worry that, when he noticed it, made a smile break out onto his face. but it wasn't that he was glad over her worries, no. it only served to reassure him of her love, and it gave him the strength to try and keep himself alive, despite the knowledge that their mission had a low percentage of estimated survival. the rebels in the south were fierce, and though their armies were smaller, they were able to regroup quicker. 

whereas it was much more difficult to fly in additional troops for their side from france. he knew they fought a pointless war, but the french believed that if they held on long enough, they would emerge victorious in the end. he didn't exactly believe it to be that way. it was simple to sit around creating war plans, playing god with people. the real honor and sacrifice came from giving it all on the (battle) field for the country and its people. 

"hey," he chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. but she just couldn't bring a smile to her lips, especially when seeing him dressed from head to toe in his military uniform and holding a large battle rifle in hand. he set the weapon on the ground by his side and leaned it on the side of his leg. with now free hands, one went to pinch her cheek gently. "stop looking so upset, mai." when they met, she remembered often teasing him about the way he pronounced her name. it was completely wrong, but his way of speaking was entirely different from hers. 

she was sure it was the same for him when she spoke french. having been part of the french empire as a colony, the people had been forced to learn the language. mai didn't like his language, it didn't feel right in her tongue. it was foreign and strange, and not nearly as beautiful as her country's language. they said french was the romance of love, but she saw it as the language of oppression. still, it was the only way she knew to communicate with him, and she thought that to talk to someone as handsome as he, everything was worth it. "i wish you didn't have to be involved in this war. antoine, i worry that i might not see you again." 

he shook his head quickly, urging her to forget such negative thoughts. taking her delicate hands in his, he brought them to his lips and planted loving kisses on them as he spoke. "i promise you that i will come back for you. we will go to france together, get married, and live happily." he swore. 

and she believed him. she wanted to believe him, he was the love of her life. 

he disappeared into the jungles minutes later, hoping that her love would return for her. but time was cruel, and had a way of changing things.

-

i suck. 

bahaha. 

i had to, guys. 

i felt compelled to write this because it was such a beautiful and sad story. so a few months ago, i was trying to think of a topic for an essay i needed to write for a contest. this contest would give the winner $3000 to travel anywhere in the world for a study abroad program. in the end i forgot to write the damned essay altogether. 

but one of my friends told me that she had entered the contest the year prior and won. so she let me see her essay. and it told the story of her grandparents and why she wanted so badly to travel to france. and i won't say more because i'd give the plot away, but bottom line is that i thought this would make an amazing story. and i asked her if i could use it on here and she said yes. 

so here it is. please dont hang me for starting so many stories >.< summer is coming up and i'll have a lot of time to work on them :D 

-clary xx