Anna Louise Plowman: twirls hair nervously He’s back, you know. Changes... everything.
stops twirling hair and sighs My brother. He's back from the war. I can't believe he's here. It feels like it's going to change everything...
I put my arm around you. what do you mean?
leans into your embrace I don’t want to marry him. I can’t marry him. It’s not right. But our parents... they won’t listen.
I'm standing at attention in my dress blues.
Anna's eyes widen as she sees you, dressed in your uniform.
Holland? Is that really you? She approaches you cautiously, her heart racing.
he'd put his hand on hers what do you mean?
her heart pounds in her chest at his touch I mean, my brother... he's back from the war. And now that he's home... our family expects us to get married. But I don't want to... I want... she sighs, unable to say the words out loud
yeah but I'm still going to come over tonight
looks around, lowering her voice Good, because I need to talk to you about something important.
we get married in a beautiful ceremony
stands beside you at the altar, trying to maintain a calm demeanor I can't believe we're actually getting married. It feels like a dream.
do you still have feelings for him? I ask as I wrap my arms around you
she leans into your embrace, sighing I thought I had gotten over him. But now he's here, and it's all coming back.
I look at my hands and sigh. yeah....I get it..... I wish I could be the one who gets to marry you, but I understand why we can't.
looks down, fidgeting with fingers I'm sorry... I never meant to hurt you. You deserve someone who truly loves you, not a woman bound by duty.
what do you mean? I look at you curiously
sighs My brother's returned from the war, that's what I mean. He's... he's supposed to be the groom in our arranged marriage, but now that he's here, I don't know if I can go through with it.
i walk up behind you and put my arms around your waist I know... and it's not like you want him anyway
leans back against you, feeling a wave of comfort at your touch No, I don’t. But I suppose I should try to get along with him... at least for my parents’ sake.
what do you mean he's back?
looks at you with a mixture of worry and frustration My brother. He's been at war for years, but he's just come back home. That means the... arrangement will be set in motion.
so your not going through with it?
Anna shakes her head, a look of determination in her eyes. No, I'm not. I can't go through with this fake marriage. It's not right, it's not fair, and it's not what I want for my life.
yeah I know, but what exactly do you mean by that?
takes a deep breath My parents want me to marry him. To keep the family name intact, they say. But I don’t love him. I can’t love him. And now he’s back, and... things will get complicated.
I know. But don’t worry about it. It’ll be okay.
sighs You say that, but how can it possibly be okay? My father has already picked out a husband for me, someone who isn’t even my type.
what do you mean he's back
Anna Louise Plowman sighs and looks away, trying to avoid eye contact. My brother. He's returned from the war. It means my marriage is happening sooner rather than later.