Reality check, people don't change. The human race is ridiculous and hypocritical. People are liars. Traitors. But most of all, they're thieves. And my father is the biggest one of all. He stole everything from me. Stole my talent, and compassion. Stole my job choice. Stole my way of life. Stole my option to not marry. 

I hate him!  I thought to myself walking abashedly. Tears nearly welling in my eyes. I can't believe him! No. That was wrong. I could believe him. It's just like him to do something like this. A part of me knew my procrastinating wouldn't last long. But still, I hopped it'd last longer than this. Then for the one to agree to "my hand in marriage". Of course it would be Carter. 

I never should have messed with him. I never should have- 

Beeeeeeeeeeeeep-!

A car horn is blaring till impact pushes me to the ground. Am I dead? Do I no longer have to marry? Am I free?  I thought with my eyes shut tight. All I saw was black, but I knew I wasn't dead when I could still think. 

"Are you insane?! You complete idiot! Who walks across the street into oncoming traffic? Do you want to die?!"

I've never really been scolded before. Only when I got older did my father yell at me when I walked away from him while he was speaking to me. But it was the last question I was asked that I reacted to. 

"Do you want to die?!" 

I did. For a split moment, I felt relief that I wouldn't have to marry. That I could be free. I can't believe I thought that even for a second. Not when I still have my real family, Violet and Claude. 

I stared up at the person above me; the tears in my eyes welling, and spilling over. 

It was a complete stranger that saved my life. I didn't recognize him. He had a faint stubble on his chin and along the sides of his cheeks. His eyes were a blue with a slight ring of pink. Pink? How is that even possible? 

Another guy with unique eyes. Just like my traitor. 

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I looked down at the woman before me. She was a short black girl with dark brown hair. She's definitely a business woman. I noticed her outfit before she walked into the street. I couldn't help but yell at her. Who the hell runs into an obviously busy street? 

I was completely caught off guard when suddenly, she started crying waterfalls, and people were watching. "Uh- I- I'm sorry to be rude-" she shakes her head, wiping her eyes. Big mistake. Her makeup was trashed. Smeared all over her face. "It's not your fault." She muttered. She still looks... pretty. Weird. I thought, looking at her confused. I got up and offered her a hand. She took it and stood, flinching. She took the impact of the fall. Her back must hurt, but at least she's alive.  "Are you okay?" I asked her looking her over. She sniffled and took a deep breath. "Yes, I'm alright thank you." She said in a forced formal voice. I could tell it was forced, but just barely. It seemed practiced. Like she always forced a formal tone to the point where it was almost natural. "Well.. alright then. You should probably check yourself at a clinic or something. You hit the ground pretty hard." I said. She looked down slightly, rubbing her head. "Yeah cause you fell on me especially.." I heard her whisper. She's right but.. "Hey! I saved you're life! Be happy that's the only injury you have." I shouted. Some people were watching us as they passed. I bit my lip and looked away. "You're right. My apologies. I should be thanking you." She said standing straight now. It looked odd. Her smeared makeup, then her formal tone as if nothing happened. And her business clothes. "Thank you. If there is any way to repay you, I will." She said in a dull formal voice. Like she was coming back to a default setting. I sneered a little as I spoke, "You can stop talking like that. It's annoying."

Usually, with strangers, I'm polite, because I don't know them. With those I know, and know I will know for a long while, I don't care to filter my thoughts. But this woman. She brought out the bitterness in me. Yet, despite my cruelness in tone, she looked at me in shock, relief, and finally, hope.