The moonlight shone on her face, creating shadows and making her face look even more pale and angular. The cool night breeze rustled the grass and gently blew her long curls into her face. She didn’t turn around as Colin came up behind her.

                “Why aren’t you in there?” He asked, stopping behind her. She shrugged her shoulders and followed a shooting star’s path across the sky. “You know, you’ll wrinkle your gown sitting on the ground like that.” He said crossly. She shrugged again.

He sighed and crouched down next to her. “Is there anything you’d like to talk about?” A layer of concern hid behind his mask of properness. She shook her head. “Are you going to say anything to me?” She shook her head again. “Are you mad?” She didn’t do anything. He lowered himself to the ground and sat down next to her, legs stretched out, hands supporting him from behind.

                “The stars are beautiful tonight, aren’t they?” He said, craning his head back to look at the luminescent dots in the dark fabric of the sky. When he got no response he sighed again, and fell silent.

                They sat like that for a long time, silently looking up at the sky. It was Alys who finally broke the silence.

                “I can’t do it.” She said so quietly that Colin almost didn’t hear her.         

                “Hm?” He looked at her, but her face was still turned to the sky.

                “Marry him. I can’t.” She hung her head, and her curls fell around her face like a curtain.

                “Your father—“ He started. She turned her head away. “--thinks it’s best.” He finished uncertainly. The silence was back, but it was more icy than comfortable this time. Colin cleared his throat awkwardly. Alys stood up, and brushed the dirt from her soft green gown.

                “Best for whom?” She stared at him with her sharp blue eyes. Then she looked away, and strode back in the direction of the ballroom. Colin watched her go and sighed. For a moment there they had almost been friends.