Charlotte

We arrived at the party about ten minutes after we left the Turner mansion. I was never really a fan of birthdays unless it was mine. My father, in fact, was the best at throwing them. For my seventh birthday, he invited the entire town; we had to use the meadow as a meeting place. James helped us out of the carriage, lifting Juniper playfully. James was in his formal wear while Delilah had on the same emerald green dress from my Engagement party. Rose was wearing a pastel pink gown that stopped at her ankles. Mother was in a deep blue dress with green bits at the bottom. Juniper was in a blue dress that James had sewn. We all walked inside; James was holding Juniper’s hand, and she squirmed a bit, clearly nervous. 

“Do you think it would be rude of me to leave early?” I whispered in Delilah’s ear. 

“Yes. You left your own party and that was for your engagement, so you have no excuses this time.” Delilah said pushing me in the house the rest of the way. Rose ran to a tray with small crackers on it and began to scarf them down as if Mother had been starving us for weeks. I just rolled my eyes and made my way to a corner away from everyone else. As per usual Jo ran up to James and began talking non-stop. Juniper was with Rose and Elisabeth. 

I heard a voice from the garden gates. “Charlotte!” It was Charles. I sighed and casually made my way to the gate to see what he wanted.  

“You do realize that I am at a party, right?” I said looking through the gate. 

“Yeah? And why does that matter? I would do anything to see you, Juliet!” Charles was waving his arms around, acting as if he was in a play. 

“You weren't invited. If I were you, I would go before someone sees you.”  

“Okay fine, Charlotte.” Charles ever so slightly slumped his shoulders. “You’re coming with me then!” Charles grabbed the gate, climbing it. Then, he grabbed my shoulders, pulling me over. 

“CHARLES?!” I attempted slapping him, but he threw me on the ground, my dress cushioning my fall. 

“Want to get away?” 

“My gods Charles! Have you no respect?!” I got up, dusting off my dress while Charles climbed down the gate.  

“No, not really,” Charles shrugged his shoulders. He began to walkway. “Are you coming, my Juliet?” I rolled my eyes and followed him. 

“You owe me a new dress. I think you ripped mine!” I was practically following a kidnapper. He stole me from a party.  

“I'll just steal one from Hellen or Sarah's wardrobe.” Charles had a sly smile on his face. 

“You’re planning something. Wipe that look off your face. It’s creepy.”  

“Just follow me!” I continued to follow Charles complaining about his rude ways of treating a girl. After about fifteen minutes of walking through the woods, Charles had me close my eyes.

“If this is your way of murdering me, I'll kill you myself.” I could sense Charles's creepy smirk forming on his face again.

“Okay; open your eyes.” I opened my eyes to see a blanket on the ground with candles on logs and around it. There were books on the blanket. 

“I’m out!” I turned around and began walking back to the party. 

“No! Charlotte! It took me a whole week to plan this!!!” Charles was whining like an infant. I continued to walk away, ignoring Charles’s whines. 

“Goodbye, Charles.” I heard a plop on the ground behind me. I turned around to see Charles lying on a log.

“Eyes, look your last; arms, take your last embrace; and lips, o you, the doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss a dateless bargain to engrossing death.” Charles was quoting Shakespeare again. I just continued to walk away. I was just about to exit the woods when I heard footsteps coming towards me. 

“CHARLOTTE, I’M HERE TO SAVE YOU!” I heard Hellen’s voice coming toward me. Hellen tackled me, causing me to hit my head on a tree.  

“Ow!” I reached for my head to make sure I wasn’t injured... again.  

“HELLEN, NO!!!” I heard Sarah scream. I felt her attempt to pull Hellen off me.  

“SARAH, LET HELLEN BE HELLEN!” I heard Philip scream. Then I felt more weight on top of me.  

“GET OFF OF ME, PHILIP! WE’LL CRUSH CHARLOTTE!” Hellen screamed.  

“GUYS, GET OFF OF CHARLOTTE!” Charles and Sarah said almost at the same time. Suddenly Hellen looked at Charles and somehow shoved Philip off her. I took a deep breath being able to breathe again. 

“NO HELP ME!!!” I heard Charles cry. Sarah ran over to the twins trying to pull Hellen off of the poor lad.  

“FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!” Philip began chanting.