Creative Writing: Why Doesn T She Talk?

"I just do not understand, why doesn't she talk?"

I have heard that question hundreds of times from hundreds of people. They say it when they don't think that I am listening to them. They think that since I do not talk, I cannot hear, but my hearing is very, very good.

I sat in the corner of the ballroom, watching all the people that walked by. I count how many dresses are in each color. So far the color blue is winning.

"Mariette," my younger sister, Violetta, says standing in front of me. She had one hand on her hip and the other was holding a glass of what looked like cider. Her cheeks were flushed, and her curls were falling down from where they were pinned up. "Do you want to come dance with me?"

I bit my lip, and tilted my head.

That's where he sits and makes all the announcements.

I nodded my head and started walking towards the guard. He took that as a sign that he must now escort me now. Was he thinking that I wouldn't listen to him?

I could feel the eyes of hundreds of people on me as I made my way up to the front of the room. Was everyone surprised to see the mute daughter of the King walking up to the front or did they know what was going on? I for one, have no idea what is going on.

I could see father and Cosette up there. They were both standing in the middle. Father's hand holding Cosette's. Violetta was standing next to Cosette and Lucien was next to father.

Father let go of Cosette's hand once he saw me. He walked out to me and held out his arm to me. I looped my arm with his.

"You look very beautiful tonight, Mariette," he tells me. "you look just like your mother."

I feel my cheeks redden at his comment. He hasn't mentioned mother since her death.

You look just like your mother.

Those words replay over and over again in my head. Violetta and I both had gotten mother's dark brown hair while she had brown eyes, I had bright green eyes. And as for Lucien and Capucine, they had gotten father's looks with his blonde hair and blue

"A celebration of an engagement," he pauses and lets the crowd of people applaud.

He motions with his hands, wanting the crowd to settle down so that he can finish.

"The engagement between my eldest daughter, Mariette,"

Lucien gently pushes me forward towards father.

I start breathing faster and faster. My palms are getting sweaty and I can feel beads of sweat on my forehead.

What is going on?

"And the crowned Prince of Nelasia, Prince Armel!"

A boy, who I assume is Prince Armel is lead up to the front. He has black, almost blue hair and the brightest blue eyes.

He stands next to my father and shakes his hand.

Armel looks up- more like down- at me, but I quickly look away.

My face reddens and my heart begins to beat even faster now.

I do not want to get married, even though I knew that it would have to happen sometime. But I did not want it to be arranged. I wanted to fall in love on my own.

How could you fall in love with someone when you can't talk to a single person.

I close my eyes, not wanting any tears to fall down my face.

Everyone in the crowd erupts with cheers. They are all happy, good for