And I'd give up forever to touch you
Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now
-Iris, Goo-Goo Dolls

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1911

My leg was killing me, but I would not cry. I wouldn't give my parents the pleasure of admitting that climbing the tree was wrong. I didn’t feel like being the perfect sixteen year old. I could climb trees if I wanted to!

My parents were very into what was proper and lady-like. Their reputations were so very important to them. In fact, they treasured them so much, they were taking me into the next town to see their new doctor so that no one would know their precious daughter had broken her leg doing something so un-lady-like. I still liked climbing. We were just farmers; it’s not like anyone cared about our reputation. 

The carriage jerked, sending pain shooting up my leg. It was so painful it knocked me from my thoughts.

“We’re here,” our driver said, opening the door.

My father nodded, getting out of the carriage. He turned and picked me up, none to gently, and ordered the man to find the doctor.

I scowled a little, earning a scolding from my mother on the proper behavior of a lady.

“My leg hurts,” I growled at her, ignoring the lecture and the fact that my voice wasn’t very quiet.

“We’ll have to remedy that, won’t we?”

The voice startled me. It was perfect, flowing, almost like melted chocolate or velvet. I turned my head and saw a man around twenty years old, standing on the doorway with a comforting smile. He had short, neatly combed blonde hair, and golden colored eyes that made me catch my breath. It wasn’t the strange color, but the compassion and… the passion in them. I had never seen such eyes. The rest of him was interesting, as well. Fine, he was incredibly handsome. I had never seen such a beautiful man. His face and body were perfectly proportioned and his odd pale skin seemed to suit him. His mouth quirked into a different smile, and I realized I was staring. I dropped my eyes quickly.