Inspired By The Song 'Take Me To Church' By Hozier.
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14/2/2018
My name is Maedhbh. I know my name looks severely confusing, yet it's simplicity is commonly overlooked. It's just 'Maeve' with an Irish spelling. Anyway, that's irrelevant to my story.
My story takes place in 1978. The year I lost her. I was an Irish teenager, who had no idea what she was getting herself into. I was young, stupid and naive. I didn't think humans were capable of the damage done.
Of course I was a rebellious 16 year old, who did not care for 'humanity's' rules, I cut my own hair, horribly, into short pixie cuts, that just ended up looking 'emo' due to my black head of hair, and lack of ability to even cut my own hair efficiently.
I had it in my head, that I'd have all the guys kneeling before me, begging to take me out. Fortunately for my 16 year old self, I was crowded. I'm not even sure why. I feel it was pity, maybe respect. Either way, many men were attracted to me, regardless of my horrific look. I received many complements and praise from men. Yet I felt unsatisfied. I didn't have any attractions to any of the men who chased for my heart. I felt I wasn't enough.
I'd look at the other girls, they seemed genuinely happy without the attention, they seemed complete. I found myself looking the other way often. I had no real friends. People claimed the role, for reasons I didn't think about back then. As I said, I was naive, rebellious. I didn't care too much.
I wish I had.
Then she would still be here.
Maedhbh 1978
I sat quietly, my legs folded up on my bed, my eyes drooping, from the lack of sleep I've acquired during the past week. Exhaustion creeping upon me, yet I was unable to fall asleep.
I stared at each star, wondering would happiness ever hit me. My heart aching for the answers. I hauled myself up into the attic, to greet my little brother, Tom. He was sound asleep, his snores echoing the slanted, dull, room. I wrapped my hands around him, and lay there, causing him to shift closer too me. I smiled, as my eyes finally shut.
I awoke to an angry Tom, stomping on the bed. "Maedhbh!" He whined. I rubbed my eyes roughly and sat up straight. "I'm sorry Tom." I yawned, my words mashing together, creating a strange noise between words. Tom huffed, and stamped his feet against each step, frustratedly. I let out a small sigh, and then begun laughing. "Idiot."
"Maedhbh we're going to church today, and you're bringing your lazy butt with us." My mother scoffed as she entered the kitchen. "And I owe you this presence, because?" I said, mockingly. "Excuse me young lady, there will be none of that, in my home." My mother said, angrily. I imagined steam blurting out of each ear, deciding to keep it cool, and go along with it, before she whacked me with a belt. "Of course mother." I said smiling, though my smile was a clear sham. Fortunately for me, mother was blind enough not to notice. I'm a little angel after all.
The service was boring, I'd prefer to go to a service about the Greek religion, all of their gods are definitely captivating, especially compared to our tedious one god, who is completely insipid.
Mother says to keep those opinions to myself, specifically in school, but honestly, it's so monotonous, it's hard not to. All of my friends agree with me. Well, I wouldn't really call them friends, more like acquaintances. Maybe even slaves, seen as they do everything I say, as if they're scared of me. Who am I to complain.
Mother dropped me right off at the gates of hell, or well, the academy, where some girl I've never seen before startled me, she had long black hair, and her eyes shimmered an exquisite green, her skin was tanned and her face was dotted delicately with a quintessential pattern of freckles. She was exemplary. She let out a magically soft voice as she spoke, her voice quite high and perky, yet delicate. "Hello, my name is Jane, I'm actually quite new here, and I couldn't help but wonder if you knew, how to get too the office? I tried looking for someone at the reception, yet it was quite empty." She giggled a bit, nervously. I let out a genuine smile, and nodded. I was in a shock and was unable to speak, she had startled me, I was astonished. She was gorgeous.
I led her quietly towards the office, my heart pounding, I couldn't understand this feeling within me, it was unusual, I didn't even know this girl, humans aren't even supposed to have these feelings for the same sex. It's strange, it's unusual, it's bewildering.
"Thank you.." she paused, and made direct eye contact with me. I stared back blankly, and suddenly blurred out of realization, "Maedhbh!" She laughed seductively, causing me to almost have a heart attack. "Thank you, Maedhbh. I'd hope to see you around." Jane smiled at me and touched my hand gracefully, sliding away into the office. I smiled like a doofus, as she left, and skipped joyously towards my first class.
I scanned halls, classrooms, praying within to find Jane again, my heart calling me, begging for her. My eyes were disappointed each time, I came upon a girl, who was not Jane. "Maedhbh!" I heard a thick voice say, feeling two warm hands wrapping around my waist. I turned around to see my friend, "Steve." I smiled. Giving him a small hug, though it was awkward. "Who was that girl from this morning?" He whispered into my ear, trying to nibble on my outer-lobe. I pushed him off immediately. "Jane." I said sternly. He chuckled slightly. "Jane O'Brien? Didn't look like her." He said, licking his lips strangely. I shook my head, "She's new, I don't expect you too know her." I huffed. Suddenly he turned me to the wall, and said whispering, his voice tingling every part of my stiff body, "Why don't you confess your sins." I stared, wide eyed and confused, as he decided to then kiss me. "Am I interrupting anything?" I heard a soft and familiar voice. "J-Jane." I smiled, pushing Steve away harshly. "Of course not." Steve smiled, reaching his hand down, slightly past my waist. I sighed uncomfortably. "Who's this." Jane asked me, her face fixed on him angrily. "This is Steve." I sighed. "Are you two.." she paused, her eyes displaying disgust. I said angrily then, "No." as Steve replied with "Yes." I glared at Steve, almost slapping him. "Steve, you can go now." I hissed, my tone rising as if to say something much worse. He started in disgust, and muttered a horrific word beneath his breath. "I'm sorry Jane." I said awkwardly. Jane smiled, once Steve was out of view. "It's fine." She laughed. "God He was awful..." I said, my cheeks heating up.
I decided to walk with Jane to her home, slightly puzzled at the direction taken. We had entered a ditch, nearby the school, we trailed along a covered path, until a house finally came into view. The house was small, and had a beautiful thatched roof, with a rough stone wall. "My parents aren't home, would you like to come in for some tea." Jane asked, her face morphing into a smirk. I smiled, nervously. "Don't worry I'm not going to kill you." Jane joked. I laughed, "you better not!"
Her house was warm and quite big. Her kitchen was homely, and I felt comfortable. We chartered closely for ages, growing closer.
The sun slowly begun setting, and I decided to leave for home, already expecting a whack, for being severely late. "Wait." Jane said, as I approached the door, I turned as she ran over and kissed me passionately. I stood, astonished, pressing my lips back at hers, roughly.
I pulled from her, staring into her luscious green eyes, filled with tears of confusion. I smiled, clashing our lips again, as passionately as the first. Jane parted and smiled, but quickly began to sulk. "What will my Mammy say." She said, worry clouding her voice, causing her to sound hoarse. "They won't know.." I said, gently caressing her chin. She smiled. "I.. love you." I said. She kissed me gently, "I do too..."
The first snow fell day, Tom and I were both ecstatic to see the shimmering white sand upon our land. I couldn't wait to share the moment with Jane. It was our 6 month anniversary today. November 2nd. I was beyond happy. I arrived at the academy beyond early, as my mother was due to be at an 'urgent' business meeting. Tom wandered off, as usual, it felt exactly like the day me and Jane met, except snow covered most of the land. I saw Jane arise from the ditch, looking tired. She looked cold, and soulless, all passion burnt out. She looked up at me, and as her eyes met mine, she lit up. She ran towards me and hugged me, kissing me, without the realization we were somewhere public. I stared startled, "Jane are you okay?" I asked soothingly. Her eyes widened, "I'm so sorry!" She squeaked. I smiled gently, and hugged her, whispering, "Happy anniversary." As I shoved a small necklace into her pocket, which was a gift I had received before. A beautiful gift, which had not suited me, but will definitely suit her. She smiled, hugging me tightly.
We split inside the hallways, my face wearing a goofy grin, as Felicia came up towards me, and threw a piece of paper at me. "What the hell, Felicia?" I said astonished at the act. "Steve wants you to read that." She said nervously. I sighed. "Thank you." I lied my eyes burning, I felt enraged. Steve had kept his distance for a good while, of course he comes back now.
I read the note, which told me to meet him immediately in the hall. I looked up from the note, confused, and ran towards the hall, panicked and in need of finding the information I was to receive from Steve.
Echos from other students praising me to 'slow down' and 'watch it' cluttered my ears, as I approached the hall. I burst in, to see no one. The doors creating a vibration as they swung short.
"So little Maedhbh is also gay?" I heard Steve's thick voice say, as he wrapped his hands violently around me, in an uncomfortable position. I struggled to squeeze out from his grasp, as he tightened his grip. He begun to nibble on my ear lobe, "The little doggy should confess her sins." He smirked. "Stop!" I cried, weakly. "We've a lot of starving people. Maybe something meaty." He laughed nastily, I begun crying, so he would let me go. I understood the words coming from his twisted mouth instantly. In an act of self defense I hit him violently, and felt myself be thrown to the polished wood, which screeched as I slid roughly across it. "It burns!" I cried. "Beg me." He laughed into my face, pressing his lips against mine, grabbing my thigh, so I'd be held in place. I cried as he did so. And turned, to get on my knees. I kneeled in a praying position. "If I confess them, will you let her go." I said, my voice croaking, my tone so desperate it begun to break. He laughed, leaving the hall, as people crowded into, to see me so weak...
I ran out of the school, running as fast I could, dropping myself down the side of the ditch, racing to find Jane. My brain mushed, and confused. If I was right about what Steve was saying...
As I neared Janes house, I saw a box dug up from the ground. As I approached it, I fell down to my knees to see it was the box of promises me and Jane buried together. I look to her house, the window was smashed, the place was destroyed. I ran in, hoping, Jane was hiding within. I only found her father, a tall man, who looked to have been in the army, his face covered in many scars, and blood dripping down his head. "Mister Murphy!" I cried. "Maedhbh?" He said, his voice angry, rising at the sight of me. "This is your fault!" He screamed, shooting me daggers. I begun to cry more "I'm sorry!" I screamed, as I turned, running out, aimlessly, searching.
I smelt burning nearby as I turned to the west, my eyes clouded with smoke as I neared the flames. I heard screaming, booing. Many people surrounded the fire, laughing, throwing sticks into the circle. As I approached, I caught a peak of the target within.
I dropped to my knees, and screamed into the ground, tears rolling down my face, my heart shattering. Each emotion breaking out of my fragile, weak body. "Jane." I screamed, echoing the plain. People focused on her within the fire. I cried, and begun to scratch myself violently in frustration.
"I failed to protect you... I broke our promise..." I whispered into the ground, tears dripping into the soil.
..."I'm sorry"...
Maedhbh 14/2/2018
I lost Jane in a horrifying way. Human kind was one of the most horrifying things I've witnessed. I'm sorry that I let her down. I loved her.
I just wish, I could've protected her.
I know it's been years since Jane died. But I never moved on from her. I couldn't leave her for someone new. Regardless of the new laws, and the ability to marry the same sex. Jane was my first, and last love. And I'll never let go of what we had.
I love you Jane.