Alright! Here it is! The new and improved Bitter Sweet Tranquility! I'm so sorry that I changed everything; the story just didn't go how I wanted to. But just like our main character Freedom got another chance, I decided I get one too! I really hope everyone enjoys the new start.
Freedom let out a huge sigh as the books and binders fell from her hands. She was currently packing, getting ready stay at a new place. Freedom had been living there for two years after graduation, trying to figure out what she was going to do with her life. Her parents had gotten sick of her lazing around the house, so they sent her to take part in an internship. Apparently, Freedom was going to a run down island to help improve tourism. She would be working along with the mayor and his son. It wasn't the best job, but it would be more than Freedom had now. She was currently working at a grocery store, wasting away her day wearing a fake smile.
"Do you need any help?" Freedom looked up to see her baby sister leaning against the door. Angel was a small girl, despite being fifteen. Most people thought that she had Anorexia Nervosa because she was as skinny as a stick. Little did they know that Angel ate all of the food she wanted, she just didn't gain any weight from it. Angel came in, leaning over to pick up the dropped books and binders. She was quiet, but Freedom knew what she was thinking. When her parents had presented the internship Angel had gotten in a fight with them, saying that they were shipping Freedom off to become a gopher. Summing it up, Angel was not happy about it.
"Thank you! I thought that I was going to have to break my old back trying to pick those up." Freedom threw a joke out there, but all she got was a glare. Freedom sighed, taking her sister by the hand. "You know I'm not going away forever right?" Angel nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek. "They'll throw me out of there in ten seconds flat. I'll be back before you know it. Besides, once I get cell service on the island you can call me everyday."
"How do you know they have cell service?" Angel wiped at the tears that were coming faster than she could get rid of them. Freedom squeezed her hand, smiling.
"I know because if they don't I'm chewing out whoever wrote this pamphlet." Freedom handed the island pamphlet to her sister. The place that Freedom was heading to was called Waffle Island. It used to be very popular with tourists, and Freedom's parents had stayed there for three months. Now most people didn't even know it existed. Gwendalyn, Freedoms mother, had insisted that everyone on the island were nice people and would be supportive. Freedom was yet to be convinced, but she didn't really have a choice.
"I'm going to miss you." Angels sobs wracked through her whole body. Freedom felt tears coming to her own eyes. She pulled her sister into hug, kissing her light brown hair.
"I know Angel, I know."
"Are you sure you have everything?" Radlyn, Freedom's father shoved the last bag into the back of the car, making sure that it was secure. Freedom eyed the overstuffed trunk, wondering why she needed to pack almost everything she had.
"Yeah, except for the furniture in my bedroom. How long is this internship going to last? I feel like you guys are disowning me and selling me to Mayor Hamilton." Freedom laughed at her own joke, but her parents were unamused. Angel snickered, with made Freedom proud. She felt like she had a good sense of humor, but lately her parents had let her down.
"Mayor Hamilton is a good man. I don't appreciate you bad mouthing him. You've gotten lazy, and you need to remember what work is like. If you don't make something of yourself then I may just consider disowning you." Freedom's smile dropped at the harsh words of her mother. They had danced around the subject of Freedom being a neet, but her mother had never outright said it to her face. Plus, her mother was the kindest woman on earth. It wasn't like her to be so bold and rude. Realization opened up in Freedom's mind and she took a step away from the car.
"I'm not going there for just an internship am I? Waffle Island is a farming island, so why would I be going there? You both used the internship as a facade to buy a farm and have me work on it, didn't you." Freedom stared down her parents as Angel came to Freedom's side. Her hand slipped into Freedoms, trying to give her comfort. The looks on her parents faces gave Freedom the answer. Freedom closed her eyes and shook her head in disbelief.
"Your mother and I thought that it would be best if we took matters into our own hands." Radlyn paused, trying to find the right words. "We're worried about you. You graduated highschool with an advanced honors diploma. You were accepted into Harvard, but got cold feet. We've waited two years, and I think you just need a push in the right direction."
His words stung. Freedom had applied to Harvard, but didn't really think she would get accepted. When the acceptance letter came, her parents had been ecstatic. Even more so than the Freedom herself. Freedom had looked into the prices of attending Harvard, but it would be too much strain on her family. So Freedom had backed out. She hadn't told her parents the reason why. They would've told her it would all work out, but Freedom knew that her parents were still paying off their student loans.
"We've talked to Mayor Hamilton, and he was happy to get you started. You've got a nice little farm close to the town and have all the allies around you. We also did manage to score you a job at the Town Hall." Gwendalyn plastered a smile on her face, taking Freedom by the hands. "You could get big business on the island."
"This worlds all about money, isn't it? Who ever has the best grades has the best job, and then they have the best life. I think I understand." Freedom spat the words out. She wasn't happy. Her parents were shipping her off. Gwendalyn dropped Freedoms hand, sighing. Freedom wanted nothing more than to just run down the street and get away from her treacherous parents, but something in the back of her mind was telling her otherwise.
What if this could be a great opportunity to show them how they were wrong. After all, they just think you're a neet. If you go and show them how much good you bring to the island, they'll be proud, happy, and finally see your work. Freedom knew that there was a part of her deep down inside that wanted her parents to accept her. Too see that she was useful, that she could do something. It was that mindset that brought her to her decision.
"Fine. I'll become a stupid farmer."
I wanna go home! Freedom leaned on the rail of the ship, bored out of her mind. She had been on the ship for two days, and she had already seen everything. She had seen whales, dolphins, and plenty of fish. In fact, if Freedom had another fish dish she would just throw herself overboard. She hated fish! Not to mention, Pascal talked about sailing and fishing nonstop. Pascal was the captain of the ship, and the only person on board aside from Freedom. She enjoyed his company, but didn't enjoy the topics of discussion.
"Enjoying the nice weather?" Pascal came up behind her, smoking from his pipe. A bit old fashioned, but Freedom thought it fit him. Speaking of nice weather, Freedom didn't see any. The sun was completely blocked by dark, heavy rain clouds and the sea was inky. Pascal must have seen her disclosure because he laughed. "Not particularly I see."
"I apologize for my rudeness." She muttered. "When are we going to arrive at Waffle Island?" Although Freedom had been tricked into accepting to come here, she had a small seed of anticipation growing in her. What would this new path provide for her? Would she made new friends, or maybe actually be successful? Freedom chided herself for being so silly. This wasn't like moving to a new place. Actually, it was, but she had been forced to come here.
"Waffle Island is just right up ahead." Freedom's head snapped to where he was pointing, and she let out a happy sigh to see that the island was indeed right up ahead. Not as close as she would have liked, but close enough. Pascal smiled; this girl was certainly interesting. "Why don't you tell me a little about yourself?"
"I'm not that intriguing, but sure. What would you like to know?" Her brown eyes were fixed on the island, growing bigger the closer they got to it. Thunder boomed in the distance and a shred of worry embedded itself in Freedom's gut, telling her that something terrible was about to occur. Pascal didn't seem worried, so Freedom pushed it aside.
"Just general information. Favorite food or drink. Your birthday would be nice to know too. You see, Gill likes to put together files on each of the residents. I'm sure that he would like to know these little tidbits of information."
"Gill's the mayor's son right?" Pascal nodded and Freedom continued. "My favorite food would have to be orange cake. My favorite drink would be herbal tea, and finally my birthday is winter sixth. Is there anything else you'd like to know?"
"No, not that I'm aware of." Pascal looked worriedly at the sky as lightning hit the water, dangerously close to the ship. Freedom blinked in surprise as rain started to pour down on her head.
"What in the-?" Freedom brought her hands up to attempt to shield her head from the rain drops, but it was no use. She was drenched. Lightning flashed across the sky in brilliant white branches. Thunder shook Freedom to the core. Her dark brown shoulder length hair clung to the sides of her face as she looked up at the sky. "Should I be worried?" Freedom had to yell against the wind for Pascal to hear her.
He didn't answer for a while. When high waves crashed against the boat Pascal finally went into action. "Get down below deck. We've gotten caught in a storm and she ain't too merciful. Hurry Freedom!" Freedom didn't need to be told twice. Trying not to slip on the now soaked deck, Freedom headed for the stairs that led down.
The ship lurched, causing Freedom lose her grip on the floor, slipping on the water. She fell down the rest of the stairs, landing in a puddle of water. Freedom winced in pain, well aware that she would have bruises. She tried to stand, but the ship decided to lurch again. Freedom slid to the wall, knocking her head against the metal interior of the ship. Pain exploded in her head. Freedom felt her consciousness slip away. Oh please don't let it end like this!
I'm really nervous! I don't know how everyone will react, but I hope that you guys like it. Please let me know if I should just give up now and go back to the original.