The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
She had always been more of a geek. Alice was the nature girl, the tough one you shouldn't mess with, the one that didn't mind getting her hands dirty. Ellie on the other hand didn't enjoy living on a farm that much. In this regard, she took after her mother. Just like her, she had always wanted to travel the world, to see what was happening and to write about it, to denounce everything bad and make the world a better, more honest place.
But instead she was stuck on a farm with her overprotective father and sister, miles away from the next sign of civilization. Her only way of escape was her computer where she could read about her mother's journeys all day long.
She loved going to school, she loved learning and more importantly, she loved getting away from the farm. There was so much happening, so much to see. The colours, the smell, the noise, everything was different from the countryside. For most people, all these impressions were negative, but for Ellie it was heaven. She took on as many extracurricular activities at school as possible, just so that she could prolong her stay in the city.
She joined the computer club as well as the newspaper staff and when she got home at night, she couldn't stop talking about how she would become a famous reporter one day and travel with her mom. Although they were tired from maintaining the farm all day, neither Alice nor their father could extract themselves from Ellie's enthusiasm. Sure, they wouldn't mind another pair of hands to help, but if Ellie being happy meant for them to work even harder, they would do it. The whole family had to cope with their wife and mother being absent most of the time, but it was hardest on Ellie.
And then the virus hit. Their mother had been one of the first journalists to investigate the strange epidemic that had caused many deaths in a short amount of time. She was also one of the first people to be infected. Ellie had seen her mother's decay on her computer screen, but there was nothing she could do to help her. The virus spread and at first they had hoped to be safe in the country, but soon their father got sick, too.
Now she was stuck on the farm forever. Alice wouldn't let her get anywhere near the city borders and there was no more electricity for her computer. She had no choice but help her sister and the other girls she had "employed" running the farm. The tin food in the city wouldn't last long and then the occasional traders would be replaced by starving mobs. But Alice had built herself a reputation, only fools would try and come anywhere near them.
Apparently, those boys were fools.
"Hey Alice, I think there's someone coming to trade", she said from her spot at the window.
Her sister approached her to inspect the intruders themselves. "Oh great, fresh meat! And you thought this would be another boring day."
"Can I come with you? See what they got to trade?"
"No way, little sis, you are much to pretty to be near those hoodlums. You stay here."
"Come on Alice, you can't be serious! Look at those guys; they probably can't tie their own shoelaces. Look at that red-haired geek, he's hardly able to push that barrow. I could take him out easily."
"Geez, do you want me to ask him for his number?"
"What? As if I'd be interested in such a loser. No way!", Alice smirked at her sister, who had gotten just as red as the boys hair. "Fine, I'll stay here, but please, don't eat them alive. And try to find out something about what is happening in the city."
"I promise, I won't hurt your future husband, I'll be at my best."
With a bellowing laugh, Alice left her sister standing at the window, watching the intruders coming through the farm's gates.
As if she'd ever date a geek like that.