Hey guys!
I have a feeling that some of my followers are mad that I never finished my story on Rue and her Hunger Games. And I'm sorry about that. But...it's just...my life right now has been CRAZY! I've had absolutely NO time to post ANY new chapters! I truly am sorry...
Anyways...to all my wonderful readers this is my newest story. It's called "If I Die Young" because my character (Marina) has all sorts of bumps in the road from being a Greaser and all. (And because I really like that song by the Band Perry.) She just happens to be the Curtis brother's sister. (Yes, she is the youngest)
Ok now I've felt like I've spoken too much. Without further ado, I give you...If I Die Young
Katie Lynn
All around me. Flames. I'm trapped. I frantically look around for an opening to escape. Nothing. I start panicking. Come on! Come on! That's when I spot it. A very small opening, but its there. I run, full speed, at the opening. I can do it! I can do it! I feel a very hot substance on my back. I turn around. My backs on fire!
"AHHHHHHHHH!" I scream. Let's see. What was that saying again?
1) Stop. What's next?
2) Drop. Then?
3) Roll!
I fall back on the hot cement and roll around like a hoodlum. It takes me a moment to register that there's no flames. No nothing. I open my eyes and all around me is water. I sigh in relief. I start swimming upwards. I'm slowly starting to run out of breath. Where's the surface? There's always a surface! I swim faster and no surface comes. "I'm drowning," I think. "This is it." My lungs beg for air, but I don't take any chances with the water. My lungs give out and I black out.
When I open my eyes again I notice it. The scene changed. Again. Where am I? I look around me. Forest. Trees. Tall grass. Bees. Flowers. It's such a beautiful thought. That's when I hear it. A horn. And it's close. It goes off again. I turn my head and there, racing at me, is a train. Going full spead.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I scream. I try to get up but my body won't buldge. I'm stuck on the ground. I scream once more. The train continues to barrel towards me.
"Stop! Stop the train! AHHHHHHH!"
"AHHHHHHHH!" I sit up with jolt. I'm sweating like crazy, panting, my pulse is through the roof, and I'm scared. I feel a hand land on my shoulder. Out of fear, I scream. I wip around and my eyes meet my older brother Soda's. Relief floods through me.
"Shhhh...calm down Marina. You just had a nightmare. It's ok. You're safe here." he tells me. A distant train horn blasts in the distance. I start panting harder.
"Shhhh...it's ok. What happened?" Soda asks me.
"I...I was in a building. Trapped. Flames surrounded me. There was no opening big enough for me. I took my chances with a small one and...my back caught on fire. Then I was underwater. I tried swimming to the surface, but there was none. I blacked out. When I opened my eyes again...I was in a peaceful a train came barreling towards me!" I shiver at the memory of it coming towards me. My bedroom door opens to reveal Darry.
"What happened?" he asks.
"Nightmare." I whisper.
"Are you ok Marina?" a voice next to me asks. I turn to see Ponyboy there, worry in his eyes. I always forgot that Soda, Pony, and me shared one bedroom. We all fit. I even have my own bed!
I nod. I hope I never have a dream like that again! It was horrible! Soda strokes my hair. It's a comforting action.
"I guess we're all up now." I smile.
"Guess so. I'm gonna start breakfast." and with that Darry exits the room.
"Sure you're ok Marina?" Soda's truly worried.
"I'm fine. I'm gonna get dressed." I hop outta bed and walk on over to my closet. I grab a pair of jeans, a black t-shirt, socks, and my converse. I head towards the bathroom and change. When I walk out, I notice Ponyboy and Soda are all dressed. They move pretty darn fast. The three of us head downstairs and wait for breakfast.
I hear the door open and slam close. "Hey y'all!" I lookup and see Two-Bit. Good old Two-Bit.
"Hey Two-Bit" Ponyboy says.
"Hi," I say weakly. I'm not much of a talker when I'm tired.
"What are you doing here?" Soda asks.
"Came here to see Mickey! My TV got broke by my stupid little sister. That little brat." he says bitterly. I like Two-Bit's sister Holly just fine. Even if she was 15 and I'm 12. That reminds me! I never got to introduce myself!
My name is Marina Ann Curtis. I have three older brothers. Ponyboy, Sodapop, and Darry. I like them all real good. Except Darry. He's kinda scary. Anyway, I'm 12 years old and about 4'8 in height. I know, I know. That's kinda small for a 12 year old. But I'm stuck with it. I have dark brown eyes that could pass as black, pale skin, wavy blonde hair, and a thin figure. I'm the youngest Curtis and only girl. I have a deep pasion for music, movies, the stars, dance, and books. I would say that I have a pretty creative imagination, judging by all the dreams I've encountered. I'm not exactly "popular" at my school. I'm always being made fun of because of my height. I am one of those "greaser girls", but I act nothing like them. I don't swear, get drunk, or any of that other stuff. I never really had any real friends, just the gang and my brothers. Johnny, Dally, Steve, Two-Bit, Soda, Darry, and Ponyboy. But then again, I am one of those really shy people. Whenever I meet someone new, I hardly talk. It took me about 2 years to finally say one word to the gang. And that word was "hi".
By now the entire gang has come to our house. As always. Darry's still not done with breakfast yet. "What is he making?" I think to myself.
"Where's Superman?" Steve asks.
"Kitchen. Why you askin'?" Soda replies curiously.
"Just curious." he says. Soda and Steve have been buddies forever. I've always been jealous of them. It seems like everyone in the gang has that one special buddy. Soda has Steve, Steve has Soda, Dally has Johnny, Ponyboy has Johnny, Johnny has Ponyboy, Two-Bit has Ponyboy, Darry has Soda, and who do I have? No one. Just myself. It gets kinda lonely. As if by instinct, I get up and head to my room. I sit at my desk and get out a pen and some paper. Before I can register what I'm doing, my pen starts making words on the paper.
Everytime I see your eyes, your whole face lights up the sky.
Without you by my side, I'd just curlup and die.
When you're here, I know I'm safe.
And with you I'm never outta place.
I know I'm strong, but with you I'm stronger,
never leave my side or I'll go yonder.
You and I will always be,
together and act like family.
I just wish you could stay,
but dreams aren't always meant to stay.
I wish you the best and life long love,
and never forget I'm always above.
Willing to help you any day,
in my heart you shall stay.
Forever.
What I have just written is something I've never thought about. Love. I've never given love any thought, besides the obvious. You know, like "I love Ponyboy" or "I love Soda". Stuff like that. They're family. But what my words mean love. As in true love. I honestly don't have a crush on anyone. I'm only 12. Not many people my age date this young. But some people in my grade do. But once they're together, it's like they aren't even friends anymore" I never wanna take that path.
I put my pen away and stare at my notes for a moment. This probably be a catchy song. Maybe I can use it to write a new song on my guitar. I put that in one of the drawers and head back downstairs.
"Where'd ya go short stuff?" Two-Bit jokes.
"Who ya callin' 'short stuff'?" I snap back.
"He's trying to say where were ya leprechaun? Delivering your daily pot of gold? Kinda early ain't it?" Steve tags along. Them calling me "leprechaun" and "short stuff" makes me mad. I know they don't mean it but its offending!
"Who ya calling leprechaun and short stuff? I ain't either of those! I'm fun size! Unlike you two bozos." I spit at them. My response has taken them aback. They've never heard me talk that much before or even like that. I can't help it! I'm mad! If it weren't for somany witnesses around, I'd beat them silly. Marina style.
"I was just writing," I reply cooly.
"Writing what?" Ponyboy asks. Why are so many people asking me questions? I think to myself.
"Poetry." I mumble. I'm embarrassed about my answer. I've never told the gang that I like poetry. More less writing it! That's why I keep my mouth shut. To keep anything like that from slipping out.
"Poetry? Poetry's for losers!" Dally announces.
"Shut up Dally! You're a loser!" I yell. Uh oh. I just made the biggest mistake of my life.
1) I just told Dallas Winston to shut up
2) I just called Dallas Winston a loser
Everyone stares at me with wide eyes. Then there's Dally. He looks like any moment he's gonna blow up. he gives me an evil glare that obviously means,"You better run!"
"You know what? I'm just gonna-just gonna-" I bolt outta my seat and run for the door. I don't make it far before Dally has me in a headlock up against the wall. I can practically see the flames in his eyes. He's mad. Nothing anyone can say or do can stop him.
"What did you just say!" He yells in my face. I'm speechless. What do I say? I'm sorry? Do I beg for mercy? I don't have any time to think because Dally pulls me towards him and says,"Don't you ever call me a loser again!"
"Darry! Soda! Help!" I scream. Before my brothers can rescue me, Dally grabs my shoulders and begins to slam me in the walls. It hurts like crazy! The pain in my head is unbearable. I know its not broken, but it's bleedin. That's a fact.
"Marina? Marina are you alright?" a voice asks me. I can't register who it is, but its someone familiar. Before I can respond, I black out from the pain.
So...what did you guys think? Like it? Hate it? Comments? Questions? Concerns? Ideas? Just tell me! Please please please comment! I LOVE reviews! Without them, I'll be discouraged like I was with Rue and not updated quickly. Or at all! So if you TRULY like this book and want me to continue, please review!
Please...
-Katie Lynn