Chapter 1: Everly
I knew, somehow, that there was something more to the world then amazing locations, people falling in love in Paris, breaking up at drunken parties. People making bad choices, deciding not to help others, trusting someone untrustworthy. There's more to the world then school, disasters, and somehow, I knew, that there were people who were unknown to anyone who were there to help. But I had no idea of what magnitude, and certainly I did not know how I would be involved.
It was a normal school camp, a little irrelevant, perhaps, but interesting enough to catch everyone's attention. Despite being an all girl's school, we even managed to get somewhat excited, which is a rather large achievement. I remember clearly the day Four came to introduce to the camp.
Our class is slightly unruly, we tend to catcall and mess around. The instant Four walked into our class, however, I could sense the mood of the class shift instantly. The silence was thick, like swimming through jelly, without the pliable bend that jelly provides.
"My name is Four, and I will be talking about bravery." He spoke with the air of manipulation, I could see that he was a natural leader.
Four was tall and dark, and his strength was evident. He didn't look old, only a couple of years older than me, and perhaps the fact of his obvious handsomeness contributed to the unusual silence throughout our class.
"So, what do you believe is bravery? I will be very surprised if you get it right first try. So, who is willing...?"
I put my hand up, hesitantly at first, then I thrust it into the air with more confidence. Four searched the room. My friends Sky and Willow had both raise their hands as well.
"Name?" Four stared at me with slight amusement, which faintly annoys me.
"Everly-Grace Jacobsen."
"Go ahead, define bravery."
I have tendencies to be overly wordy. According to my friends, I do not have the capacity to define a word without sounding overly smart, and this was no exception.
"Some may say that bravery is an act of courage that a person performs to their own expense. However, a true act of bravery are those that are not done to benefit yourself, but those who need it most. Basically, true bravery is an act of self-sacrifice in order to save or benefit those around them."
Four didn't comment, and the class retained their silence. I was scared that I had confused them, so while looking around, I added to my definition.
"I have found that the definition of bravery is often confused."
Four looked slightly impressed.
"You are completely right. It is confused more often than it should be. This is the point of the camp, to reintroduce the idea of true bravery, honourable bravery."
Four continued to speak, and he managed to single-handily hold our attention for a record 45 minutes. He walked out of the room at the end of the period leaving nothing but excitement in his wake. Some girls (my personal enemies, in particular) seemed a little too excited to have him as an instructor. I turn to my friends Willow, Ocean, Sky and Iggy, unable to stand the other girl's childish giggling any longer.
"Was he inferring 'self-defence' to be fighting? With each other? In combat?" I tried not to look too alarmed.
"Hey, if he was, then just look forward to beating some people up, how is that not fun?!" Ocean shrugged, grinning.
"Very true," I grinned back at her, imagining being encouraged to beat up my enemy.