Disclaimer: I do not own the Hollow Kingdom trilogy or any characters therein. Neither do I own the Wizard of Oz in any form.
Chapter Two
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
"No! Why are you doing this to me?"
This plaintive cry came from a small woman standing in the living room of a rather large house. The woman was Jamie Brookes and the house, which was better compared to a mansion, belonged to her parents. Parents who dearly wished their daughter would quietly accept her fate and leave them in peace.
This fate was not terrible. To any other person, it might even seem like a blessing. But for Jamie, it was the worst possible thing that could have happened to her. Her parents had decided to send her back to her maternal grandparents in Cambridge. This, in and of itself was bad enough, but then there was the added misery that Jamie would be going there, not to visit, but to stay.
Jamie was an, intelligent, if rather spoiled young woman, who, at the age of 18, was ready and willing to study abroad in her chosen field. In her mind, this meant moving to Boston and studying chemical engineering at MIT. Her parents had no problem with her becoming a chemical engineer, but they would rather that she stayed near her grandparents and studied at the University of Cambridge. Jamie would've been thrilled to study at such an esteemed university, but she would much rather continue studying in the States than go off to live with her hateful relatives in England. If she were there to stay, for at least another 5 years, she would truly have no escape from them. It was for this reason she was fighting so bitterly against so mild a fate.
"But Jamie, I thought this was what you wanted. This is one of the best universities in the world, and you're already a British citizen, so why not take advantage of that fact?" This from her mother, utilizing her impressive talent at making someone else's argument seem utterly ridiculous.
"Mom, you know how much I hate staying with them," Jamie replied, exasperated. "Is there some reason why I can't just get my degree at MIT? That's one of the best universities in the world too, you know."
Her father sighed. "Jamie, wouldn't you rather live with people you know while you get your PhD, instead of moving to Boston? You don't know anyone there. You'd have to start over completely. In Cambridge, at least you have some friends."
"I only see those friends once a year, and our relationship is cordial at best. And as for my grandparents, they hate my guts! You know they all wish you'd brought me up in England, without being corrupted by 'those uncivil Americans.'" Jamie managed an impressive imitation of her grandfather's sneering tone, causing her parents to stifle smiles.
Her mother quickly recovered, however. "What they think of your American citizenship is irrelevant," her mother stated firmly. "What matters is your safety, and I know I'd feel a lot better having you stay with them, rather than living by yourself in Boston."
"You actually think I'm safer in another country?" Judging from her rather high-pitched shriek, Jamie was absolutely mystified by her mother's reasoning. "You think I'm safer with them? They'd probably wait until I was drowned before throwing me a life vest. I'd probably be safer with complete strangers than those snobby-"
"Jamie!" Her mother was appalled. "Those are my parents you're talking about. Show some respect." Jamie respectfully rolled her eyes.
"For god's sake Jamie, it's not like we're sending you off to boarding school," her father said in a tone that indicated he was quite fed up with her loud protestations. "You were born in England, and you visit your grandparents every year. When did you start thinking you'd be safer with strangers?"
But Jamie was not swayed by his words; words which, in her mind, were no more than feeble justifications for an unprovoked punishment. "Haven't you realized how much I hate those annual 'family get-togethers?' The last time I visited them, they said some stupid thing, insulting Americans, I'd just had enough. I said some things and they said some things and by the time I'd left, I had sworn that I would never see them again. And anyway, yearly visits are completely different from a 5 year stay."
Her mother was a little shocked by this little revelation, but hearing Jamie's last justification, she immediately jumped in. "It won't even be a whole 5 years," she pointed out. "You can stay with us for the holidays, and during the school year, odds are you won't even see your grandparents you'll be so busy. We'll even pay for an apartment in the city." She saw that Jamie was weakening and quickly pressed her point. "I would just feel so much safer if you were near people that could check up on you. If not your grandparents, then at least your friends."
At that moment, Jamie could see that it was hopeless; her parents had won. All further protestations were useless. Even while she finally signaled her agreement, she was thinking of items to pack. Hours later, mentally replaying the conversation, she could see that she had had no chance. Her mother had come fully prepared to use any and all measures to ensure Jamie's relocation to England.
Still, Jamie couldn't help but feel as though, no matter what she did, all roads would lead to the same place. The question was, would she be prepared for what was ahead? And also, should she bring one toothbrush, or two?
So, there it is, chapter two. It's a little short, but I had a bit of a tough time with this one. It gets better though. I found out that I can actually post more, but I want to make it clear that this challenge entry is only to be judged based on the first chapter.
Anyway, updates will be twice a week on Mondays and Fridays. I've already written chapter 12 so have no fear that updates will not be regular. 12 chapters gives me over a month to write more, and I seriously doubt it will take that long.
Okay, announcements are over! So what did you think of Jamie? Will she make a fitting King's wife? I'm also curious what you thought of the chapter name. If any of you don't recognize where it's from, you don't deserve to exist in this universe. Oh, and the same applies if you don't review. ;)
