I made a new Chapter one… again.
Tanya Ride, District 10
"Watch it, kid," Clinton barked. I skittered back. This place was way too crowded.
"Uh…um, I-I'm sorry," I spluttered. Avoiding the other kids in the hallway, I finally managed to make my way outside.
Instantly, the sun beat down on my face. Megan sat by the dusty edge of the road, her brown hair drifting down to the middle of her back. She must have heard the door open and sudden rush of noise from the inside because she turned, nodding towards me.
"Hi," I said, offering a hand to her. She took it kindly, dusting her bottom off once standing.
"Hey, Tanya," she smiled softly. Her dress hugged her body closely, a pretty blue that brought out her eyes nicely. She pressed her glasses higher up her nose.
As I glanced down at the ground, I smiled. "Nice shoes, Meg." The girl smirked. Her shoes were a beat up pair of her old boots that she wore on the ranch with the cattle. We stared at each other for a moment, and started laughing.
Several people exited the orphanage, kids of all ages. The littler ones avoided me, giving a wide berth between where they walked and where I stood. I guess I scared most of them.
"So," Megan said as we walked. "I read the book you leant me and it was amazing!" We walked down a steep hill, trying not to fall. "That Suzanne Collins woman is a wonderful writer."
I laughed. "Yeah, she is. Now there's this other book too, written by this guy named James Patterson…." We talked in low voices, not being too boastful with our words.
"Hey, Ride," a voice called. I turned, a dust cloud blocking my view a bit. Through it, I saw a tall figure, followed by two other ones. Megan grabbed my arm, pulling me back.
Just as she did that, I recognized Jeb and his two cronies running in our direction. He was a year older than us and a complete jerk face.
"Hello, ladies," he said. Megan just twisted on her heel, ignoring the bunch. I followed suit, but upon hearing the light thuds of his boots, I dodged down. I knew he would try to lay an arm on my shoulder, and I watched as it flew over my head. Jeb stumbled forward a few steps, tripping and pulling Megan down with him. His two cronies, Flick and Bevis (I do hope those are nicknames) giggled amongst themselves.
My friend rolled onto her back, holding her knee. I saw a flash of red and my eyes widened. Kneeling, I took hold of the tattered edge of my dress and tour off a piece.
"Can you not be such a jerk?" I demanded, wrapping the fabric around Megan's bloody knee. Jeb picked up the jagged rock that had done the job of slicing Megan, as well as her glasses. His face paled, handing over the frames, only to skitter back a few feet.
"What?" Megan asked as I helped her up. She hobbled towards the poor boy. His face was a pallid white. Then I realized what was wrong.
"You don't like blood, don't you?" I asked quietly. Jeb stared at me, swallowing hard. Do I really scare people that easily? I mean, I may look a bit odd, but I'm not a monster. Megan just says it's because I'm "just so mysterious." I honestly think it's the first.
Jeb stood. "Let's roll guys," he said. The two looked like they didn't want their fun to end. The taller boy casted them a glare.
"See ya, losers," Flick barked with laughter. The group walked off. Jeb sent back one last fleeting look, then just continued on.
"He likes you, you know," I stated. Megan widened her eyes.
"Why would you say that?"
I shrugged. "I just know."
Drale Shetler
"And then you plie," I heard Arum say. I walked into the living room to find Matt with his arms out, feet together, knees bent, replicating my sister. Leaning back on the wall, I crossed my arms to watch. Knix walked in from her room, but, upon seeing the sight before her, turned back around.
"Then you go into releve," Arum said, standing on her toes. "And turn." Matt did as the girl did, and he twirled halfway around to find me holding in laughter. I clapped.
"Bravo," I said. He went back to flatfoot, his face turning slightly red. Arum, enjoying the attention, put a foot behind her and curtseyed.
"Thank you," she said humbly, in the way she thought a ballerina would. I shook my head at the boy.
"You're such a lovely dancer," I chuckled. He threw an arm around me, pinning me in a headlock. I swiftly elbowed him, slipping out from under his arm. Arum squealed, hopping onto the couch. The two of us grappled a bit until I could slip my arms underneath his.
"Eh-hem," Father's voice thundered. I quickly dropped my friend, standing up straight.
"Sorry, Father," I said. The man gave me a grim smile.
"I don't want any roughhousing in this house, understand?" He swung a finger up to Arum. "And you get off the couch."
"Yes, sir."
Father nodded and continued on down the hall. Arum hopped down to land on her butt. We remained quiet until the distinctive click of Father closing his door reached us.
I had spent the morning helping round up the cattle to get some last minute work in. My hair was still dusty, along with my boots. I figured I wasn't that bad, and didn't think to change.
Drew appeared from her hiding spot behind the couch. "Is he gone?" she asked timidly. Her choppy brown bangs fell in her eyes.
"Yeah, you can come out," I said. The four year old climbed up onto the couch, her feet dangling off. "Did we scare you?" Drew nodded.
"We're sorry," Matt and I said together. The girl sniffled.
"It's okay."
Knix walked in, humming to herself. Her short hair flicked up at the ends and she wore a cotton dress.
"Can we leave now, please?" she asked, holding her head up tall. I sat on the couch, pulling Drew onto my lap.
"We have to wait for Mother and Father," I said, sinking comfortably into the leather seat. Knix groaned.
"We can sing a song until they come in," instantly, I, Knix, and even Arum shouted, "NO!" We all knew where it would lead, and it would just end up with Matt tied and gagged.
-0-
"Good luck, today," Mother whispered, hugging Knix and I tight. We both glanced at each other.
"Mom…." Knix choked.
"Can't…breathe…."
The woman soon let go of us. "Sorry," she sniffled. She gave us one last smile and walked towards where the rest of the district stood, leading along Drew. The girl waved back at us.
Matt stood by us, arms crossed. "I wish my Mom was like that," he murmured. "All she does is hangout with a different guy every night." Knix glanced at me with wide eyes.
"Okay, you're going to your section," I commanded, shoving her in the direction of the thirteen year old pen. These things make me think of us as cattle.
"Sorry," Matt said, giving me a small sorry smile.
I just shook my head. His green eyes sparkled. "Just go." We went to our section, listening to the mayor start up the speech.
Me and Matt exchanged looks throughout. Most of this was complete rubbish.
Finally, the escort announced. "Let's start it up with the boys." He tried to speak with our District Ten accent, but on top of the Capitol one, it just sounded wrong. His burly hand had difficulty seizing only one paper, and he seemed to crumple the paper too.
"Drale Shetler."
First instinct; I wanted to freakin' cry. Matt clutched my shoulder reassuringly. Holding up my head, I walked forward. I had to stay strong. For Knix, for Arum, for Drew. They need to know that they had a brother who didn't let fear over take him.
And I want Father to be proud to have a strong son.
Tanya
The boy walked forward from the seventeen year old section. He looked self-assured, but not in the way that was "I totally can't wait, I'm so gonna win!" he seemed strong.
Megan grasped my hand, holding on tight. The escort shoved his hand into the girl bowl.
"Tanya Ride." My eyes widened. Megan dropped my hand. I twisted to her. She was already taking in a breath.
Swiftly, I kicked her in the shin. "Don't you dare!" I hissed. The girl fell to her knees, either from the pain of the kick or my words.
Breathing one last calming breath, I marched to the stage.
Drale
The slim built fourteen year old kept her eyes closed as the escort read the final few speeches. We were instructed to shake hands, and I reached down to take her hand. A lock of her spunky black hair fell in her eyes, but she tucked it…behind…her…ear.
My thoughts began to whir. Her eyes… they were purple. Her ears were pointed. I examined her whole face. She looked very much like a pixy. With purple eyes. Very deep, purple.
"Good luck," she whispered. It kind of nerved me when I saw that her canines pointed sharply. You had to be close to notice.
I had a feeling I'd get to know this name, Tanya Ride.
-0-
Mother and Father sat next to me awkwardly. Instantly, Mother had both arms around me, and I felt my sleeve begin to soak with her tears.
"We love you, Drale," she whispered. I swallowed.
"Do you?" I asked. Mother sat back, her brown eyes staring at me.
"What?"
I didn't skip a beat. "Do you really love me?" To make my point clearer, I turned my head to Father. His eyes narrowed on me.
"Why would you say I don't love you?" he said incredibly. His chin was stubbly and in the light, his face looked gaunt.
My fists tightened. "You don't tend to show it." I said. "Or tell me. Or even show you like having me around. Why do you think I'm working all the time? To prove that I'm not a bum to you. You never even smile at me. What kind of Father-"
Before I could finish, Father threw his arms around me, so tight, I almost couldn't breathe.
"I'm terrified right now." His voice quaked, and his eyes glistened sadly. "I may possibly lose my oldest and only son. I may not show it, but I love you, Drale. I really do. I may not always be there for you, but I care."
"Times up," the Peacekeeper suddenly said. All of us jerked back in surprise. I hugged Father one last time.
"I love you, too."
Ah, sorry if I got a little fluffy there. And don't think Tanya was just born like that; she has a story that still hasn't been told. Without looking at her submission description, what do you think her story is?