Hello, before you start reading, Announcement. You can skip over this chapter if you REALLY like. It's just all about Ariane and her life before this. BUT, if you don't read it you will be terribly confused, not completely, but some parts will have you go, 'Huh?' Yeah so these were orginally 3 chapters but I merged them together. Enjoy (:

Writer: Aquaskye

My life has a misery, a terror and a wretch. On a bright day a darkness, on a clear day a stench; someone who cares nothing, about what I feel. One person that I admire no longer, one person that makes me want my fate. I wouldn't want to be that way, and receive nothing but hate. Being your own person doesn't mean being someone you would hate if you were someone else

A simple window, in the simple cabin, on simple land, with a simple girl on it, a simple seven year-old-girl, with ebony hair that was straight and then ended with curls and gold eyes which stared into a sunny valley.

"Ariane, I've got all your stuff packed." A voice called behind me.

I, Ariane Perrin live in Marseille, France, with my father, who was an artist, and my mother, who is a scientist.

"Remember, if you need anything, just call!" My mother chanted in French. I stepped over to the bag and looked inside. There were lots of clothes, a toothbrush and toothpaste and other things you'd need to live a normal life.

"So exciting, are you ready? It's going to be fun!" My mother said to me. I smiled and nodded. I was getting ready to leave for an expensive fashion school in Lyon. It had over two thousand students from Kindergarten to 8th grade.

Finally the car to take me to the city came. I stepped into a world; the real world.

The air was clear. The sky was blue, the people were nice. It seemed like my kind of place. I stepped out of the car that had taken me. Before me was my future school. It looked like the building was getting old, and they were frantically trying to keep it from collapsing.

"Ariane Perrin?" The person at the front asked. I nodded and he led me into to one of the rooms. The lobby we walked in looked too sophisticated for the age the building was. The tiles were shiny and the wallpaper was new. "Here we are." The person opened the door and I went in the room. The bed had a metal frame and the dresser was made of ebony. The walls were colored lavender. The carpet was a pure white. The person left and I put my bag which I was holding down

My room didn't have much in it. So I decided to go exploring. I walked out of my room and down the hall; while I walked I passed another girl.

"Hi!" I said suddenly. The girl looked a bit scared, "I'm Ariane, you?

"Claire…" She said bashfully. "I'm in 2nd grade, what grade are you in?" I asked again. And with no words she continued walking, more hastily. I thought it was strange how she acted. But I continued down the hall and suddenly a booming voice appeared all around me.

"Period 1 is starting."

People, dozens of them, swarmed out of all the rooms and headed both directions. I was caught in all of them. I struggled to go somewhere but ended up going up the hall with the crowd, it was claustrophobic. Soon I saw signs that said numbers from 1-1 to 6-10.

"Maybe it's class numbers?" I thought. So I went into one that said 2-1. When I entered 20 or so heads turned, excluding the teacher. "Who are you?" The person up front asked.

"Ariane Perrin?" I said in a questioned tone like I was supposed to be here. "Oh, we've been expecting you!" I was surprised I chose the right classroom. "Your seat is there." She pointed to the seat furthest to the right in the third row, I went and sat down.

"I was just explaining the way things work around here. It's actually very complicated, but organized. Believe it or not, you will be quizzed on this, so listen!"

I took out my notebook and got ready to take notes.

"There are 30 of you, specially chosen in this room. In all the other rooms there are 30 also. There are 8 grades in this building. Excluding the Kindergarteners, there are 10 classes every grade. You are all month one—or 2-1. 2-10 is month 10, the last month. After that you enter third grade!" I took a minute to process it all. "So how many students are there exactly in grades one to eight?" "2400." Everyone robotically said. This was a prodigious school.

Class was boring, our teacher, Mrs. Jean, kept babbling educational nonsense. How can something so educational be so nonsensical? I have no idea. I looked around the room once or twice but Mrs. Jean would always go,

"Ariane! Eyes up here!" So you would have to turn your head and continue taking notes. And finally after what seemed like a day, class was over. Apparently one class is like three classes. This school has to have everything so fancy it's infuriating.

But because class was over it was lunchtime, once again everything was so complicated. Tables had strictly the same people, every single time. But this means I won't be a lone wolf.

I looked around the lunch room, it was huge. The tables were huge, they each fit exactly 10 people and there was one for every 10 students, there were 30 of these huge tables in this room. And now was the time for the second graders to eat.

I walked around the maze of tables looking to find the table I was assigned to. Since it was the first day for first months everyone was a bit confused. Finally, after asking many people I found my table. There were 10 chairs, 7 were filled. I sat down and smiled.

"So how are you all today?" I asked them all. All seven heads turned to me. A few shrugged, others said good, or fine. "Oh, come on, how about you all introduce yourselves to me and everyone else? You! What's your name?" I was sitting in the single chair close to the wall and pointed right across the table. The boy sitting just stared at me. We had a slight staring contest and then he finally spoke up.

"I'm Axel." He quickly said and then no one else said anything.

"Well, I'm Ariane, nice to meet you!" I chimed. "We're going clockwise, you next!" The person right to him was another male. "Alain." Once again everyone was silent. Then a girl next to him spoke up.

"I'm Caroline! Nice to meet you, Axel, Alain." She seemed like the sweetest girl with a big smile and strawberry blonde hair that was an inch above her shoulders. She seemed like a princess and the two boys next to her with close cut dark brown hair and green eyes, seemed like her servants.

"Finally!" I cried out, "Someone is getting into it! Hello Caroline, nice to meet you." The next three people warmed up a bit and acted peppier. There was another girl, Alexis, and two boys, Leo and Caleb. Then the last girl, who deemed destined to become my best friend was Lyla. She was a tad bit shy, with long chestnut hair and brown eyes.

All eight of us were in the same class month and grade. We lived like a metal chain, you couldn't separate us. Three years went by and I found myself in my first very sticky situation in my life. Sure, we all have our ups and downs, but my life seemed very flawless. Something had to come in and disturb it.

Lyla and I were like two peas in the pod. I was almost that way with Alexis, but Caroline, something about her I just couldn't shake off and we just couldn't get along. Maybe it was something about me. But one day she just decided she hated me. I will never find out the exact reason.

We were eating at our lunch table. Having a good time, telling stories, making up jokes. Then when our 10 minutes of lunch were almost over Caroline came over to our 4-6 table. She looked mad for some reason. So I asked her.

"Are you fuming about something, Caroline?" And smiled a bit.

"Yes, don't ever talk to me again Ariane." I looked confused. I was confused. I felt confused.

"Why?" "You know why!" Caroline then stood up and walked towards the exit. I swiftly stood up, "Are you really okay?" I said to the rushing girl when I was closer to her. She brushed me off and continued dashing.

Things didn't get any better the next day. This time Alexis was on her side and she had many more girls flocking to her. It seemed that she was backstabbing me, Lyla then confirmed it one day when we both arrived early at our table for lunch. But then things got a lot worse.

Because we were 11, almost 12, we were to get our own personal mentors. Everyone who was 12 had one, or, the best ones did… everyone would always study hard trying to get a mentor but the people who chose them always saw through that and to their heart.

I was studying one night and got really bored so I decided to go visit Lyla. I walked down the corridor and knocked on the door to her room. I heard a small choked, "Come in…" and opened the door to find a teary Lyla. "What's wrong?" I asked her. She only lifted a piece of paper with simple writing but hurtful meaning that said,

"Back off!"

It was clearly Caroline's writing.

I felt my heart drop and I hugged her. "Why did she write that?" I asked, "I don't know! Then she sent another one…" She got up and took another piece of folded up piece of paper and handed it to me. This time it was different.

"Better watch your back!"

It looked more hastily written but was still by Caroline. I stood up abruptly. "We are going to get her!"

I talked with her my plan and talked casually a little then went back to my room and slept.

The next day had anxiety with it. But also a cruel wanting of revenge. Classes came and passed, then lunch stayed. I found Caroline talking with some people.

"We need to talk." I had Lyla right behind me.

Caroline narrowed her eyes and stood, followed. We three sneaked out past the monitors to behind the school.

"What are these?" I held out the two notes and waited for an answer.

"You finally got them?" Caroline said sarcastically. "This means that girl behind you should back off!" I bit my lip but didn't go overboard. "I think you should back off!" "I don't see why you and Alice are friend Lyla. We talk for hours, and hours and never fight or anything. Then she always comes out with me and we have lunch like the middle schoolers at the café." She bragged. "I'll always be the taller, prettier one, people like me more then you, Ariane…" She just had to add that.

Caroline stared at us and nobody said anything. Caroline then lunged her fist towards me but stopped and went slyly around me and tripped Lyla somehow with her leg. With a squeal and a crash Lyla fell to the cement hard.

"HEY!" I yelled at Caroline, "You want me to trip you?" I helped Lyla up and turned to Caroline again. Caroline turned around to run but I caught a chunk of her bobbed hair. And she sent an unnecessary blood curling scream. Then started to cry.

I was shocked and quickly let her hair go but she kept screaming. I started to panic, thinking what the teachers would say and how I would be viewed by mentors. I could hear people running to 'help' while Lyla and I stood there bewildered of what to do. My day ended with me and Lyla fleeing and running to my room and staying there for the rest of the day.

I went on normally with my life. Nobody really talked to me, not even Lyla. But then one day my teacher came up to me.

"Congratulations." She then handed me a folded piece of paper and ran off quickly. I opened the paper and read the words,

You have been apprenticed to Bonnie Adams.

Your classes start 5-1

Congratulations.

From the Staff

I filled with excitement and achievement. Out of 300 kids, I had been one of the 10 chosen? And it was so early. Now what do I do? I rushed to my room for a moment and found another piece of paper that had Rules elegantly graved on the parchment. I opened it and found a special set of rules for me, only me, made by Bonnie.

Rules of Apprenticing

No bragging about apprenticeship.

Respect your mentor.

Use your own materials.

Don't be late, or early.

Take 5 of your current designs to your first class.

Refer to Schedule for class times.

The rules seemed easy enough. But next to it's previous spot was another one. It was paper unfolding day apparently. This time it said Schedule. Once again I read the words.

Classes are from 3:00 to 6:00 everyday starting 5-1. In room 555

You will need: Colored Pencils, Sketch Paper, Pens, Pencils, A will, and a creative mind.

Please bring current works like the Rules requested.

You will be the only one in your class.

Sincerely,

Your Mentor Bonnie

The next months went like a daze and finally I was in fifth grade month one. There were other kids probably excited for their classes. I ate lunch in silence. With my materials in my room, packed and ready to go. Then during 2nd period I got up and went to room 555 all the way on the other side of the building.

The door was the same as all others. I knocked,

"Come in." A voice answered. I stepped inside and the room was… astonishing. Cream carpet, there were couches in this small room, and chairs which were a light pink, in the very middle was a table which had many papers on it, with two chairs. The walls were covered with floral paper. But you could barely see the wallpaper under the thousands of papers with sketches. I looked at one up close. It had the name, "Sakura" it was apparently a promotional shirt for coffee.

"Hi, we should get started." A voice said behind me. I spun around and faced my mentor, Bonnie. She stood and walked over to me. "Do you have your mediums?" She asked. I nodded and she walked over to the table and sat down. Please, sit. Can I see your sketches?" I sat down and pulled out my sketches. They seemed dire compared to Bonnie's. She stroked her dark hair while looking at my sketches with her green eyes. She finished looking at them after five minutes, then looked at me and smiled.

"I can see you are gifted."

Bonnie showed me how to do everything. Dye, sew, crochet, I started to compare mine with hers, but still there was something about hers that was so much superior. After a month she took me to a forest. It was a big forest, with many of the materials that she used. She told me how she used some of the bugs to make the reddest dye. I scowled at squishing bugs but I guess stylist's have to do what a stylist has to do.

Bonnie and I also grew close. I knew much about her and she knew a lot about me. If we weren't creating, we were talking. Days could go by from just talking, months went by, years. Soon I was as creative as you can be, flowing with ideas, Bonnie was impressed, I think.

Before I knew it I was an 8-10. Getting ready to graduate. I needed to thank Bonnie somehow. Someway for teaching me so much. So I decided to make her the greatest thing I could. To make it the greatest thing I needed the best materials. Which were far out, dangerous in the forest. But I was determined to make this a masterpiece. I didn't know what I was going to make, but she'll cherish forever, I just know it.

The forest seemed safe and guarded. Then there were the deserted plains which had wild animals, poisonous plants, and more. I stepped across the border which separated the two counties. It felt daring since they told us never to go into the plains. I looked around the empty land. The wind was blowing and my hair kept getting in my eyes. I walked around and found amazing quality plants. Then a huge gust of wind came and I felt two hands cover my mouth and eyes. Then I felt a knee kick my back and I couldn't move. I felt myself being picked up by someone strong and the wind went between my ears.

I still didn't see or say anything. I was being kidnapped.

I was in some type of ship. In the middle of the ocean. Flying. With many people from other countries. I was scared. Horrified. But I couldn't afford to break. Next to me was an African woman. She looked like she was trying hard not to cry either. The other person next to me was a girl my age that seemed to be muttering to herself in German. I tried not to look at her and suddenly a man across from me cried. The black woman next to me put him in order.

"Be quiet, all of you!" She was strong, wasn't going to give in to these immature people. I smiled, she seemed to know some English, I knew a little too since I started to take classes in 6th grade.

"I think we need to do something about these guards." I whispered to her, "Yes, we do." She understood me, good. Then I felt a rush of wanting to be random, very random. So I talked to the girl my age next to me, "That guard has a cat on his nostril!" I vaguely pointed to the guard and the look I got from the girl was priceless. I wasn't sure if she understood me or not.

I leaned back over to the Black woman and whispered nonsensical things like,

"I wish I were a bird." With a very strong French accent.

"I am a bird!" She replied back.

"I'm Ariane, from France." I said in a louder voice.

"My name is Jezebel." She had a big smile, it seemed we were already friends. I wanted to show her I was a good person. I said in a loud voice, (I had no idea what this meant.)

"I like to mash potatoes with my toes!" I said so everyone in the area could hear. "Would you like some?" The guards looked at me like I was mad. Apparently Jezebel knew what this meant and burst out laughing. I couldn't help but laugh along too.

But the downside was that the guards weren't satisfied with our behavior. They took me and a group of people by the arm and took us with them. I was petrified, what had I just done? While being dragged for punishment the captain saw me. He had wide eyes. "Wait!" He called, He grabbed me, "Touch her and you'll never be able to walk for the rest of your life." The guards let me go and I followed the captain back to the room with Jezebel, and looked back ruefully at the people I had turned in. I asked the captain why he did that.

"You remind me of my daughter, a lot like her. Is there anything else you need, just for this flight?" I thought and then told him, "Make sure nothing happens to the black woman I was sitting next to, her name is Jezebel." He nodded and I went back to Jezebel. I said some things about not doing that again, so we both stayed silent for the rest of the trip.

After a few hours we arrived at our destination; the capitol in a country called Panem. The guards took all of us and sold us as slaves. I stood in a stage above the crowd. I was still with Jezebel, which was good. Then I was to be bid on.

"20 for 16!" Someone in the crowd called, that was my number, I got a bad feeling in my stomach.

"Make that 30!" Another called. Then my destiny was confirmed,

"I'll have her for 50." A man in the crowd named Branus called. The leader gave me to him and I pleaded not to leave Jez.

"Please take her with me, I can't leave her!" I begged.

"50 for 20 also!" We got Jez. I poured my heart out to him. Thanking him for buying her also. It's not so often that you get bought by someone this kind hearted. Others hadn't been so lucky, getting mean people that would make them work nonstop.

Branus took us to his house and we did simple things like laundry and dishes and cleaned rooms and stuff. I still got to do things like sketch clothes. The strokes made by the pencils they used were as nice as ours. I sometimes cried when I thought about Bonnie, Lyla, even Caroline. I wanted to still go home, no matter how nice this place called, "The Capitol" was. It was chilling actually. The fashion here consisted of tattoos, piercings, surgery. I could never bring myself to do that to my body.

After a month or so I sat in my room sketching. It was the thing I was going to give to Bonnie. The shirt had a tank top and under it was a silk white shirt, the best part about it was the laces. I colored it in then put down my utensils and sighed. I was too caught up in my thoughts to hear Branus coming. When he opened the door after knocking and asked me about my sketch.

"That's amazing! Do you have more of them?" I obeyed and pulled out a box with my sketches. His face brightened and he declared that he should get materials and that I should have my own shop. A shop was the only thing an apprentice stylist could dream of.

"Really? I'm not that… but a shop…" Branus stood up and started to look for a shop I could use. Just a couple houses down was a house that was attached to another house, they were both small and cheap. I stood in front of the shop and wondered what type of things I would make. If anyone would want to buy my stuff, who I would meet, how long I would stay here?

"I'm really glad that you got this! You are really amazing." Jez smiled and seemed happier now that we had something bigger. Branus had released us and we still gave him some of our revenue.

Soon the shop was decorated, I made clothes and my shop became a small favorite. I spent a year there, and then I met someone named Cinna Valkiaz. But that's another story.