Naia's POV
Man, were kids relentless. After Olivia had just given me my daily dose of hatred during lunch break, Nate and I decided to just walk around and talk.
"Can you believe it's already February?" Nate asked.
I shook my head, "It's crazy how fast time is going by."
"Have you ever thought about what life will be like in fifteen years?" Nate asked almost dreamily.
I raised an eyebrow at him, slightly taken aback by the question. I have never been one to think about the future. When I was living with the Samuals, you never really wanted to think about the future. You didn't want to think about when your next beating would be or when you would be locked in the basement next.
"I mean, I don't know," I replied honestly. "What about you?"
Nate shrugged, "Well, in fifteen years I'll be twenty-seven. Maybe I'll be married by then, maybe have a child?"
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" I asked.
Nate thought carefully for a moment as we walked around the bleachers which I had been pushed into all those months ago. "Something that changes the world, or something that helps the world."
"Like what?" I asked, genuinely curious
Nate smirked at me, "Well aren't you a Nosy Parker." I rolled my eyes but laughed at his comment.
"Maybe I'll enlist..." Nate said, his voice trailing off. "In the army. I know it's dangerous, but isn't that the best way to go? Die protecting your country?"
I nodded, suddenly having whole new respect for Nate. I always respected the way Nate stood up for what he believed in but at twelve, he was willing to die for his country. That took guts.
"What do you want to be?" Nate asked, directing the conversation towards me now.
I shrugged. As I said, I'm not one to think of the future so this was something I had never really thought about. "I guess I don't think about the future," I admitted.
"I'll be back soon," Nate said suddenly, "I have to use the bathroom." I chuckled and saluted him off as he hurried away.
Awkwardly, I strolled around in the field and before I knew it, I was back on the pavement where a group of second graders were playing four square. Somehow, the ball went flying by the gate and behind the bushes and they got into an argument on who should go and get it.
Smiling to myself, I decided to be a good person and go and get the ball for them. When I got to the gate, I squatted down to see where the ball was and spotted it deep in the thicket. Sighing, I crawled in and reached for the ball.
As soon as my fingertips touched the ball, I suddenly felt something slam into the back of my head and the last thing I saw was the blue ball before I was knocked unconscious.