A/N Hello. That's all I have to say.
Disclaimer: If you think I am Tamora Pierce, and own her books, I suggest you get a nice little white jacket that ties in the back. I have one too. They are nice.
Tris walked slowly home, the rain pattering down her face. It dripped off her specactles, down her dress and splattering on her shoes. The winds swept her curls around, like a playful cat with string.
Finally, she saw the dreaded cottage of Cousin Uraelle. She wished she could fit in somewhere, anywhere, but there.
She scowled at herself as she walked up to the door and knocked on it. What about her parents house? She asked herself. What about those people that sent you away because of things you didn't know happened because of you? It wasn't her fault the shingles her repeatedly ripped off the house because of fierce winds that raged around the house when Tris was angry, or the hail that smashed the windows.
"Trisana? Is that you? You better get in here, girl!" Uraelle opened the door, features glowering at the small child. "Cooking to do, and cleaning!"
Tris came in the small house, giving the meat and vegetables to her cousin. The deep scent of rain washed over her, and for a moment she almost felt as if she was the rain.
"Well?" Tris's relative shoved a cloth into her cousin's hand. Uraelle had put the food on the table and grabbed a dishrag off it. "Dusting is needed. I wish this horrid rain would stop!"
Tris muttered to herself, "What wouldn't you want to stop?"
Cousin Uraelle swerved around. "What was that, Trisana?"
Tris choose a corner of the room with the candles and a few books stacked on a desk. She gently lifted the candle, the heat not even bothering her. It was a steady, warm glow that cheered her up. She replied to Uraelle. "This rain would help clean the outside of the house, wouldn't it?"
Her cousin snapped back, "Keep your mouth shut, child, and keep cleaning!"
Tris dearly wished for the night to come. Allthough she didn't mind cleaning- rather, she liked it- Uraelle went to job in the mornings. During the night, at least, and morning, Tris was safe.
The thunder boomed, and shattered the frosty silence that enveloped the room.
Tris sat in a corner, long nose stuck in a book. It was later that day, and Cousin Uraelle was out, for the rain had stopped, and she had wanted to see the market.
The girl turned the pages of the book, shifting herself to get more comfortable. She looked outside. It was overcast and gray, but no rain came. She loved rain, or any kind of weather for that matter, and wanted it badly.
She peered out the window. She desperately wanted something to happen, like thunder, or rain, or even hail. She stared out the window, fury about her life and lack of friendships and joy-
CRACK!
A bolt of lightning streaked out of the cloudy sky, lighting up the area. She suddenly slammed her book shut and set it down on the dust-swept table. Even though she was not fit and chubby, she managed a good run to the door and outside.
Another huge clap of thunder sounded, and a split second before, Tris swore she saw a bolt of lightning strike the market area. That is a coincidence, she thought to herself. I mean, that Cousin Uraelle is there and all-
A vein of lighting played along the clouds, as if running there. Tris stared up at the rain clouds, wondering. This weather occurred so suddenly, perhaps it was because she wished it to happen.
No! She thought, and turned. That is impossible.
"What were you doing outside, Trisana?" snapped Uraelle. "I told you to stay inside!"
Tris ignored her, focusing intently on her book. Uraelle tried again, her voice rising.
"Did you hear me, Trisana?" snarled the female. She stopped suddenly.
Tris's braids lifted, and for a moment, Uraelle swore she saw sparks flicker in the scarlet tresses. Tris looked up. "What, cousin?" said Tris irritably. "I was reading!"
Uraelle shook her head and retorted, "You were outside, and I explicitly said not to!"
Tris was used to these conversations, and ignored her cousin's rage. "Yes?"
Cousin Uraelle gave up. "Cook dinner with the meat I bought today, and add the ginger and paprika too!"
Tris sighed and put away her book. She hated it when Cousin Uraelle said, 'with the meat I bought today'. Tris bought it, not her!
Tris stepped through the doorway to the kitchen, her stormy orbs flashing at what she had to do. Not that she minded cooking; being ordered to do it made it worse.
Tris shifted though the icebox, her hands seeking the meat and vegetables. Feeling the beef wrapped in paper, she pulled it out and set it on the table with a plunk. Digging with her freezing hands, she found the potatoes and tomatoes and dropped them on the table. A potato rolled off the table, and Tris lunged for it.
Catching it with clammy hands, she groaned. Her reflexes were good when needed; after, she felt as if she had fallen on hard dust and dirt. Which she had, in a way.
Tris got up from her catch and set the potato on the already loaded table. The fiery haired girl stumped over to a cabinet and pulled out a copper skillet. She didn't know why, but she liked copper. She stepped over to the fire, added some water to the skillet from the bucket, and started cutting up the vegetables.
Cousin Uraelle and Tris had eaten, and after that, since it was so late, went to bed. Tris curled up in her wad of blankets on the floor, for it was all she had. Looking out of the window, she saw the stars glittering, shining in their own special brilliance. Staring, a star flickered at her, as if winking.
Is that even possible? Tris chuckled to herself. Stars aren't living things, they are... what are they? She asked herself. Maybe I could learn one day.
A/N Man am I tired. I spent four and a half hours at a barbecue at my mom's friend's house. I read and ate the whole time. And messed around on the hammock. But that is not to be discussed here.
I worked on this chapter for three days. No, I did not spend 72 hours staring at the computer. I was interrupted almost every time I got my laptop booted up. My rotten luck. Oh well, I really hoped you liked the chapter, and please review. Thanks!