For Everything a Reason
Chapter 1: Shark In the Water
The branches slap against my face harshly as I run deeper into the forest. The thorns from the branches tear maliciously at my
flesh, but I don't feel pain. I don't feel anything. I'm trying to run fast, but an invisible force is dragging me down. It's like
trying to sprint through a pool of caramel. I'm in one of those dreams where no matter how hard you push your body to run
faster you just can't. They're yelling things behind me, but I can't understand them. I don't know who they are; I just know
they want to kill me. I want to kill them, too because only one of us will come out alive. They begin to throw things; pebbles I
think. Why would they throw pebbles? I hear the pebbles hit the glass with a sharp rasp. Why is there glass in the forest?
Where is the glass even at? The pebbles hitting the glass become rhythmic, like a song. Between each tap I hear a familiar
voice calling my name. "Aspen!" tap "Aspen!" tap "Aspen!" The voice becomes impatient. "ASPEN!" a hail storm of pebbles
follow, and then I wake up.
My eyes snap open in alertness when a series of pebbles hit the window leading to my balcony. In my sleepy state they sound
like bullets. "Jesus Christ, Aspen!" a deep voice yells from outside. I push my hair out of my eyes and stumble stupidly to the
balcony. When I open the glass doors the light is blinding. I bury my head in my hands to protect my eyes from the sudden
assault of brightness. "Where fore out thou?" Holden Odair asks in a seductive voice. Holden is my oldest and best friend. We
grew up together since his mother, Annie, lived right next door. Holden was the spitting image of his father, Finnick, besides
the fact that he had dark brown hair that fell beautifully and effortlessly across his forehead. The sea green eyes and dazzling
grin were all Finnick though. Annie impressively held it together after Finnick's death, but my father insisted on keeping a close
eye on her for safe measures.
"Sleeping," I retort," Why aren't you?" I try to blink my eyes into focus. "I missed your beautiful face," Holden grinned
revealing a row of perfectly white teeth. He was such a flirt. He flirted with everyone. If you were a girl between 16-20 and you
were decently attractive, you were fair game. I honestly think he just can't help himself, it's his nature. We don't like each
other like that; we're more like brother and sister. This is a relief to every girl in town. They're constantly fawning over how
perfect and beautiful he is. In the words of his favorite song, he's sexy and he knows it.
"You couldn't have waited another hour?" I groan sleepily. "Nope. Now hurry up and get ready. I'll be downstairs," Holden says
as he slips around to the front of my house. I shake my head at his impatience and trudge back into my room. My bed is a
mess. By the looks of my sheets and comforter you would've thought I had a seizure or something. I tend to move around a lot
in my sleep. At least the rest of my room is spotless and in order. The walls are painted a light blue color that reminds me of
the ocean. I keep my king sized bed simple with a white lace comforter and satin sheets. To the left of the bed is a glass and
metal vanity, to the right of the bed is a dark wood dresser and computer desk with my laptop, and in front of the bed is my
flat screen TV. I rummage through the variety of fabrics in my dresser in record time and take a quick shower.
The steam from the shower wakes me up and my senses are back to being unnaturally heightened. I usually don't take too
long to get ready, especially when someone is waiting on me. Before heading downstairs I stop to check my reflection. My
straight chestnut brown hair falls to the top of my ribcage as usual, my feathery side bangs are where they should be, my light
blue eyes are clear and bright, and my naturally tan skin is glowing. Being naturally beautiful is a huge convenience. I'm not
self-conceited, I'm really not. But I'm not stupid either. I'm aware of what I look like, but I don't go around flaunting it. I try to
keep a low profile; as if that was even possible.
I run down the stairs two at a time. Now that I'm awake I'm anxious to see what Holden has planned for the day. When my
bare feet hit the wood floor that leads into the living room I notice two figures huddled close together. It's my brother, Declan,
and his girlfriend Fawn. Upon further investigation I see that they're making out; EW. "I don't know if you're aware of this, but
the living room is public domain," I hiss in clear annoyance. Fawn jumps away from Declan faster than I would of thought
possible. Fawn has big doe eyes that are the color of amber, long wavy light brown hair, fair skin, and heart shaped lips. She
isn't particularly striking, but she isn't ugly either. She's average and easily frightened. Declan on the other hand has shaggy
black hair, gray eyes, and a year round tan. He's cute, for a little brother, and has no shame. "Come on Aspen, it's not like we
were having sex on the couch," Declan says more casually than I'm comfortable with. Fawn's face reddens at his comment. I
can't help but laugh a little. "Sorry, I'm just not ready to be an aunt yet," I joke. "Everything isn't always about you all the
time, Aspen," Declan grins at me. "Cut it out you guys," Fawn giggles nervously. "Let's go upstairs," Declan grabs her hand and
leads her up the stairs. Oh young love.
The sun kisses every inch of my exposed skin as I walk onto the porch. The sky is a beautiful blue without a cloud in the sky.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Holden gestures to the sky, the flowering plants, and the green grass topped with fresh dew. "But not as
beautiful as me," he adds quickly. "Oh, of course not. We all know that's not possible," I smile. "Where do you wanna go
today?" Holden asks; he sounds like an excited little boy. I put a lot of thought into this question. "The beach," I reply. Holden
ushers me forward and we begin to walk in step with each other.
The misty air kisses my face as I walk along the shoreline. Holden jumps from rock to rock as the wave's crash against them.
The grainy sand runs between my toes with each step I take. There's no one on the beach but Holden and I. The air is calm
and serene. It's like breathing in clarity and breathing out chaos. All your problems seem to evaporate as the cool water licks at
your feet. I could stay here forever, and I know Holden could, too. Water is his element; he thrives in it. When we were little
we used to pretend we were mermaids. Not the cutesy sparkly little mermaids, but tough badass mermaids with tridents and
stuff. That's just how we were. I knew at an early age the world was a helpless filthy place. How could it not be? Humanity is
flawed. It's a simple fact of life. There are always going to be bad people no matter what you do; that's just how it is. The
sooner you accept it the better.
The sun is beginning to set and Holden finally tires from his game of tag with the water. "Did you win?" I ask as he approaches
me with his shirt in hand. The droplets of water glisten as they run down his defined 6-pack. If it were any other girl on this
beach she'd be hyperventilating by now. But it wasn't any other girl; it was me, and I was unfazed by Holden's lack of clothes.
"Har har," he rolls his luminescent eyes, "And that's a stupid question to ask. I always win. Even if I lose I still win." "That
doesn't make any sense," I note matter-of-factly. "Doesn't have to," he retorts as he slips his gray t-shirt back on. My lips form
to the shape of a frown. Holden's clothing himself which means we have to go home now. "I don't wanna leave yet," I mumble
mostly to myself. This beach was my safe haven. Whenever the world closed in on me and I felt like I couldn't breathe I would
come here. As long as the waves still crashed upon the shore I knew everything would be alright. "We can come back
whenever you want," Holden assured, putting his arm around me in a way an older brother would do to his younger sister. I
nod as we start back towards the house. "And besides, it's not fair to deprive the rest of society from my presence," he laughs
as I elbow him in the ribs. The rest of the walk home is quiet and peaceful; just the way I like it.
I get a really weird feeling in the pit of my stomach as my house nears. Something in the air has changed, and I don't know
what it is. I have an instinct for things like this; when something isn't right. My first reaction would be to run the other way, but
this is my home, what could be so dangerous about that? Holden doesn't seem to notice the shift in the mood as he pushes
the front door open and strides on in like he owns the place. But then he stops short, causing me to slam into his back. "What's
going on?" he asks cautiously. I peer from behind him to see my dad, my mom, Declan, Annie, Johanna Mason, and Paisley
Mason sitting in a circle in the living room. Holden and I met Paisley when we were 8 years old. Johanna moved to District 2 for
reasons we never really figured out. My parents were shocked to see that Johanna had a daughter considering she was never
really the nurturing type. Paisley has big brown eyes and dark brown hair just like her mother, but the similarities stop there.
Paisley is about as girly and un-athletic as you can get. She's usually very bubbly, but the look in her eyes is as flat as soda
that's left out too long. It's not weird that everyone is just hangin' out in my living room. What's weird are the identical
expressions on their faces. They look…nervous. What the hell is going on? "Well?" I press. "We need to talk," My dad says
carefully. "Clearly," I state. "About what?" Holden adds. "Umm well," Annie fidgets. "You see," my mom tries. "Oh for Christ's
sake, Gale, tell them," Johanna says impatiently. My dad takes in a deep breath then exhales. "We're going back to District
12."