A/N Another update! Let me know what you think.
The contrasting cold and warmth of both his hands held the sides of my face. It was only after a brief few seconds when he gently tried to push me away. Wrapping my arms around neck, I kissed him harder as I searched for the fleeting response that he first gave me. I don't know if this is a mistake, but if it is then there's no turning back now.
Leaning back, the Soldier succeeded in separating us but his hands still remained on my heated cheeks and I watched as his face mixed with several emotions. I don't know what he's feeling and it makes me feel confused and left in the dark. Letting go of me, the Soldier got up from his crouched position on the floor and walked out of the room.
A moment later I heard his bedroom door sound shut with a thud. I'm beginning to regret my actions. Turning in my chair, I glanced at my homework before getting up and grabbing a few clothes before rushing off into the privacy of the bathroom.
Locking the door behind me, my hands clutched the sink basin as I stared into the mirror. It was a moment of unclearness. I wasn't thinking. Shaking my head, I turned to the shower over bathtub and pulled back the milky white curtain to twist on the tap. Listening to the spray of water as it filled the small room, steam soon began to fog the air around me.
Stripping myself and climbing in, I winced but didn't care as the hot water ran down my skin. I need a few minutes to think to myself uninterrupted. Standing in the ceramic white tub, I closed my eyes as I let the water run through my hair and down my body. I was starting to relax when a knock echoed "Katya?" spoke the Soldier but I didn't answer "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine" I called out loud enough that he'd hear.
"When you get out we need to talk" he said through the door.
A moment past and I assumed he'd left as I hadn't heard him speak again. Slowly washing my hair and body I wanted to savour the peace before what's to happen. Turning off the water, I climbed out and dried myself before dressing. Wiping off the steam from the mirror, I looked at myself as droplets of water dripped from the tips of my brown hair to wet my shirt. I took a deep breath in before leaving the bathroom.
Looking around in the top level of the house, I couldn't manage to fine the Soldier which meant he must be downstairs. I couldn't help but think that this is all being drawn out. Making my way down the steps, the last plank creaked to announce my presence. Standing a few steps away from the island counter of the kitchen, the Soldier stood leaning on the bench with his hands and his head bowed down a little.
His eyes flickered up and landed on me. I wanted to shrivel up and disappear. I hate feeling vulnerable to anyone, including myself. Keeping my eyes trained down to the ground, I listened to his voice as he spoke softly "Do want to tell me why?"
I don't know what else to say "I wasn't thinking" it was an irrational action that I wasn't quite sure was supposed to happen.
I heard shuffling of feet but didn't look up "Come here" he instructed. It took me a few seconds to make my legs move before I walked toward him. Opening the draw, the Soldier handed me a vegetable peeler "Help me" he said before grabbing a pile of mixed vegetables and placing them into the sink. Following along, I peeled and washed them in silence as I was too afraid to speak.
There were small sounds of pots and pans clanging behind me. When I finished, I called over my shoulder in a whisper "I'm done"
Placing down the peeler, I was about to move away when the warmth of a body enveloped me from behind. Watching as both a metal and flesh hand reached around me to grab the vegetables, my body instantly seized stiff a little. The scenario reminded me of a frightened rabbit waiting for the fox to pass by without notice.
"Thank you" he said.
I felt the rumble of the Soldiers voice from his chest and waited for him to leave before darting off to the safety of my room. Sitting down at my desk, my forearms rested against the cold wood as my mind drifted off to an unknown void. Shaking my head, I started on my homework that I'd previously abandoned. This needed to be done regardless of personal interference. Once I finish then, then I'll have dinner and got to bed.
Placing the piece of physics homework into my book, I made my way down stairs. The Soldier should be near finished preparing dinner by now. Setting the table for two, I sat quietly by myself until he was done. Watching as he fed the tea towel into one of the cabinet handles, he picked up the two plates and walked over to place them down before taking a seat on the opposite side of the table.
I heard nothing but the scrap of knives and forks as we ate in silence "Did you do anything today?" I asked, trying to break the silence.
Looking up from his meal, the Soldier replied "Running errands" I looked away from him and placed down my cutlery. Suddenly I'm not so hungry anymore "How was your first day at school? Did you meet anyone?"
I shook my head "No. I didn't meet anyone and school was satisfactory"
The Soldier paused for a moment before finishing his meal and leaning back in his chair. Picking up the glass of water, he took a gulp as we were drawn back into the realm of silence. It wasn't long before my chair squeaked along the floor boards as I got up from my seat and took my plate into the kitchen. Scrapping the small excess of food into the bin, I placed the dirty plate into the dishwasher.
"Goodnight" I muttered as walked past the Soldier and up the stairs. I'm not going to sit at that table a second longer. Closing my bedroom door behind me, I turned off the lights and climbed in-between the soft sheets before slowly drifting off to sleep.
I woke the next morning earlier than usual and decided it would be better if I left the house before the Soldier woke up. Dressing and eating, I closed the front door quietly before making my way down the footpath. Taking my time, there's no rush and I took small relaxed steps toward the school; the summer breeze flowing through my hair. Arriving in a lazy half an hour, I walked up the empty and almost abandoned front steps of the entrance. There's only a handful of people arriving as of now, but soon enough there'll be the familiar swarm.
Pushing through the double doors, I made my way down the deserted corridor before stopping at my light blue locker. Opening the dinted metal storage box, I started to put away and collect anything I needed for the day "Your Amelia, right?" came an unknown voice to my right.
My guard instantly raised as I turned, but it faulted when I saw it to be only a girl my age. Standing in jeans and a dark green blouse, I glanced her up and down. She held a sort of familiarity about her. It has something to do with her free flowing orange locks of hair. Holding a stack of books and papers, she managed to reach out her hand in greeting.
"I meant to introduce myself yesterday but I was a little busy. I'm Cassidy" she said with a smile as I shook her hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you" retrieving my hand, I watched as she shuffled on the spot as to try and balance the weight she's carrying "Do you need help?" I asked with a gesture to the books.
Nodding her head eagerly, Cassidy handed me three thick text books "That would be great" she pointed down the corridor "I have to take these to Chemistry morning class" signalling for her to lead the way, we continued down the hall next to each other.
Opening the door to one of the rooms, three other students that I didn't recognise stood in lab coats and goggles as they fiddled with their experiments. Storing the books on a mounted shelf, I turned back around to follow Cassidy into the hallway "Why are you here so early?" I asked.
"Oh" she said with a swatted of her hand "I just help out. Plus, I go to catch-up session with Miss Baker before school. It helps me get all my work done. I'm a real mess when it comes to time management" nodding my head, we'd stopped in the middle of the main corridor. More people had filed in and the noise is starting to pick up. I heard Cassidy speak "Do you know where you need to go?"
"Yes" I replied "It was nice meeting you" I added before leaving for my first class of the day.
The first lesson I had to endure this morning was gruelling to say the least, and it wasn't because of misunderstanding of what the woman was teaching. It was purely the fact her voice is incredibly high pitched and whiny, which had left me with a thumping headache. A headache that I most certainly don't need.
Focusing on the crunch of lettuce leafs in my mouth, I chewed away on my food with little to no emotion on my face. Scanning the surrounding area, the noise inside of the cafeteria is incredibly loud and a little overbearing. I hated it.
Sighing to myself as boys in matching jerseys tackled each other with smiles and manly laughs, I couldn't help but also snicker at the group of blond girls who giggled femininely and whispered amongst each other.
Sitting alone on the left side closest to the door, no one had yet to approach me up until now "Amelia" greeted Cassidy as she sat down in front of me, her orange hair fuzzed around her face "I finally found you" she added with a smile. I didn't say a word in response as she began to eat the various foods on her tray "How was your morning? Are you settling in well?"
"Good and yes, I am" grabbing the small carton of milk, I took a sip before glancing around "Where are your friends?" I asked, curious as to why Cassidy had chosen to sit with me. Normally people don't stray far from the familiar.
Stopping mid-bite, Cassidy froze before swallowing to then stare down at her tray. I could instantly see I'd struck a nerve of some description "I don't have any. I mean, I have people that I talk to" she justified "But they usually just want something from me"
Blurting out my question, it didn't dawn on me until after I'd spoken that it might have come across as rude "Is there something wrong with you?" to me it was only a simple question, but the people around me are more sensitive than what I'm used to.
Shrugging her shoulders, Cassidy placed down her spoon and yogurt before looking up at me with her green eyes "Not that I know of" she replied "I'm just, not very attractive or popular like those other girls" she said with gesture over her shoulder. Following the line of site, I saw the same group of petite blondes with their faces thickly covered with cosmetics.
"They don't accept you because you're not attractive?" I restated. I wanted to scoff at the petty excuse. I'd found yet another reason why I don't want to be a part of this new society.
Cassidy nodded her head in agreement. Looking the red head over again, I took in her appearance. Slightly overweight, she doesn't dress like most female teenagers; with provocative clothing and cosmetics. Instead, Cassidy belongs to the small faction that prefers many layers and little alteration with her appearance.
Wandering my eyes along her face, I found small faint red patches on her pale while freckled cheeks. Continuing down her profile, there's a small scar resting on her chin; most likely a childhood injury. When I finally finished my observation, I found that besides the slight deformity of the scar on her chin, there's nothing that would lead me to believe she's unattractive.
"You look like you're in deep thought" spoke Cassidy before shaking her head with a saddened expression "You probably agree, and that's fine"
I cut her off.
"Where I come from, we don't linger on things as vain as beauty or attractiveness. It doesn't define who we are or what we're capable of, and it never should" smiling, Cassidy took my statement as a compliment as I'd intended it be.
She smiled "Thank you Amelia"