Sitting on a bench beside the tree and panting loudly. Good thing I didn't forget to bring my inhaler. Like any common patient, got it out, took deep breaths, and waited.
Soon I saw a figure coming in my direction. I really wanted to ignore it, just sit still and relax, but that figure belongs to the general; I hardly forget Silhothee.
I stood up and gave him a slight nod with an impartial salutation.
He opened his mouth to say something but then stopped. Whatever it was, it probably wasn't worth saying. At least, I assumed so.
"How come you're like this?"
Definitely not worth it, as I didn't get it. Now, what did he expect?
Did all these people here think that brother would be some kind of well? I don't know, some sort of Kafka's Samsa?
"Sorry, but I didn't get it. What do you mean?"
He's looking at me as if I've just asked a question I wasn't supposed to ask.
Hey, I'm not the one who asked a dumb question first. I didn't start this utterly un-understandable conversation. So why am I the one getting that look?
"Why are you so pale, and what's with this body stature? Don't mind my way of referring to your body." He crossed his arms on his chest when he looked at me with surgical precision.
OH! I am pale because I rarely get out of my house, whereas for my stature I am just a girl…eighteen-year old and of course I'm not supposed to tell you any of this.
I had prepared myself for all kinds of questions that I thought I might be asked here, but what are these? Is he an idiot? It was always brother mostly who made me struggle for words whenever we're having a serious talk but this is the first time someone else is making me feel like this and on a senseless topic in my eyes.
Are all men like this?
Now, what am I to say? Think Rose.
"I've been like this since birth. The skin color came with me. And as for being short, what can I say? I suppose I just stopped growing at some point."
His face clearly showed as if he didn't buy it. I don't care about it whether he's convinced or not. That was a good explanation.
"Do you think that running from there to here is your punishment?" He clearly didn't buy it, as I see him rubbing his temples. Just like Brother when he gets irritated.
I wish that, but I know you have something entirely different in your mind.
"I guess."
"Well, you guessed wrong."
I knew it.
"So, what is it?"
"I'm not afraid of punishments. Dad used to give me plenty of them when I was younger, and after him, my teacher took over the job. So, you could say I'm pretty used to them by now."
"The way you spoke, it looks like you're not worried."
He said this with a questioning look in his eyes. Man, his eyes are pitch black. They are the darkest eyes I have ever seen. One can get immersed in them and at the same time get scared of them. How absurd!
"Climb this tree and hang yourself upside down. Stay like that for thirty minutes."
30 minutes like that. You're cruel.
It's hard, most importantly, not possible for my poor legs. These legs of mine would die in just five minutes. Before I could say something, he continued.
"If you complete this task, you'll get a day off whenever you want to have it."
I think I heard wrong. How come the punishments suddenly turn into tasks or deals?
Well, the deal's not bad, but thirty minutes is too much. I'm never going to get that day off. I could reject the deal, but I still would be ordered to do the task, which was a punishment a few seconds ago. Even though I know why he made this deal—because he knows it's hard and I won't be able to achieve it.
"OK."
Returns with response, "Humph."
Humph. I hate it. when I say something and in return get only a 'humph' as an answer.
Just saying that 'humph,' which even if he hadn't said would've been fine,' he turned around to leave.
"How would you know that I had done this for 30 minutes? I might only do it for a minute."
CURSE. MY. BIG. MOUTH.
I think my mouth is getting bigger than that, Kyson. No, I shouldn't take his trophy away from him.
"Who said I'm leaving?" With that said, he sat on the bench beside that tree.
Climbing trees was never a difficult job for me. Because it was also included in my training. Now, I climbed the tree and then hung myself upside down using my legs.
I knew he was looking at me and noticing my every movement, but I ignored that dissecting stare and carried on with the climbing. The time started, and I closed my eyes to let myself wander in my own thoughts to try to catch up to some minutes.
This is my first day here, and I am already hanging off a tree, which is also known as a task. How wonderful.
This is also the first time I'm being away from my home, my district. I really wanted to know what they are doing. How is Uncle Joe handling things? My brother must be missing me. Is he okay or not, and what is he doing right now? I hope he takes good care of himself.
These thoughts are not good. This wandering is not good. I need to think of something else to distract myself. Think, but what?
I cracked my brain open to think of something, but nothing came, so I opened my eyes.
A pair of black eyes are watching me with only an inch difference between our noses.
I almost screamed.
How come? I hadn't even felt his presence. No, that couldn't be right. I would have noticed him.
What's his problem? Is he okay? Uh, my head hurts. He was standing this close to me. First, why? Second, he could have saved me from falling, which I think he deliberately didn't.
"Hey, you could have helped me."
Rose, your tone. Shit. Cough.
"Why were you standing this close? You scared me."
"I apologize. I didn't mean to frighten you," he replied, his voice polite and composed.
What's with the tone? Why did he talk like that? Is he actually guilty?
What's with the tone? Why did he talk like that? Is he actually guilty?
I tried to get up, but my head was spinning along with my legs trembling. I got up but then fell down. He should be saying more than sorry. I again asked the same question.
"Why were you standing this close? It's your fault that I fell."
"I'm sorry."
Still didn't answer. He's simply avoiding the question.
"I'll carry you back."
Wait, what? I did not expect this. I can't let him carry me.
"No thanks."
I started to get up once again, but he forcibly took me in his arms. So shameful, Rose. Getting carried by your enemy.
"Let go of me."
I looked up at his face, which didn't give away any expression. I need to get down; I started struggling.
"Stay still. This is an order." A normal, yet wrapped in a command, word.
He's really close to me. This should make me feel uncomfortable, but I could hear his heartbeat, I could smell his scent, and I could put my head on his shoulder.
The fu*k…NO. It is a restricted zone for me. I will never do any of these. No matter how tempting this guy looked, I can't.
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