a hard days work (open)

-Raina Stelling-

I trudged through town, totally exhausted. I could barely lift my feet. The sweat beaded up and rolled off of my face, making me feel unclean and sticky. I wiped it off with the corner of my pink t-shirt, watching the people all around me. Everyone seemed almost as tired as me. The people of District 10 were all pretty hard workers. I probably looked like the Hunch Back of Notre Dame, but I really didn't care.

I burst through the doors of the tavern. My throat was extremely dry. I wanted so badly just to quench my thirst. Walking up to the bar, I asked the bar tender for plain fruit juice. He laughed and asked, "Are you sure you don't want alcohol, missie?" He was young, someone my age. "No, I'd rather not kill myself with liver cancer." I said simply. "Hows about I buy the drink for you? I can take a break, buy one for myself, and we can chat." He gave me a wink. I felt disgusted. "No, I can pay for my own things, thank you." I snapped, slapping the correct amount of money on the desk. I folded my arms across my chest. "I'm here almost every day." He said simply, turning around and preparing my drink. I sat myself at the bar, next to some boy I didn't know. "Thanks." I said sharply, waiting until he set the drink on the counter to snatch it up and begin drinking it. I looked up and he was watching me. "What?" I asked. He shrugged, saying, "Can't help staring at something as beautiful as you."

I threw up in my mouth a little.

"Okay..." I said, swiveling around in my chair and sipping my drink. What a flirt! I thought, the cool juice running down my parched throat. I really wanted him to leave me alone, so I turned to the boy next to me. "Hey!" I said happily, hoping he would reply.

"Hey my name is Drake! What's yours?"

Raina had never been more grateful to hear someone's voice. "If you'd excuse me..." I said to the bar tender dismissively. He seemed really put out, and I swear I heard him say, "She'll come around" as he polished a glass. I turned to Drake, and realized that he was waiting for me to reply. "I'm Raina. Raina Kay Stelling."

I smiled warmly at him, then cast a glance back at the bar tender. He was glaring at Drake. "Erm... let's go to a table." I said uncomfortably, making a small little head-jerk at the bartender. I hope Drake noticed what I meant. Quickly, I pranced over to a table for two, far from the bar tender, and waited for Drake to sit in front of me. I twirled a long lock of brown, curly hair in between my fingers as I waited.

"You seem nice. Do you want to take a walk and get away from the crowd?"

His eyes were hopeful, and when I looked into them, I couldn't say no... Good thing I didn't want to say no. "Sure, Drake." I said with a smile, chugging down the last bit of my juice and standing up. I felt tired, very tired, but I shook it off as I walked up to the bar, sliding the glass onto the table top and not even looking at the bar tender. I stood next to Drake, my hands dangling at my sides.

We both walked outside, side by side, leaving behind the "crowd" of people. At least, it was a crowd for District 10. There weren't that many people in there, but it was more people than I was used to being around, all in one, small bar. I sighed and let the wind ruffle my long, chocolate colored hair. The sweat had dried now, and as we walked in silence, I felt grateful for the wind, something that I'd never really stopped to think about before. "Where are we headed?" I asked, turning to him with a dazzling white smile.

"I know a really beautiful field close to here. Take my hand."

My heart skipped a beat. His face shone in the moonlight, bringing out his dark brown eyes, making his jet black hair look a beautiful silver color. His tan hand was stretched out to me. I reached for his hand and placed mine in his. His palm was so warm, and when I held his hand, I felt suddenly happier (than I already was) and peaceful. Even though it felt great, I couldn't help the thoughts that rushed through my mind. What if Anansi or Diethelm saw me with Drake, holding hands? What would they do!? I tried to push the thought away, and tried to just enjoy the here and now, the wonderful feeling I felt.

I didn't want to disturb the feeling, so I let the silence drag on, gazing into his mysterious eyes. I saw myself reflected in the surface of his eyes, and I had to admit, my hair looked pretty great that day. That made me feel a lot better. I smiled at him and, hand in hand, we stood there. "Lead the way." I said, in almost a whisper.

Drake took the lead, and I followed where he wanted me to go. We walked through town. It was pretty late, so most everybody was inside their homes. It was blissfully peaceful. I was so enveloped in my surroundings -the beautiful moon, the shimmering stars, and all the night's wonders- that I didn't notice we had arrived.

"What do you think?"

I gasped slightly, my amber eyes wide with surprise. I took in everything around me. The beauty of it all was breath-taking. So much that I couldn't speak for a while. "It's.. beautiful." I sighed, looking down at our intertwined hands.

Quickly, I slipped my hand out of his, and took off across the field, laughing. "Catch me if you can!" I called out, a smile spread across my face.

I ran fast, but not fast enough. Drake was tall, so he easily caught up to me. His hand tapped my shoulder, and I stopped running. So did he. "Got ya!" He said happily. I laughed along with him. "What's next?" He asked. His tone had changed. He sounded a little more caring. A little more... loving. I suddenly became very nervous.

We stood there, him looking into my eyes, me looking into his. My face started to get hot, and I new I was blushing. I was slowly getting more nervous, until I just couldn't take it anymore. "I.. I have to go." I said squeakily. The nervousness cracked my voice.

I turned around sharply, twisting my hand out of his, and running back home. Running as fast as I could. You already have to choose between Anansi and Diethelm. Don't make it even harder on yourself. I thought. Then a quiet voice came from the back of my head. But Drake is so nice... he seems to really like me. Shhh! You can't add another boy. I said to myself, still booking it to my home. I didn't even know if Drake was following me or not, or if he even cared that I had taken off so suddenly.

I was soon at the door of my house, sweat dripping off my face. Opening the door roughly, I entered the house. I slammed the door shut behind me. No, no, no. This can't be happening.

I sprinted into my room, lit the candle, and pulled out my journal.

Dear Journal,

Today, I went to the bar to get a drink after all the hard work I did. Of course, it was just juice. Not alcohol... I don't drink. Anyway, this dumb bartender, probably about 17, started flirting with me. It became so annoying. So I sat by this boy and turned to him and we started talking. He introduced himself as Drake. Then he asked me if I wanted to leave the crowd. I said yes, and we left. Then... he told me to take his hand. I did, and it was... wonderful, I think. He took me to a meadow, and we played tag (stupid and immature, I know. But it was fun!). Then... something happened. His tone of voice completely changed. He sounded... loving, almost. It scared me. Well, scared isn't the correct word. Surprised is more like it. I already have to choose between Anansi and Diethelm... I don't want to add another boy to the equation. What do I do?

Love,
Raina Kay Stelling

I slowly shut my pink journal, tears streaming down my face. I was always such an emotional wreck. I grabbed the corner of my blanket and dabbed at my eyes, hoping and praying no one would walk in on me.

My prayers weren't answered.

Creaking, the door opened and Erin stepped through the doorframe. He was so tall, he had to duck to get through the doorways in our house. I turned away. "Hey Erin." I chocked out. "Raina, what's wrong?" He asked, sitting on the end of my bed.

I scooted over to him and hugged him, burying my face in his chest. "Stupid boys." I moaned, looking up at him. His face became very stern. "Tell me which boy broke your heart, and I'll break his face." He said, almost growling. "Drake didn't break my heart." I said, "He... made me like him." "Then why are you crying?" Erin asked, putting an arm around me. "Because," I paused, blowing my nose in a little tissue, wading it up, and tossing it into the wastebasket, "You know how I had to chose between Diethelm and Anansi?" I said. "Yes." Erin said. "Well, now Drake's in there too."

Erin smiled. "That's not much of a reason to cry." "I'm just so confused." I said. Erin pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket, and wiped my tear-streaked face off. "Don't worry." He said in the big-brother tone that I loved, "It will all work out." He kissed my forehead, brushing the hair away from my face. I wanted to stay in his arms forever, because whenever I was with Erin, my brother-in-law, I felt safe and protected. He was the older brother I always wanted, but never had.

He ruffled my hair with his leathery hands, then stood up and blew out my candle for me, then exited my room. I undressed, climbed into my nightgown, and began brushing out my hair, staring out my bedroom window at the stars lighting up the sky above.