Dawn To Dusk, I'm Awake [OPEN]

There was something unnerving about going out in public solo for Iona, which is absolutely no surprise to anyone else though she doesn't understand. People could be looking at her and then of course what else would she do but manage to make a fool out of herself and do something embarrassing, but that was all things she always came up with in her mind. Worst possibility a stranger could actually talk to her, or her goal for going out could be destroyed leaving her empty handed; only endless conclusions. Usually one of her brothers or cousins were kind enough to join her but now they have created this false idea that it would be healthy for Iona to be forced to go out on her own. A deep breathe was taken by the short girl as she stared at all the shops being prepped and hardly anyone around.

Certainly Iona was the shy type, rarely ever speaking and consuming of no friends because of this, but that didn't mean she wasn't intelligent. All the extra time kids her age put into making friends, she spent reading or studying something or anything. If she was going to be forced to buy materials the house needs alone it was going to happen bright and early where rarely anyone was wandering about. How refreshing was it to see hardly anyone, one or two people also waiting for everything to open, and the familiar faces of the shop owners. Only one boy was a bit of a threat; he was young which didn't explain why he'd be here so early, and Iona was nearly positive she had never seen him around before. The first chance she had to grab the cloth and other various things her Aunt needed the better.

As soon as it appeared that the shop keepers were ready to take in customers Iona was scurrying towards whatever she needed. In no time the square will be filled extending the lines as well as how quickly Iona could leave. Glancing down at the list there was a bundle that she had to find; a yard of cloth, a few needles, roll of thread, loaf of bread and a football for the boys if any money was left over. How fun would it be to return home with a present, entertainment, for her brothers and cousins if she could successfully negotiate...another thing that Iona was never quite good at.

The first stop instead of an actual store like the bakery was only a large stand that was filled with fabrics, clothes and threads of all colors and types, and different sizes of needles displayed in front of there boxes. The more wealthy of the districts, ones who own larger crops, purchased there clothes, as for the Holbrook's they had to make theirs. Luckily Iona's aunt was amazing with a needle and thread. Usually an older sweet man ran the sewing stand but today it was his bratty daughter that happened to only be a year older then Iona but still in her grade class. This was exactly what the young girl was attempting to avoid.

"What do you want?" The girl from school named Bekkah asked obviously annoyed, did she really despise Iona that much? Almost half the time she was here instead of her Father, then again Iona was always with one of her brothers to. She could assume it was pure disliking, or it was the time of day and no teenager besides Iona enjoyed being up this early. But of course she takes in personally and instead of fighting back like a normal girl her age, her throat closes up and it makes it even more difficult to talk.

"Yard of white cloth, box of small needles, and white thread please." Iona attempted to say but instead it came out in a hushed whisper. For some reason most girls didn't like her which only baffled her more on account she never spoke to them. It wasn't fair, but life's not fair right?

It nearly seemed like a pleasant surprise for Bekkah to see Iona's lack of fighting back, a chance not often given when being mean. "What?" She asked, immediately turning Iona's cheeks red. By this point there was no chance she was going to get a word out of her mouth, at least one that Bekkah would hear. Passing over the list of items was the only thing left to do, which was only another kick.

All the items were placed on the counter, ready to be bagged and taken. Iona held out the money, knowing exactly the price as she often bought the same items for her aunt, after all different colors were all the same price. "It's double that now." Bekkah informed suddenly, throwing Iona completely off balance. At least by this point Bekkah could predict what Iona wanted to say, and simply answered the unasked question. "Your cute brothers get a discount, and my overly-nice Father isn't here." Was the only reason she received.

By this point there was no way anything was going to come out of Iona, this was way too much conflict for her to handle. In the books that she read the characters always knew what to say, stood up for themselves, even the women that everyone thought were helpless...they weren't. But as much as Iona tried she couldn't say anything. Even worse she couldn't go home without these items, and the loaf of bread. As crazy as it is it's even more difficult for Iona to speak to her aunt and uncle. The last time she didn't come home with everything and lost there money it was a harsh punishment. Still Iona was frozen.