Disoriented {Kaplan}

Jayne Ashbrook-Laws

A significant span of time had concluded since I last had contact with my biological parents, which, in a way, has been beneficial to me. Without allowing myself to see them or be in their presence, my mind has been quite clear. Instead of allowing my brain to be clouded with the thoughts of the family I once had, I choose to flood it with the new memories I am to create with the Laws family that has so generously taken me in. Rising from my dormant state as my alarm sounds and the sun begins to peek over the horizon, I let out a yawn that signifies my still present exhaustion. Reluctantly pulling myself from beneath the blankets that had gifted me with warmth and comfort throughout the chilly winter night, I allow my feet to hit the cold, hard, wooden floor.

Standing up, my gaze makes its way to the window. The morning sun is something that I've always found beautiful, as it shows me just how innocent some parts of the world still are. Unfortunately, most of the world isn't all that innocent anymore. Instead, we are plagued with the horrendous terrors that the Capitol wishes to present us with each year; the Hunger Games. Disallowing any negative emotions to plague my positive thoughts, I simply prepare myself for another day. I was up quite a bit earlier than usual, even preceding my alarm that morning, which I was certain to turn off when I awoke. I wouldn't want it to go off and disturb my other dear Laws siblings that were not required to be up yet.

After I concluded my morning routine, I was sure to gather my necessary supplies for the day and packed them into a sturdy, forest green backpack. Although I was approximately twenty-five minutes earlier than I needed to be, I exited my home of which was surprisingly tranquil for the amount of individuals still present within its walls. Due to leaving so early in the morning compared to my usual departure time, I knew I would have some extra time on my way to school. Therefore, I decided to go a different way than usual. This would send me in the opposite direction of most of my siblings when they were to leave for their destination of the school building, but it would get me there, nonetheless.

Venturing down the sidewalks that lined the lowest functioning District of Panem, I made my way towards my destination while deep in thought. As I allowed my mind to wander, however, I soon realized my mistake in doing so. Only moments later, I smacked right into someone rather familiar. It was another member of the Laws family that I believed was quite new, as I'd rarely talked to her in my time as a family member myself. It seemed as if the Laws clan was always taking in new souls that needed help. I didn't mind that, no, and if my memory was treating me properly, her name was Elyra. Though, I couldn't remember much more than that. Unless I was having a lapse in the memories I needed to retain, I didn't know her all that well yet. Perhaps that would change soon. I always liked becoming closer with those I lived with, even if I didn't expect it to happen because of being run directly in to by one of them.

Landing flat on my behind as Elyra smacked into me, I felt a slight pain surge through me upon the collision with the ground, but it wasn't too bad. My dear adoptive sister apologized profusely and questioned as to if I was alright. I nodded, giving her a sweet smile, and pulled myself back to my feet without too much trouble. I didn't want her to feel guilty over what she had done. After all, it was clearly an accident, and I wasn't one to anger easily, as long as no one was intentionally hurting people.

"Oh! No worries! Elyra, right? You're new to the Laws family, I believe? We always seem to be taking in more people left and right! I don't mind, of course..." then, I realized I was getting off track.

"Sorry for rambling. Anyway, I'm assuming you're headed to school. Would you like to walk together?" I offered.

Jayne Ashbrook-Laws

The girl was pleasant when she conversed with me. It appeared that she was unsure of which words to utilize, but found some just the same. Smiling at her, I was glad that she was so kind. Many people weren't as welcoming when I spoke with them, especially after being collided with. This girl, Elyra, however, was one of the friendly ones.

"Sure! I would be glad to walk together! So you go to school too? What grade are you in?" Elyra questioned of me. I was about to answer her question when she interrupted herself, apologizing for talking too much, and then proceeding to spit out more inquiries. I let out a small laugh, finding it somewhat amusing that she was apologizing for something that was of no harm.

"Sorry... I always talk too much when I am nervous, so if I start doing it again you can just pinch me... What is your name, by the way? I know, awkward question, but I have never had so many siblings before and it is really hard to remember everybody. You are from the Laws family too, right? How did you get in there?" She'd asked so many questions, some more interesting than the others, but I doubted I could remembers all of them to answer them all. Therefore, I tried my best to respond to what I could.

"I'm Jayne. Jayne Ashbook-Laws," I said with a smile. "Yeah, I'm from the Laws family. I've been around for a while, and I really enjoy having a nice, comforting environment to live in. They took me in when I was four." Her last question, however, through me off a bit for a moment and I almost stumbled as we were walking. How did I get in there? Did she want to know what happened to my family? I barely knew the girl.

No. She was family now. She deserved to know. It wasn't something I needed to keep from her, or really from anyone for that matter.

"My parents had to give me up when I was little. They couldn't afford to take care of me past the age of four." It was hard to say to anyone, much more specifically someone I didn't know well. Regardless, if you wanted to get close with someone, you had to share things about yourself. "What about you?" I asked, deciding to bounce the question back at its giver.

Jayne Ashbrook-Laws

My newly found acquaintance who also happened to be family explained how she ended up with the Laws family. She'd been living on the streets when the father of the Laws family found her, and offered to take her in. It was really quite nice, hearing something like that. I hated knowing that she had to live on the streets before, but it was also relieving to hear that Mr. Laws had taken her in like the family had done for me, even though they were completely different circumstances.

I nodded in response to what she told me before I spoke again. I wanted to make sure she knew that I was listening. When it came to conversation, I hated to be interrupted. That's likely why I'll rarely be found interrupting others. I like to be as respectful as I can be.

"Well, I'm definitely glad that we- er-- he offered to take you in. He's a great man, really. I'm glad you don't have to live on the streets anymore. No one should have to live their life like that." I told her this with a smile.

Jayne Ashbrook-Laws

Elyra told me that it wasn't all that bad, living on the streets. Actually, what she described to me sounded quite appealing. The butterflies sounded awesome. I'd only ever seen one once or twice before, to be entirely honest. When she said this, it almost made me want to try living that way. Almost. I'd never give up the family I have now to go live on my own, though.

"That doesn't sound all that bad," I said in response. Then, she told me that she hadn't been to school since she was eleven, and that now, she couldn't even remember what grade she was supposed to be in. This took me a bit off guard, especially given that she had agreed to walk to school with me initially.

"Oh," I said, a bit surprised. "I thought you were headed to school," I told her.