Only You

Chapter Three

You're terrific as far as I am concerned- E.B. White

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Fai's P.O.V

"What consequences?" I ask, looking at my mother and aunt.

My father was about to say something when my mother took my hand and dragged me out to the meadows. "Let's go talk somewhere else sweetheart."  

"I am sorry Fai, I really am." Mother says when we reach the meadow, tears in her eyes. 

"Mom, what's wrong?" I asked, reaching out to her, trying to calm her down. Mother is an emotional person, when she starts crying it takes moving mountains to make her stop. I remember one day, father had to walk into town and buy her poppies to make her happy. 

"I'm okay, I'm okay," She says doing her breathing exercises. 

"Okay, so the consequences? Are you ready to tell me what they are?" I say slowly trying to make sure she does not go back to crying. 

Wrong decision. 

I winced when she goes back to sobbing uncontrollably. I stand there awkwardly as she continues sobbing. I don't deal with emotions well. 

"You know what, I will just go to the competition. Just stop crying, please." I finally say out of desperation, the tears are just too much. 

As if by magic. Her sobbing stops out of nowhere. No cooldown, no nothing. 

What an actress. 

She quickly goes to hug me, wiping away her tears and dragging me back into the house. I'm starting to think those tears were just crocodile tears. 

While my mother goes and tells everyone about my decision to attend the competition. I went to finish reading my book before it was time to leave. 

"What are you taking with you?" Mother asks, coming into my room, my aunt following her. 

"My necklace," I say touching the necklace I had on my neck since I could remember, it's the only thing I have in memory of my parents and my tribe. "and my book, I need to finish it."

"Oh sweetheart you don't need that book, you are on your way to becoming Queen." My aunt says, trying to pull the book out of my hand, but my grip on it was stronger. 

"That doesn't mean I can't read. I could still read on my way to the maiden house." 

"The maiden house isn't that far, you can't read and walk at the same time."

"I need to finish this book."

"It's just a stupid book."

By now we were playing tug of war with my book, no one dares to come between us. Why is she so controlling?

"We're not even sure I will win the competition." Pull

"You will win." Pull

"No." Pull

Riiiipppp.

Silence fills the room, as we stare at my ruined book on the floor. My aunt hurries down to the floor, trying to fix the book. 

"Fai, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to" 

"Bye everybody, I love you, and stay safe," I say, ignoring my aunt and hugging my parents. Making my way to the maiden house, mentally wishing pain and suffering to my aunt.