The Mark Of Betrayal

Introduction

I stared at my closet, debating on what to wear. My eyes danced over a options, finally settling on the comfiest one. A pair of black sweatpants and a white tucked in band tshirt. Maybe some pastel hair clips to make it more interesting.
Usually I would’ve had my clothes preplanned the night before, but I was tired from running around the city.
I pulled the clothes on, and headed downstairs to the kitchen where my adoptive mother was busy making chocolate chip pancakes. She smiled as I made my way downstairs, fastening my helix earring in at the same time. 
My adoptive father did the usual annoying teasing about how I’m growing, and I tried eating as fast as I could so I could just leave. The horrible yellow wallpaper surrounding us just made the whole situation even more uncomfortable.
After I ate breakfast, Milo, my pet rat who looked like a mouse, reminded me to feed him. He was mad that he was the last to eat and glared at me haughtily while scoffing as I placed his favorite dish, noodles, in front of him.

I grabbed my favorite backpack, a black worn down one with pins decorating it . 
As I pulled on my vintage sneakers I had gotten a few weeks ago, my adoptive mother reminded me that it was a bit chilly so I should bring a jacket. 
I grabbed my favorite comfy sports jacket that was nice and oversized, a dark blue with white stripes, and ran out the door, stuffing Milo unceremoniously in my pocket, cutting him off in the middle of a rant on how he deserved a proper apology for this morning. 

During school, I just kept to myself mainly, usually alone because I’m not really interested in anyone enough to talk to them. 
Or maybe I was just used to not talking. 

My yellow-green-something eyes kept straying  to a certain girl, as usual. My cheeks went pink as she laughed while talking to her friends, as beautiful as ever. Her lips were so pretty… glossy and pink… her hair was brown and pulled back by a nice white headband…. I unconsciously pulled at my own choppy black hair, that I had hazardly cut when I was in need of some adrenaline. Snapping out of my creepy staring, I tried to focus on the lesson. Milo had crawled out of my pocket,and was now in my bag, rummaging through my snacks. I kicked the bag when the dark rat started to fondle my chocolate bars. 

After school, I greeted my parents, who only gave me a disgruntled nod, as they continued working hard in the bakery. I should offer them help, I decided. Later though. 

I raced up to the balcony after grabbing a meat bun and sat down to watch the sky. Since I didn’t have homework today, I could just lay around doing whatever.
Milo demanded a bite, after acting too good for one. 

“Oh so now you want to? Sorry you'll just have to beg for it. I don’t give out food easily. “ 

“Well I never- “ He lared at me for a few seconds, and I reluctantly gave in. 

I sighed,  enjoying the day. Biting into my meat bun, I started on the subject of the upcoming hunters test, which I’d only found out about through my very questionable acquaintances. 

“Do you think my parents would let me go?” 

Milos eyes softened. “It’s a bit dangerous Jamie, i-“ 
The rat immediately knew exactly what I was talking about.

“ I know. Your beady little eyes say everything.” 
I sighed, my head lolling back to face the sky. My parents probably wouldn't react any better.

Milo puffed up his chest and was about to respond snobbily, when I interrupted once again.

“I guess we’ll just have to sneak out.” 

“WHAT!” The snooty little rat exclaimed, his beady eyes flashing. 

“Yup."  I said curtly, my lips pursed together.

“Comeoonnnnn ratti, it’s so exciting!, plus I’m strong! I’ve developed my fire, and now I can control it fully! I want to meet interesting people-“ 

“I know you’ll just go either way, so I’ll just go to make sure you don't get killed or something.” 

He looked away.  I grinned widely, getting up excitedly. Finally.

“Awww you do care ❤️- “ 

“No hugs.” 

“Sorry.”

I lit up my fire, a blazing flame coming up from my palm. My hatsu. “See?”

“Ok ok, you can put it away now-“