Untitled Princess Carolyn Project

chapter 2 ~revision 1~

Blue gently shakes me awake when the orange rays of sun are barely still peeking through the leaves. The beautiful color lights up her face. I rub my eyes and sit up. She stands and brushes the dirt off her pants. She extends a hand in my direction and I grab it. We walk together towards the entrance of the forest.

"How long did I sleep for?" I ask, feeling guilty for forcing Blue to sit still in the woods alone with nothing to do.

"The whole day. It was nice though, relaxing. I haven't been able to sit down and sift through my thoughts in forever," she smiles.

We walk along in comfortable silence until we get to the river. Blue looks at me with a wide smile.

"Hey, Ray," she says, holding back laughter.

"Yes?"

Her cold hands grip my shoulders and she shoves me right into the river. I scream and the icy water envelopes me. She laughs hysterically.

"Blue! You're dead!"

I climb out, and run at Blue, who's started running along the riverbed. I catch up and grab her shoulders. She screams as I throw her into the river. She grabs onto my shirt as she falls and pulls me back into the river with her. I splash at her, completely soaking her hair. She splashes back and soon we're having a water fight in the river. Laughing and screaming as we drench each other.

"There you are," Iris says from the other side of the river.

Blue and I give each other a look and waddle over to where Iris is standing.

"Hi, Iris," says Blue, reaching out a hand for Iris to pull her out.

"Hi, Blue," she responds, taking hold of Blue's hand.

"Hi, Iris," I say, mimicking Blue.

"Hello, Renee," Iris says, grabbing my hand as well.

She starts pulling when I say, "you're looking quite dry."

Iris's eyes widen and she tries to pull away from Blue and I.

"Don't you dare!"

Blue and I smile up at her.

The two of us yank Iris's arms as hard as we can. Iris screams as her body hits the water. She stands up and wipes the water out of her eyes. Suddenly, she lunges, throwing me under the water. Blue joins in as our splash fight turns into a water wrestling match.

The sun has almost completely gone down when the three of us lay on the shore giggling and soaked. My tangled, dark brown hair sticks to the sides of my face. My hair barely reaches my shoulders anymore. It's knotted and matted like everyone else's. My eyes are gray and my skin is pale, although usually sunburned. After a while, our laughter is replaced by the quiet sounds of the river, the sounds of the forest, and our own exhausted breathing.

"Alright, we can't stay out here all night. Let's go home," Iris says finally.

"Can we all stay the night at someone's house?" Blue asks, sitting up and looking at the two of us on either side of her.

"That's too much walking. I'd have to go home and ask if I can go somewhere first. Or I'd have to walk with one of you to ask your parents if you could come over," I say.

"Sorry Blue, I'm with Ray."

Blue's shoulders slump, "You guys are no fun."

"We know," Iris says as she stands up. She walks to me and holds out her hand.

"I think I'll just stay here for the night," I put my arms over my face and close my eyes.
"Don't make me carry you, Ray," Blue says walking up to me.