Eliot Strange and the Prince of the Resistance

5) Pie

I walk slowly to the house and the kitchen with my arms full of canned goods. I am not happy. What is up with Torin? He was sweet last night after the battle, but today he acts like I am just one of the gang, or worse, just another girl in his adoring fan club. I have got to figure out what is going on with him. Why has he turned so cool towards me? Is he mad at me? Have I maybe read something into how he feels about me because I know how I feel about him.

He did kiss me. Well, it was my birthday, and I practically demanded it.

He did tell me that I was beautiful and acted like I was his dream girl. Does it matter that he was on medication at the time and acting loopy and talking out of his head? Were his words what I thought they were? Were those kisses real kisses? They felt real. To me anyway.

Maybe, I am wrong about how Torin feels about me. Maybe, I am wrong because I want him so bad for myself. Maybe, I am just a stupid girl who needs to get her butt in the kitchen and start cooking up some vittles. Maybe, I need to get in the kitchen where I belong.

"I won't," I say out loud as I march towards the door to head back outside.

"Want what?" says Marla.

"Won't be a girl," I say.

"Well, it's too late," says Cindy Lou, "cause you're a girl."

"Not today," I say over my shoulder. I slam the door on my way out.

I stomp around the front yard. I am pissed off, more at myself than anyone else. Since the world ended with a whimper and then a bang, I was on my own with only me and my best friend to worry about. I was following my dad's rules for survival. My dad is an expert in this area, and I have been learning the rules since I was a toddler. Rules that made sense to me - trust no one, family first, don't congregate, don't trust authority.

The rules have helped me stay alive so far. Steven tried to turn me with his new rules - help others, leave no man behind, and finally, save the prince. It took me awhile, but I listened to Steven. I wanted to be as good a person as he was, but my upbringing and ingrained training kept me from being a person who cared more about someone else than myself. Until, just like a fairy tale, my prince came along to rescue me.

Only, I don't need saving or rescuing. I am not a damsel in distress. I can take care of myself. And, to prove my point, I am not baking a damn pie.

I decide to go find my best friend. I need his advice.