Pride.

Chapter 1

 

Chapter One, Elle Rebane

  “Hey, that’s not fair!” I wail, trying to catch up to the gangly, messy-haired boy. He turns, laughing. His eyes are bright, wide, and his clothes are simple and dirty. Old jeans and a tee-shirt are his un-official uniform. I do not remember a day since I was five he has not worn this matchup if he was able too. He holds a small greying baseball in his right hand, tossing in back and forth between hands. The boy is laughing, although his emerald green eyes are serious. Even though he is only eleven, his eyes reflect wisdom beyond his years.

  “How is that not fair? You said for me to toss you the ball. I did; you missed!”  He tosses it again, this time lower, making it easier for me to grasp in mid-air. Even as I do catch it, I fall, onto the soft pebble-strewn grass. I am not hurt, but I am still young, so as my mouth opens to cry out for someone, the boy is already there. He is checking on me. Making sure I am okay. And when I prove I am, he pulls me up, and starts to lead me to the bright light of the house, nesting behind a cluster of willow trees.

  The house is an older one, with ivy tumbling along the stone walls, with an old fashioned roof that curves like a fairytale home. It is two stories high, and the sense of unmoving time that surrounds it is soothing. It is falling apart, but not so much that a family couldn’t live in it.

  “Hello? Dad?” calls the boy. He pulls me to the couch, makes me sit, then wanders off, calling around the house. Then, after a few minutes he walks back in, smiling.

  “There’s a note in the kitchen. They’ve gone out for dinner, but they’ll be back soon.  Do you want dinner, Elle?” he asks, sitting beside me. We are in the living room, which is rather plain besides the couch, low table and single painting.

  “Not really. Jordan, when will they be back?” I pipe up, looking through the doorway.

  “They’ll be back in a few hours,”

   “Oh..” I say, crest fallen. Mom and Dad always seem to be going places. They’ve been yelling lately. .Not at Jordan and I, but at each other. It’s scary, and when it happens, I hide in my closet, until they either stop, or Jordan finds me.

  “Hey, Elle. Want to hear a song?” asks Jordan. I nod, and he grabs my hand, pulling me off the couch and up the stairs. We walk into his room, and he plunks me on his bed, and then sits on the edge. Then he softly, hesitantly, starts to quietly sing.

  “On a red day, did the fire dance low,

  Lay your head down, wait for tomorrow,

 When you wake, the birds will be gone,

  But I will be here, with you all along,

 

  Remember me, remember me,

Treasure the days, when you were so young,

I will be here, singing words sung,

Dawn will be here, and we’ll be fine,

Though the fires burn, and ring loud the chimes

 Remember me, remember me

Remember the day, I told you I loved you

Remember the peace, and the time we had

I will be here, when the sky turns blue.

I will always remember you,”

I think I’m about to fall asleep. I hear the song, but I can’t open my eyes. I don’t mind. I’m memorizing the song forever.