A Game of Destiny: The Immortal Star

4 Paz

THUD!

Okay ouch... that hurt, like a lot. I groggily opened my eyes and stared up at the branch that I'd been accustomed to call my home. "Jeez, I fell off while I was sleeping... again" I think that's literally been the fifth time this freaking week. I let out a melodramatic sigh. Then, as if on cue, a bright golden ray shone onto my dark-complexioned face through the fiery, red leaves. I looked up at morning sun and let out a dry scoff. It was almost laughable... A few years ago I'd fallen from the heavens and now, I was falling from a fucking tree. It wasn't that I hated this tree though; I'd made a couple of good squirrel friends and had made a companionship with the occasional bunny. But let's just say that I wasn't on good terms with the real "family" that I had left. HA! As if I'd actually ever consider them my damn family. 

"Hey..." I wondered if I missed breakfast.

"Paz..." My head still hurted.

"HEY PAZ!" a familiar, and almost freakishly high voice squealed.

I turned my head to the right to find out who this voice belonged to. It was Emilee, the daughter of one of the last of my mother's distant relatives. She was the only one who survived that incident seven years ago... Like me, she had a darker complexion to her skin, but other than that we looked nothing alike. She had beautiful golden locks that fell down perfectly onto her waist; and I had dark ashy brown hair that barely covered my shoulders. Her cheerful green eyes shone vibrantly; and my neutral-tone grey eyes wavered against hers. She had these freaking monstrous mountains on her chest, and well I... I had tiny pitiful mounds. 

Honestly! It's almost shameful. It's hard to believe that we were the same age. 

Today she was wearing a cutesy white dress, with a "V-neck" line and her knee high black boots. She was basically shoving her cleavage in my face. "Did you fall off of the tree again Paz?" she teased as she patted my head.

"No, Em... I decided that I deliberately wanted to wake up by smacking my face against the ground" I replied sarcastically. 

She frowned, "Now is that any way to greet the birthday girl? I'm turning 15 y'know" she said with that innocent, cute-ish, smug smile of hers. Oh shit. I had totally forgotten that today was her birthday. Fuck! What do I tell her!? I don't have a gift!!

Her smile faded as she looked up at the tree. "You know Paz, you could always live with me." She offered, "Emilee, I've said this a million times before, and I'll say this again..." I paused. I wanted her to get this through her dumb-ass, but cute head. "It's not smart or safe for me to get too close to you. I still haven't forgiven myself for what I've done to mother's family."

"But Paz that happened almost seven years ago and it wasn't even-" she protested, "I don't care!" my voice arose to a shout. "You are the only family that I've got left from mother's side, and I'm not going to let them take you away too!" 

After a few moments she withdrew herself and let out a theatrical sigh. "Fine, you're not going to live with me, but..." oh jeez. I rolled my eyes, "But?"

"I'm making you come over to help me celebrate." She said gleefully. I smiled at her, 

"Okay so, that I can promise you" I said, and then she started to leave. 

"Oh, and Paz?" she paused, 

"Don't go thinking that I won't be expecting a gift." With that she walked away, and left me alone to get her a gift with the money that I didn't have. I let out an exasperated sigh. I guessed it was time to hit the town and see what I could get with my "5-finger discount".

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Crap, I had almost forgotten that I lived in what would be considered as the "slums" of the kingdom, Gengia. I'd have to go in deeper if I'd want to get something at least half decent for Emilee. As I walked down the road I noticed it had turned from gravel to cobble-stone. I guess I was in the rich side of the kingdom now...