Rainbow Colors (ON HOLD)

Chapter 5

We come to a sudden stop as we stop I look up, stretching. My legs as I get out after Fred opens the hatch as we all get out, one by one ending with River. Everyone looks grimly at our surroundings. I can't help but let out a soft gasp. I survey my surroundings, there's broken down buildings small sheds that are rusting and small children running around playing. They look so carefree yet, the older people look sick and I hold back tears threatening to spill. River gruffly speaks up and mutters, "Welcome home Ver."

He looks lost like a cute puppy. If it weren't for our surroundings I would squeal and hug him or slap him, I'm not sure anymore.

However, instead I just give him a simple thank you and as he gently pushes me towards his sister she gives me some clothes that look like they'll fit me.

Fred follows me into the small hut that serves as some sort of bathroom. She sits on the ground silently watching me as she softly hums to herself taking her hair out of a loose braid. I rip fabric from my dress and use it to wipe off the makeup that was left on my face and let my hair out of its twisted up-do.

I then strip of the purple dress and change into a pair of tight black pants that are fitted, but loose enough for me not move around easily in. "Those are leggings." Fred spoke up making me jump slightly after her just humming looking at me.

"Wait, what?!" "The pants are called leggings." "Ohhh..." I shake my head at my own stupidity. She chucks a heavy leather jacket and a tight shirt at me. "What are these?" We're almost wearing identical clothing, except her pants are faded and look more like hard labor pants and her jacket is brown. "You'll need these." "Why what's my job?"

She puffs air through her cheeks as she surveys me. I slip on the shirt that tightly grips my body it shows my shoulders and more cleavage than I've ever shown in my life.

Fred looks at me and mutters what sounds like, "damn son" under her breath. "What is it bad?" I'm afraid to look at my reflection in the rippling water at my feet. "V, you're gorgeous." " I am?" I carefully bend down and lean over the water.

My greenish-blue eyes stand out prominently against the black shirt and my dark hair. I tentatively bite down on my lip, chewing on it deep in thought. I sit down next to Fred when I turn around and I notice the boots and socks sitting on the ground next to her. I take a seat as I pull the socks over my feet. I then start to blush, my ears turning a bright red as I pull my shoes up over my pants and socks. Fred looks at me abruptly as I stop in the middle of lacing up my boot to try to cool my cheeks and ears.

"Are you... blushing?" "Yes," I look awkwardly at my boots; blushing even more than I thought is humanely possible. "Why are you blushing?" "I-I-" She laughs quietly before looking back at me and surveying my face. "Do you like someone?" I silently give her a smile as if to say yes... I think?

"TELL ME V, NOW!" "Shhh..." I shove my foot into the other boot laughing silently. "I like- River." I whisper the last part so softly, hoping she doesn't hear it. Just, my luck, she hears it loud and clear. "OH MY GOSH YOU DO EEEEEKKKKKK!!!!" I whisper yell at her, "Fred shut up! He can't know!" "Why?"

She looks at me questioning me as her eyebrows crease together. "I don't know," I sigh rubbing my face, "sometimes I like him, sometimes I hate him. It's complicated." I groan, sighing and give my foot one final shove to make it fit into the boot.

"It's complicated..." "What do you mean 'it's complicated'?" She puts air quotes around it's complicated. "Honestly Fred, I don't know." I suddenly feel like balling my eyes out and never leaving the tent. Fred looks over and upon seeing my expression she scoots over and hugs my side.

"What's wrong Ver?" I smile a little at the nickname that River gave to me reminiscing over River calling me by that. I bite my lip nervously as I start to loosely braid my hair. "I don't know Fred, sometimes I hate him, and sometimes I like him. It's complicated, I mean, it's been a long day, after all I just went against my mother's wishes." "Okay Ver, I guess so..."

I sigh in relief, thanking my father's spirit that she didn't push it. I guess it's time to face them, I twist the ring around my finger absentmindedly. "Alright," I link my arm with Fred and we exit the tent together. I'm glad because I know for the first time I have a good friend. No, I have a sister.