Contract with a Star (On Hold, Possibly Forever)

Nari Fights with Her Family

            “You know you’re not allowed near those horses! What if-” Nari tuned her mother out. It wasn’t the first time she had been scolded for going to the local stables. It wasn’t fair though, Kyra got to go to the stables all the time and she never got scolded. So what if Nari preferred to go at night when all the annoying adults weren’t around? None of the horses had actually run away, not far enough that Nari couldn’t catch them, anyway.

            Nari was sick of her parents. They gave her so many rules; half the time they ended up conflicting with each other. How was she supposed to clean her boots if she wasn’t allowed in the house with them? That’s why Nari chose to ignore most of the rules; it wasn’t like Kyra followed them either. But that was because she wasn’t given any rules since she was perfect. Nari snorted at the thought but quickly turned it into clearing her throat at the look her mother gave her.

            Finally, Tanya stopped talking. With a sigh, she released her daughter, unable to do more than scold the girl who was already grounded and had double the chores she usually had. Nari was nothing like sweet, mild mannered Kyra who was the apple of her parents’ eyes at the tender age of nine.

            As soon as Nari was free, she headed for the woods. There wasn’t much to do in Green River Valley, but when everyone was obsessed with the river or the fields, the surest way to get some alone time was to head to the woods. Nari could spend hours there, away from the village and their expectations. Eventually though, she had to go home for dinner.

            “So, what did you do today, girls?” Aiden asked as he cut into the steak he had gotten. They didn’t normally eat something like that, but it was a special day. Kyra had graduated from the Arts Academy a few days prior, and that night there would be a special ceremony. One that Nari had vehemently rebelled against going.

            “I’ve finished my song for tonight, Daddy! I’m ready to perform!” Kyra bounced only slightly as she spoke. It irritated Nari how she restrained herself.

            “That’s great sweety! I can’t wait to see it!” Aiden stopped making silly faces at his youngest and turned to his oldest. “And did you do anything productive today, Nari?” Aiden’s eyes were tired and resigned. All four members of the family answered together,

            “Temporarily liberated a horse.” Nari glared at her family as Kyra laughed and clapped her hands.

            “Who did it belong to this time?” Aiden asked Tanya, ignoring Nari.

            “The stables.”

            “He didn’t belong to anyone!” Nari spoke at the same time as her mother.

            “Stars above, Nari! Horses are not independent beings! They need us just as much as we need them!” They had had that conversation many times, and it was always exhausting.

            “Then what about the wild ones? They don’t need people!” Nari was a stubborn girl.

            “Do you mean the ones that die ten years before tame ones? The ones constantly running from predators and starving to death?” Aiden took a deep breath, and calmed himself. “Go to your room, Nari. You can stay there for the rest of the night.”

            “Why-” Nari was cut off by her mother.

            “Just go to your room, Nari. Please?” Her family did not watch her go; it was a familiar occurrence in their family, far too familiar. Nari’s family left soon after and Nari decided to do something for once. She would leave, for good.