The Prodigy and the Stray(UNDER MAINTENANCE)

Kella

Lisa and I walked out into the cold night air. 

"Lisa, I have to tell you something. It's really important. And please don't tell a soul." I say, carefully choosing my words.

"Oh my god, is it a boy? Is he cute?" She says jokingly. With Lisa, everything was about a boy, or a party, or something like that. She sees the serious look on my face and sobers. 

"Lisa, its serious." I say with a slightly firm, strict tone. 

"Okay, yes. I am listening, seriously. I swear." She says.

"Good" I say then start to choose my words in my mind. 

"Here goes. When boys turn seventeen they can apply for war but girls can't. You know that right?"

"Yes"

"Ok. Well as you know I'm 17 but I'm not a boy."

"I realize." 

"Well I'm going to join the war." I let these words sink into her and watch as her face changes. 

"How... what... what are you talking about?"

"I'm going to cut my hair short like a boy, and wear boy clothes. Remember when I was always obsessed and talking about how America is selfish and is bad because people told me they cut off supplies from Africa,  Australia, South America, and Europe? Well I was wrong we didn't cut off supplies they just want Americans fighting against their government so they can take over."

"Whoa, Kella." 

"What? I see that what Africa and the others are doing and it isn't right so I'm going to fight for my country. I think what I'm doing is right."

"I don't think this is a good idea Kella. I'm not going to lose my friend to something this stupid."

"It's not stupid Lisa! It's important to me.  Either you can be a supporting friend and help me or you can forget this ever happened, and me."

"That's not fair Kella! You can't tell me to just stop caring about you and help you kill yourself!"

"You bitch! Get away from me! I will do what I want!"

I ran all the way home. It was tiring but I had to get out of there... Lisa just didn't understand.

When I got home my lungs were burning and I put some hot water in a kettle on the stove for some hot tea. Then I did something that surprised myself. I ran to my room, grabbed a pair of scissors and chopped away at my hair. 

I sat on the counter with my hands propping up my head. What had I just done! Tears started to well in my eyes but I didn't let them fall. I just cut off all my hair! I don't know how I'm going to pull off being a boy, what if you know, they check me. I would be in so much trouble then. But what if I managed to pull it off and I will live or die knowing that I fought for my country. But if I don't, I will live knowing that I stayed safe at home while others risked their lives for our country.  I have made my decision, I have already cut my hair, no matter what anyone says I'm fighting in that goddamn war. 

Can we get some feedback on Kella's story?  Thank you to all who have taken their time to read this far.  Much appreciated.  Up above is a picture of Kella (Joey King) after she cut her hair for the war.