The Truth of Tomorrow

Chapter One

"You should really stop doubting yourself, Rein," Hanna grunted through a mouthful of ham and cheese. "The next time I see someone accusing you of cheating, they'll have to talk to me." Rein sighed at Hanna's non stop complaining, and leaned back in the cafe booth. She was wearing the same as usual, a punk tee shirt and thick jeans. Her bright blue hair made her stand out from everyone else at the local cafe, getting many stares. Hanna told her it wasn't dyed, but Rein was smart enough to know light blue wasn't a natural hair color. She tore off another piece of her sandwich with her teeth, and continued nibbling.

"It doesn't matter if you're there to stand up for me, Hanna. Besides, even I'm starting to believe what they say." Rein complained as she took a sip from her hot chocolate. The warmth inside of the cheap plastic mug was the first sense of warmth Rein had acquired since the day started.

As every day, every week, every month of school passes, nothing changes. Every assignment, every worksheet, every test, seems like a breeze for her. Nothing challenges her. She has the highest GPA in all of her classes, 100% in every class. With how easy school is for her, she has nothing to keep her going except for her best friend, Hanna. Especially when it comes to how other students react to her grade.

Everyone thinks she isn't as intelligent as she is. They think that she has some sort of audio device that tells her what the answers are. The idea was a rumor at first, but it grew into so much more. Every teacher she has believes it, every student believes it. Rein has to be pat down before she comes into her homeroom, and they found nothing every time. However, everyone still believes it. Even Rein has started to believe it. But not Hanna.

Hanna has stuck with Rein throughout this depression in her life, and kept her moving forward. If she was stubborn for a day, and wouldn't move, Hanna would pick her up. Help her to move forward.

Rein took another sip from the cocoa, and sighed in relief. In a cold fall day like this, cocoa was wonderful. Hanna grinned, and quickly finished her sandwich. She got up, walking to the cashier, "Let's go home, Rein. I think some sleep might make you feel better."

The sidewalks of New York were eerily silent at night, making the girls' conversation echo through the dark streets. They arrived at their orphanage, and pushed open the weathered wooden doors. The built-in heater inside the orphanage sent a shiver of joy through Rein. She sighed, and collapsed in the lounge couch. Hanna grinned, and sat next to her.

Rein didn't have any parents; they left her when she was a baby. She didn't really mind, though, because she was adopted by the most wonderful orphanage in New York: Palace Orphanage.

"Let's get to our rooms, Rein. We don't want to be late to work tomorrow." Hanna said. Rein nodded, and sleepily trudged to the elevator. They pushed the button button engraved "Floor 20", and listened to the awkward elevator music in silence.

Once they arrived at the floor, they parted ways for the night. As Rein entered her room in the orphanage, she got into the bed, immediately exhausted. With little effort, she drifted off to sleep.

Beep, Beep, Beep! was the first thing Rein heard that morning. She groaned, and slammed the alarm clock with a heavy fist. She slowly made her way to her clothes drawers, and pulled her uniform out. All her intelligence Rein has gained in her life, yet she had this job. She more than hated it, she despised it. Of course, she didn't tell that to her bosses.

Since it was the weekend, that was the only time she wasn't scanned by metal detectors, or bullied for being accused of cheating. Instead, she flipped burgers for six hours each day of the weekend, getting 60 dollars a month.

The uniform was a black tee-shirt, with the logo of Sunset Burger Shack sewn above the chest area. She yawned, and put on the uniform, and some matching black pants. After a couple minutes of staring into space, she got ready for the day ahead.

When Rein had left her room, Hanna was waiting for her at the orphanage lobby. Hanna was in the uniform too, since they earned a job at the burger shack together. "Morning, sleepy head. Let's go flip some patties." Hanna said cheerfully as they checked out of the orphanage, ready to go to work.

As they were walking down the streets of New York, Hanna looked around the crowded streets, then back at Rein. "How do you think Nico and Jake are right now? They should be setting up the shack right at this time." Hanna checked her watch, and nodded.

Nico and Jake are the founders of Sunset Burger Shack, and were the nicest people Rein had ever met. Besides Hanna. They brought the two girls under their wings, and gave them the first jobs in their lives, since no one else would. Although they're complete idiots, Rein is very thankful of them, and wouldn't live in such an amazing orphanage without them.

The two girls arrived in Central Park, and weaved around the collection of trees. As they walked closer to the corner of the park, the burger shack came into view. Nico and Jake were inside, cleaning off the tables. They noticed Rein and Hanna, and waved them inside. Hanna began to run to the shack, quickening her pace; Rein followed, shoving her sleepiness aside.

Nico was a small boy for his age, but still loved his job in Central Park. His dark red hair was flattened under his black patterned bucket hat. He wore a uniform similar to Rein and Hanna's, and he had his ukulele case strapped to his back, bouncing around as he did.

Jake was much bigger than Nico, and his hair looked much wilder. He wore a Sunset Burger Shack hoodie that he sells inside the shack, and baggy blue jeans. Both of them smiled at the girls, and welcomed them inside. "Alright, the place doesn't open for another thirty minutes. Let's get ready for the day." 

A/N - Hey Guys!

Welcome to the latest book in the Phoenix Mountain series: The Truth of Tomorrow!

Who are all of these characters? The only one we know of from previous books is Hanna, but she isn't showing to be who she really is... :D Welcome to the new adventure.

Always Remember to Keep on Blazen,

- The Ukulele Pika