Hearts

Preparing

As I start to pack my stuff for The Govern of Hearts school, I find the letter they sent to me. I chuckle to myself, and start to read the letter again.

Dear Miss. Jojo Lane,

You have been formally invited to attend the The Govern of Hearts. Please send your letter of acceptance or of declining. We look forward to having you.

From,

The Govern of Hearts

I laugh at the fact that it says invited, when it actually means if you say no we will hunt you down and kill you.

My mother wrote my letter of acceptance, and then came the reply, saying that I could only bring one thing of my past. I look around the room and sigh. Only one thing, this is going to be the hardest thing in my life. I look back at my suitcase with my two pairs of clothes and pajamas, then around the room.

The first thing I see is a small locket that my grandma gave to me before she died. I was close to my grandma and when she died, I cried for days. My grandma lived before the heart world, and she would tell me stories about her childhood. I like the world back then, this world is just dark and cold.

The next thing I see is a science project that I built, a few years ago. It is an umbrella made out of candy wrappers. There are eight different panels, each a different color. It is also rain proof. The teacher said it was the best she had seen in her whole life of teaching. My parents were really proud, it was the first time I had really seen them proud of me.

I see a crown, silver with blue and white sparkles, on my dresser. It is gleaming in the sunlight. I got it when I won prom queen, the theme was Winter Wonderland. It was an amazing night, I was happy. It was the first time I realized I looked decent.

So my things, but only on choice. I am really indecisive, but why can't I make just this one decision easily. It all represents my childhood, I can't just choose one. Disappointingly, I look out the window, like I normally do when I'm disappointed in myself. I see my apple tree, swinging slightly in the breeze.

Then it hits me, these trees have been here for my childhood. If I cut a few leaves off then put them in a picture frame. That is one ideam, that is what I am going to bring.

I take my scissors and run down the steps and out door. Holding on to a branch, I climb the tree to some of the top leaves and cut some off. I hop down to the ground with the leaves and run inside. Back in my room, I take an old picture frame, empty it of it contents and put in the leaves.

I put the frame into the suitcase and zip it close. Then heading downstairs, I put the suitcase by the door, so I am ready tomorrow morning. I head to the kitchen, to set the table for dinner.

As I walk into the kitchen, my mother turns around and looks at me in disgust while saying, "You clump into this kitchen all covered in dirt and you expect to set the table like that . Give me a break, go wash your hand."

I roll my eyes, as I head to the bathroom to wash my hands. I can never satisfy my mom their is always something wrong. I can't do anything right, I am a failure in her eyes. I've gotten used to it, but sometimes I wish she would find something perfect about me.

When I get back to the kitchen my mother gestures to the cabinet with the dishes. I nod my head and grab the tablecloth that is stored with the dishes. Then, I set the table for three, my mom, dad, and myself.

I walk to the doorway and grab my dog's, Lily, water bowl. I go to the sink and fill it with water. I don't like Lily having just tap water, but if my mom saw me take out purified water from the refrigerator she would explode. I believe that this city puts something in tap and purified water but when purified water is mixed with tap water it neutral it out.

I go back to the table and pour out the drinks. Wine for my mom, water for my dad, and milk for me. Taking my seat, I set a napkin in my lap and wait for my mom to set the food on the table. The smell of the orange sauce, rice, and chicken makes my mouth water.

While setting the food on the table my mom gives me a dirty look telling me, that if you touch this food before dad and I are ready, I will saw your hand off. My parents sit down and get ready to eat. My dad is the one who get his food first followed by my mom then me. I eat my food as fast as can without my parents thinking I'm trying get out of there as fast as I can.

"May I please be excused," I ask politely as I can,

"Yes, you can go to your room and make sure it's not a mess, because if it's a mess and you expect me to clean you will get a very horrifying message at school," my mother tells me with a stern face.

"Yes, mom," I sigh relieved.

I run up the stairs as quietly as I can. I go into my room and shut the door. I start to make my bed again to smooth out the wrinkles. I hear a little tick, then the clicking of Lily's paws enter the room.

A few years ago I made a specialized metal detector on a dog door, it can analyzes metal and tell whether it is Lily's dog collar or a different dog's one. It is pretty cool, it allows Lily access to my room when ever she wants.

Lily is a harlequin, black and white, great dane. She falls just under three feet. I've had since she was puppy, now she is seven years old. I know in a few years that she'll die, but at least she spent most of her life with me. I love her more than anything. If only I could bring her to The Govern of Hearts, but the thing can't be an animal.

Lily sits down on my rug and looks up at me. I see the worry in her eyes and I know that it won't come out until I get back. I smile at her then get back to cleaning.

When I get done cleaning my room to my mother's standards, it is about nine o'clock. I out my pjs on and climb into bed. Lily jumps on my bed and lays by my feet. I fall asleep with a smile on my face.