Worlds Apart

Chapter Eight - Scarlett

Today is my birthday, and honestly, I'm not all that excited about it. People wish me a happy day, and I thank them, but other than that, it is a fairly sorrowful day.

It has been eight days since our incident with the alcohol, and thankfully, no one mentions it. I have decided to put it past me, and forget about it. Because it is all in the past. What's done is done, and there's no turning back now. I give myself the whole speech, and repeat all of the quotes in my head every day.

"Hey, Scar. Happy birthday!" Sky shouts in passing. I give her a smile and a quiet 'thank you', and continue walking. I'm currently on my way to the kitchen to begin my duties as Hash Slinger.

I walk into the kitchen and grab an apron off the hook by the entrance. I see Jace and Indigo both in the kitchen, and start to question it. The schedule said that I was supposed to be working with only Jace today, not Indigo.

"Um, Indigo?" She looks up from the pot she's cleaning and sees me. "Yes?" She asks. "I think you read the schedule wrong. Jace and I are working the kitchen today." I tell her. Jack shakes his head, and butts into the conversation. "Nope. Schedule changed. Didn't you hear?" He tilts his head. "No." I answer. "Hear what?" I ask. "You got put on Collector again. Zarich had to switch the schedules because Indigo can't walk." He says, jerking his head back towards Indigo. "You're taking her place." He adds.

A few days back, Indigo was working as a Scavenger. She tripped on a piece of cement sticking up from the ground, and we think she broke her foot. In the process she managed to get a gash in her leg as well. So obviously she won't be doing too much walking anytime soon.

I roll my eyes and groan. As I spin around, I whip the apron off my head."Sorry." I hear Indigo call as I stomp away. "It's fine!" I shout back.

I make my way to 'The Tree'. That's what we call the meeting spot for most all the jobs. It's literally just a giant tree outside base. At the beginning of the day, everyone who has an 'outside job' is to report to that tree before heading out. That way you can meet with your partner and leave together so no one is left behind and mistaken to be lost.

I grumble to the tree only to see everyone is already starting to wander in their separate directions.

"Hey!" I yell. "Hey, wait up!" Most turn their heads. Some just continue walking. "Oh well look who finally decided to show up." Kids Sky. "Oh shut up. It's not my fault the schedules got changed unexpectedly on me." I say, pushing her shoulder with a smile forcing it's way through my lips."Well go on then. We can't wait around all day for you to decide you finally feel like doing something. I don't care if it's your birthday or not. Get with your partner and get going, missy." Sky commands."Alright, alright. Little Ms. Bossy Pants." I respond. I turn around to start walking, and realize I never actually figured out who I was paired with. I make a circle around and stand in front of sky. "Who exactly am I going with? I never asked." She jerks her chin to a spot behind me. I turn around, and of course, it's none other than Blade. This is going to be an interesting experience.

An hour and a half later and we reach the fence, where we'll be picking up the supplies. We stopped briefly on the way because we found berries that were simply too good to pass up, so it took a few minutes longer than expected. By the time we reach the fence a few Arcadians are already lined up.

The way it works is they bring everything over in trucks, and then have 5 to ten volunteers hand them over to us. Sometimes there'll be younger people, and sometimes they're older. It varies every day.

While walking to the fence, our conversation consisted of Blade being his usual self. Rude, arrogant, and obnoxious. But of course he had to add in that small trickle of charm. I think he does it on purpose. Like he's trying to drive me absolutely insane. Almost like he enjoys it. Lives for it, even.