Verena's p.o.v
I stood in front of the mirror with a towel wrapped around my body as I stared at my chest like I did every morning. Every time I looked at it, the more I wanted to tattoo over it. There on my chest was a silvery blue imprint of a snowflake the size of my fist, right over my heart. It disgusted me. I walked over to my make up stand in my bathroom and snatched up my liquid foundation and my applied my foundation onto my chest. I now drifted to my room to get dressed into my gray fitted t-shirt and black skinny's. I pulled on my light gray sweatshirt and my snug Ugg's.
Today was the day I'm heading out to Camp Bay. The only camp my parents allow me to now. It's the only camp that doesn't take place in snow, requires swimming, or is to hot to wear clothes that cover my upper body. Now, I understand, most parents would cancel those camps out to keep their kids from getting sick, drowning, or to keep their clothes fully on, but that's not why they chose those rules for me. They don't want my cursed mark showing or encourage it to grow. That's right, grow. The one time we got caught in a blizzard and had to get out of the car and hurry to the near by hotel, it started to grow from being near snow. Just near it.
After I packed my bags (that now contained clothes, blankets, a pillow, shower supplies, a towel, and of course my makeup) I hurried downstairs to the kitchen and sat my bags by the Island Counter.
"Verena." Clarisa greeted, taking a second to look up from her book.
"Mother." I replied.
"Are you excited?" She sat her book down and picked up her cup of coffee.
"Yes. It's the only time I get away from this place." I opened the refrigerator and responded flatly.
"Verena! You should know how lucky our family is to be the way we are. We are very fortunate to live this way. Why if your father hadn't worked as hard as he did to get to the top and create his own Law Firm, we'dstill live like we once did." Clarisa scolded.
"I liked the way we lived. I don't need money and a huge house to keep me happy." I growled. I pulled out a can of Cola and poured it into my favorite cup with a V on it and the cap which contained a thick plastic straw.
"Your father worked long days and nights to get your life to be this way. You should be happy." She protested.
"Mother," I slammed my cup down. "You and I know very well he worked so much to get away from me! You know as well as I do that he hates me."
"Oh, no, Verena." Clarisa's voice softened. "Your father loves you."
"Yeah, sure." I brought the straw back to my lips.
"Anyways, dear, your birthday is in a week." She smiled slightly.
"I know." I replied curtly.
"We're going to send your gift and the camp directors will give it to you on your special day." Her smile widened. "You're going to love it."
"Okay." I washed my cup out and packed it in my bag. "You know I love you, Mother."
"Yes, dear. And I love you back." She smiled big.
I walked towards where I kept my keys and hoisted two of my bags over my shoulder. As usual, my dad was sitting on his chair in the living room with his laptop planted on his lap. I walked past him and loaded my bags in my car.
"Verena." My father yelled. I walked back into the house.
"Yes, Father?" I walked warily towards him.
"You're leaving for Camp Bay today?" He still did not look at her, not like he would.
"Yes Father." I replied.
"Alright, here." Still not looking at me, he handed me a plain small brown box. I opened it to see money. One thousand five hundred, to be exact.
"Father, I'm going away for three weeks, not three months." I held the box awkwardly.
"Well, what ever you don't spend, you can give back after. Now get going."
"Okay," I trailed off. "I love you, Father." He didn't reply or spare a glance. "For goodness sake's, Father! I'm your daughter, remember? You can't ignore me forever!" I stormed out to my car, slammed the door, and floored it to Camp Bay. I wish I could just drive away from this curse, leave it behind, and get on with my life.
"You can't run away from it, My Dear Verena. Do you not remember, My Child? Your heat shall cool. Your heart shall freeze. Thy death shall be thy birth. You can't stop what is being done."
"I hate you!" I cried.
"No, you do not, Verena. I am what you love most. This gift I have bestoed on you will begin your destiny."
"Why me?" I sobbed.
"Because you are my own."
"What do you mean?" I sobbed harder.
Silence.
Alek's p.o.v
"Oh, honey, You are going to love it here!" It's so sunny and calm!" My mom squealed.
"Mom, I know. You've said that one hundred times." I laughed as we dragged our bags into the check out loft. After lugging our bags through the doors, my mother practically skipped to the check in stand.
"Hi, I'm Martha Morrison and this is my son," She gestured towards me. "Alek Morrison." I finally got our bags to the counter and smiled. "I'm here as a Camp Volunteer and my son is a Camper."
"Oh, here you guys are. Actually Ms. Morrison, we had you boosted up to be one of our Camp Directors, if that is okay?" The lady at the counter smiled.
"Oh that's dandy!" She smiled. "And here is my sons packet."
"Okay well that should be-" She was cut off by the door being jerked open. I turned around to see who this camper is. In walked a beautiful girl with soft features. Her eyebrows were furrowed in frustration and her lips pressed into a tight line. Her hair was a odd, but mesmerizing color. Not quite white, but not quite blonde. And her eyes were like the color of ice. If it had been snowing outside, she would look like a Ice Queen. "Oh, Hello again Verena!" The lady smiled big.
"Honey, help the poor girl in!" My mother gushed. I rushed over and opened the door wide for her. She looked up at me and smiled shyly.
"Thank you." She murmured.
"You're welcome." I looked into her eyes and my heart fluttered. "I'm Alek."
"Verena." she looked away. "Excuse me, Alek."
I moved out of her way and watched her walk up to the counter. I looked over at my mother and saw her wiggle her eyebrows at me which proved she could tell that I, Alek Morrison, just got whipped.
I think I'm going to enjoy this camp very much.
Authors Note:
To the side is a picture of Verena Winters.
If you are on through phone/ipod, she is portrayed by Gabriella Wilde.
