Clouds

Chapter One Part 2

                                                          Chapter One Part 2

          “So, Emedee, how does it feel to finally be seventeen?”  Awesome asks as we all sit in Colby’s three beanbag chairs.  As usual. Awesome sits in the pink one, Colby chooses the black one, and I am stuck with the purple beanbag, worn down with several patches along the seem.  But I don’t care; it’s not like I’ll be sitting here again after tonight.

            “Good,” I reply, although I’ve never felt worse.  Not when I knocked out three of my teeth when playing softball, not when I was attacked by my neighbor’s old dog, and not when my grandmother died.  I feel happy on the outside, but on the inside I am depressed, with smidges of sadness and overwhelming thoughts packed inside.

            “Very good,” Colby says.  He smiles and hands me my bag.  “It’s time to check to make sure you have packed everything correctly.”  I groan.  I’ve already checked the list three times before, but I suppose it’s a lot more fun to go through it now with someone else then die due to a stupid mistake later.

            “Alright,” Awesome adds in as Colby passes her the list.  She skims it with her eyes and then returns to the top, obviously deep in thought.  I unzip the bag and dump out all of its millions of contents.  “Let’s start with toiletry items.”  I nod and take out the small yellow bag filled with all of my bathroom items.

            “Ready,” I say.  Awesome nods and begins to read off of the list.

            “Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss?”

            “Check,” I reply.

            “Three towels, three washcloths?  Scrubber and three bars of soap?”

            “Check.”

            “Good.”  This continues for what seems like forever.  I search the yellow bag for rewash able toilet paper and girl items, and Awesome and I laugh when Colby blushes.  Checking off deodorant, a few hair supplies, shampoo and conditioner, shavers and shaving cream, and even acne cream (You need to look beautiful to feel beautiful, as Awesome says), we move onto clothing: three of almost everything: summer shirts, winter shirts, shorts, pants and jeans, belts, one jacket, sweatshirt, and parka, three socks, three hats, and three shoes (one pair of combat boots, regular boots, and tennis shoes, although I also threw in a pair of slip on’s).  I have six pairs of underwear and bras, and again Awesome and I laugh when Colby turns away.

            Next we go through odds and ends: items I would need to survive.  I have one flashlight (with like fifty extra batteries!) some field guides, and a few other items.

            “Which ones?” Colby asks.  I look down.

            “Mushrooms, plants, and animals of the Sanctuary.  Oh, and one on birds and weather.  Those are smaller, though.”  Colby nods and we continue going down the list.

            “Are your bow and arrows packed?” Awesome asks.  I nod.  My silver bow and eight matching silver arrows are beside me, glowing with pride and happiness.

            “I assume your sugar slinger and knife belt are with you?”  I nod, lifting up my shirt so that Colby can see the simple leather belt laced with three knives, each a different size and slightly different shape.   On the right side of the belt, a simple dagger hangs.  I then take out the purple lollipop in my pocket, wrapped in clear plastic, appearing to be nothing more then candy for a baby.  But assuming something so stupid would be a huge mistake with the technology Colby is capable of.  I grin, feeling dangerous with three different weapons to use.