Separated

Chapter 5

Azalea's Perspective...

I waited outside our house, next to the Diamond District official. I was anxious and excited to see my new home in the Diamond District. Hazel was sitting on her suitcase a few feet away avoiding eye contact with me. Whatever. It's her fault, I mean, she shouldn't have failed the Test! Other 13 year olds were coming out of their houses too, most of them looking excited but a few were crying and screaming, obviously going to the Stone Sector with Hazel. The Ruby District bus pulled up and three jumpy kids from our street hopped on.

Next, the Stone bus. Ewww. It had mold growing on it, it chugged along on it's last leg, and the seats inside were ripped to shreds. Even the driver looked old and worn down. From the corner of my eye, I saw Hazel cringe. The sniffling people, 3 to be exact, reluctantly boarded and drove away. Hazel put her hand to the window, almost as a last glance at wealthy life. I ignored her, still brooding from the embarrassment she caused me. Finally, a huge, glass bus pulled in. Diamond. Grinning, I climbed on and gasped. Each seat was plush and had beautiful designs on them. There was a basket on a table in front of each row of seats that was filled with food. 7 other people were stretched out on the bus as well, clearly enjoying it. The bus driver was an older man but he was so well groomed he could have passed for 40 years old. I couldn't believe this was the kind of life I would have.

"Hey!" I whirled around and came face to face with a boy with the darkest eyes I've ever seen. I reeled back in surprise. "What's your name?" He asked, a sly grin snaking across his face. "Ummm... Azalea. What's yours?"

"Ander."

Suddenly, someone grabbed my shoulders and I sucked in a breath, startled. Ander laughed and a girl came from behind me, giggling hysterically. "Gotcha!" Shouted the girl who looked about 4 and a half feet tall. Okayy.... I chuckled nervously and scooted past them. Some people in the back were whispering so I sat alone in the front. We passed the gates of the Emerald District and entered the Stone District. Stone? There were people poking out of the broken windows of the dingy buildings in awe of the bus. A twinge of guilt passed over me. This was how Hazel was going to live? Well, I thought, this is what she deserved. The bus stopped on a street that smelled like mold and a girl came walked up with eyes wide. She sat next to me and I tried to be nice, although it was a little awkward.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"What's your name?"

"Azalea."

"Cool! I'm Haven!"

We fell silent and I noticed the smell around the Stone District was a lot worse that Haven. She smelled like flowers, better than some people in the Emerald District. "I'm really excited to be rich and famous! What is it like to have lots of food and money?" She asked, trying to primp her hair. I shrugged, "I don't know, actually. The Emerald District is pretty poor, really. I have three outfits and enough food for every meal but we aren't at all as rich as the Diamond District. I'm excited too."

Haven sighed and breathed, "I don't think this is fair. I mean, I got lucky and am on the road to fame and fortune but all my friends in the Stone District will never have any hope of a future. It's just not fair, don't you agree?" I was silent.