The Sunflower Keeper

The Marking

The gasping, surprised faces of the representatives gawk at me like I've dyed my hair pink. Yeah right. I step over in front of the towering mirror to the left of the fountain. I'm stunned by what I see. My dark navy hair now has purple highlights running through it. I slide my fingers over my markings that are newly engraved into my skin. They are of all different shapes and sizes, mostly natural things. I grin.

The skinny women grabs the microphone again and starts speaking to my neighbors. "Friends. Family. New Snoogle Society members." She turns to me and holds out her arm. "She has the mark of the violet sunflower." Everyone gasps as they become overwhelmed by amazement. My father is first to stand clapping while breaking the awkward silence. As he stands there, one by one everyone else joins. Screaming and congratulations fill my ears. I am frozen. Stunned.

Who knows maybe it won't be so bad. You get to live in District One-Sunflower Field and learn to become the next Sunflower Keeper. Though when you inherit your powers the current one will die and everyone will be counting on you to protect the flower... No biggie... A storm of ranting thoughts flow inside my head. I'm talking to myself again. Just great. I take in a deep breath but it burns. I shake my head and bite back the tears. I can't do this.

The man from district one approaches me. His smile almost seems to spread from ear to ear. His Green eyes peer at me from behind his dark purple hair. His navy blue markings shape his face. My heart flutters. "The name is Elijah." His hands feel muscular in mine and sends shivers crawling over my newly tattooed skin. I shiver. I return his smile but not with nearly as much enthusiasm. "I'm a nineteenth year. I had my Revealing of the Markings ceremony last year. Its breath taking and thrilling isn't is." He inhales and absorbs the surroundings.

"Yeah just great." I roll my eyes but still take in his hotness. Oh La La.

"Faith? Right?" I nod. "Great. We should get going. It's time." An apologetic looks fills his eyes and he places his hand on my shoulder. "Time to say goodbye." I sigh and walk towards my proud stricken family.

I hold back tears. You can't cry! This is supposed to be the best day of your life! PULL IT TOGETHER! I think to myself. I lunge myself into my mother's arms. The familiar calm feeling washes over me again. I dig my face into her shoulder. Miniature hands wrap around my waist. My father grips my shoulder and nods. "I love..." I choke on the words. I force them out. "I love you guys."

"Sweetie we know. Now go. Go become the most important snoogle in our society." My mom whispers in my ear.

"We are so proud." My dad's voice is like a burden on my heart. I can't disappoint them. It takes all the strength in my body to walk away from them.

The silver car to district one is parked in front of me. Elijah leans against it. He flexes his muscles against his tight black shirt. His dark jeans are loose. A bubbly feeling fills my stomach.

"Shall we, my Sunflower Keeper."

"Not yet. That's if I can make it."

"You will I have no doubt." I stare into his eyes and step inside the silver car. "Well maybe just a little bit." I glare at him and punch him in the gut. A chuckle escapes him as he slides in beside me. "We will definitely need to fix your punches. You hit like a girl."

"I am a girl." I say flatly.

"I know, but that doesn't mean you have to fight like one." He buckles his seat belt. I do the same.

"How did you get roped into being the representative?"

"They know how much I love the ceremonies so they offered me the job and I said yes. Just think about it. If I wasn't the representative we wouldn't have met and we wouldn't have the chance to become friends.

"What makes you think I want to become your friend?" I point my finger at him as I talk. He smiles.

"Trust me I know. I saw you looking at me earlier. There was so much lust in your eyes." His laugh bounces off the doors of the car. I start to blush.

"I was just curious about who was here. That's all." I my answer doesn't sound very convincing.

"Is that why you're turning bright red?"

"I'm going to hit you again." I squeeze my hand into a fist.

"Please. Maybe you'll build a little muscle." I jam my fist into his arm. I wince. I shake my fist and grab my hand with my other.

"That looks like it hurt you more than it hurt me." He reaches over and takes my hand in his. He turns it over and examines my knuckles. "You're going to have a bruise. It should go away in a few days though. You're first battle bruise. Don't worry, there will be plenty more." I yank my hand away from his.

"How long until I get to see my family again?" I ask and turn away from him. Tears fill my eyes. They no doubt have that glassy look now.

His fingers slide over my back. "I don't know. I never really kept up with family day to be honest."

My eyes meet his. A tears leaves my eye and slowly falls down over my cheek. "Why? Don't you have family?" He wipes my tear away.

"I guess everyone has family. I was adopted and I don't know who my real parents are. Don't get me wrong my adopted parents were great. I just didn't being with them. We didn't value the same things. So we just sort of drifted apart. They didn't write me and I didn't write them." His eyes turn sad as he opens up to me.

"My family is great. You'd really like them. I'm sorry that you're family isn't who you want them to be."

"Every family has skeletons in their closet. Yours is no different. They just might not be as big." He turn his head and looks out the window. "I'm glad we're leaving this district. It seems really boring. Hopefully you won't be. Though from the looks of it. You probably are." His contagious laugh fills the car once more. He glances back to me.

"I've got this major feeling that I'm not going to like you." My eyes still reach out to his.

"We shall see. We shall see." He crosses his arms, and leans his head back against the soft seat.

As we drive farther and farther down the road I turn and look out the glass window. My family has disappeared. Uncertainty and fear fill me again. I sigh and close my eyes.