Evelan: Vellath

On My Way

"What are these for?"

I just woke up, and came downstairs for breakfast. Dad was holding up an apple, one of the fruit I left for him yesterday.

"I wanted to say sorry, for getting mad at you. I know you can't say no, because trading helps us earn money and we need some right now."

"It's OK, Sola. A 'sorry' would've been enough. You didn't have to buy me any fruit."

"It doesn't matter. I had a couple dollars left anyways."

"Alright." He smiled, and took a bite out of the apple. I took the box of cereal out of the cupboard poured myself a bowl.

After we both ate breakfast, he said goodbye and left to do some more trading. While I waited for him, I decided to get packed for Ever. I would be leaving in a few days, so I should be packing anyways. I have to figure out what I need, and what I don't need.

I got my suitcase from my closet, and stuffed it full with clothes. OK, maybe I don't need to bring this many clothes. There's a mall near the castle, and I definitely want to go there. Tya might want to go with me...

That's what I forgot. I never told Dad about Tya. I'll tell him tomorrow when he's home. And if I forget to tell him in the next few days, he'll probably ask me how I'm getting there. We'll see.

Packing took far too long, so when I was finally done, I sat down and started to continue a book I've been reading. I was drawn to the plot, and the author wrote it perfectly. I couldn't set it down, so pages kept on turning. After reading for a while, my eyes grew tired. I yawned, then turned my head to look at my watch. "What?" I whispered. I had been reading for three hours straight! Time flies, I guess.

I put my bookmark in and set it down so I don't feel the need to read any longer. I got up, ate dinner, and relaxed. I had already eaten my linch while reading, a skill I have had mastered for a long time.

I checked over my suitcase to make sure I have everything, and sneaked a couple minutes here and there for my book. The clock changed as I glanced at it. 10:00, so Dad should be home any minute.

I stepped out into the kitchen for a quick snack before I would go to sleep. It was hard to imagine that I wouldn't be here in about three days. I might not even see my home after going to Ever at all. I erased that sad thought from my mind, and sat at the table with my small bowl of pretzels. I ate them silently. I looked at the clock. 10:13. He should be here any minute. Just as that thought crossed my mind, Dad walked in the door.

"Hey, Sola. How've you been?" Dad, smiling, entered the door. I knew he was probably not happy though. Trading has become a lot harder. I can only be glad he's not letting him get to him. I was about to tell him about Tya, but he beat me to it.

"Did you find a way to Ever yet? I'm still so sorry I can't take you." The smile left his face.

"Actually, I did." His smile reappeared as quickly as it had disappeared before, probably just because he saw how proud I was of myself.

"How?"

I wasn't sure if he was asking how I found the way, or how I'm getting there. I told him both answers, anyways.

"I met a girl at the market. She's also a Dragon kind, so I started to talk to her. Eventually, I asked her how she was getting there. They're going to ride their horses, and her dad is going to tag along. She said that she had a few extra horses, and I could come with them. They are going to come and pick me up towards lunch time on Saturday. Her name's Tya, by the way."

"Saturday? That's tomorrow already! Have you started packing yet?"

"I finished packing already, Dad." I had slight annoyance in my tone of voice, but I think Dad ignored it. Instead, he sighed with relief.

"Yep. You're my daughter, all right."

I smirked. He always said things like that to me, especially when I am ahead of schedule like this. But it was always strange, because he was always behind schedule. Maybe it has to do with my mom, but I pushed that thought away. I never had built up the courage to ask him about Mom, and he never built up the courage to tell me about her. All that I know about her is that she died before I was one year old. Of course, I don't remember anything about her. Dad never talks about her, never says her name. We've always kept it that way, and I don't see a reason why it would change in the future. I began to think of circumstances in which it would happen, until my thoughts are interrupted by Dad's tired voice.

"Alright, time for bed," he said, walking back towards his room. I finished the last pretzel and went back to my room, too. After laying down on my bed, I slowly closed my eyes, and fell asleep to the quiet sound of rain.