Cedric was sitting in his bed, looking out at the sunrise over hthe horizon, slowly lighting up the village below him. His room on the second floor was cluttered with random clothing that he was always too tired to bring down to his mother so they could be washed. His dirty work boots were waiting for him by the door. In his dresser was a few options for work clothes he had for the day. In his closet was the outfit he had been saving for his date that would take place later that night. He could smell the breakfast of eggs and ham that his mother was cooking for the family downstairs. He heard his little baby brother crying and his father who was trying to find out why. He saw his little sister run past his door to get downstairs, upset that their mother had started cooking without her. Cedric smiled at the simpleness of his life. Yet, it was just that. Simple. It had its perks, sure, but there was so much more that he wanted in his life.
He shakes his head. Don't worry, it won't be this way for long. Today is the day that Ravenwood will be announcing the contest winner. Don't lose hope. Not til today ends. Cedric climbs out of his messy bed and closes his door to get dressed for work. Another long day in the fields was waiting for him. The thought of letter that was coming makes it all seem more bearable in his mind. He dashes downstairs as soon as he is ready. A few hurried forkfuls of breakfast and a bagged lunch in his hands were the only things left on his checklist before work. Still, as usual, his mother blocked the door when he and his father tried to leave.
"Aren't you forgetting something," she says to the pair.
Cedric's father leans down to give his wife a kiss before she opens the door for him to pass through, before immediately shutting it in her son's face.
"Ma, don't you think I'm a little old to be gettin' kisses?" Cedric asks.
"Sixteen is not old and you are never too old to get kisses," his mother replies before standing on her toes to kiss him on the cheek.
She finally opens the door for him, "Have fun, Sweetie."
"Yeah, loads," Cedric responds while rolling his eyes, "Just remember to look for my letter."
"Yeah yeah, you've only mentioned it a thousand times the past week."
His mother gives him a good shove out the door before closing it. His father was waiting for him outside so they could walk to work. The town was just beginning to wake up for the day. Farmhands like Cedric and his father were on their way to the fields. Merchants were setting up shops. The bakery was making their first batch of rolls. Everything was as usual. Someone from behind Cedric leaps up and covers his eyes.
"Guess who?" the girl says in her sing-song voice.
Cedric removes the hands of his lovely girlfriend before turning around to see her bright smile. Her wavy brown hair was pulled back in a low ponytail. Her chocolate brown eyes stared up at him and he could just find himself getting lost her gaze for hours. Her hands were rough from days of work with her mother making clothes for her father's shop. She was a wild bundle of curves and sass, and Cedric loved every part of it.
"Come on Delilah, I have to get to work," Cedric insists, letting go of her hands that he still wanted to hold.
"I just wanted to make sure that we're still on for tonight," Delilah replies while playfully tugging at his shirt.
"Yep, I'll meet you at Darell's at six as promised. Now I really have to go."
He leans down and gives his girlfriend a kiss on the cheek before hopping right back down the street to the fields. Cedric bumps his head on the gate, as always, when he is entering the farm area. He drops his lunch off in the break building that he will hungrily devour when the supervisor calls for their midday break.
***
The summer sun was beating hard on Cedric as he worked throughout the day. His muscles were covered with a thin layer of sweat by the end of the day. Not even his break was enough to cool him down. But he still pressed on until the supervisor called quitting time. A large grin was upon his face as he ran out of the gate and down the street to his home. He ignored the stares of the people walking around town. He had a letter to read. He burst through his front door, scaring his sister who was waiting for him.
"Cedric! You're home!" She declares after gaining her bearings.
"Hey Lily, did a letter come for me?" Cedric asks nervously.
Lily shrugs her shoulders, "Mama left the mail on the table for you to go through."
"Thanks!" he shouts as he runs into the kitchen where his mother had already started making dinner.
"Cedric, the mail is..." his mother starts.
"On the table, got it," Cedric interrupts.
On top of the small pile was a large white envelope with Cedric's name on the front. He hears his sister greeting his father as he tears open the envelope to read the letter inside.
Dear Cedric Eallard;
We at Ravenwood Academy would like to thank you for your submission in our scholarship competition. After reviewing your essay and doing some extra research, we have determined that you are exactly the kind of person we are looking for at our fine school. We would like to congratulate you on being the recipient of our two year scholarship to Ravenwood Academy. We expect great things from you this coming school year. Enclosed is your itinerary for your first day and a list of supplies that you will be required to have throughout the year.
Sincerely,
Alexander Holland
"Woohooo!!" Cedric shouts.
YOU ARE READING
Four Hearts
FantasyZain has been locked away for all sixteen years of his life. When his uncle offers him a spot at his prestigious magic academy, Zain jumps at the chance. Zain wants to experience the world outside his room. His uncle wants him to train hard to fight...
