Once we got all cozy in our bunks, I called all the girls into our "family room."
Everyone got seated, and I began. "For the next twenty minutes I want you all to listen to me."
They all nodded. "Now, I don't want to be that rude, mean leader, but I need to lay a few ground rules.
"First, from this moment on, we girls are a family. Our lives are too short for any of that bullying stuff. We are sisters now. We are gonna help each other. We are gonna survive. Girls. Sisters. Family.
"Second, y'all are gonna work your butts off the next few days. With two things. One, training. Two, getting to know yourself." I held up fingers to emphasize my points. "And no secrets. Everyone tell each other what you can do. If you have a problem. Something going on. Whatever it is, tell me. Tell us all. Remember what I said, we are family."
Girls smiled and nodded their heads all around the room. "Lastly, no giving up. If you give up, we aren't going to make it. I am guaranteeing you that. If you guys have no hope in your future, or that you'll have a future, then you won't fight for your future. And if that all happens, you won't live to see the future. So, don't give up. Not on yourself. Not on us. Not on anything." I looked each of them straight in the eye, then pounded my fist on the table. "Girls, are you ready to fight?"
A chorus of whoops and cheers erupted from my team. My family.
"Every morning, before we leave for breakfast or whatever, we are all gonna meet here. In this family room. And, every morning, I am going to ask you that. 'Are you ready to fight?' We are all going to go around the room and answer that question looking into each other's eyes. No one turned away. And if someone says no or fails to make eye contact, we are gonna have another pep talk. Because, if even one of us gives up, we are all dead meat where we stand. You got that, fam?"
They all nodded and cheered again. We made small talk together and then, a bell sounded. Loud and sharp.
Dong!
YOU ARE READING
Upside Down Tendrils
BeletrieEm has been struggling with her father's death for a long time. Her father always stood up for her. For the town. And now, he is gone. Em has turned into a rebel, but on one cool, autumn day that all changes. She is just an ordinary girl at an...
