Water's Edge

Chapter 1

    "Darya. Wake up," I hear a soft voice say. I roll over in my bed and try to fall back asleep.
    "Really, Darya? You know you have to wake up." 
    "Fine," I say groggily as I rub my eyes. I hear footsteps leave my room and as my vision focuses I take in the surroundings of my bedroom. My desk cluttered with books, my dresser, covered in seashells, and my chair in which I read. The only thing that is amiss is a brown paper bag on my chair. Curious, I throw back my covers and cross the room. 
     The bag is small and light when I pick it up. I open it and inside is a necklace. Connected to a silver chain is a piece of sea glass the color of storm clouds. I can't help but smile at the gift from my brother. It is so very thoughtful, he knows I love sea glass.
I finish getting dressed and walk over to the bag, put the necklace on, then walk out into the kitchen.
    "What do you want for breakfast for your sweet sixteen, miss?" Arroyo says playfully. He smiles and I laugh. I tell him I want bacon and he throws it in a pan on the stove. 
    "Thank you Arroyo. Thank you for the necklace and thank you for being there for me," I say. 
    "You know I'd do anything for you right?" He looks at me calmly, waiting for an answer.
    "Of course I know that," I reply. He smiles and starts to laugh and soon I'm joining him. He doesn't need to ask. I will always know, no matter what, that my brother cares about me.
     "Are going to go to boxing class today?" I have boxing class every Friday over the summer and this Friday isn't any different.
     "Yeah I'll go. I haven't seen Lisa and Val in a couple of days." My friends and I take a boxing class together. "I also wouldn't mind kicking butt on my birthday."
     "I'll take you then," my brother replies and I grab my boxing gloves. 
     As we walk, we talk. We talk about friends and politics and doubts. That's what I love about my brother. That's why I can trust him and that's why we're close, I think when I have a moment to let my thoughts wonder.
     When we get close to the boxing gym, I remember my necklace and ask Arroyo, "I never asked you, but where did you get such I fine piece of sea glass?" He grins and I look at him expectantly.
     "It was on the beach after a storm a little bit ago. I saw it and it reminded me of your eyes." He is right. The glass is the same color as my eyes, grey like storm clouds over The Ocean.
    "Thanks again big brother," I say, looking back at my brother, as I walk the final steps to the entrance. 
    I open the door and step in. I am immediately surrounded by the smell of sweat and hard work. I walk over to my locker to get my boxing clothes when I am hugged from behind by two people. I smile and turn around and I am happy to see my two best friends Lisa and Val. Lisa is a little taller than me with auburn hair and bright robin blue eyes. Val is taller than both of us and has dark brown hair and maroon eyes.
    "And how is the birthday girl?!" Lisa asks beaming. We have been close friends since we were young.
    "Good since I get to hang out with my best friends!" I reply. "How are you guys?"
    "We are just fine. Forget about us it's your special day, Darya," Val tells me. "Do you think this year you can come with us to The Festival?" I can see the hope in his eyes. 
    "I'll ask Arroyo. Hopefully he will say yes. After all, it is my sixteenth birthday," I tell them. My two friends are the only ones I've told about my parents' deaths.
    "We'll come with you for backup when you ask. Do you have any dresses? I have ext-" Lisa says before she gets cut off.
    "Ok class it's time to start." I look at my instructor and he nods. I lead the warmups. After we are done we line up and wait for our instructor who is talking to a student from the fourteen year old class. "Ok class today I will put you into pairs and you will box in front of the class with your partner." As he calls out names I try to move back, not wanting to get paired with someone with a mean punch. 
    "Darya and.......Apollyon." I groan. Apollyon is six three to my five seven. Why can't he fight someone else, I think. 
    "Why do I have to fight the twig?" the brute asks. "I can snap her in half." Apollyon is the one thing I don't like about boxing class.
    "Watch out, Apollyon. She may be smaller, but she can still fight," Val says, trying to defend me. Apollyon sneers at Val and then directs a glare at me. 
    "Ok that is quite enough Apollyon," our instructor says. He is a muscular man with grey hair and a crooked nose from having it broken so many times. He goes over to the chalkboard on one wall and starts writing the order in which the rounds will go. Next to the last number is mine and Apollyon's name.
     As I wait for my turn I talk to Val and Lisa about the plans for tonight. This the first time I will be going to The Festival. The Festival is the only time they use the limited electricity we have. I can see the lights from my house by the shoreline. My friends tell me that The Festival organizers set up lights and they play music from before the war. Mostly dance songs like Uma Thurman by Fall Out Boy though, Lisa tells me that they play one or two slow songs like Perfect by Ed Sheeran.
     When I hear Lisa and her partner's names I am pulled from my thoughts. They step into the ring and start circling each other. Lisa is boxing a tall girl with broad shoulders and black hair.
     After a couple of minutes the match is over. Lisa won easily which I expected. After two more rounds Val is called up and he wins too. In my opinion, my two friends and I are the best in the class. For awhile I let my mind wonder, thinking about The Festival and my birthday. When I hear my instructor call my name I silently curse myself for not being focused. I pull my hair up in a quick messy bun and step into the ring.