Chosen.

Chosen. Chapter ten

Chapter TEN                                                                                   

Hannah

I'm sitting in my room just staring at the wall.  It's been a few hours since the announcement we were chosen, and I'm sure my family is still plotting how to convince me to agree.  Well, it isn't going to work.  I haven't had very long to think about it, and I don't need to:  The answer is still no.  I mean, it has been fun to pretend it was us getting chosen and what it would be like or whatever, but when I saw the part about pets, I knew it wasn't for me.  I'm sorry, I don't even like people very much, so why would I go somewhere that ONLY has people and red dirt for the rest of my life?  Oh, that's right, I'm not.  They only need to have a minimum of three members and they would still have five if I stayed.  Problem solved.

After my shocking decision, Mom and Dad headed off to bed.  They said we still had two days no matter what to think about things, so no point in fighting about it tonight, and told us we should all do the same.  Kyle and Autumn went outside, I'm assuming to the willow to talk more about the announcement and me.  Heath didn't even look at me, just went to his room and closed the door.  I'm sure he feels like I'm being selfish, but it's really not like that.  I just never expected we would ever be chosen, and how was I supposed to know the rules if we were?  That day when I talked about it with Callie, I thought she was being silly for worrying so much.  And now here I am about to watch my family leave me behind to go to paradise...what if they win a slot, too?  I drift to sleep with an ache in my stomach and a feeling of loneliness.

I wake up to Nala nudging me on my bed. She knows she's not allowed to lick me awake, so she gets creative and pretends she's just smelling the pillow beside me.  Not buying it, "Hello, pretty girl.  You aren't fooling me."  I pet her neck and chest as I stretch and fully wake up.  What time is it?

7 : 07

"Jeez, Nala, couldn't let me sleep in a little?  It was a stressful night last night and I don't even feel like I slept at all."  Anyone else would probably think I'm weird talking to my dogs like they are people, but I swear animals can understand if you give them a chance.  I've always felt a deeper connection to animals than people, anyways, and when it comes to Nook and Nala, the bond is as deep as family.  Another reason I'm not going, since they seem to have forgotten two family members.

"Come on, let's see if your brother is up. Might as well walk you two, since apparently I'm not allowed to sleep in anymore."  I give Nala an affectionate pat as I get out of bed and head to my closet to get dressed. I really don't mind that much.  I like getting up and getting outside before the day has fully begun.  The air doesn't smell so polluted yet from all the morning traffic and you can just run.  Huskies also like to pull with a purpose, they used to be a working breed my aunt tells me, and Nook and Nala are definitely in that category.  They love to go on long routes before it gets too hot outside, that's why the early morning wake up call, and they just run at the same pace until I get too tired.

I sift through my closet and decide on some sweats and blue T-shirt.  I look in the mirror when I put them on, I'm barely 5"0, and I'm already starting to get curves in my legs, I hate it.  My hair is getting long too; it's wavy, dirty blonde and pretty thick. My mom is always saying how lucky we are to have gorgeous hair and the light eyes that run in our family. I could care less; it's just more for me to deal with. I throw it up in a messy bun, take one last look at my light grey eyes in the reflection and hurry out of my room before I can judge myself any more.

I grab the leashes and start throwing on my boots by the front door with my other hand.  Nook already heard Nala prancing around excitedly and has quickly gotten on board.  I'm trying to be quiet and keep them quiet, too.  I'm sure my parents are awake by now, but everyone else is probably still sleeping after the late night excitement.  I wonder if I could give this up, mornings like this one getting woken up by Nala and Nook or if...I jump as Autumn grabs my shoulder from behind.