Thornless Roses

chapter four - water lilies

Marcus sat down at his family's dinner table; it consists of him, his mom, his dad, his little sister, his uncle, his aunt, his two twin cousins, and his grandma. His house was on a tall hill, and below the mountain was all farmland. They were vast harvesters of corn, making most of their income from their corn sales. They had many chickens and not as many pigs and cows, those were a rare find in Azark. It was initially just Marcus's parents and their grandparents. Once they began to make a living Marcus's Uncle brought over his family to take a cut of the profit.

The house was a small wooden shack, consisting of three stories. One story being the cellar, where he slept in a small closet, the rest of the basement consisting of stored vegetables and cold meats. The second floor was the kitchen, leading off the dining room. When you walked through the grand double wooden doors into the house, you were the witness of the grand living room; something the house was well-known for. Beautiful baby blue walls, majestic white carpet, and spectacular grey furniture. Showcasing a beautiful dark grey fireplace in the front. Upstairs had five bedrooms and two bathrooms. His sister got a room to herself, something the twins had been pining for since they turned ten. Formerly Marcus had slept in the room next to his sister. However, when the twins showed up, that changed, and he was kicked to the dark cellar.

"Marcus," His Aunt Adelia started, "Margo and Christine will be joining your class Tuesday, I'm sure you'll make sure they find their way." She finished, sending a glare over at Marcus.

Cursed with two girls, Marcus's aunt and uncle were destined to make less money than families with boys. Girls were considered useless to the village. Cursed with dishwashing and cleaning. However, Adelia and Clarence, His aunt and uncle, were trying to break the mold society made; Sending both of their children to school. A school was the only the rich girls attend, a school all boys were expected. The only reason Azark had a school for boys and girls was that it was the law among all the lands.

"Yes, ma'am," Marcus muttered under his breath. "I'll be sure they know the path."

"I'm excited ma, do ya think I'll be able to read like Marcus." Margo laughed.

"You better bet we'll be reading better than Marcus," Christine growled.

Marcus didn't have the will to begin an argument he couldn't win. With Alex missing everyone at school was a mess. Even the girls who couldn't stand his antics yearned for his jokes and comedic acts. Blake was a mess, the first couple mornings he didn't go to school. Of course, the empty seat next to Blake where his best friend used to be wasn't helping any matters. Even the sadistic teacher felt the tension in the room. Connor tried to make crude comments to lighten to the place, but no one would even dare to laugh.

Marcus felt a swift kick to his shin, which he could only assume was Christine. The sound was light, yet visible.

"Ow!" Christine yelled, "Momma, Marcus kicked me!" She whined bringing her knee against her chest to hold her leg, dramatically. She began to whimper. Aunt Adelia rose from the table the chair darting out from under her, and her hand rose in such a slow manner. You heard the conversations from the table come to a halt. She paused, debating whether or not she'd even go through it, and for just a split second Marcus thought he'd be okay.

A loud sound echoed from the small dining room.

Marcus didn't flinch, he couldn't anymore, for he had flinched too much in the past for this even to affect him. He just went back to eating his bread, as Christine smirked at him from across the table. Even his parents refused to make eye contact with Marcus, too disappointed in him for kicking Christine even to bat an eyelash.

"Ma, I told Blake I'd help him out at the bank. Can I go?" He asked, avoiding eye contact.

"Just go." His mom sighed, looking down as well.

Marcus, stood up leaving the table. He heard the chatter start up again as he slid on his black fur coat and put on his hat. He tipped his hat one last time before disappearing into the night.