The Chosen

Chapter 1

Drip. Drop.

The rain dropped from the dark sky, slowly speeding its downfall towards the earth. The scent of wet grass and stinging rain was everywhere.

Safe inside her bedroom walls, Mina groaned, letting her arms fall to her sides. Her long blond hair fell in ruffled folds down her back.

This is hopeless. she thought.

Her prom dress was ready for the dance, all sparkly and white. Mina would rather have worn red, but white was one of her best colours. She had her makeup on, pretty and perfect. If she could just get her hair to cooperate, everything would be fine.

Mina rarely had anymore school dances, thus the reason she was trying extra hard to make everything perfect. Ever since the Element Users had arrived and taken over the village, it was almost impossible to do anything fun.

“Why am I doing this?” Mina asked herself. “Why exactly am I trying so hard?”

She sighed, closing her blue eyes and tried to relax. In the end, it was useless. Mina was completely worked up. She turned her eyes to the window after a moment, just as lightning cracked through the sky.

A distant memory of laughing and playing flashed through her mind. It was a bittersweet thought, left in her mind from the old days. Back when everyone was free, when Mina's parents were alive and everyone was happy.

She shook her head sharply. “Get yourself together, Mina! The past is the past. You have to let it go!” she scolded herself.

Mina let her gaze wander around her room for a while to cool her head before it landed on a single rose on the nightstand by her bed. Mina smiled slightly to herself.

Is this why I'm trying so hard? A stupid rose... Her mind drifted off into another memory.

***

“It's so beautiful. And so well grown.” Mina stroked the petals of the rose in front of her. They were soft and rich, a lush piece of heaven.

The florist was an old lady she knew well, Mrs. Jenkins. She had looked after Mina many times when her aunt and uncle were away. Mrs. Jenkins was a surprisingly plump woman with warm gray eyes. Her curly blond hair had gray streaks in it now, but she was still quite pretty for her age.

Mrs. Jenkins beamed and turned from her other flowers.

“Thank you dearie! Would you like to buy it?” she asked hopefully.

Mina smiled sadly. She knew Mrs. Jenkins had trouble providing for herself ever since her husband, a sweet old man, had been taken by the Element Users. Mina hated them for all the trouble they caused her and her people.

“I'm sorry,” she said. “I would love to, but I don't have any money with me now.”

Mrs. Jenkins noticeably saddened, but before she could say anything, a voice spoke up behind them.

“I can pay.”

Mina turned, surprised. The most popular boy at her school, Noah Mendez, grinned at her. Every girl in the school liked him at least a little, and Mina could see why.

“Hey Mina.” he greeted her.

Mina's heart flipped. “Uh... N-Noah?” Mina mentally facepalmed. She was always such an idiot around him.

“Yup.” Noah smiled at her again, looking as amazing as ever with his shaggy black hair and dreamy midnight-blue eyes, then turned to Mrs. Jenkins. Mina didn't fail to notice the dark bags under his eyes. All of the children over thirteen had those signs of exhaustion.

“One rose please.”

Mina's cheeks reddened and her heart pounded as Noah handed her the flower.

“Here, Mina.” he murmured.

She was half surprised she hadn't passed out from how close Noah was. She could smell his fresh, but faint cologne.

“Th-thanks.” Mina stammered out. She had a feeling her face must have looked like a tomato by then.

“It's no problem,” Contrary to Mina, Noah looked as cool and chill as ever, like a gentle river, never losing its flow. “I'm glad you like it. Anyway, I should get going now. Save me a dance tomorrow, will you Mina?” he asked as he walked away. Mina should have been disappointed that he was leaving, but at that point she couldn't even think straight. A date? With Noah?

She had to be ready tomorrow.

***

Mina laughed slightly, turning back to her mirror. Her hair had finally settled down and she decided to just leave it be.

“Mina! Are you ready yet? Amber's here!” her aunt called from downstairs.

Amber Reyes had been one of Mina's best friends for the longest time. With her Cherokee background, dark rich skin, long smooth brown hair and bright golden eyes, she was the spotlight for all the boys. Mina didn't mind, though.

They had decided to go to the Senior Prom together, even though neither of them had official dates. In her opinion, it was kind of sad, to be honest. Mina took a deep breath and turned away.

Noah, here I come.