Kayline McKenzie
They must've walked slower than usual. Christina and Kayline usually walk the 8 miles less than 3 hours, but today it took 5 hours to return to the kingdoms capital, Landow.
The sky has descended and the stars have appeared. They shine without insecurity. Their lights shine in the cobblestone, being our guide back to our home.
"Do you think we will get in trouble?" Kayline asks Christina. She shrug her shoulders.
"Even if we do, what are they going to do? Throw us out?" Christina says sarcastically. Kayline nods her head in agreement. She guesses that's true. The Academy can't really do anything except suspend their time slot. Which is barely open as it is, which means more time in training.
Even though the city is huge, it's more alive than it has ever been. The kingdoms anniversary ball is in about a month. Celebrating over 950 years as a kingdom and the freedom that David Andorai earned during the Great Battle.
Kayline's attention gets diverted when a scream fills the air. She turns to focus on where the sound came from, her senses turn on, ready for any threat that may come her way. Kayline can feel her muscles start to flex and her nerves flare up.
Kayline heart slows down when she just see girls running around, chasing boys who stole their cardboard crown. Christina and Kayline look at each other and let out their breath. Everything is fine. Kayline lets herself get distracted again.
The decorations for the ball are spread everywhere. The fairy lights are wrapped around light posts, hanging above us and zigzagging across buildings, lighting up the walkways and giving the whole city a warm atmosphere. Different colored lights are spotlighted on the road. Ornate paintings are hanged up on walls, and complicated chalk drawings on the cobblestone.
But the one thing that catches Kayline's eyes, are the smile's on people's faces. Their eyes shine, calling out to the world as if they have no worries. Their smiles real and genuine. Something that Kayline wished she had.
Kayline sees two girls in a shop, trying on antique dresses. The dresses seem as delicate as snowflakes. The girls are smiling and glowing to the point they seem like they are going to explode. Christina and Kayline move out of the way as a little girl with the crown runs past us, as a stampede of children trample after her. Kayline couldn't help but laugh, unable to resist the temptation.
Christina smiles and lets out a sigh. Kayline worries about her. Chris is too curious and courageous. She wants to see the world and study their cultures and live them. She wants so much more. Kayline wishes, as her older sister, that she could give it to her. But if Chris leaves, Kayline knows she can't go with her. All for this, the academy, the fighting, is Kaylines destiny. Even if she doesn't want it. It's the only thing that belongs to Kayline. She felt pride in that.
"I love celebrations. It's the only time the cities really come alive. With light and laughter." Kayline mentions to her little sister, hoping to bring up a conversation. Christina smiles. It worked, Kayline thought to herself.
"Yeah and the one night where we could be ourselves!" Chris says dramatically. Kayline laughs and Chris joins in. Kayline savors the small moment she has with her sister. She doesn't get a lot of good, peaceful, moments with her.
Sometimes, Chris comes and rants to Kayline about the academy, how often they lie, how often they have to harbor their feelings.
YOU ARE READING
The Way I Lie
Action( not edited short story ) Being an assasin may seem like fun and games, but every game has rules. Rule One don't get caught, don't let them figure out your mission. Rule Two, be merciless, and show no fear. And the most important rule of all... d...
