apter: Lies in

as we step out and head to the Gatherin

glance that, I know, is for yesterday. I smile, letting

don't know who I've got this trait from, but I am extremely unfor

Square. Almost half-way, we

. However, unlike Evelyne, who would've run right into me, Lily stands at the same place and start

ossibly manage and pat her cheek in an aff

pouts at my word

in one cute little hand of hers. I can't help but laugh. "Oh sure, ki- err... Lily.", I rep

Evelyne is soon hugging me tight enough to render me breathless. "Umm... I ca

ront of elders. In fact, we play it pretty cool

s the tension emanating from me even more obvious to notice. Even I myself can almost fe

"What's the matter?", she whispers the question almost accusingly, as if it was a crime for m

be, all the time, and it would really hurt her if and when she ever comes to know of my true identity. But, in al

ly and willin

y exciting - all at once. My head feels very mildly buzzy with all these thought, when

least I can do for our friendship is

", I whisper back, trying to keep the tension that I am fe

y parted. I tug at her hand and she seemingly jerks awake from her state of frozen

eard?", she asks me, the vol

eling oddly funny. Her widen a fr

n wonder and then her face lights up with the hugest gri

claims like a shooting star has just struck her in the head. I l

Speaking of that, I've never even seen the star-studded night sky, except for

nd I can't deny it as

the white snow. I want to feel the night breeze brushing past my skin. I want to feel even th

, but honestly, I don't mind till I can

athering Field, decked prettily with tiny, yellow and orange flowers, brings

probably be happy, provided he is my best friend, the most 'eligible' candidate for Mayorship that Zaayes c

irl in Zaayes. So, no, unfortunately I am n

it. I dread it'

big enough to fit the town's whole populace. It is therefore the default location for t

elites. But today, as we begin settling into the seats of the third row or so, two guys - really

nd thoughts or questions. Then the guy, who I suddenly recognize to have seen a few times in school, shoots me an evaluating, lingering glance - as if he is checking whether I am worth something - and then nod almost unnoticeably to himself, before a polit

he does look attractive with his glinting blue eyes and boyish grin that's now directed towards me. I was just too scared to notice all this before.

posal. I don't quite like him, but I can manage till he makes sure we all get all these luxuries, for free! I love you for saying yes to him! Though, if not for all these, I probably would've aske

s and how I feel like I am betraying him by even agreeing to 'hang out' w

e case with most thing

re full. We all stand in salutation and he holds up bot

plexion, muscular build and salty-peppery beard only make him look even more intimidating. His voi

For, his mother, the Mayor's wife, has never been

d gentlemen, I

my eyes and yet, all I can see are his gorgeous amber eyes, the way his sharp jaw clenches when he is mad, the indent at the base of hi

t point now, since he is all that I can think about as the speech goes o

ouch and the way that has always made blood rush to my cheeks and a strang

hort ritual prayer, whose meaning I still can't quite figure out. Not that I've ever bee

ngs properly, when I see And

roudly state, is the strongest shifter of the young generation. Therefore, I , the current Mayor of Zaayes, keeping all of you, my dear people, as witnesses, hereby officially

ifts to him and loud applauds erupt from the crowd in unison. I am not sure if anyone else notices the lon

ility. And great responsibilities are

ll be there in the bakery.", he says softly and I can almost hear him add If you need me through the look in his eyes. But both of

smile that he retu

retly roll my eyes. Lily waves a tiny hand at me with a bright smile and I simply return

ds me. I glance at Andre, who waves at me. And I don't wait for the guy to come over and escort me to where Andre and the

he would rather pr

ver-so-slightly. He has noticed my brazen-ness, and he probably do

of rebellious courage within myself. I don't express it, though. Wh

ssions, he glances between his father and me and makes an apologetic face and sports a consecutiv

e head-to-toe with a scrutinizing and calculative glance. I nod, deliberately keeping him from estimating me for who I really am. The lack of words somehow seems to impress him, and he simpl

I do

his. My eyes meet his and I see the gratitude

he gives my hand a tug, strong enough

p. I don't know exactly what message those two words conveyed. It was almost lik

ngs weren't already going downhill, my earlier

__

ion C

anything, y

think will th

haracter in this cha

imagine as An

__