Read Online -Worlds Apart- Ruination by Amanda Thome - Free Book Online Page A

Papa mutters.
    “I got her lessons. We covered them all.” I smile at Emma. “She learned about the moon cycles and trapping.” Papas eyes light and for a moment he looks years younger.
    “Oh yeah? Which trap?”
    Emma launches into a detailed description of the twitch-up snare. I chuckle. She actually sounds like she enjoyed it. The way she describes everything it’s like I’m actually back in the forest searching for the rabbit path and fastening the noose. 
    Part of the reason she’s so animated is because of me. She learned these things from me. A jolt of excitement rushes to my stomach. I could do this; I could be an educator if I make it to Central. If Emma can learn and love it then I can teach anyone. My mind wanders as I see myself standing in front of dozens of eager children, I’m dressed in pressed and perfect white. I’ve made the leap and am an educator.
    Eventually my mind makes its way back to the present and I see Papa and Emma both laughing. Small tears collect at the edges of their eyes and I laugh too. I’ll miss them when I make it to Central. I can’t think of missing them though, it hurts too much.  Instead I hold onto the mental images of me in my pressed white uniform. 
    Soon our laughter slows as fatigue sets in. The sun’s dropping fast, painting the sky in pinks and oranges as it sets. The colors are dull and beautiful as they cover the western skyline, but the hues are also a warning for Emma and me. Soon curfew will come. Papa’s the first to push away from the table. We follow. We walk with the sun setting behind us. Twice I notice Emma look over her shoulders to appreciate the colors. 
    Walking through the door I see the exhaustion conquer Emma. I rinse the tub one last time, banishing the mud that coated its white floor. Emma and I crawl into bed, she slides her hand in mine. I’m happy I had my day with her but I’m also aware of a void that hollows me.
    I haven’t seen Garrett all day and it’s like a part of me is missing. I don’t think I’ll feel whole until I see him tomorrow. How unfair is it that I’ve kept my composure for all these years and am now falling to pieces so close to the leap. I’ve watched day in and day out as the other girls in our year try to win him over, never once was I jealous or even thought of sharing their same affections, not until now. Maybe it’s the leap that’s making me crazy, or maybe it’s the hormones Gwen talked about. All I know is he consumes my thoughts like a rolling fog, he’s all I think about. I lay in bed trying to wrap my cloudy head around my emotions. It seems less than coincidental that I’ve fallen for him this close to the leap, but I think I have.
     

Chapter 13
     
     
    I wake just before first light, Emma’s hands still in mine. My body’s stiff from my heavy sleep. It’s miraculous that I even slept considering my test’s only two days away. It’s my last day to train with Garrett. This realization makes my stomach spiral. 
    I tug at the corner of the blanket covering us and slide stealthily off the bed. My toes touch down and involuntarily retract, trying to escape the frigid floor. I set my feet down again, this time prepared for the cold as I tiptoe toward the bathroom. Emma’s still asleep when I exit dressed in my warm blue uniform. I’m leaving my hair free today, hopefully it shields my ears from the December winds. 
    “Have a good day.” I whisper, kissing her pink cheek. She stirs but goes back to sleep.
    I stand at the front window and stare into the grey landscape, staring and waiting for first light. Hurry up, hurry up, I keep repeating. My mind fights an internal battle.
    ‘I should go now, its close enough. Nobody will see.’
    ‘Maybe he’s already there waiting for me.’
    ‘No, you can’t go, you’ll get caught. He isn’t there yet anyway, it’s too early.’
    I keep echoing the circular thoughts until finally the first pink and gold rays break the eastern trees.