1 Chapter 1
The ray of sunshine made her way through Rue's bed and got into her eyes. With a groan, Rue rubbed her eyes and slowly got out of bed.
She made it to the bathroom, brushed her teeth, combed her hair and washed her face and then she put on some blue wide cuffed jeans and a black t-shirt with a white arrow on it.
She ran her hands though her curly brown hair and started thinking about summer camp because spring will be over in one week.
She took her backpack and went on her way to school. Her feet were making weird sounds as she was stepping on the muddy ground.
Rue made half of the road but then she saw a familiar group of boys. Brandon and his friends.
They were talking loud and jumping into mud. Brandon was the tallest and the only one that wasn't jumping in mud. Probably not to ruin his rich kid shoes. He ran his veiny hand thorugh his hair and looked back just to see Rue and smirked.
He continued his way and soon Rue could no longer see him.
'' Uh that smug '' Rue thought while walking by the same mud Brandon and his friends walked by.
She got in front of her boring giant school. The same plain white walls and ridiculous red roof. Rue stopped in front of the doors, took a deep breath and went inside.
Everyone was talking but Rue couldn't even understand a word. She knew her way to class but she didn't want to go because Brandon and his friends were in her way.
Now she could see them better. Brandon was wearing some black jeans with chains clinging to them, and a white shirt that had a red spot on its sleeve.
He was leaning against a wall while his friends were pushing and laughing at him. Rue passed them but someone grabbed her hand.
It was Brandon.
He wasn't holding her tight but he definetly wanted to say something to her.
'' What do you want'' Rue asked.
'' That's a little bit harsh, isn't it? I just wanted to talk. '' he said with a grin while letting go of my arm.
'' Ok let's talk. ''
Brandon laughed and put his chin on his fist.
'' How was your day? '' he asked sarcastically.
'' Better than ever '' Rue answered in the same manner before stepping on his foot and leaving.
She could hear his friends laughing while Brandon was imitating her.
'' Looks like someone escaped hell '' Rue heard a familiar voice.
'' No. Way! '' she said while turning.
She ran in the arms of her bestfriend. Miles. He hadn't been to school in 2 weeks. Rue looked at her bestfriend again because she missed him. His sweet brown eyes. His wavy black hair and cinnamon skin.
'' I thought something bad happened'' rue said, punching Miles in his shoulder.
'' It did. You just got touched by Brandon'' he responed smiling.
'' You saw that?''
'' The whole school saw it. ''
'' Look what I got'' Miles said proudly as he pulled an arrowhead out of his pocket.
'' Miles that's a hunting broadhead made of steel. There's no way you... ''
The boy smiled before looking at his shoes ashamed.
'' Did you... steal it?'' Rue asked in a low voice.
Miles nodded.
'' I wish I could scream at you but I am way too happy. Thank you!''
The thief handed her the arrowhead and they walked together to class. As they entered the class, Miles went to his seat next to Rue but someone tapped his back.
'' Do you mind?'' Brandon said.
Miles raised a brow.
'' Uh, I sit there. ''
'' No you don't '' said Rue.
'' Very well '' he said and left.
The girl rolled her eyes and prepared herself for class. They had class with their sports teacher and they were going to discuss about the summer camp.
Brandon was making bird noises while Miles was playing with his cards. After 10 minutes the teacher finally showed up and started talking about the camp.
'' First rule. Don't go into the water without asking me. I don't want any of you to drown on my watch'' at this words, Brandon let out a laugh. The teacher ignored him and continued
'' Please do not call me '' teacher''. Call me Tony or couch or whatever but not '' teacher'', please'' the whole class laughed except for Rue.
After that everything became a blur. Rue didn't listen anymore. She just wanted to win the archery contest.
After that one hour, which seemed like forever Rue talked with Miles about summer camp while he was practicing a new magic trick.
'' I wonder if they have good food...''
'' Ok check this'' Miles interrupted her.
He took a coin out of his pocket and put it on the desk. Then he took it and tossed it. When he caught it, there wasn't a coin anymore. There were ripped pieces of paper in his hands.
'' How did you...''
'' Magic'' he said and the coin appeared in his hands again.
'' So guys, did you talk to Eleanor'' Brandon ruined the fun.
'' No, we haven't'' Rue answered, rolling her eyes.
'' Oh you should. She doesn't really like me but... ''
'' Shocker '' Rue cut him off.
'' I know! So you and your magic buddy should talk to her.''
'' Right ''
'' Hey magic buddy, why are you so quiet. No more tricks to do?''
Miles didn't respond.
'' Brandon I think it's time for you to leave and make some new friends''
'' Rue, you are a genius. '' said Brandon after taking Rue's arm and pushing her in front of Eleanor.
Miles tried to go after her but Brandon put him back in his seat.
Eleanor was reading something and Rue didn't really know how to start the conversation so she said what any normal human being would say.
'' Hey'' Eleanor stopped reading and looked at her.
'' Umm... hey.''
'' What are you reading?''
'' Oh, it's a book about self-control ''
'' Oh that sounds pretty cool. ''
'' Are you friends with that Brandon guy?''
'' God no! I am friends with Miles. I think Brandon is torturing him or something '' Eleanor smiled.
'' I am Rue, by the way ''
'' Eleanor ''
'' So Eleanor, are you coming on camp?''
'' Yeah. I heard it's nice there ''
'' Cool. I'll see you around'' said Rue and went back to her seat.
Miles looked... not tortured and Brandon didn't have that grin on his face anymore.
'' So how is she?'' Brandon asked.
'' None of your business. '' Rue answered
'' Oh come on '' he said leaning on her desk.
'' Fine. She is nice. ''
'' That's it? Nice? What was she reading? ''
'' Something about self-control. Oh damn it!''
'' What? '' Brandon asked quite concerned.
'' I forgot to ask her to give it to you after she finishes it''
Brandon rolled his eyes and left. Miles had a smile on his face and when he looked at Rue he mouthed '' nice job ''.
After that Miles played some more with his cards and Rue stared at the arrowhead. After a few minutes their math teacher entered the class.
Rue wasn't paying attention. Why was Eleanor readig about self-control? She seemed to be an expert.
'' Hunter! '' the teacher said again.
Rue hated when the teachers were calling her by her last name but she raised her eyes from the arrowhead and stared at her teacher.
'' Why. Aren't you. Paying attention?''
'' I am. '' she lied.
'' Then you wouldn't mind coming at the board and solving something, would you?''
'' Not at all. '' said Rue keeping the eye contact.
She went to the board and after hearing what she had to solve, her brain stopped working.
She had no idea how to solve that, it was like someone put all her knowledges in a cell and threw away the key. She sighed ready to say she gives up but all of a sudden she could hear a whisper.
She turned with the back at the board and saw Miles mouthing the word '' seven '' . Then she looked at Brandon who was just nodding like he had already seen Miles and knew the answer was correct.
'' Seven '' said Rue.
The teacher looked shocked for a second and then said
'' Correct ... ''
Rue went back to her seat. She thanked Miles and she saw that Brandon was trying to say something to her so she just turned her head, ignoring him.
All of the other classes were over in a blink of an eye and now Rue was packing to go back home. Miles was waiting for her outside of the classroom.
'' Hey want to hang out? '' said Eleanor while she was packing.
'' Yeah sure. Me and Miles are going in the woods and by my house. You can come if you want to'' Rue answered not so sure if it was a good idea.
