The day after the trial, my daily routine was relatively unchanged. I woke up, showered (this time letting myself enjoy it) and got dressed. Elise came to walk with me to breakfast like always and we sat at our usual table in the rec room. The view from the massive windows was spectacular once again, the silver plates that magically filled up with whatever request from the kitchen were just the same but the atmosphere had changed as my friends and I gathered around the table. There was a somber air and when my eyes found Amanda and her suitcase I knew why instantly.  A lump formed in my throat and I wanted to say something to her, to breach the topic but nothing came to mind but of course, Melinda could always be counted upon in situations like this.

"You failed the trial?" she said and I couldn't help but notice how much quieter she was than normal. She was almost at indoor volume. I hadn't known she was capable of that.

"Mhm," Amanda said, and I noticed a shocking detail-her phone wasn't out at all. Seeing that made her eminent departure all the more real to me. 

"What happened?" I asked, finally discovering my voice.

"Hand to hand wasn't my strength while training so my strategy was evasion and speed." She shrugged then and I could already see why she had failed. "When I was in the jungle and arctic environments it worked well since I had so much covering but once I got out into the meadow I was done for. The two guards that ambushed me took me down and that was the end of it. And I'm fine by the way," she finished with a pointed look at all of us.

"Really?" Melinda exclaimed, the sound shattering the somber mood as Amanda laughed. Behind her thick glasses, her hazel eyes gleamed with mirth.

"Yes, really," she giggled. "I mean, I only went on two dates with Thor and don't get me wrong, he seems like a great guy but that's not really enough time to fall hard for him. I wish I could've made it farther sure, but I'm not exactly crushed about the whole thing."

I wasn't sure if she was being brave for us or truly meant it. Perhaps it was some combination of both. "What will you do next then? Go back to Kansas?"

"No." Amanda shook her head. "Well yes, but not long term. After doing this, I think I'm ready to tackle something I always said I would do but never had the guts to try."

"What's that?" Elise asked.

"I want to move to New York City and start my own photography business." She said that very fast and there was a faint pink tinge to her cheeks. However, her embarrassment was unneeded.

Melinda whooped and I saw several heads turn towards us. I looked away but not before I caught the woman with long wavy hair glaring at me like I'd done something repulsive. The hatred in her eyes was so intense that I quickly looked away and refocused on Amanda who was opening up more than I'd ever seen her do under the flattering interest of our little group.

"Oh yeah!" Melinda said with a shrug of her shoulders. "I know a guy who could help you get a premise in the city; his name's Dayton, he's awesome." Melinda chatted on about some of her connections in New York that she could get Amanda in touch with if she wanted and of course, the blonde was quite interested and began digging through her purse to find a pen and a scratch piece of paper.

"I think it's great that you want to start a photography business," I found myself saying.  "I love taking pictures too."

"Really?" Amanda asked, beaming and I nodded.

"Yeah but it's for myself versus commercial work. I'm not very good at it."

"All you need in a good photo is a good camera and good lighting."

"I get the first part but lighting is tricky."

"Not really," Amanda disagreed with a shake of her head. "It's all about manipulation, it's super easy once you get the hang of it. Retouching is tougher. You want to make things look better without looking too perfect, you know?"

"Not at all. Explain?"

And for once, my shy friend needed no prodding. She launched into an explanation of how flimsy circular disks made of reflective fabric, small lamps and backgrounds could all be tweaked and positioned just right to make the lighting perfect for the subject. Her knowledge and passion was so engaging that listening to her was easy and my appetite returned as Amanda explain her plans for her business and how she hoped to work primarily in portrait photography and work on a series that brought attention to poverty in the inner city.

"Couldn't you do that in Kansas?"

"Maybe but it's New York, you know? It's like Sinatra said, 'if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere'."

"You like Frank Sinatra?" Elise asked as she set down her cinnamon roll. The white icing stuck to her fingers as she tried to dab it off with her napkin.

"I inherited my grandma's record collection and player after she passed away. Lots of good stuff in there believe it or not."

Elise smiled. "I'll trust your judgement."

"Glad you do, my parents are going to freak."

I winced in sympathy. "Just remember to hold your ground. This is your life to live, not theirs."

"Mind if I borrow that?"

"Not at all. Though I do have to warn you that they might not take it well." My mother certainly hadn't when I'd  used it on her.

"Thanks for the warning." Amanda looked down at her watch. "Thank you, all of you. You've made my time here really amazing."

"You're leaving already?" I asked but I got my answer in the form of Thor teleporting into the center of the room. He was dressed in his usual suit, this one a shade of navy blue that brought out the vivid shade of his eyes. His short hair looked damp, his face freshly shaved and I had a nagging sense he'd cleaned up before coming here.

"Good morning ladies," he said cordially. "As you know, yesterday the combat trial took place and as you all worked hard and represented yourself well. For this you should be proud." His expression was rather flat, no smile on his lips or glimmer in his eye. He spoke well, using inflection and pauses in the right places but the only thing my mind could register fully was that Thor looked bored. Like he'd read this a hundred times.  I forced my mind off it as he continued. "However, for some of you, this was not enough and that means you are to be dismissed from this competition and return to Midgard. Amanda Roth, Reba Song and Miranda Cole, your time here has come to an end. If you'll please meet out in the foyer, you're sponsors are waiting for you to say goodbye and to return you to your respective homes. I want to personally thank each of you for agreeing to come here, I will always value our time together and wish you the best in your future endeavors."

Amanda rose to her feet, smiling and I had to believe hers was genuine. I looked around the room and my eyes sought the two other women who would no longer continue on. I recognized one of them. Reba, she'd been hanging out with Melinda the day I'd arrived on Asgard though she'd never stayed part of our little group. Next to her was someone whom I assumed was Miranda Cole; her skin was fawn colored and her long hair was hanging down her back in cornrow braids.

Together, the three women exited the room, uttering their goodbyes to Thor and and I stiffened as Amanda hugged me. "Take care Suzume," she whispered as she let go and made her way to Elise and Melinda. That event hit me the way her confession hadn't, Amanda wasn't the hugging type and yet, she'd embraced all of us.

I blinked as I tried to get my composure while Amanda walked out the door with the other women. As the doors shut, I made a promise to myself that I'd find my way to New York to see her photography studio. I had a strong feeling the Kansas girl would indeed own one someday. As the doors closed, I looked around the room. Counting me, five of us remained after the first trial. As I looked around at the familiar faces, I wondered if any of us would leave between then and now. I wasn't sure but I was determined that it would not be me. Problem was, falling in love wasn't as easy as training for combat.

*****************************

New chapter! Shorter but needed! The first trial has ended and some did not pass; farewell Amanda, Reba and Miranda, may the odds be ever in your favor moving forward (yes that was a reference to The Hunger Games, I just re-read the last two books last week!) As always, please feel free to COMMENT and VOTE!

Write on! :)