carstan

"Hey Carstan! Carstan, it's Sticks!"

I turned around to see Emilee Parvenu, The Glitch of Trulivent. She was holding on to her books like they're going to protect her from me. Fat chance.

Emilee's mother left her family two years ago. I know it can be hard, living without a mother around, but with the state her dad is in I can even begin to imagine what her home life is like. At least I see my mother sometimes. She probably lives in a tiny house in Red because that's all her family could afford. It's sad. And of course, she looks different than the rest of us. Her dark brown hair and her enchanting blue eyes... I wish I could look like her. When I was little I would ask Mom if I could go into Zoya's Fissarex and change my hair and eye color. She always said no. By now I've learned not to waste my time with her begging. Deep down, however, I still wish I was different. I don't know where that Cora girl get's her hair dye, but it sure isn't in Trulivent. I've scoured stores looking for it, and I find nothing.

If Emilee has what I want, I want to make her guilty for it.

"Hey Sticks! Come on, slow down and say hello!"

She kept walking, pretending she didn't hear us. I caught up to her as she approached the classroom and grabbed her shoulder. "Well would you look who it is!" I exclaimed. Felix and the guys were shouting insults, laughing all the way through it. I smiled.

She looked angry- no, she looked like she was done. "Get away from me, Carstan. Just leave me alone for today. You can make up for it tomorrow." I laugh, letting her know I enjoy doing this to her. She get's the hint, I see it in her eyes. "Emilee, Emilee. Be realistic, my dear. Has it not been long enough for you to catch on?" I rolled my eyes. "Do you really think that I'll listen to you?"

She said nothing, but she let out a sigh. She Knows nothing will sway me. Not with a six year record on the line. "Let me go Carstan." The tardy bell rang, and I know she'll be in big trouble with the teachers if she's late again. I grin. Perfect.

"Now why should I, Sticks? There's so much more we could do with you before dropping you off to class." She squirmed, peering down the hallway with a longing look on her skinny face. I held her tighter, looking at the crowd behind us. "What do you say, boys? What should we do with her?" They give ideas, none I haven't heard recently. That is, until Felix, bless his little violent mind, gave out his opinion.

"Let's throw little Miss Sticks into the creek... Clarus. It's deep enough and bound to be near freezing. We haven't done that in a few months."

"Oh, good call, man!" I say, cuing the applause. His dreadlocks swing just above his shoulders, loving that he got my praise. The boys go up, putting their hands on Emilee, and she yelps like a puppy.

"Please," she said, panicked. "Please, Carstan. Not today. Please." I pause for a moment, actually considering letting her go. It only lasts a couple seconds, though, and I shake off the thought, plastering that devious grin back on my face.

"Nothing you say is going to help, Sticks," I say. By now my happiness is real again- seeing that special dark brown hair soaked always feels good when it's done at my hands.

We exited the Edification Tower, and the creek is just outside. Emilee tried to resist us, to slow us down, but it was nothing twelve boys couldn't handle. Heck, Felix alone could've carried her to the creek. "Almost there, Miss Sticks," Felix says. They set her down, and she loses her balance and tries to steady herself on a boy's shoulder. He scowls and says sharply, "Get away from me, Sticks." He pushed her arm off of him like she's contaminated. he did not just knock her down, I think. I cursed and caught her before she reached the ground, then realizing my mistake. I didn't want to seem like I care, but it's too late. I quickly came up with an alibi.

"She's a faint, weak thing," I say, addressing the weird looks I was receiving. "We can't just let her fall like that, guys. It runs the risk of her passing out. We can't throw her in the river if she's unconcious. We aren't killers." At least I'm not, I almost added.

Felix rolled his eyes. "Let's get this done quick, then." I nodded.

"Come, Sticks," I say, waving my hand toward the creek. "Your water awaits." I let go of her, letting Felix and another guy-I think his name was Andrew, but I don't know most of them- take the reigns.

"Let go of me!" she squealed. I winced at the piercing sound. I manage to keep my face expressionless as Felix says, "Not a chance."

"Now," I say. Her scream tears at my heart, but I don't show it. As she is submerged, I chuckle. She stays down, probably waiting for us to leave, but we aren't going anywhere. Felix leaned over the water and pushed down on her head, while I watch from the distance. His hand comes back up, though, followed by Emilee.

"Had a nice swim, Miss?" Felix said. "You hear me? Had a nice swim?" He waited for a couple minutes of silence, before saying, "You look at me when I'm askin' you things, Sticks, and I'm askin' if you had a--"

"Oh you coward!" she said. What did Felix do to be a coward? I thought. Then it was clear. She was addressing me.

"Um, excuse me?"

She dragged her soggy body out of the creek. Her hair, no matter how wet it is now, still stands out from the rest of us, and the anger in her eyes makes them look brighter. She stands out more than ever right now.

I hate it.

"Why didn't you come up here and throw me in yourself?" she shouted. "Why did you have to make him do it? Does your little pet Felix need to do everything for you?" Felix's reaction to this was to move to push her back in, but I shout "Felix. Stop," before he can get to her.

"Oh come on," he protested. "Why can't I, Car?"

I don't respond. I walk foreward slowly, and Felix shakes his head. "Oh, you're gonna get in now, Sticks. Should've kept that glitch mouth of yours shut."

Emilee looks scared, but powerful. When I get to her, I give her a genuine smile, silently thanking her for telling me what I needed to know- If I do the dirty work, I get the power. I put my hands on her shoulders.

"And back in you go, Sticks."