It was Teresa's 14th birthday today and coming back from the awarding ceremony of Grade 8 students, she was hesitant to go back home. For her clan, the fourteenth age means she was coming of age, ready to train and become a productive member of her tribe, her clan. 

Yet, instead of going directly to the coming-of-age ceremony, a celebration prepared by their whole clan for her and for the other two 14 years old, she chose to go directly to her usual hiding place, the mango tree a hundred meters away from their house. 

Upon reaching the spot, she immediately leaned on the trunk. Here, she can't hear other people, it was peaceful, like she was the only person in the world. No one to complain about her, no one to diss her and most importantly, no one to disturb her. 

"Just as I thought, you're here again."

She thought too soon. It was one of the other 14 years old, Kenneth, the weak little boy who was always following her and Etta, the other 14 years old. 

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her eyes trained on the mound of dirt in front of her. 

"Esang, we're supposed to be at the ceremony," Kenneth started. Esang, it was short for her name Teresa, like how Etta was short for Maretta. 

"I don't want to go," she answered. There was a trail of ant who stopped, put down their baggage and looked up at her. 

You're here, Esang.

How was the.. what was it called? 

The awarding. In that structure full of papers. 

"School," she answered, smiling down at the ants. She can talk to them without mouthing the words but she needed its effect against Kenneth. 

Wanted to freak out the crybaby again?

Naughty girl. 

Don't call him that. He can hear you, she conveyed to the ants. 

He can't understand us. 

"You're talking to the insects again?" Kenneth asked. His face was getting pale, just about time. 

"You can hear them, even if its gibberish to your ears. Surely, you already know."

"That's disgusting," he said. "You should really stop doing that. The elders said so."

"You should try it sometimes. They're nicer than most of our clan mates."

"I can't handle it and hearing them--" he stopped short. There was a gag reflex coming but he kept it in. "I better go back. I bet Etta was looking for me," he said, excusing himself. He was already looking sick, she even thought she saw a tinge of purple under his eyes.  

A few steps away from her and he vomited. He was one of the handful in the clan who can still hear the insects but in doing so, triggers an effect like this. 

Esang stood up, feeling guilty and massaged Kenneth's back. 

"I'll come with you," she started, "I'm sorry," she apologized. 

Kenneth wiped his mouth and looked suspiciously at her, which she answered with smiles. "Are you alright now?"

"I just hope you didn't wait before I discharged whatever I just ate at the celebration. It's such a waste." 

Ah, a quality taught by her mother. "Don't worry, the insects will take care of it," she answered. 

"Not again, Esang," he took a step forward then asked curiously, "Wait, what are the insects who eat scraps?"

"You can ask them." 

Kenneth frowned and Esang giggled. Kenneth was always curious about everything, the type who never discriminates despite his inability to handle his own against hearing the insects. Probably, because of his upbringing. His father was the Leader of the clan, her mother an ambassador and his grandmother was one of the Elders. In short, his family was the richest and he's the most educated, at least in their clan. 

Better get going, she told the ants and they made a kind of salute to her, the one she taught them, out of whim. 

A/N: 

First Chapter. Whew! Any thoughts so far?