Chapter 5

Summer hurried back, still catching her breath. Gabe, who had sprinted a few steps, slowed down to a walk.

As he walked back, he felt a few raindrops on his head. Gabe exclaimed, "Oh crap," and quickened his pace to return to the youth settlement.

He rushed to the kitchen, lifted the door curtain, and stepped inside. Wiping the rain from his head, he said, "It's really starting to rain."

After Henry left, the others gradually exited the kitchen as well. Logan had taken his share of the rations and left, leaving only Charlie and Summer in the kitchen.

While Gabe was out looking for Henry by the river, Charlie hadn't been idle. He continued to persuade Summer not to be stubborn, emphasizing the difficulties a girl would face on her own, but to no avail.

Although they weren't as close to Summer as Henry was, having grown up in the same courtyard, they still felt they understood her well, having grown up in the same neighborhood.

Summer had always listened to Henry, rarely spoke much, and followed Henry's instructions without question. She had never caused him any trouble and was always obedient and well-behaved. 

Today, however, she seemed unusually obstinate.

When Gabe returned, Charlie stopped persuading and asked, "What did Henry say?"

Gabe glanced at Summer and replied, "Henry said if we can't convince her, we should just give her the rations. A girl on her own won't last long before she regrets it."

Summer breathed a sigh of relief, not arguing further. As long as Henry didn't withhold her rations to force her into joining them, she was satisfied.

With her newfound perspective, Summer was confident she could handle things on her own without regrets.

Charlie, seeing that persuasion was futile, weighed out the rations for Summer. The community divided the rations equally per person, and he gave Summer her share, just like he had for Logan. The remaining rations were split among the ten of them.

Although the national situation had slightly improved in recent years, life was still hard, especially for the rural folk. Even city dwellers ate coarse grains, so you can imagine the situation in the countryside. The rations they received were the same as what the villagers ate: mostly sorghum and corn, with very little wheat and rice. There were also some sweet potatoes and a bit of oilseeds for pressing oil.

Charlie carefully measured Summer's share and gave it to her. After confirming the rations were correct, Summer thanked Charlie and Gabe before heading back to her dormitory.

Charlie and Gabe watched her leave with a sense of helplessness. They couldn't understand why Summer, who Henry treated like a sister, would suddenly draw such a clear line between them, seemingly disregarding Henry's feelings.

Of all the people, Summer was the last one they expected to act this way.

Resigned, Charlie and Gabe sighed in unison.

Just as they finished sighing, Henry and Sophia walked in, both soaked from the rain. They were sharing a thick coat that Henry had taken off to protect Sophia.

Henry shook off the coat and asked Sophia, "You didn't get wet, did you?"

Sophia adjusted her hair and smiled, "I'm fine, my hair's dry."

Henry, shaking off the coat a few more times, asked Charlie and Gabe, "Did you give Summer her rations?"

Gabe, sitting down, replied, "Yes, she took them and went back to her dorm."

The weather was still cold. Henry put the coat back on and said casually, "Alright then, let it be for now."

With Henry's words, Charlie and Gabe had nothing more to say. With nothing else to do, they headed back to their dorms.

Henry didn't go back with them. He had broken a stool leg earlier and now needed to fix it. He picked up the broken leg and started working on the stool.

Seeing Henry busy, Sophia stayed behind to help and keep him company.

***

In the girls' dormitory, the oil lamp flickered with the wind as Summer walked in. Lily, Cecilia, and Grace turned to look at her but didn't say anything, quickly returning to their conversations.

Summer was used to being ignored at the settlement. She didn't mind and went straight to wash up. The girls had put up a makeshift curtain in a corner for some privacy during their nightly routine.

Summer mixed hot water and began washing behind the curtain, while the others resumed their lighthearted chatter. 

Not interested in their conversation, Summer focused on washing up. Once done, she stretched and prepared for bed. The girls' dorm housed five people, and they all slept on a shared bed.

Summer's spot was at the far end, next to the south wall, which occasionally shed dust. On her left was Grace.

Grace was sitting on her bed, holding a round mirror with a red plastic frame, the back adorned with a picture of a famous landmark.

Sighing, Grace said, "We've only been here half a month, and my face is already this tan. I can't imagine how I'll look after a few years."

She wasn't the prettiest among the five girls, but she was the most concerned with her appearance.

Cecilia chimed in, "Then stop looking at it. Out of sight, out of mind."

Grace sighed again, "It's frustrating. Sophia hasn't changed a bit."

Lily added, "That's because she always finds excuses to avoid work, and Henry looks out for her. She does much less than we do."

Just then, the door opened. It was Sophia, the only one still outside. She greeted everyone cheerfully and quickly went to wash up.

Summer, still sitting on her bed, took the opportunity to address Grace, "Can I have my mirror back?"

Grace, holding the mirror, looked surprised, as if she hadn't expected Summer to speak to her. After a moment, she asked, "You want to use the mirror?"

Summer nodded, "Yes."

Grace laughed, "You never cared about mirrors before. What's changed?"

She had borrowed the mirror half a month ago and hadn't returned it. Now, she didn't want to give it up.

Seeing Grace's attitude, Summer didn't bother arguing. She extended her hand, looking at Grace expectantly.

Grace, meeting Summer's gaze, felt a strange unfamiliarity. Reluctantly, she handed over the mirror, "Just don't put it anywhere random. I need it in the morning."

"You should use your own," Summer replied, taking the mirror without looking at Grace again.

Grace, stunned, was at a loss for words. Lily and Cecilia were equally surprised, turning to look at the two girls.

Grace, feeling the tension, threw herself onto her bed and muttered, "Who cares about looking in the mirror? It's not like it makes you prettier."