:Kayla

A nasty sharp wind almost crippled my existence as it hit me the moment I stepped outside. The shade of grey upon the sky above evoked a gloomy and depressing atmosphere in Venstead. The weather suited my mood, as I hadn't received a letter of acceptance from the thrill but Trina had. It forced me to doubt myself several times and I almost wanted to give up but I know I can't, my brother needs me. There's still hope, but If I don't get anything within the week, it means I have been rejected and my brother could possibly die.

"Kayla, are you alright?" Trina asked me in our maths class. I couldn't help but frown and think about my brother, my possible rejection.

"I'm okay, I guess." But the way I spoke suggested otherwise.

"Is it Aziel?" She asked assuming we had a fallout. But our relationship, if thats what you would call it, is fine, never better actually.

"No...no, why would you think that?"

"I don't know you were with him yesterday, that's all." I get a little annoyed because he isn't the only person I talk to... well maybe he is kind of the only boy...

"It's because of the thrill acceptance letter isn't it, I knew I shouldn't have told you I got in."

"Trina please understand that getting onto the thrill and winning the prize money is all I have left to cling onto to save my brother, what will happen to him if he doesn't get that surgery." Trina kindly puts her hand on my shoulder to comfort me while I struggle to hold back tears as the thoughts of my helpless brother crash down on me like a waterfall.

"Don't worry about it you will get accepted I just know it."

After the class, I go over to my locker there are several posters advertising the thrill and signing up. The Thrill loves teenagers joining the game as its the target demographic for the show. But most people rather not enter. You would have to be pretty desperate or one would have to have hit rock bottom to decide to risk their life playing the game but the risk was worth the reward, they would say.

I'm picking up my history book as I see Aziel walk over to me. His cheeky grin makes me blush and butterflies flutter aggressively within me suggesting a powerful attraction. Against the bright lights his olive skin shined perfectly and his thick black hair sat nicely on his head. Within me I wanted to go crazy but I have to be composed from the outside, he doesn't need to know how much I like him, does he?

"Hello, I have something for you." He hands me an envelope with my name written on it in purple letters.

"Okay what is this?" I ask skeptical holding onto the parchment tightly.

"Just open it and see." He smiles encouraging me to open the envelope. And I open it quickly not minding ripping the paper recklessly. Then I hold up what was inside.

"What do you think?" He asked smiling the more.

"I think I can't accept this." Within the envelope was a check for half a million cowries(money system in Venstead). I never wanted Aziel's money especially not when his father hates me and wants me dead. I couldn't believe he would do this I told him I didn't want his money. URGH! Then I thought about my parents and the debts they owed to the state.

"Please just take it Kayla." Aziel's smile fades and he pleads with me. But this isn't my way, this isn't the right way.

"I could never be able to pay you back." I said.

"You don't have to its my gift to you."

"Its not my birthday."

"I didn't say it was, I just-" I cut him off

"No, you just can't give me money this way, I want to earn it and I will."

"What by getting urself killed playing that stupid game." His voice grew louder and harsher but his words cut right through me. He softly touches my face with his palm.

"All I want to do is help you."

"I'm not your charity case." I remove his hand from my face a storm off to get away from him, my anger building and my thoughts multiplying.

Later on we are finally assigned our project for history. Throughout the lesson I avoided Aziel even though he was sat right beside me, why did I get stuck doing my project with him I thought. Even though I was angry at him my stomach churned at the thought of him hating me for it, for not accepting the money, for not thanking him, for not hugging him...

"So class, I would like for you all to create a presentation on your chosen greatest historic event, I'm thrilled to see what you all come up with by the end of term, remember both group members should equally participate." Mrs. Kane said before switching off the PowerPoint. Great I have to do a project with someone I don't really want to talk to right now.

"What should we do our project on?" Aziel asked looking in my direction but I stayed silent concealing my emotions. The lesson is over and people start to exit the classroom. I arrange my books in my bag.

"You can't ignore me forever, Kayla." After he said this he abruptly left. I watched him step out the door he glanced back and I caught his eyes but this time he definitely wasn't happy or smiling. Trina came up to me a moment later holding her gigantic history book.

"Don't tell me you and Aziel are fighting." I sigh wishing she hadn't asked in the first place.

"Were not fighting." I explain to her what really happened and she understood where I was coming from.

"I'm sure he just wanted to help don't let this ruin the chance you two might-" I cut her off.

"Whoa, I like Aziel but I don't know if he likes me in that way, okay." Trina reaches her hand out to my shoulder and stares me in the eyes her advice piercing through me.

"Kayla, go make thing right, I'm 99.9% sure he likes you." I just nod my head and we both leave the class. I thought about what Trina said and maybe she was right. I knew I needed to speak to Aziel. I searched around school campus to see if Aziel is still around. Hoping to find him, eventually I find him close to our football field but he's talking to Greyham. Tensions appear high as they are both raising the voices then Greyham stormed off his nostrils flaring angrily. I take a deep breath and walk up to Aziel.

"Hey, what was that about." He turned around and appeared surprised, I know he wasn't expecting to see me.

"Nothing. You're talking to me again." He was displeased his facial expression hit me like a rock but I guess I deserved it.

"I'm sorry, I know you were just trying to help." He raised his head up to think for a moment then smiles pushing his hair back with his hand. He opened his arms out wide and we hugged his arms resting on the small of my back and mine wrapped around his back. I could stand here forever with him but good things always come to an end they say so why push my look. He slowly lifted my chin upto his gaze and in that moment I thought he would kiss me but he pulled away and let go of me. Don't let go, I thought.

"So, what do you want to do now?" He asked.

"I want to go see my brother." I said softly still thinking about his embrace.

"Okay, let go then." He takes my hand and leads me to his motorcycle. I prefer his car but there's something about being on the back of a motorcycle that fills me with life.

"Are you ready."

"Yeah, of course."

As he helps me on the back of his motorcycle a pinch of excitement arises within my being. A moment later the engine roars to life and our journey begins. Though the sky is still grey and dreary, the wind blows through my hair and I hold tightly onto Aziel happily. It's almost as if I'm at peace.