Earth Wise-Owl Chapter four

I never thought I would be in the library on a Saturday studying but here I am, it's the only place apart from school my mum lets me go to while I'm grounded. Still there was no way I was going to fail school, so hitting the books was common nowadays. It worked though, now I was getting B's.

I missed Ego like crazy though, I couldn't wait until is was finally free from punishment but that was a week away still. So I ploughed though the books as it was the only thing I could do without getting a disapproving look from Robbie or mum.

A phone call for me was rare, I never had any friends so getting a call got me very excited. I was elated when I realised who was calling.

"Ego!"

"Yeah, Earth...I need to talk to you. It's important I'll meet you on the beach in ten minutes"

Begging and pleading to mum to let me go was apparently wasn't needed. She let me go without a fuss, of course I had to listen to a speech about how well I had turned my life around and how proud she was of me and all that but eventually she said,

"Ok off you go"

 

I climbed the stairs, tears stinging and hurting me as if they were acid. I felt so angry and depressed and as if I could scream until I passed out. I plodded up to my room, mum was asking what was wrong, Robbie echoed mum's concern and even Rio looked full of sympathy.

"Come on Earth! Let me in!"

She had been begging for days. That's right days. When I saw mum on the sofa crying for dad I told myself never to me like that and now I'm doing the exact same thing only on a bed. Soon though Rio got the better of me, I unlocked the door and allowed her entry.

"So he is just going to go"

Rio was actually a good listener, she stood there staring out the window as I poured my heart out to her. I nodded a looked at her, she was so young and yet she would get all this one day.

I thought back to when he told me he was leaving, his parents found new jobs and they were moving again. I had lost so much time with him due to my stupid actions, he told me not to blame myself and not to cry. He wanted one more unspoilt kiss, so fighting back tears we kissed even though we were braking apart.

"Honey, I got you something"

I guess unlocking my door meant mum thought she could just walk in, I looked up and saw the little puppy in her hand. I gave her a look that asked my questions for me.

"I thought you need cheering up...so meet Bella"

Getting up I took Bella off mum and hugged her. Suddenly I felt a lot better, as if this little ball of fluff was somehow mending all my wounds. I looked at mum but with a nod of her head I knew that she didn't want any thanks, she smiled at me and I realised I was smiling too.

Three weeks later I got out of bed. There was something I needed to do before I could finally move on, now I felt strong enough to do it. Bella was already out of her bed and waiting at the door, as if she knew that today was going to be hard she was looking at me in a comforting way.

Treading in the wet sand, thinking about Ego and how every important moment we had seemed to be on this beach. Bella ran in and out of the water and I just walked slowly, I didn't feel sad just happy and maybe a bit lonely. Then I whispered into the wind,

"Goodbye Ego"

Earth Wise-Owl Chapter three

I woke up at the same time as Robbie's alarm, 5am on the dot. His routine was to shower, dress and to be out the house as quick as possible, mum's routine was to go downstairs still in her nightwear and try and make waffles and my routine was just to grab some cereal and eat alone.

"Did you have a nice time last night?" 

Thoughts of last night came back to me and remembered the kiss, I kept a secretive smile on my lips and nodded as I left my bowl on the side before running to get showered and dressed.

"Oh you might want to look at the paper there is a story that my interest you, Earth"

I read through the paper, nothing was interesting just the normal football scores and the births, deaths and marriages. Then my eyes grew wide as I saw the story mum was on about, I read it over and over. I looked at mum in horror.

"I know dear, I remember camping in that woods as a teenager. I can't believe they are cutting it down!" 

I ran to the study and jumped on the computer, logging on to the fourms that I had joined that were filled with people who love the earth and want to keep it safe and secure. By midday are plan was made and we all had a duty to protect that wood, even Ego said he would come and bring people that support the cause as well.

Tents lined up around the City Hall, protesting on the largest scale I've ever been involved with. I was so proud of every single person who had set up their tents and was now involved in the war against cutting down the wood.

Of course, like all my protests I have been in big or small this policeman seems to show up, I knew what he would say and he said it.

"Earth Wise-Owl your mother is worried sick, get in the car I'll take you home"

I'm too young to protest apparently, the other protesters will be told to leave soon as well according to the policeman. Did he understand what we was trying to do? Did he realise that cutting down trees was wrong? Or was he just sitting on the fence, not having a opinion and just doing his job.

I looked at Ego through the bars, his mother and farther was worried sick about him too. I was use to being driven home in policeman's cars, but was he? Have I now got him into huge trouble?

"I'm sorry about this Ego"

"It's ok Earth, at least we tried"

"So Earth, how's school?"

Weird question I would of thought if this was my first time getting sent home by police, but seen as it isn't and I now know most of the policemen on night shifts personally, this question and answer bit is normal. I'm just glad Robbie doesn't work night shifts, it would be weird having your Step-dad drive you home in a police car.

"Earth how dare you go out with out permission to protest! I am at my wits end with you"

"At least I have a passion!"

This was are usual argument, soon she will say that we'll deal with this in the morning and send me to bed. By the next morning she will have forgotten about it.

"Do you know that your failing school! That's right Earth I've just had to have a meeting with your headmaster because your failing school and ruining you life! I know that this is important to you but seriously, it's all you think about, school is important Earth I will not have you failing"

I was shocked. Failing? No way, surly I got some bad grades a few D's and maybe once in a while an F but how could I be failing? I suddenly saw that mum was right, I did need to get my school work back on track.

"Ok mum, I'm sorry"

She still grounded me though...for three months!

At least she was kind enough to let Ego come round for one last day before my punishment began. It would be hard not seeing him except for school, even at school I wouldn't see him much because I would be studying and getting tutored in every possible moment.

Earth Wise-Owl Chapter two

Honestly, I don't see what the school's problem is! I wasn't the only one who didn't want to cut up a pig's heart in biology and yet I'm the only one who got sent out and told to go outside. Which wasn't very clever of them as if I was less obedient I could just run off, to make matters worse they want me to remove my hat! As if I'm going to do that! I only get rid of my hat if I want to.

"What you doing out here?"

I looked up and Ego was there, I felt my heart beat faster and a smile grew on my face.

"I got sent out, why are you here?"

"I had a tour round the school I join tomorrow"

He came and sat next to me, I was so happy we would be coming to my school. Now my older siblings have left I'm all on my own at school.

I told him why I got sent out and he agreed that they were in the wrong, he said if I didn't want to cut it up I should be allowed to not do it. He also said there was noway he was removing his hat...not for them anyway.

"...And it's prom tonight and I'm the only one without a date so everyone has gone all childish and are laughing at me. It's just not fair!"

He came close to me and I honestly thought he was going to kiss me! What are you meant to do? What if I do it wrong? What if I'm not a good kisser? Should I close my eyes or leave them open? I leaned in.

"If you want Earth...I could be your date?"

We all waited for the school doors to open, I was quite surprised when I saw that most people weren't in dresses and suits but casual clothes. I looked around for Ego, he still wasn't here but luckily the school was running late. People still looked at me and giggled and said fake words of sympathy. Wait until they see Ego.

"Hey Earth you look really nice"

If it wasn't for the cold night I knew I would be blushing very badly, he looked so handsome in his suit and his beenie hat seemed to go really well with it.

"Thanks, so do you"

He took my hands and I felt like I was flying. The doors opened and we went inside, it looked ok I guess the theme was corny 'A Night of Romance' yuck! After a while slow songs piled up and I'm sorry but the whole romantic slow dance and the spotlight is way to corny for me. I looked at Ego and I knew he felt the same.

"Let's go"

It was around 10pm and the cold wind was picking up and even going through my jumper, I realised if I went home this early mum would think something was wrong.

"I can't go home yet"

Ego smiled,

"Follow me"

He took me to a little cove on the beach. I knew all about the importance of beaches in my family, Grandma Cass and Mum all had a special moment on a beech. I prayed I had a special moment in this little cove tonight. We sat together in scilence lettign the salty spray and the wind fill of heads with dreams and we looked out into the horizon.

"You know Earth, I really like it here"

"Good, I'm glad you moved here"

His hand fell on to mine and sent shivers through me.

Then we began talking about everything. I told him about my Dad getting killed in a car crash when I was young, my mum living on the sofa, my mum then meeting Robbie and how unnaturally quiet the house was without four siblings. He told me about how his mum and dad travel up and down the country, leaving quickly without a reason as they moved to where they found work.

Looking at Ego I found myself knowing that I had deep feelings for him and the chance he might leave without me knowing made me very affraid, there was no possibility that I didn't have crush one him. I came to think could I...love him?

"Ego..."

"Yeah?"

"Dosen't matter"

I kicked myself for not having the guts to tell him, I turned away. We pulled away from each other and stood up, brushing the sand off our clothes. He looked at me for a while and then pulled me close.

I don't care if I am good at kissing or not or if I did it right, that moment was amazing and I loved every minute and every brush of his lips. He was so warm dispite the cold wind and spray, his lips soft yet frim and the kiss was passionate. I felt like crying, laughing and cheering all at once.

At 3am I creeped back to my bedroom, the bedroom I did share with Molly and Teal but they are gone now and my bedroom is very lonely. But, tonight I didn't stay awake for ages alone and missing my sister and step-sister. Tonight I fell straight asleepm, smile on my mouth and dreaming of Ego and the kiss...

Earth Wise-Owl Chapter one

Nice family day by the beach. It's the summer holidays and my older siblings and step-siblings are home savouring up there last day home before they leave for collage or university again. The eat and laugh but they don't understand is this beach use to be filthy with rubbish, that is until I protested. I gave the locals a nice beach and I didn't get any thanks but I did get grounded.

I use to be the baby of the family until Rio came along. She is three now, nearly four and is the only thing that matters at the moment. You see she had an accident a few months ago, the bath water was too hot and she burned her arms. Now wearing cardigans, jumpers and sleeves are a necessity. 

I never felt that close to my family, they all of different ideas and find me and tell me that I am strange. I'm not sure if that's good or bad, they say it like they're teasing and mocking me. Teal and Rick both go to University study something to do with Accounting, Navy is doing Marketing and Molly is following her dream and taking Photography.

I sit next to the ocean feeling the spray and tasting the salt, I love the ocean. When I'm here I feel closer to nature, closer to the Earth and I feel very spiritual. I like to meditate here and think about stuff, today I'm thinking about what my mum told me last night...

It started off that she was telling me that I needed to keep my fists down and stop fighting, protesting and skipping school to throw eggs at town hall. She said she understood and was proud that I was so passionate about something but that I should find another way to voice my opinion, she doesn't understand though...not really.

"Mum forget it, I'm a disappointment because I have a passion for this world"

She stayed silent for a while and then smiled,

"A wise old owl once said, following your heart is hard but when you do follow it you find happiness"

I could no longer replay that scene in my head without feeling funny, as though part of me was sad and yet happy. I was confused so I got up and shook my head and walked down the beach, it was a nice day and I should enjoy what nature has to offer not sit and be sad.

I stopped when I saw the guy in front of me he looked different to the other guys around here and his green hair was amazing.

"Hi"

His voice was soft and yet strong.

"Hey" 

He turned to look at me and his eyes, wow they were amazing too the brightest green ever seen.

"I'm Ego"

"Earth"

He smiled, most people did when they heard my name but he wasn't teasing he seemed to like it.

"So Earth, are you part of the Cause?"

"What Cause?"

"The Cause is helping and protecting this great land we call our home, helping the oceans, the land and the air be clean and well looked after. Making sure animals can live without fear of logging, hunting and becoming endangered. Yeah you can call me all the names you want but I love this little planet we call home, so I ask again are you part of The Cause?"

He stopped and I was in awe, everything he said I agreed with and everything he said I stood for. He understood what I was trying to achieve and he knew the hurt of the teasing.

"I completely agree, count me in"

He put his hand on my cheek, he looked happy and relived just as I was that finally we had found someone that believed in the same principles as us. His fingers brushed my cheek and I felt the warmth of his skin and my fingers wrapped around his hand.

"Your different Earth, I hope to see you soon"

Then my family started calling me and I had to go.

I sat on the banister of the spiral staircase, this was my second favourite place. Here I could see everything that was going on and I had the thrill of nearly falling, I wasn't a adrenaline junkie so I small things fulfilled my need for thrills. Rick always brags about all the thrilling things he did on his gap year, like I care.

I watch as mum and Robbie say their goodbyes to Navy and Molly, Teal and Rick left an hour ago. I know I should really be over there say good bye too, but my head is to busy daydreaming about Ego and his amazing green eyes...