s u m m e r (natalia)

[natalia]

Nat felt the pain that had brought physically. Not for what he thought he was saying, of course. She thought of the long, icy winter nights she had spent outside to hide from her family, which had resented her from day one. Although her sweaters concealed the bruises, she adjusted the sleeves out of habit. She stared at him, unsure how anyone could have been so cruel. So, as it appeared, unfeeling. She shook her head, taking a deep breath.

"Your family must really resent you," she spat. "Did your parents not love you enough?" Her voice was cold. This boy brought out a side of her she didn't know she had. It was the only reasoning such a creature could be so hard. "I can see why, of course. I would be ashamed to call you my son," she ran a hand through her unruly locks, disdain written on her face as she looked the boy over.

[amadeus]

Amadeus was fairly surprised when the first year came back with something rather than just getting angrier, it seemed that her logical side had yet to be defeated. But he didn't mind changing his tactics around a little, it made it more of a challenge, and thus more fun. As far as Amadeus was concerned, however, he had already won. He was as calm and not offended as ever, to be able to dish out the cruel things he said he needed some thick skin to absorb what people threw back at him. This was also where having three elder siblings worked to his advantage, he was used to being teased by them.

The idea of her saying that his parents hadn't loved him enough, however, was laughable. To that day Amadeus still got nearly everything he ever wanted. "That's because you're not like them," said Amadeus, rolling his eyes, obviously unhurt by her statement, "they wouldn't tolerate your filth either. In fact, perhaps I ought to call the caretaker, he'll probably want to mop up this floor after you've been on it."

[natalia]

Nat could picture herself slamming her books against the boy, but the image was instantly followed with guilt. She had never been a violent person. This boy brought out the worst in her, and then some. The last comment had finished it for Nat. She knew there was no changing anyone of such a low mindset and such a stony heart. She swallowed the lump in her throat, her stare cold. Of course, she still knew one day she would have to show everybody they were wrong. As far as she was concerned, that would start now.

Turning on her heel, she couldn't stand the sight of the boy and his arrogance accompanied by an ego threatening to suffocate her. She retreated in silence, the boy having left nothing but disdain and a sour taste in her mouth. She ran her hand through her thick curls, no longer remembering why she had gone down the corridor in the first place.