Activity

Sylvie’s PoV

Sylvie trudged along behind the Wingfeathers. Larnik walked ahead with Janner and Kalmar, and her mother talked with Nia, too low for Sylvie to hear. Leeli and Sara were also murmuring and glancing at Arundelle and Artham. Sylvie sighed.

Why! Why did it have to be me! She yelled inwardly. Why do I have to be the one that’s shy! Why can’t I be outgoing like Larnik or Lileas, or even like Elsie! I’m shyer than my four year old sister!

Sylvie knew it was wrong to be angry at herself for being shy, but being the quiet, soft-spoken, pretty-much-invisible-to-others girl was getting old. Really old.

Sylvie was startled out of her thoughts by a tap. Kenna Cináed stood across from her. A girl with wild, flaming-red hair and a temper to match, Kenna was unlike from Sylvie as fire is from water, yet the two girls were best friends. Kenna grinned at her mischievously.

“What are you doing here!” Sylvie exclaimed quietly. “I thought your ma said she had to help clean up after the wedding?”

Kenna raised an eyebrow. “Real nice way of greetin’ yer best pal, Caitir.” Sylvie winced slightly at her real name, looking over her shoulder to make sure her mother didn’t hear. Caitir Aernil was her original name, the one her birth parents had given her, and after she had found out about it and told Kenna, Kenna had insisted on using it whenever she could. Mrs. Bronin disapproved of this, saying that Sylvie Bronin was a perfectly nice name, and tried to stop anyone who found out from using it. Kenna, like always, went right on doing it.

“Sorry Kenna, but I was surprised. And Mamma’s right there! Shhh…”

“Ma talked to yer’s and said I could come home with ya to ‘elp yer ma, but she really meant I’m s’posed to ‘elp ya with copin’ with all da peoples in yer house.”

Kenna paused and waggled her eyebrows. “So, sleepover!”

Sylvie grinned and shook her head.

“You’re helpless.”

“You just don’t know how to have fun.”

“You mean I don’t like to break the rules.”

“You’re exasperating.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

“Caitir! How darest thou!”

They went back and forth teasing each other for the rest of the walk home.