Pitched by Ella Goode

Chapter Two

Georgia

I runmy finger up and down my thighs, enjoying the feel of the soft fabric. It’s not coarse or itchy, and it doesn’t cause my skin to turn red. I used to hate my clothes before, but this material is utterly delightful. I’d gotten the dress from my grams on Christmas. It was the first one I’d ever actually celebrated. It was all so surreal.

It has bright yellow flowers all over it. Not only that, but it lands a few inches above my knee, and there is only a thin strap at the top over each shoulder. It was so unlike anything I was used to wearing. It gives me a sense of freedom that I’ve never had before.

The dresses I was given when I lived at Guiding Temple covered every inch of my skin. All of the girls were made to look the same. Clothes were only a necessity, nothing more. It was considered breaking the rules if you dared to try to show any kind of individuality. And there were consequences to breaking the rules.

“You want some more bacon, honey?” Grandpa breaks me from my thoughts, causing me to look up at him. He’s standing next to the stove, cooking as usual.

“No thank you.” I smile at him.

The first few weeks after I was handed off to my grandparents, I’d eaten everything in sight. They had so many new things for me to try. I ended up making myself sick a few times. I was so used to eating oatmeal for breakfast every morning. When I first bit into a piece of bacon I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. I’ve gotten better at controlling myself, knowing that my grandpa will feed me until I pop.

“You excited to start school today?” Grams walks into the kitchen and begins making herself a cup of coffee.

She leans up against the counter waiting for me to answer. I love how interested they are in my feelings. For so long I had to just do as I was told and not have a say in anything. It feels nice to be surrounded with people that actually care about my thoughts.

“Kind of,” I admit.

“You’ll be fine. A pretty girl like you.” Grandpa winks at me, making me smile.

They both are always so loving and sweet all the time. It was a true gift the day the FBI came flooding into Guiding Temple. At first I was petrified, not sure what was going on. A few days later Grams and Grandpa showed up. I had vague memories of them as a child. But I hadn’t seen them in a very long time. They’ve engulfed me with nothing but love and kindness since they brought me home with them.

They said they’d been looking for me for years, but my mom dropped off the map after my father passed. They’d not only lost their son but lost me too.

“I think it will be okay. I always got along well with the other girls in school.” Grams’ lips purse at the reminder. I went to school in a giant barn. All the girls on one side and the boys on another. There was a scattering of ages. Everyone learned in the same place.

“You’re going to need to take the phone today.” She sets her cup of coffee down before pulling the cell phone off the charger and bringing it over to me. “Most teenage girls love phones.”

I take it from her hand and slip it into my bright pink backpack. I have an addiction to all things colorful. There are so many colors in the world, and I went so long without knowing them. Now I want to experience them all.

“I’m sure I just need some more time to get used to it.” I don’t understand why a phone needs to do five million things.

Grams gives me the same warm smile she always has on her face. Even when I can see the sadness in her eyes, she is always smiling.

“It will take you no time at all to learn to use it. You’re a smart girl.” So they keep telling me.

I got tested a few months back so they would know where to place me in school. I’d tested way above high school, but still only being seventeen, Grams and Grandpa thought it was best that I do a little time in a real school with other kids my age. I think they meant normal kids, but they don’t say that. It wouldn’t hurt my feelings. It’s the truth.

“I packed you lunch, honey.” Grandpa brings over a purple bag, setting it down next to me. “Unless you want money for the cafeteria,” he offers.

“This is fine. Thank you. That was very sweet of you.”

“Always so polite,” he says. From his tone I can’t tell if that is a good or bad thing. “Here, just in case you need it. You should always have a little money on you.” He pulls out his wallet, handing me a few twenties.

“That’s too much.” I try to hand it back.

“Just put it in your bag. No one said you have to use it, but if you need it for some reason, you’ll have it.” He puts his wallet back in his pocket. I relent, stuffing the money into my bag.

“You got everything you need? I’m going to drop you off today.” I look through my bag for the millionth time to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything.

“Am I allowed to have my Kindle at school?” My Kindle is hands-down the best gift I’ve ever gotten in my life. Grams gave it to me. It has thousands of books all at your fingertips.

“I’m sure. You’ll have some down time at some point during the day.”

“Okay.” I hop from my chair and head back to my bedroom.

I quickly grab the Kindle off of my bed, not wanting to be late. I pause when I catch myself in the mirror. The three faded white lines on my back are showing. They are a reminder of the life my grandparents saved me from. Suddenly, I feel self-conscious. I grab my white fuzzy jacket off the back of the chair and slip it on over my dress to hide the marks.

“I’ll be in the car,” I hear Grams yell down the hallway. The sound of her voice pushes away any bad thoughts.

Today is a new start. I can be anyone I want, but all I dream about is being normal.