Page 58 of The Pacifist
“Yeah? How did people react?”
Raven snorted. “Everyone was shaking their heads over the fact that drinking beer is illegal, but to be honest they kind of lost their shit when the News showed a background story on Anne with pictures of her modeling.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Nothing, except the News stations have been showing pictures of her in swimwear morning, noon, and night. It’s a big deal for everyone here that there’s finally a man on the Council, and now the people are nervous that Jonah could be kicked out. Do you think that could happen?”
I fiddled with my hair. “I know he’s afraid of it. Many Motlanders still think men are power hungry and easily corrupted, but he’s nothing like that.”
“Of course not. And what a bunch of bullshit. I would like to meet the sister, although I’m not so sure she would like the things I want to say to her. What the hell is wrong with her? Why would she make such a big deal out of some beer and booze?”
“Hmm, I’ve been wondering the same thing, and something Jonah’s mom told me has me thinking that it’s not really about the illegal stuff to Anne.”
Raven straightened up. “What’s it about then?”
“I’m not sure yet, but Lilly told me that Anne used to love racing herself. It’s weird that she suddenly has a problem with it after being estranged for almost five years.”
“Huh! Yes, that’s weird.”
“Something must have happened to provoke this. I wish I knew what.”
Raven shrugged. “I’m just tired of my colleagues drooling over her. It’s like they’re willing to forgive what she did to Jonah just because she’s gorgeous. How fucked up is that?”
“I wonder if Anne knows that she’s a celebrity up here.”
“Let’s hope not.” Raven tapped my shoulder. “But you still have a decision to make about that tournament. Don’t think I didn’t see how you stiffened when I said the word spring. You don’t want to do it. Admit it!”
I hid my face in my hands. “No, I don’t want to do it, but I promised my parents.”
“Then un-promise.”
“Raven, it’s not that easy and I’m not strong like you. That’s why I needed Jonah to stand with me.”
“No no no… you don’t need any man to fight your battles.” Raven was staring into my eyes and her hands clasped around my shoulders. “You are much stronger than you think. Do you hear me?”
I looked down. She was wrong. Everyone knew that Raven was the strong woman who confronted unfairness head on, while I avoided conflicts and smiled at people I didn’t even like.
“Look at me, Mila!”
She waited until I met her eyes and then she continued, “You’re the woman who stopped the fighting at the reunion by simply whistling and saying no. You’re the woman who rescued me from an endless line of well-wishers at my wedding. If not for you, I would have been standing for hours shaking hands with people I didn’t even know. You took control and confronted hundreds at once, telling them no. And what about the time you rescued that dog from the man who abused it? When he discovered you, you stood up to him and told him no.”
“But that was different.”
“Why?”
“Because I did it for others.”
“So what? You proved that you are strong enough to stand your ground. It’s time you stand your ground for yourself too.”
I was trying to find the right words to explain how I couldn’t, but Raven was right and in a painful confession, I whispered, “I want to say no.”
“Then say no.”
“But what about all the arrangements for the tournament?”
“Don’t worry about that! There’s still time to cancel. Trust me, the fighters will survive.” Raven broke into a smile. “I mean that literally, they’llsurvive!”
“My dad is going to be furious with me.”
