I'll start by stating the facts: 1. I'm not from your planet. (No, I'm not one of those weird green things!) 2. I'm known not for doing something, but for being framed. 3. I couldn't have done any of this without inspiration from watching your planet and Qino.
Lila (translated) The long, golden grass brushed gently at my legs as I lay in Qino's arms. "Tomorrow's my birthday. I guess we'll find out whether I'm good or bad," I giggled. "I think I already know the answer to that," Qino replied before helping me to my feet. "Will you be there?" "Of course, you're my best friend." With that he left, leaving me to my own ponderings. --- At our guarded home—my mother is the Quan (elected queen of our small planet)—I skipped happily under the curtain of purple leaves, into my twin brother. "Watch out where you're going, Lila. No good will come with your carelessness," Lika whispered jokingly enough. "Sorry Lika. I just had the most wonderful time with Qino." "Speaking of boyfriends, Mother would like to talk to you."
Lila My mother was sitting against the wall with two bodyguards at her side. From the look on her face, I could tell the news wouldn't be pleasant. "Lila, darling, come sit beside me," Mom coaxed. "Mother, what's wrong? Have I done something?" I asked timidly. "Tomorrow is your eighteenth birthday. I have no doubt that your eyes will turn golden overnight, but I am worried about a suitor for you." "I think I love Qino, Mother. Shall we wait for him to ask me?" "Qino is but a merchant's son who spends his time carving rocks! You need someone who can take care of you." "But Mother-" "No arguing! We will start the search for a suitor tomorrow." "I-I hate you!" I stormed away from the shocked face of what used to be my idol.
I came back from the hayride with a painfully bruised foot, two twisted ankles, a swelling lower back, and a semi-scraped wrist. Strangest part: I got these from falling down some stairs.
Lila I didn't really mean it when I said I hated my mother. She's just too ignorant to the modern world we live in. "Don't fall asleep tonight with angry thoughts in your head. The consequences could be disastrous!" Like whisper-yelled from my doorless doorway. "You're right, I have to think happy thoughts." "You know I'll be doing the same...good night." --- I woke up the next morning to a group of familiar faces going from worried to horrified and confused. Then I realized, it was the morning of my "special" birthday! What color were my eyes?
Lila I didn't really mean it when I said I hated my mother. She's just too ignorant to the modern world we live in. "Don't fall asleep tonight with angry thoughts in your head. The consequences could be disastrous!" Like whisper-yelled from my doorless doorway. "You're right, I have to think happy thoughts." "You know I'll be doing the same...good night." --- I woke up the next morning to a group of familiar faces going from worried to horrified and confused. Then I realized, it was the morning of my "special" birthday! What color were my eyes? I rushed past everyone to the mirror. There in my reflection were two coal black eyes. "No!" I screamed in absolute horror. I wasn't a bad person...was I? Suddenly two guards grabbed my arms, pinning them behind me. "Ms. Quinco, you are charged with murder of the Quan."
Lila What? This was a joke, this had to be a joke. Eventually, someone would yell "Just kidding!" and my eyes would be golden. "Hold up a second!" Qino shouted, "You can't just assume—" "Yes we can, young man. This girl is guilty until proven innocent," the guard interrupted. Isn't that backwards? I thought. After a short silence, the guard commanded, "Take her to The Trees!" --- Our jails seem simple to escape, but no one ever has. I was bound loosely to a middle-aged tree. Pano (fruit shaped like a giant, red orange, of which the yellow inside tastes like mango) scattered the ground around my feet, and the clean water of the Zan River was in easy reach. Though it sounds gentle, it's still a prison. A loud splash caught my attention. Who was there?