1) Brian And The War

I brung my legs underneath my body and leaned forward on the couch. My long light brown hair fell in front of my face and I brushed it back with my hands. I was watching my favorite show on TV called BullsEye and I didn't want to miss a second of it.

There was only a few minutes of the show remaining.

I watched the screen as the remaining player crossed the big field and came to a stop on the yellow line. The huge crowd fell silent so that he could concentrate.

This was his final goal, to hit a moving target from 50 yards away.

The rules of the game were pretty simple. There were usually five players and each player had to use a special ball to hit the required target from a certain distance.

After a number of trials, the player who missed a target three times would be eliminated. During the game the targets become smaller and moving targets became faster, which increased the chances of missing.

So far four of the players had been eliminated, and the man on the screen now was the last standing. He had won the first place prize but he was now going for the bonus. He had to hit a moving target that was only a circumference of 12 inches. This would definitely be a challenge.

I watched as he picked up the ball that was on the grass beside him. Then he took aim as the target moved back and forth across the field at a steady speed.
He raised the ball behind his shoulder... and threw it as hard as he could.

My eyes widened as the ball sailed across the field.

Then something popped up onscreen, "We'll be right back after these messages." Said a voice on the TV.

My shoulders slumped and my jaws dropped.

Are you kidding me? Why go on a commercial while the results were just about to come.

I felt like throwing a couch pillow at the TV but I controlled myself.

"Laysa, come on in for dinner," My mother shouted from the kitchen.

I sighed. "I'll be right in, Mom!"

If this show decides to finally come back on. I mean it's already been... thirty seconds.

I groaned and decided to try being more patient.

I heard someone coming down the stairs behind me. Pretty heavy footsteps so I assumed it was my older brother, Brian.

Just then, the show came back on and I leaned forward in my seat once again.
They showed the player throwing the ball and the ball sailing toward the target.

I groaned as the ball sailed inches away from the target and went right pass it.

"So close!" I groaned, shaking my head and turning off the television.

I heard a snort behind me. I turned and saw that it was Brian, his dark eyes narrowed at the TV even though it was off.

"Why do you watch that junk?" He asked.

I rolled my eyes and headed to the kitchen as he followed behind me.

"Little do you know, it's a true sport." I said as I entered the kitchen.

"It's a childish game that weird adults play." He said as he went around the table and took a seat. I sat down right across from my little brother, Scott.

"It is not." I snapped at Brian. "It's a very good sport. But what would you know?"

"Brian don't argue with your sister, you're five years older than her." My mom said from near the sink.

Brian chuckled and ignored me.

"Everything looks great as always, Mom," He said as mom sat down across from Brian and to my right.

"Thanks, Dear," She said with a smile.

I smiled too. It was always good to see my mom smile since I didn't see it so often.

I looked down at my plate, just realizing that my mom had cooked Lasagna for dinner.

"Mmm," I hummed as I picked up my fork and started to dig in.

"Oh, Laysa, I won't be able to drive you to school tomorrow." My mom said as I took a bite of the delicious Lasagna. "But Brian can walk you."

"Why can't I walk to school on my own?" I protested. "I'm fifteen."

"You know I'm not letting you walk alone through that dangerous neighborhood." She said. "You know that."

I sighed and continued eating my dinner. Ever since my dad was killed a few years ago, my mom has been over-protective of me and my brothers. I'm not allowed to go anywhere alone unless it's to my friends house or the store, which are both only around the corner.

"I'm full!" My little brother shouted which brought me out of my thoughts. For some reason he loves shouting that after he eats something.

"Alright," Mom said. "Go brush your teeth and get ready for bed."

I frowned and glanced at my watch. It was only seven o'clock.

I shrugged. Atleast he would get plenty of sleep.

And I'm just in time for my training.
I took my last bite of Lasagna.

"Dinner was delicious, Mom." I said as I stood up and straightened my skirt.

"Where are you going?" She asked.

"Just out back to practice some Bullseye." I told her.

Brian groaned and shook his head.

"Shut up!" I snapped and opened the back door. I stepped out into the breezy evening and shut the door behind me.

The sun was still up so I had a good amount of time to practice bullseye.

I practice Bullseye every day, usually before dinner. But today was the day that it actually came on TV.

I kept a box of softballs beside the back door so I'd always be prepared.

My target was a circle that I drew on a big thick piece of cardboard nailed to the tree in our backyard.

Our yard was pretty big so the tree was far away, making it a perfect target.

I always dream of becoming the first female to win Bullseye. So far six men had already won, but no females. So I practiced as much as possible just in case I became a contestant some day.

I picked up one of the softballs and held it behind my back. Then I cocked it back and threw it as hard as I could.

The ball hit the space a few inches above the circle.

I picked up another ball and threw it at the target. The ball hit the bottom of the board, below the target.

I groaned and picked up another ball.

"You might want to try aiming a little." I heard someone say. I turned to see my friend Joseph walking across the yard, heading toward me.

"And straightening your arm when you pitch it." He said as he wrapped me up in a hug. He stepped back and brushed a wisp of my hair from my hazel eyes. "And you could tie up your hair so you can see better."

"Thanks," I said with a small smile. "But I'm just having an off day. I'll get better."

"Can I try?" He asked and I shrugged. He took the ball from me and threw the ball hard at the target. It hit the center of the target. "Bullseye! So easy."

"Show off," I said surpressing a smile.
But I was secretly impressed. "How did you do that without much focus?"

He shrugged. "I'm a natural, I guess. How else?"

He sure looked like a natural. He was tall and athletic, with wavy blond hair that he wore straight back. He was also very handsome and he asked me out a few times but I wasn't ready to go on dates yet. I guess I felt so shy.
Or something.

I picked up another ball and took good aim at the target. Then I launched the ball. This time it hit home.

"Bullseye!" I shouted with a big smile on my face.

"Oh is this a challenge?" Joseph asked.

"Best out of three?"

"Bring it on!" I boasted.

About a fifteen minutes later he was beating me thirty to seven. He was definitely a natural. He hadn't missed a single throw.

I held the ball tightly as I focused on the target. This was my last try. I threw it as hard as I could.

Joseph was a few yards away from the target, picking up a few of the softballs before they rolled into the street.

The one I threw bounced off the center of the board and back at Joseph's face.

I gasped but immediately started laughing. I kept laughing hysterically as tears rolled down my cheeks and I had fell down to my knees.

The entire time I was laughing, Joseph had been putting all of the softballs away. When he had finished he came over to me and just shook his head.

"Done yet?" He asked with a smile.

"I'm sorry," I apologized as I wiped tears from my eyes. "It was just so funny. Did it hurt?"

"You're a little late to ask," He said.
"But it's a softball so ofcourse it didn't."

"Well I'm sorry." I said as he helped me to my feet."

"Don't be. It was pretty funny." He said.

We stood there as the sun began to set, gazing into each others eyes. We had such a connection today during the Bullseye game.

As we continued to gaze at each other, he brung his face close as if he was going to kiss me. But I lowered my gaze and he stopped.

I immediately felt like a fool. I could feel my cheeks turn red as my face grew warm.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow at school," He said sheepishly as he started walking backwards. "See you."

"Bye," I said as I watched him turn and head down the street.

I was surprised when I came back into the house and saw Brian standing by the Kitchen window.

"Were you watching us?" I asked with a frown.

"What's up with that kid?" He asked, ignoring my question.

"I'll take that as a yes," I said as I went to the sink to wash my hands. "And what do you mean what's wrong with him? He's normal."

He shook his head. "You're going to have to get up a little early tomorrow. I have to be to work early."

"Why?" I asked.

He shrugged. "It's none of your business." He said. Then he left the kitchen and went into the living room.

I realized that I still had the water running so I turned it off and dried my hands on the towel hanging on the handle of the fridge.

What did Brian mean when he asked what was up with Joseph?

I started to think about how Joseph was going to kiss me today. He probably would've if I hadn't pulled away. It was totally my fault.

I groaned loudly and looked at the clock on the stove. It's seven forty-five.

Time to get ready for tomorrow.

By the time I finished showering and ironing my clothes, it was going on ten o'clock. Time sure was going pretty slow.

But I changed into my nightshirt and got ready for bed. I was pretty tired from the bullseye game so I was going to get plenty of sleep. I climbed under the sheets and turned off the lamp beside my bed.

After about ten minutes I was finally drifting off to sleep but my mother's voice woke me up.

I opened my eyes and listened to her voice.

"Why go to war all because of a scroll? Why?" She shouted.

"That scroll is the legend of this island.
Our home!" I heard Brian say. "You wouldn't understand. You never had to fight for this island before. I did! I know the importance of that scroll. I know how important it is to this island. How important it is to me."

"So you're leaving us here for six months to go search for this... thing!" My mother shouted, sounding like she was close to tears. "You are the man of this house now that your father is gone. Your duty is here! To protect and take care of this family. Your sister and brother needs you. I can't be the only one to take care of them."

There was a long moment of silence. I sat up in my bed, hoping to hear more without the pillow muffling the sound.

"I'm leaving in a month," Brian finally said. "Maybe earlier. And I'll be back in six months. That's not that long."

"What makes you think that you're guaranteed to come back here that soon?" My mother asked. "What makes you think that you will come back at all?"

She didn't wait for an answer. I heard her footsteps coming up the stairs.

Then they went pass my room and down the hall to hers.

As I closed my eyes I heard the door shut. I already knew what Brian was planning to do. A month from now he would be rejoining the army.