Unlucky

"Akeelah?" A familiar voice called out. She glanced around before joining them. "What are you two doing? I've been looking everywhere for you. I was in a tight spot called Hell."

"Good gracious, don't say that!" Brianne exclaimed, pulling Akeelah's arm to hide her as well.

"So, care to explain what's going on?" Akeelah asked.

Zoe sighed. "It's my brothers. They're looking for me."

"Shouldn't they be supporting your elder brother? He's still going to participate, right?" Akeelah inquired.

"Of course, but Mother wouldn't be happy if he didn't. Anyway, what about you? We thought you were with Mr. Rough."

"I was, but I left."

"Wasn't your mother upset?" Brianne asked with concern.

Akeelah shrugged it off. "She might be, once she realizes I'm gone."

Brianne quickly grasped Akeelah's hand. "If she ever gets overly mad and kicks you out, I'll make sure you have a place to stay."

Both Zoe and Akeelah laughed. "You're too sweet, but thank you. I'll keep that in mind."

"Ugh, crap," Zoe muttered, spotting one of her brothers approaching. "Brianne, go distract him. We'll run, and once you lose him, we'll meet in the forest."

"But—" Brianne began, but Zoe and Akeelah had already dashed toward the woods.

Sighing, Brianne stepped out of hiding. "Greetings to you, my lord," she said, giving a slight nod.

Eryx, flustered, returned the nod. "How have you been, miss?"

"I've been well. And you, my lord?" Brianne continued, trying to appear calm.

"Good as well," he replied. They stared at each other awkwardly before Eryx cleared his throat. "Ah, have you seen my sister anywhere?"

Biting her lower lip in distress, Brianne replied, "I have been looking for her as well."

"Then, would you like me to accompany you in finding her?"

Brianne looked into his eyes, feeling a bit shy. She knew she couldn't refuse without arousing suspicion. She nodded. "I would be honored, my lord."

Eryx offered his arm, and Brianne took it. "It is my pleasure to accompany you, miss."

Brianne glanced back toward the woods, hoping Akeelah and Zoe would hide well enough to make this diversion worthwhile.

Meanwhile, Akeelah and Zoe stood on the forest ground, waiting for Brianne. They knew she was accompanying Zoe's brother.

"What's taking her so long? My legs are hurting," Akeelah complained, shifting her weight to ease the pain in her heels.

"My brother is quite the talker. Let's just wait until she successfully convinces him," Zoe replied, standing with her arms crossed.

They waited for a while for Brianne to actually come, Akeelah had gone impatient. "I'll get us a drink, wait for her here."

Zoe's brows narrowed. "You can't just leave me, don't leave Akeelah." she firmly stated.

"It'll be quick, we have to wait for Brianne so while we wait wouldn't it be nice if we had drinks?" Akeelah stated, convincing Zoe to agree with her idea.

It didn't take long for Zoe to agree. "Come back right away and don't get caught by your mama, or I'll be waiting here all alone."

Nodding, Akeelah then started to venture to leave the forest then sneakily getting them a drink and coming back unnoticed by her mother.

"It should be quite easy." She said to herself, as she carefully lifted her dress to not get stuck or get dirt on it.

As she sneaks onto the refreshment table, grabbing them a drink and a few snacks that she stuffed into her little purse she left unnoticed.

Mission accomplished!

Or so she thought. . . On her way back, she heard a noise sort of horse galloping towards her way. Not wanting to be seen she hid hurriedly behind a bush still holding the two cups on both of her hands.

She noises started to get louder and louder than stopped. Akeelah got nervous and started to chant under her breath 'go away'.

Her heart stopped after a Rabbit head fell beside her, her instinct was to scream and run away which she did. Unluckily for her, she stepped on her dress making her fall on the ground, spilling the drinks all over the place.

"Ow." She muttered trying to pull herself together. Then she heard footsteps coming her way, then she whispered. "I just wanted a drink."

The hand of the man was the first thing she saw, she looked up to see who this man was. She gulped upon seeing the man's figure.

"Miss, I seem to have scared you off."