Saving Mia Read Free Page A

peered around wondering where Raven was as she approached.
    “Hi, so how’s it feel to be sweet sixteen?” Marcus asked, grinning at her.
    “The same as if felt yesterday. It’s only a number. Where’s Raven?” Mia asked, surprised her other best friend wasn’t here. Marcus’s face darkened at the question. It worried her. Marcus was always very easy going. To see him with a dark frown on his face was worrisome.
    “She wanted to be here, Mia. Only she got hurt at the factory today.” Marcus told her. Mia’s heart clenched.
    “Is she okay?” She demanded.
    “She’s fine. She ended up with a large cut on her arm. They sealed it up and gave her blood, but she was tired from the meds they gave her.” Marcus told her making relief flow through her that at least that was one thing that the Hill district did for the Slum workers. They all got free health care if they worked in the factories. Their children did too, which was why nearly all the workers chose to work there rather than trying to get other, better paid positions.
    If they got those better paid positions they were required to pay for their own health care. That would seem like a better deal if the wages would cover that as well as food and shelter. But it didn’t, so many chose to work for the pitiful wages offered at the factories to keep their families healthy. It was a sad vicious cycle of poverty that no one in the Hill District seemed to notice.
    “You’re sure she’s fine?” Mia asked, her face pale and her lips drawn. She wanted to scream at the Hill’s privileged. Her friends mattered. Every person who worked themselves to the bone in those factories that kept their golden world working were important. Only she knew it would not do any good. How many times had she tried to talk to her father about this? Only to have him tell her she was a child and she didn’t understand. It was maddening.
    “Yeah, she’s fine. I promise.” Marcus told her, his hand rubbing her back as she stood near him.
    “Why didn’t you stay with her? I could have waited until tomorrow when she was better.” Mia asked.
    “Ha, you know Raven. She insisted that I bring it today. She’ll only turn sixteen once Marcus. We can’t leave her alone with her family she’d think we abandoned her.” Marcus had switched to a fake falsetto voice when telling her what Raven had said. Making Mia laugh for the first time that night.
    “It?” she asked, looking up at him in confusion.
    “Oh, right. I almost forgot. This is from me and Raven. Mom said she and Dad would give you their gift when you stop by this week.” He pulled a small box with a tattered ribbon from his pocket.
    “You shouldn’t have. Neither should your mother and father. Your friendship is enough.” Mia said, even as she opened the small box. She felt guilty again as she pulled out the sliver bracelet. This must have cost them a month’s wages.
    “Marcus, you really shouldn’t have. I can’t accept this.” Mia wanted to keep the tiny charm bracelet, but knowing how much it must have cost she couldn’t. Not when she had a full belly and a warm bed. Not when her friends had likely gone without food to get this for her.
    “Yes you can. It’s not as expensive as you think. See. Here it’s bent, and this charms missing its tail. And the humming bird’s wings are different sizes see.” Marcus said pointing out the flaws in the bracelet. “I know the guy who works for the jeweler. He got them really cheap for us because they would have thrown them away. You have to keep it, Mia. If you don’t Raven will be mad.”
    “Ha, Raven’s never mad.” Mia said, looking up at her friend with tears in her eyes. They were such generous people. They always thought of others first. To have grown up with so little and not be bitter towards someone like her was amazing to Mia. This gift with all its imperfections meant more to her than the diamond earrings and expensive wallet she’d received from her