Thud. Thud. My cheek vibrated against the window as the taxi made its way over yet another of the countless speed bumps that we'd encountered so far on our journey to Port Merium. So far, I had fought to not fall victim to complete and utter boredom by flitting my attention between making out shapes in the clouds and watching the taxi driver's ice blue wisp-like familiar dance around the dashboard. Nevertheless, minutes still seemed like hours as seconds felt like minutes.
The taxi driver suddenly cleared his throat, breaking the silence and saying, "Looking forward to the Binding ceremony?"
"I honestly don't know what to expect," I replied bluntly, blowing my platinum blonde hair out of my eyes. Mental note to self: remember to cut your hair when you're back from the Binding ceremony. This is honestly why I had it cut in a pixie cut in the first place - it always used to get in my way. I guess it's starting to grow back again.
"If your experience is fated to be anything like mine, you'll have a blast, kid," he commented, adjusting the rear view mirror slightly, "I bet you'll have a great companion - just like Lucidir and I."
That was a lie; I could tell him and his familiar weren't the best suited companions. He was large with a sprinkling of short bristles on the top of his head. Lucidir, however, was small and delicate, a harmless yet troublesome familiar. I gave him a slight nod, nontheless, confident that he could see my motion in his rear view mirror.
Soon enough, the taxi pulled beside a large sign labeled, 'Port Merium'. "Is this the closest you can get?" I asked hopefully, entwining my fingers together.
"I'm afraid so, kid. From experience, I can tell it'll be full to the brim with kids your age," he opened the car door directly to his right and walked around the car, halting infront of the boot and yanking it open - pulling out all my luggage and placing it on the pavement - before coming back to open my car door.
"Thank you," I said as I climbed out the car, pulling my rucksack on my back and carrying my rolled up sleeping bag between my hip and my right arm. My fingers fumbled around in my pocket, searching for my taxi fare before pulling it out victoriously and handing it into his empty palm.
"Have fun, kid," he said as he slid back into his taxi, his familiar on his shoulder, giving me a little wave - which I returned.
"Bye, and, uh, thanks again!" I hollered as he drove off, leaving me alone with nothing but a sign, my sleeping bag and my rucksack to keep me company. Oh, and the brown-haired girl running towards me waving like crazy.
"Hey! Hey there!" She yelled, stumbling slightly as she reached me.
"Uh, hi?" I replied, wearing a confused expression.
"Are you going to Port Merium?"
"Yes?" I drawled out the word.
"Oh, thank God. I'm guessing you know the way?"
"My bets are on it being the way the sign is pointing? Common sense, really," my voice evidently possessed sarcasm, but not the spiteful type.
"Oh, yeah," she giggled, hitting her palm against her temple, "I'm April, by the way."
"No way, I'm January!" I exclaimed, starting to head in the direction the sign was pointing, April following shortly after.
"And...?" She asked, slightly confused.
"They're both months, idiot!"
"You're observant," she commented.
"No, you're just clueless," I rolled my eyes, glancing over at her and our eyes locking - initiating us both bursting into laughter.
