Keani's Arc

Chapter 1 of 2

Keani walked past the row of cabins, searching for the one that would give her the best chance at winning the money she needed for college. The frozen competition grounds stretched out before her, dotted with stone cottages and log structures. A stone cottage caught her eye near the edge of the grounds. White flowers still clung to vines around its windows, and the chimney rose solid against the gray sky. The location meant fewer neighbors watching her every move. She pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside, already planning how she'd use the fireplace to stay warm while others burned through their energy fighting the cold. This cottage was hers now. She unpacked the lantern from her bag and placed it on the stone step outside her door. The preserved wildflowers inside glowed warm behind the frosted glass panels. They reminded her of the hibiscus that grew wild back home, bright against green leaves and ocean blue. The cold bit at her fingers as she adjusted the lantern, but she smiled. Let the cameras see this. Let everyone know the girl from Hawaii wasn't hiding who she was, even here in the snow.