she's only a child hael" a strong feminine voice sparked
"A child with a destiny of darkness and destruction" hael spat " Let me kill her and stop the ruin before it's even thought of." Miera could feel his grip on the hilt of the sword tighten.
"She's your sister's daughter, Hael"Meira shot back, clutching the baby tighter. The infant cooed,"The only thing they left behind after the war and you want to end her life?"
"My sister chose to seal her fate" hael's voice broke, low and bitter Now her daughter carries it. If the prophecy is true, the world will bleed because of her."
"Yes, there's a prophecy hanging over her head, but that same prophecy foretells her as a savior. Please, Hael."
"I can't stand by and watch this happen, Meira. She's yours now. And whoever dies because of her… their blood is on your hands."
---
Seventeen Years Later
I burst out of my room half-dressed, half-panicking. My feet barely touched the steps as I flew down the staircase, time already slipping through my fingers like soap.
"Mom! I need help with my hair!"
She was seated at the dining, staring out the window, completely lost. She had been doing this ever since he died. My dad died two weeks ago. he'd been diagnosed with cancer and didn't say anything till two months to his death.
"Mom?" she turned and managed a smile.
"I really don't see why you're this late for school…again," she said, voice like a calm breeze. She stood up and under a second my hair was done. My pants had been zipped too, I could've sworn they were loose when I came downstairs.
"Thanks," I breathed, spinning in a circle to check myself. "I don't like seeing you like this, I miss him all the time but he made his choice. We have to move forward"
"I know " she smiled . "You need to teach me how you get my hair done so quickly," I joked.
"Mom's have their ways" she faked another smile. Fake smiles, always fake smiles.
I scrunched my nose. "I don't suppose you could take time backward so I'm not late?"
She smirked. "Nice try. But you'd better get on your bike before you miss school for the day ."
"Ugh. Right."
With a dramatic groan and goodbyes, I rushed out of the house, jumped on my bike,hit the road like I was in some enchanted race.
By the time I reached school, my lungs were burning.
I chained my bike, sprinted across the courtyard, and tiptoed into the hallway like some kind of ninja. One final breath and I cracked open the door to Advanced chemistry.
Ms. Lira's monotone voice was still droning on. Good.
I slid into my seat like a breeze or so I thought.
The bell rang the second my butt hit the chair.
Of course.
my eyes popped like zits, for the love of all things holy. I sighed.
Beside me, Rina stifled a laugh behind her hand. Her brown curls bounced as she shook her head and pushed a stack of notes in my direction.
"I figured you wouldn't make it in time.. again," she whispered.
"You're the best," I murmured, kissing the notes like they were sacred scrolls. "One day I'll pay you back with chocolate or my first-born child."
She snorted. "I'll take both."
Ms. Lira didn't even bother looking up as she waved us off with a dismissive flick of her fingers. "we'll be having a test tomorrow ."
I was still trying to mentally reattach my soul when Rina looped her arm through mine and steered me toward the lockers.
"So," she began, a suspicious sparkle in her eyes. "Any plans for tonight?"
"Sleep," I deadpanned. "And maybe cry into a pillow about how much pain my mom's going through because of my dad and turning eighteen"
her eyes softened. "no offense but your dad is a jerk. Anyways I don't think you'll be doing that "
I raised a brow. "Why?"
"Because…" she grinned, practically bouncing now. "We're throwing you a party."
I stopped walking. "Wait what?"
"It's already happening, Averin. I asked your mom last week. She said yes."
"She said yes? Traitor!"
Rina pulled me forward again. "Don't blame her. She wants you to have fun too and find a way to put what happened behind you. Your boyfriend was the one who brought the idea, says he has a surprise for you."
I groaned. "Joel's idea of a surprise is usually borderline illegal."
"Exactly!" she chirped. "All the more reason to show up. Come on, Averin. Every birthday since we were ten has been just the two of us, sitting around with cupcakes and blanket forts. Let's do something fun for once."
"I like blanket forts," I muttered.
"I love them," she agreed. "But tonight? We're going big. Drinks. Lights. Music. The whole thing."
"Ugh. I hate you."
She grinned. "No you don't."
I sighed. "Fine. But if anyone spills punch on my shoes or tries to play spin the bottle, I'm turning around and going home."
"Spin the bottle is just an excuse to kiss people you barely like."
"Exactly. So the chaos would be totally justified."
We both burst into laughter as we walked to music class. She was so excited and I was happy to see it.
And somewhere behind all that joking and resisting, I had a very bad feeling but I had to shake it off.
__
"Try to have fun, be home by 10. No drugs and no drinking"
" Wow, after all these restrictions, where's the actual fun? Mom" we both giggled. Her warm lips kissed me goodbye as she dropped me off at Rina's place. The floor vibrated from the beats of the music playing inside.
Walking inside, all eyes, eyes turned towards me . " it's the party girl girl!!" Norman, the head of the baseball team, Joel's best friend yelled and with that screams and chants overshadowed the music. My joy immediately outgrew that wretched feeling that had increased the moment I s
lipped my dress on.
After a few greetings and fake smiles, I started looking for Rina, I hadn't seen her since I got here, Joel too but Norman said they were here. After searching tirelessly I finally found them. Rina. Joel.
And just like that my birthday turned into something I'll never forget for all the wrong reasons.