It was the regular school days for Amber Willow; a seventeen year old high school senior in her last grade living in a small City called Cinder. The previous weeks for her were something she would name ‘surviving’ if she were ever told to give it a name. Being in her final grade and knowing that she had exams the coming week that would finalize her being in high school, she knew she had to let go of some feelings which she had held on to for quite some years.
Amber held tightly to the strap of her backpack as nervousness filled her chest. She has not seen any sign of her only best friend as she walked down the hallway, heading to her classroom with other seniors who were either chatting away or minding their own business.
The juniors classroom is based downstairs so it was rare to see them in the ‘Senior’s space’ as it is usually called which had caused a clash for over some years now.
As she walked alone with her hair down, covering both sides of her face which was unusual for her due to a reason, she suddenly sighted Kevin Wells; her classmate and crush since Eighth grade, coming from the opposite direction, but as usual, he was not alone.
Amber felt her chest tightened and with every step she took, she felt her heartbeat increase. It was not because of the fact that Kevin is a good looking person who could make a girl’s heart melt at the sight of him. As a matter of fact, he is a nerd! But Amber felt her body going stiff every seconds that passed as she stared towards his direction because of the other person that walked and giggled beside him, and not to talk of the way they held hands like a couple.
From the way Kevin looked, someone could tell that he is not comfortable with the way he was walking with her but they would easily know that he has no choice because everyone knows who Mirabel Avery is_ a sadistic person who would stop at nothing to make Amber Willow’s life miserable.
Amber could not understand what Mirabel saw in a nerd like Kevin when there are other hot and sexy guys who suit her taste better but what she do know is that Mirabel was only trying to make him her puppy while also trying to get back at her by making her jealous and angry. And the other reason Mirabel was doing that was because she does not like to be controlled or spoken back to and instead, be the one to give the rules while people follow it and if anyone tries to oppose her, she would do anything to make them succumb which was why she is after Amber’s personal feelings because that was the only way to get her and make her miserable.
When Kevin eyes met Amber’s, at the same time, someone came to jump on her back, making her divert her eyes and attention away from him. Amber knew it was only her best friend that does that whenever she was coming from behind and a smile came to appear on her lips.
“Emma!” Amber breathed out her name and Emma giggled from behind before coming to walk beside her.
They got into the classroom first before Kevin and Mirabel and Amber felt relieved a bit. Taking their seats at the back of the fifth row, she caught sight of them, taking their seats together at the middle of the third row. She looked away from them and was about getting lost in her own thoughts when the teacher came in.
“Good morning sir,” the class greeted and Mr. Evans placed his books on the table before facing them.
“Good morning class,” he started, “I believe you are all aware that your exams will be starting next week and after that, you will be getting ready to be admitted into the University of your choice. This is the time you have to prove that all the years of our teaching is not a waste of time and efforts. I wish you all successful results,” Mr. Evans wished them before opening his ‘book of mystical beings’, named by the students.
Being a history teacher, he always goes about with the book which contains the tales of some mystical legends and he always tells their stories before the end of his class.
“I already told you all the stories in this book,” he raised it before dropping it back on the table. “You won’t have to see it again but do not be deceived, they were real.” He said with a serious tone and expression and some of the students laughed it away. He smiled before his eyes came to focus on Amber.
Amber’s heart thud in her chest when she felt the intense gaze from Mr. Evans and she stylishly lowered her head. She hasn’t done anything for him to look at her that way. That was what she thought until she heard him say next, “Amber Willow and Emma Miles, see me in my office,” he ordered them before packing his things and leaving the classroom.
The students soon began chit-chatting and Amber turned to look at Emma with worry in her eyes.
“Are we in trouble?” Amber asked and Emma shrugged her shoulders.
“I wouldn’t know. We did not do anything,” she replied her.
“I asked because this is the first time he will call us to his office,” Amber said before moving her eyes and that was when she saw Kevin looking at her with a hint of worry on his face before Mirabel turned her head and Amber immediately look back at Emma who had her lips pursed together.
Since it is revision week, most of the teachers won’t bother to go to the classrooms.
Emma looked at Amber and said to her, “Let us go.”
Amber’s eyes widen a bit. “Now?” she asked.
Emma nodded and stood up, followed by Amber and they walked out of the class together.
Kevin, who looks slightly worried, heard Mirabel say with a smirk, “Looks like bitch got into trouble.”
As much as he wanted to leave the class and go after Amber because there was something he needed to tell her, he knew it would be difficult for him to do so, because, Mirabel will not let him leave her sight.
He sat there looking lost while the other students chatter with each other.
On getting to Mr. Evans office, Amber felt nervous as their history teacher looked her and Emma with a serious expression on his face before he spoke to them, “Don’t be surprised that I called you both here,” he started. “I know you all are studying hard to get good grades but permit me to say that sometimes, all that does not matter.”
Both Amber and Emma looked surprised at his words before he continued. “You both have a great future ahead of you but you need to realize it. Only if you take a look back will you come to know that we have come this far.” He let out a hum and said, “I sense that the time is near and nothing is going to delay it any further. When the time arrives, do not be taken by surprise. This time is going to be different than the last one.”
Amber and Emma, who believes that Mr. Evans was only talking about their studies, nodded on the man’s words and after going silent for few seconds, he said, “This is the last time you are going to see me, but I believe we will be seeing each other very soon,” he said in a twist.
After he had dismissed and watch them leave his office, he pulled out a book from his locker which has a dark cover and a name inscribed on it at the top. But when he opened the pages, it was empty of words.
After Amber stepped out of Mr. Evans office with Emma, she heard her friend say to her, “Am I the only one who thinks Mr. Evans is weird?” Amber looked at her with the same expression she had worn when she left his office and she answered, “I think so too.” She released a sigh before asking, “Is it still too obvious?” Emma stopped walking and came to stand in front of Amber. She pushed the sides of her hair back and after taking a look at Amber’s cheek, she set her lips into a thin line before bringing her hairs back to cover the side of her face. “It isn’t obvious but on a closer look, it is,” Emma said and received a nod from Amber before they resumed walking in the quiet corridor. “I thought Mr. Evans saw it because he kept staring at me. He must have been wondering how my face is like this because I am not the type to fight,” she said as they walked. “He is just weird, that’s all.” Emma shrugged it off and Amber could not agree more. As they walked, they suddenly heard someo
Instead of heading back to the classroom, Amber changed direction and walked to the field with Emma who followed her without questioning her on what they were doing in the field. “Amber?” Emma called when they got to the bleachers. Amber sniffed back tears and wiped her nose with the back of her palm. “I’m sorry Emma. I’m sorry for making you go through this with me. I know it’s stupid but thank you anyway.” She sniffed again before sitting on one of the benches. Emma came to sit beside her and said, “You don’t have to be sorry. I chose this. I just want to stay by your side and never let you go.” Amber looked at her and laughed sadly through her nose as she blinked, “I wish that was coming from someone who loves me.” “Well, I love you,” Emma said with seriousness and Amber looked at her for seconds before laughing out. “What?” Emma asked with a smile. “You are funny and for a moment, I took you seriously. I know you love me and I do too, but I was referring to a guy. You can’t
Getting back home that day, Amber went to her room and changed into a casual cloth before joining her mother in the dining room to eat. When they were done eating, Amber cleared the plates before going to join her mother in the living room. She took her seat on one of the chairs and called, “Mom?” When her mother turned her head to look at her, she asked, “Can we go visit Emma and her Aunt on Saturday?” “Why not? Let’s do that,” Mrs. Morgan replied her and a smile came to form on Amber’s lips. “Can we sleep over at their place too?” she asked, knowing what her mother would say. “Do you want to?” Mrs. Morgan asked and Amber nodded. “I just feel like spending these moments with Emma. I want us to revise together and make these moments count. You know she would be leaving for the States after our graduation,” Amber tried to hide the sadness in her voice and her heart ached. “Sure! Let’s do that,” Mrs. Morgan said with a smile and Amber returned it. The thought of Emma going to sta
Amber had not seen Emma staring at her that way so she asked her, “What?” Emma’s expression immediately changed and she subtly smiled. “Nothing. Let’s go.” Amber walked up to her and they both went back to the classroom, but her mind was not settled. She needed to know the reason behind the way Emma looked at her because that will be the first time she would do that, so she asked again when they sat down. “Are you really sure it’s nothing?” she stared into her brown eyes. “I mean, we are both friends and I don’t see why we need to hide anything from each other.” Emma broke into a smile and said, “Actually, there is something, but I first thought you might think I am crazy so I acted like it was nothing. It isn’t something serious though.” Amber nods her head and Emma continued, “What an anger! Such fierceness I see in you,” she demonstrated with her hand and Amber arched her brows at her. “What?” she asked and Emma dropped her hand to the side. “Okay look, I was surprised at wh
Immediately she stepped inside, the door came towards her and her eyes widen in shock before she immediately stepped away from it. She heard it let out a soft click and she held her chest, breathing out as she felt her head spin.“Seriously?” she said as she caught her breath. It was because the door came rushing to her as if the person holding it from behind suddenly pushed it in her direction and if she had not stepped away in time, it would have slam against her face. But then, there was no one behind the door and if the door were human, Amber would have said that it had a few loose screws in its head.She walked to the door and held the handle to open it and see if the door was faulty but when she tried to open it, it wouldn’t open and she furrowed her brows. She tried again and then again but it just wouldn’t open.“Ugh!” Amber groaned aloud and gave up. She turned around and called, “Hello? Anyone here?” when she got no response, it infuriated her and she said, “I know someone i
“About the door,” she paused before she continued, “...didn’t you read the notice I posted on the window?”Amber moved from her thoughts and stared at the back of the woman with a small frown on her face. “What notice?” she asked.The woman’s finger stopped trailing across the books and she pulled out a book. Turning around to walk to a table, she replied, “Mind the door.”When she noticed that Amber didn’t get what she said, she explained, “Just like the way it is posted on a glass door. Mind the glass-Mind the door.”“Oh!” Amber said when she finally got what the woman was trying to say. “I must have missed seeing that.”The woman raised her head to look at Amber properly. “What did you see then?” she asked and Amber arched her brows as she tried to recollect what she saw at the glass and she parted her lips to speak. “Let the books take you into the world of the unknown.”The woman stared at Amber and said, “If you can read that then you must be here for something. But from the loo
Hazel further explained to Amber, “There are some witches who, out of greed, decided to tap into the black magic and so, their heart has become corrupted. Most witches like that have done more evil deeds than good because it’s like trading your life for death or giving the devil a handshake. So, it’s more of like making a sacrifice to keep them in the world. The black stones can help to hide their appearance while they live among humans. So you see, you can be living among witches but you don’t know who is who,” Hazel said and added, “Black stones carry heavy energy and the energy can be manipulated by the witch according to her will. It can be used for good and for evil.”Amber felt her palms turn sweaty. She asked, “Is there any other reason they have to tap into the black magic? I mean, since they know the harm in it, do they still do it out of greed?”Hazel hummed a response and replied, “Whatever reason they might have, once they tap into the black magic, there is no going back s
When Amber neared her neighborhood, she sighed in relief that she would soon be home. She didn’t know how many minutes had passed since she started walking but she was glad that she made it to her neighborhood in time and she hastened her steps but then, she stopped and turned to look behind her because she thought she heard footsteps behind her.Seeing no one in sight, fear crept into her mind at the thought that the Vampires were out and looking for whom to prey on. She listened again and when she heard nothing, she dared to breathe a sigh of relief but as soon as she turned back to resume walking, she saw two men standing in front of her, grinning with lust in their eyes and what she perceived around them is the smell of alcohol.At first, she thought they were Vampires, but then, Vampires don’t drink alcohol, or do they? Amber thought and was in between confused and scared. Anyone can drink alcohol. Yes! Fangs! She looked down at their teeth but she could not see it. When they sta