Sixteen

The first day of school had begun with a sense of trepidation that clung to me like an unshakable fog. I'd pleaded with mom for this chance, the opportunity to relive the year with a fresh start, and it seemed that the universe had a plan of its own.

From the moment I had woken up that morning, a feeling of unease settled over me. The sunlight streaming through my window felt too harsh, and even my breakfast cereal tasted different, as if the world had tilted on its axis. It was as if the very fabric of my existence was shifting.

My silver bracelet had never acted like this before. The obsidian stones, which hung from it, had started to warm against my skin, an eerie sensation that sent shivers down my spine. It was as though the stones were trying to warn me of something ominous lurking in the shadows.

At school, my unease only grew. Around every corner, my bracelet seemed to heat up, making me wonder if I was walking into some sort of magical minefield. I cautiously navigated the cr