The Unseen Shift

TIARA’S POV

Elara had finally exited the room, finally leaving me to collect my thoughts.

I slowly walk out of the bathroom I earlier sought for refuge from her.

I look at my reflection in the white vanity mirror and let out an exasperated sigh. This was really happening.

I go over to my bed and sit on it, my quilt in hand.

But it still wasn't making sense.

Why did Elara change and yet the storyline didn't?

Shouldn't I be happy? This is what I had secretly been wanting for goodness knows how long.

I should be living the dream. Except now the dream is scary and utterly confusing.

Is there something I'm doing wrong?

Or something I'm not doing well enough?

That must be it!

I must utterly change the storyline.

But I can't do it while I'm here.

I re-enter the bathroom, this time with the intent of having a bath. I figured we'd have to share a bathroom since the room itself was meant for just Elara.

In less than 15 minutes, I come out with a white towel wrapped around me and head straight to my bedside.

As I apply lotion and wear a big shirt and some pajama pants, my mind keeps browsing.

Does Luke know I'm a wolf the same way I know he's one?

It didn't seem like he was aware.

Does that mean we're the only two werewolves in the school?

How is the storyline changing so rapidly, as though everyone knew I'd be coming?

Why does no one seem surprised I'm here?

So many questions and no one to answer them!

I pack up my hair in a messy bun with the aid of a silk scrunchie.

Now what?

I sit back on the bed and stare straight at the door.

Now…we sleep. I guess.

There isn't much I can do tonight anyway.

As if on cue, the princess turned fire breathing dragon walks back into the room, totally behaving as though no one else is in the room. As expected of course.

NoI heave a heavy sigh of exhaustion and slide under the soft sheets as I wait for sleep to come. And it came really quickly.

The next morning greets me with a puzzled thought in my head.

Where the heck am I?

What is this place?

I sit up in bed and it all comes flooding back.

Oh darn it. I actually thought I was having a bad dream.

Well apparently I'm living in it.

But at least I had a good night's sleep.

I get out of bed, a little optimistic about the day.

I'm going to make sure Luke lives this time.

I won't let him down.

The activities that follow afterwards are a blur and I don't realize that I have worn the school uniform.

By the time classes actually begin, I’m moving on stubbornness more than optimism.

I halt when I catch a glimpse my reflection in a mirror in the hallway.

A white long sleeve shirt with a gray button down vest on top of it and a gray skirt with big pleats. I almost don't recognize myself in the uniform.

I move through the crowd of students in the hallway.Everyone is just acting normal.

Some are rushing to class and some are talking and laughing in groups.

None of them look at me like I’m some misplaced extra who wandered into their story.

If I’m new here, if I wasn’t written into their lives until now, shouldn’t someone notice?

After the first three periods, I locate the library, not exactly sure of what I'm looking for.

It looks like something made from a book.

Well this is a book.

Rows of shelves holding up books — history, mythology, and school records stacked behind glass cabinets. My heartbeat quickens.

I open the cabinet and withdraw the student's yearbook. The smell of old books linger in the air as I open the yearbook.

This one is only two years old. Individual and group photos of students, along with their names.

And there it is— Tiara Rivers. My picture, smiling stiffly in a uniform I’ve never worn before, sitting neatly between other students.

I almost drop the book in disbelief.

What in the world?

I flip to the previous year. Same thing. I’ve been here all along, according to these papers. Same name, same face. Like I’ve always belonged.

But I know that isn’t true.

The air feels heavier. My hand trembles as I trace the laminated page. Someone rewrote the story, and it wasn’t me.

Of course it wasn't me.

A chill runs down my spine

Someone else knows I'm here.

“Can I help you?”

The librarian’s voice snaps me back. I slam the cabinet door shut too quickly and reply. “Uh—just…orientation stuff.”

She observes me for a minute that seems like an hour, nods dismissively and walks away.

I heave out a little sigh.

Who is the architect of all this?

And why does the story itself insist I’ve always been part of it?

I place the book back in the cabinet and hurriedly exit the library.

Ouch!

I bump hard into someone just as I turn a sharp corner in the hall and her books sprawl on the floor.

Before I can even apologized, the girl I cash into hurriedly bends down and packs them up, muttering an apology.

" I'm sorry...I didn't see you coming," I say as I also bend down to help her.

I didn't even sense her coming.

How weird.

"Don't bother. I've got it covered," she says to me in a low tone.

"But I insist," I continue, my hand reaching out for one of the books still on the floor.

"I also insist," she replies as she gently stops my hand, her voice a little more stern.

Then our eyes meet and I freeze for a millisecond.

Cold blue eyes stare right back at me.

Strange

That's the only word that comes to mind as she stands up and walks briskly down the hall, taking

I follow her down the hall, not exactly sure why.

I make another turn to the right and halt as my eyes meet the empty hallway.

She's....gone.