I reached the Oakwood Terminal, my legs trembling as I walked towards the bus stop. I sat down on a bench, trying to catch my breath.
My heart was racing, pounding in my chest like a drum. I didn't know what was wrong with me, but I felt like I was losing control. As I sat there, I became aware of the sounds around me. The distant hum of cars, the chatter of people walking by, and the cry of an owl in the distance. But it was the owl's cry that caught my attention. I could hear it so clearly, like it was right next to me. My ears seemed to be sharper than usual, picking up on every sound. I looked up at the sky, and my eyes were drawn to the full moon shining brightly above. It seemed to be calling to me, drawing me in with its silvery light. I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me, and my head began to spin. I held my head in my hands, trying to fight off the strange sensations that were overwhelming me. But it wasn't just the physical sensations that were affecting me. I could feel a voice in my head, a voice that wasn't mine. It was whispering to me, tempting me, trying to take over my mind. I felt a surge of fear as I realized that I was losing control. I gripped my head tightly, trying to fight off the voice. But it was getting stronger, more insistent. I felt like I was being pulled towards the moon, like it was exerting some kind of strange power over me. I glanced at my wristwatch, the digital display reading 10:45. Just a few minutes more, and the bus would arrive. My mind wandered back to the incident with Brielle, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. I had pushed her, and she had flown across the room. What was wrong with me? How was I capable of using such force? I looked down at my hands, but they seemed normal. No claws, no signs of anything out of the ordinary. Maybe I was just hallucinating. As I sat there, lost in thought, I heard a familiar voice call my name. "Isla." My head jerked up, and my eyes scanned the area until they landed on a figure standing a short distance away. Adrian. My heart skipped a beat as I took in the sight of him. He was dressed in a casual outfit, a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt, with a backpack slung over his shoulder. He looked like he was traveling. I felt a mix of emotions as I stared at him in shock. "What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Adrian held up an envelope and smiled wryly. "I'm changing schools," he said, his voice laced with a hint of sadness. I felt a pang of surprise and curiosity. Changing school? "Why?" I asked, my voice a little louder now. Adrian's expression turned somber. "After the scandal of our affair, I don't think I can cope with the gossip and rumors at my old school. My parents suggested I change schools, start fresh. I guess it's a good opportunity for me to get out of the spotlight and focus on my studies." I stared at him, still trying to process the information. What was he doing here? And why was he changing schools? "Good for you," I said, trying to sound nonchalant, but my voice came out a little too casual. Adrian's eyes locked onto mine, and he took a step closer. "Isla, I'm sorry for what happened between us," he said, his voice low and sincere. "Can I talk to you for a minute? I'd like to explain..." I cut him off, my voice cold and detached. "You should hold it. I don't care. I'm leaving, leaving everything behind. I'm over you, so don't bother explaining." The silence that followed was awkward, and I found myself staring at my watch, willing the hands to move faster. Come on, bus, arrive already! I thought to myself. Adrian broke the silence, his voice gentle. "Where are you going?" I turned to him, my expression icy. "None of your business," I said, my tone sharp. "Or are you planning on chasing after me?" Adrian chuckled, a low, husky sound. "No," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I was just curious." I raised an eyebrow, my skepticism evident. "Well," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm, "I suppose it's just a coincidence that you're here, and I'm leaving." Adrian's smile faltered for a moment, and then he said, "Actually, I got a transfer to Moonridge Academy." My eyes widened in shock, and I scoffed. "What?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper. What were the chances? Was this some kind of cosmic joke?"What are the odds?" I muttered, my eyes wide with surprise. "No way, you're transferring to the school I'm transferring to?" I asked, incredulous.Adrian's face lit up with excitement. "Really?" he asked, his eyes sparkling. "I didn't know you were transferring there too."I raised an eyebrow, my mind racing with questions. Why was he so happy? Was he stalking me? "Is this some kind of joke?" I asked, my voice laced with skepticism. "You're really transferring to the same school as me?"Adrian's smile faltered, and he held up his hands in a defensive gesture. "This isn't about you, okay? It might just be a coincidence."I snorted, rolling my eyes. "Whatever it is, just make sure you stay away from me. Don't mess with my life."Adrian opened his mouth to say something else, but just then, the bus arrived, pulling up to the curb with a hiss of brakes. I picked up my bag, frowning, and stepped onto the bus as the door swung open."Hi," I greeted the driver, a gruff-looking man with a t
I reached the Oakwood Terminal, my legs trembling as I walked towards the bus stop. I sat down on a bench, trying to catch my breath. My heart was racing, pounding in my chest like a drum. I didn't know what was wrong with me, but I felt like I was losing control.As I sat there, I became aware of the sounds around me. The distant hum of cars, the chatter of people walking by, and the cry of an owl in the distance. But it was the owl's cry that caught my attention. I could hear it so clearly, like it was right next to me. My ears seemed to be sharper than usual, picking up on every sound.I looked up at the sky, and my eyes were drawn to the full moon shining brightly above. It seemed to be calling to me, drawing me in with its silvery light. I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me, and my head began to spin. I held my head in my hands, trying to fight off the strange sensations that were overwhelming me.But it wasn't just the physical sensations that were affecting me. I could fe
I sat on my bed, eating a simple dinner of leftovers I'd brought up from the kitchen. The food was bland, but I was too preoccupied to care. My mind was racing with thoughts of the bus ride to Moonridge Academy, and what lay ahead. Just as I was finishing up, I heard a knock at the door. Before I could respond, Brielle burst into the room, a triumphant smile on her face. "Well…" she said, her eyes scanning the room. "Looks like you're all packed up and ready to go." I felt a surge of annoyance at her intrusion, but I tried to keep my cool. "Yeah, I'm leaving," I said, my voice flat. “Already missing me? Came to say goodbye?” She didn’t reply me just a snort. Then, her eyes landed on my suitcase, and she laughed. "Looks like you've been planning this getaway for a long time," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "You've got everything packed up and ready to go. You're really running away, aren't you?" I felt a pang of anger at her words, but I refused to rise to th
I turned back to him, my heart racing with anticipation. My mother? What about her? What could he possibly have to say that would change everything? But before he could say another word, Brielle interrupted him. "Don't bother, Dad," she said, her voice cold and calculating. "She doesn't deserve to know. Let her go, and let's just be done with her once and for all." My father's eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of uncertainty there. But then, his expression hardened, and he nodded. "You're right, Brielle. Let her go." I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized that my father was truly done with me. I wanted to know what he had to say about my mother but of what use was it to me anyways? I turned and walked away, the weight of his words and Brielle's triumph hanging heavy over me. As I reached the door, I heard my father's voice one last time. "Goodbye, Isla. Don't come back." I stepped back into my room, getting ready to pack my bags. I packed my thin
As I waited for a response, I felt a sense of anticipation building inside me. What would Moonridge Academy be like? Would I fit in? Would I be able to leave my past behind and start anew? The questions swirled in my mind, but I pushed them aside, focusing on the excitement and hope that had been sparked within me. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I had a chance to take control of my life, to forge a new path and create a better future for myself. And I was ready to take it. I walked downstairs, my heart pounding in my chest. I had made up my mind to accept the offer from Moonridge Academy, and I was determined to tell my family about it. As I entered the kitchen, I was met with the usual cold atmosphere. My stepmother, Victoria, was busy making breakfast, her eyes fixed on the stove as if I wasn't even there. My father sat at the table, his eyes distant and ashamed. Brielle, on the other hand, was sipping her coffee, a smug smile plastered on her face. "Good mornin
There was no sender's address, no application details, just a signature line at the bottom. I stared at the message, my mind racing with questions. Moonridge Academy? How did they know my situation? That I needed a new school? And what did they mean by "selected"? I felt a shiver run down my spine as I reread the email, my excitement tempered by skepticism. Could this be a prank? One of Brielle’s schemes? Or was it genuinely an offer from a new school? The thought of starting fresh was tantalizing, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't quite right. I stared at the email, my mind reeling with possibilities. Moonridge Academy seemed like a beacon of hope, a chance to start anew and leave my troubles behind. As the night wore on, I finally felt my eyelids growing heavy, and I drifted off to sleep, the email's words still echoing in my mind. But my rest was short-lived. A vivid dream assaulted my senses, transporting me to a place that felt eerily real. I found my