Rays of the sun flutter into her room, making her stir. One minute her eyes are closed, and the next, she's up and jumping. Her brain is still fuzzy but she's already doing happy somersaults in her mind.
Her voice can be heard throughout the house as she screams, "Finally!"
Camilla twirls her body in front of the mirror. She's low-key disappointed but there's still some joy left in her voice.
"I thought they said you would feel different, and when you look into the mirror, it's like you're seeing a new you," she whispers while bringing her face closer to the standing mirror. "I don't see anything different about me."
Deciding to relegate the thought to the background, Camilla wants to enjoy her day. It is her eighteenth birthday, after all. In a few minutes, she's standing before the mirror again, gazing at herself in her faded blue jeans, white crop top, and white vans.
The trip to the living room doesn't take time. She stops at the portrait of her parents and a tear slips. "You know, you guys should have been here. Maybe I would feel different about this day," she mutters but cleans her face soon. It's her birthday and she's not about to let anything spoil the little joy she has.
For the first time since she woke up, the day actually feels different. The breeze outside is more refreshing and it almost feels like it wants to tell a story. A smile spreads on her face, making her eyes wrinkle at the ends. While she got ready for the day, she already debated on where to go first. Waylen was obviously not at home. She settled on finding her friends first. The day before, they had all agreed to meet at a restaurant. Without needing to call them, she steers herself in that direction.
Serah and Kylie are already seated and waiting for her. She spots them as soon as she gets into the restaurant.
"Good thing we decided to choose a booth that's close to the entrance," Serah remarks when Camilla joins them. Grins are spread on the faces of her two friends.
"What is it?" Camilla asks, confused.
"Oh, come on. You should know why we're smiling," Kylie replies.
Camilla takes at the two blonde sisters. "Um, I'm serious. I don't know why you're staring at me with beady eyes."
"Camilla, you're eighteen today! You've come of age!" Serah screams, seeing that her friend didn't get the point.
"Ohhh. Yeah, that's true. I'm really happy," Camilla says, putting a tight smile on her face.
"Have you found him yet?" Kylie asks, leaning across the table.
"Don't you think she would be here with him if she found him? First of all, do you even think she'd be here at all if she found him?" Serah scolds her twin.
"Can we order food first?" Camilla pleads with the two. "I'm starving here."
"We're not the ones who told you to leave your house by ten in the morning," the twins fire back.
A waitress struts over when Camilla gives the signal. "I hope this strutting lady doesn't get me angry," she mutters under her breath.
"Good day, ladies. What can I get for you today?" the waitress asks with a smile on her face.
"It seems like she won't be so bad after all," Camilla whispers to herself.
"I'll have fries with ketchup," Serah says.
Kylie drums her fingers on the table. She has always been the one to take her time once food is involved.
"Please, just get me some peppered chicken," Camilla says once she sees Kylie is taking forever to place an order.
"Alright. What about you, Miss?" the waitress says, facing Kylie.
"Oh yeah. I think I'll have a chicken sandwich with a salad by the side and some juice to go with it," Kylie replies. Her fingernail raps her teeth. "I think that's all."
"For now," Serah and Camilla complete for her. The three burst out laughing.
The waitress heads to the kitchen to give them the order.
"So tell us, have you found him yet?" Kylie asks again. There's a mischievous smile on her face.
"Can you keep quiet about this guy for once?" Serah scolds. She turns to Camilla, who isn't paying much attention to the pair of them.
"How come she's not excited?" comes Kylie's voice.
"Hey birthday girl," Serah calls, getting her attention.
"Hmm?"
"First of all, welcome to adulthood," Serah starts with a broad smile. Camilla scoffs. "Anyway, how do you feel today?"
Camilla shrugs. She briefly glances at the window beside the booth. "I don't know how I feel, to be honest. I'm happy that I'm finally an adult but it doesn't get past that," she admits.
"Why could that be?" Kylie voices.
"You miss them, isn't it? You would have wanted them to be here to celebrate with you and give you their blessing," Serah says.
Camilla nods. Her parents mean the world to her and losing her dad was one of the worst things to happen to her. She still misses him. Thinking about her mom only brings more pain to her heart. 'She could be out there anywhere,' her mind says.
Serah takes her friend's hand in hers from across the table. "It's alright, Camilla. It's alright to cry, it's alright to feel sad from time to time. But don't forget this is your birthday and you deserve to be happy on this day."
"I know. I saw their picture on my way out this morning," she says. "You know, I don't think the rumors are true. I don't feel special today, I don't feel different. I just feel like the same old Camilla."
"You haven't had signs of finding your mate yet?" Kylie asks with a look of confusion on her face.
"Nope."
"That's strange. You should usually get a wif of his scent the moment you step out of your house," Kylie states.
Camilla shrugs. "Maybe I'm just different," she says.
2: The Little BoyThe waitress is soon back with their orders. The three girls momentarily forget their conversation and dig. For someone who ordered the most food, Kylie is the first to finish eating. She wipes the corners of her mouth with a napkin. "Such a nice meal," she says, satisfied. The other two just stare at her. For people who have been sister and friend to her for years, it still surprises them to see her eat the most and finish it all up in the twinkling of an eye."What is it?" Kylie asks when she notices their stares."You know what? Never mind," Serah replies.Her twin scoffs. "Anyway, Camilla darling, you don't have to feel downcast. The day is just starting, after all. Just give it time and everything will fall in place," she says. The certainty in her tone brings a smile to her friend's face.In a few minutes, the three girls are in
Feeling Special"I'll go over to thank him and his parents properly," Camilla says and leaves the two sisters.The boy runs up to her when she gets close to their picnic spot. "Did you like it?" he asks nervously.She laughs and scoops him up in her arms, carrying him back to his parents. "I love it," she replies."We're glad you do. He told us a lot about you, especially how well you looked after them at the daycare," the woman who should be his mom, says.Camilla's cheeks turn reddish. "I'm glad to hear such a good report. I just wanted to thank you," she replies. After bidding them a happy weekend, she goes back to the spot she shares with the twins."We should leave now. Our parents will be waiting for us to come home with you," Serah says as she gets her bag."Don't you think we should stay here a little more? I'm enjoying the feel o
Kylie was the first one to lay her back on the floor."We've barely been working for ten minutes and you're already tired," Serah remarks. "I think I take back my earlier comment. You're lazier than Camilla.""Good. Now, apologize for making me look like the black sheep in our group," Camilla says with a mock frown.Serah waves her hand nonchalantly. "Oh please. If you like, wait for me to say that. You'll wait until you grow old with ten cats.""But for real though, I now understand why Mom and Dad advised us to open the window," Kylie says, panting."Yeah. These gifts are so many and they were wrapped so securely," Serah agrees. Camilla doesn't join their conversation. She's more interested in why so many people would go this far for her. After all, she doesn't even know half the people in this living room and they're more than twelve!Kylie snaps her fingers in her friend's face. "You really need to stop zoning out like this," she says.
"Good afternoon, sir," the guard greets.Alpha Adan smiles at him. "Hello, Lucius. What's the matter?" he asks."The daughter of Orson Gael is here to see you," Lucius, the head guard says.The Alpha's eyes light up. "Well, what are you waiting for? Let the child in," he demands.In a matter of seconds, Camilla is face to face with the Alpha. "Hello, my dear. How are you today?" Alpha Adan greets as he gestures to a seat.Camilla is a little lost in the new look of his office. The last time she was in there, things were different and most importantly, the paint was of a different color."I see you noticed the changes," the alpha says."Yes, Uncle Adan. What's up with all this?" she asks, still staring at the purple paint."Well, as today is your birthday, I decided to do something in honor of my little friend," he says proudly. The astonished look on her face gives him a feeling of satisfaction."For real? But you didn't
6: Finding HimGlancing at the armor for the fifth time since they got back to the office, Camilla still can't believe what happened some minutes back. How did they decide to bring her into the army so soon? Most importantly, why?"You seem excited. I'm glad," alpha Adan says as he sees her steal several glances at what used to be her aunt's armor."Yeah, I'm excited. This doesn't happen to just anyone, you know," she replies as she eats some of the cake he got for her.Alpha Adan seems a little surprised. "I don't understand. Weren't you planning to take over the family's legacy?" he asks."Of course I was, but I didn't think it was going to be this soon. Plus, Waylen didn't take up his. I still wonder why." Her countenance drops for a moment. The thought of him reminds her of what brought her to the alpha's lodge in the first place. "By the way, I have something to ask.""Go on."She tells him about the argument she got into with her friends concerning the bestowing of blessings. He
7: It can't beThe sound of hurried footsteps follows. Waylen turns and sees her, waves, and seeing her distraught look, decides to walk over.'Maybe she wants to tell me something,' he thinks.Camilla takes a step back from him. His colleagues frown. What could be wrong with her? They pause their work to watch the two siblings."What's wrong, Camille?" Waylen asks as he approaches her."No, it can't be," she whispers."Camille...""No!" With a vigorous shake of the head, she turns on her heels and is gone."What the..?" one of the carpenters say."What could be wrong with her?" Waylen thinks out loud. "I'll have to follow her and talk it out.""It's not closing time yet. You can't leave before then and by the way, you haven't even completed your work for the day," their supervisor chimes. A tall man with snow-white skin and a broken nose, sometimes Waylen wonders if he's an undercover vampire. The thought always made him shiver.Seeing as there wasn't much he can do before the day is
8: MissingStartled by the sudden and hurried slamming of his office door, Alpha Adan looks up from his paperwork. Waylen is breathing heavily, pacing about."Are you going to tell me what the problem is?" Alpha Adan asks when Waylen doesn't say anything for a few minutes.The young man ignores him and continues to pace. The alpha goes back to his work when it's evident the young man isn't ready to speak yet."How can you remain so calm?" comes Waylen's voice."Pardon me?" The older man looks up from the paperwork a second time."You heard me. I ran in here distraught but you're sitting there like nothing happened," Waylen says with some bitterness.Calmly dropping his pen and resting his back in the chair, the alpha intertwines his fingers. "You came in here in a flurry. Naturally, one would expect you to say something to explain the state in which you barged into my office," he replies.Waylen's stare doesn't waver. Seeing him that way, the alpha sighs and says, "Alright. What's the
9: WorriesTwo days later and there's still no sign of Camilla anywhere. Her friends and their parents are searching for her; Waylen has almost gone mad and Alpha Adan's worry keeps increasin"I'm sorry sir but we still haven't found her. She's nowhere in the town," Lucius say"Then search beyond the town. Have you checked the borders?" the alpha asks in a rough ton"No sir. We"You said you haven't found her but you haven't even exhausted all the possibilities!" the alpha yellLucius is somewhat startled. He always knew that the Gael family holds a precious place in his master's heart but it never occurred to him that they were this important. Alpha Adan has a son but even he has never been given this kind of importanc"Sir, you were the one who told us to hold off searching the borders," says the head guard calml"Oh, I see." Alpha Adan clears his throat. "Well, in that case, I'm giving you permission to search wherever you like within our territory"Alright sir," Lucius says and le