Chapter 2

Teya's POV

".....Mother, can you please just eat something," I said in a low tone as my eyes landed on  the untouched meal on the dining table.

The food was from this morning and it was already 2pm—it had long gone cold. Yet mama sat there, staring blankly at nothing, her eyes hollow with sadness. Her frail fingers were interlocked tightly on her lap, knuckles almost pale, as if holding onto herself was the only thing keeping her from crumbling completely. From going insane.

"Please," I whispered, pushing the bowl of soup and rice closer to her. Still, nothing. She barely spared me a glance or even utter a word.

It had been two years since Reya died. Two years since they said that my beloved sister committed suicide. Two years since we lost the light in our home. The only person that completes us. And in those two years, mother had never remained the same. She had never truly returned to us. 

She didn’t cook anymore. She didn’t even step outside the house. She didn’t even speak unless spoken to and even then, her words were clipped and hollow like our voices were a disturbance to her. The once warm and vibrant woman who used to sing and dance round the house while doing the chores, hum lullabies while washing my hair, and laugh freely over the smallest things that weren't even funny… was gone. Gone forever.

And all that was left was this shell. I couldn't find my mama anymore. All I could see was a woman who was already broken beyond repair.

She cried every night. Sometimes, when I passed by her room I’d hear her whispering apologies in the dark. Apologizing to Reya. Asking God for forgiveness. Talking and crying to no one in particular.

She blames herself for everything. For sending Reya to that school. For not noticing her pain. For not protecting her enough.

Even my father wasn't left out in the pain. But instead of sulking like everyone else. He tried to fight. He really did.

After the funeral, he marched to Lycan Dominion Academy demanding answers and explanations. He brought pictures of Reya’s bruises and scars, asked to see the students who shared her dorm, and pleaded to see the surveillance beyond the jump footage.

But the school did what they were best at—they ignored him at first and then covered things up.

They denied everything. Claiming that the school was bully free. Called it an unfortunate case of mental illness. I could still remember the rage filled look on mother's face when she heard them say that her daughter was 'Depressed'.

And when father pushed harder, they tried offering money. A "consolation f*e," they called it.

I remember how my mother screamed that day. She slapped the check off the dean’s hands and chased them out of our house, screaming that no amount of money could bring her daughter back.

And after that we never heard from the school again.

But I couldn’t let it go. I wouldn’t let my sister die like a chicken just like that.

For the past two years, I’ve applied to Bloodmoon Dominion Academy every term. I hated studying but I studied harder than I ever thought I could. I trained both body and mind, and took the toughest prep courses. I was desperate to get into that shitty academy at all costs. It wasn't for prestige or to study but to find out what really happened to my sister. To investigate what the police couldn't. To make the people who hurt her pay.

I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but I was willing to try. I was willing to give up everything—my life, my honour, my dreams of becoming a movie star..... Just to see that Justice was served.

But every single time, I opened the mail:  APPLICATION REJECTED. It was like the universe was against me and hell bent on frustrating me. Then I tried transferring from my own academy—which was less grand to Bloodmoon Dominion and I could only pray that it works out.

But It was after I had finished applying that another candidate told me she had tried transferring for three consecutive times but it was always rejected, because the Academy thought students from other Academies couldn't measure up to their standards.

'Ding. Ding."

The doorbell beeped forcing me to look away from my mother who still had the same pitiful look on her face.

“I’ll get the door,” I muttered, moving toward the front door.

When I opened it, I was met with the familiar sight of Cassian. My best friend. One of the few people who had been with me through the darkest moments. His golden curls were messy like he’d been running his hands through them, and his chest was rising and falling like he’d run here.

“Teya,” he panted. “I’ve been calling you. Why aren’t you picking up?”

It was only then that I realized I hadn't seen my phone all day. Since Reya died, her actions made me feel guilty. I hardly press my phone or even watch movies anymore.

“My phone is in the room or somewhere” I replied, stepping aside to let him in. “What’s going on?”

His eyes darted around to check if anyone was nearby. And fortunately no one was around. Mother must go to her room probably to cry again like she always does.

“The admission list,” he said, eyes wide with quiet happiness. “It’s out.”

My stomach dropped. My heart raced at the thought of being rejected again. I had almost forgotten about it. I was starting to think of another path to which I could get the truth.

“It doesn’t matter,” I muttered, walking back to the table where my laptop sat. “I’m not getting in. I never do. And I heard transferring is way harder." 

“You don’t know that,” he argued, sitting in front of the chair, took the laptop and opened it. “Come on, what’s your password?”

I rolled my eyes, wanting to argue. “Cassian—”

“Teya, please,” he insisted. “Just let me check.”

I sighed and mumbled my password. He typed it in quickly, navigating to the Academy’s portal.

I watched him from across the room, arms folded tightly across my chest, trying not to let my hopes up like I had done in the past. So at least the rejection won't hit as hard as it was supposed to.

A beat passed. Then another.

Cassian’s eyes lit up. “Teya… you got in.”

I blinked, taken aback. Was he kidding me? “What?”

He turned the screen to me. “You. Got. In," he repeated slowly, his voice rising with joy.

I closed the distance between us in a few steps, staring at the laptop, my eyes blinking as I read the words I’d waited two years to see.

“Congratulations, Teya Moren. You have been admitted into Bloodmoon Dominion Academy."

My breath caught. For a moment, everything blurred. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Finally..... Reya.

“I—I got in,” I whispered. “Oh my God, Cassian… I got in.” I threw myself into his arms and we hugged jumping around like someone who had just won a lottery.

When we withdrew from the embrace. He smiled, his eyes soft. “You did it.”

But my joy quickly faded as reality hit me.

I hadn’t told my parents. And I knew exactly how they'd react to me going to the same place that took their daughter away from them, especially the mother. She..... wouldn't like this. She would say no. She would beg me not to go. Maybe even collapse again.

“I don’t think I can tell Mother,” I whispered, already imagining the scene and dreading the outcome already.

“Teya…”

“She won’t understand. She’s not strong enough—”

“Is there something I should know?”

My heart sank. My body froze. That voice was familiar. ..... That was my mother's voice.

I managed to turn slowly.

My mother stood behind me, pale and still, but her eyes—her eyes were locked on mine, clear for the first time in years.

The screen was still displaying the admission letter.

I didn’t know how long she’d been standing there. Did she see it already?

But I knew the conversation I’d been dreading was about to begin.