The Ember Chronicles

Chapter 1

My name is Ember Hale. Today is my first day of junior year at Oakview High. 

I hear my alarm go off next to me signaling that it is time for me to start the day.

 I roll out of bed, yawning and stretching. 

My dog Stacy, a small white Yorkie, comes to greet me and jumps up at my legs. I rub behind her ear and give her a pat on the head.

 My stomach growls, so I head downstairs to make some breakfast and take Stacy to the bathroom. My mom is already in the kitchen talking to one of her clients on the phone. 

She works for a marketing agency and is always busy with a new project. She notices me walk into the kitchen and gives me a quick greeting and kiss on the head. I mumble a greeting back and grab an apple from a bowl on the counter, slumping down on a chair at the table.

 I hadn't slept well last night. 

I kept having the same weird dream last night where I was walking in a big open field in the middle of the night. It was eerily quiet and completely dark, except for a small flame hovering in the center of the field. I walk towards the flame, slowing inching closer to it. I'm about to reach out and touch it when- "Ember!" 

I look up from where I had been staring at the floor. My mom was standing above me giving me a questioning look.

 "Sorry mom, did you say something?" my mom sighs "I said, you should go get ready for school or you're going to be late." "Are you ok?" she touches my forehead with her hand. "If you aren't feeling well you can always stay home from school." I shake my head, "I'm fine mom, I just didn't sleep well last night." 

"Alright," she says, "but call me if you need to come home and I'll come get you." 

I roll my eyes and stand up. "I'm fineee mom. I'm just going to get ready."

 I head up the stairs and get a quick shower. I grab a pair of my nicer jeans and a graphic tee, slipping on a pair of my favorite converse. I put my hair into a messy ponytail and add a bit of light makeup to my face. 

By the time I'm done, it's almost time for me to leave, so I grab my backpack and a jacket and head back downstairs. 

My mom is waiting by the door with her purse and work bag. She always dresses up to make herself look smarter, even though everyone knows how good she is at her job. "If you hurry up I can still give you a ride" my mom shouts from the front door. 

It would be nice to not have to take the bus, but I really don't want people to see my mom dropping me off when everyone else already has their license. "I'm fine mom, I'll just take the bus today." My mom looks hesitant, but agrees. 

She says her goodbyes and heads out the door. I give Stacy a quick snuggle and then leave the house. The bus takes a bit to get to my house, so I pull out my earbuds and listen to some music while I wait. 

With my music drowning out the noise around me, I don't hear the footsteps approaching. I start to feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when a hand reaches out and grabs onto my arm. I jump and spin around, ready to attack whoever just grabbed me. To my relief, my friend Ciara stands behind me clutching her stomach in a fit of giggles. 

"I can't believe you didn't hear me. You should have seen your face!" She continues to laugh while I stand there looking unimpressed. "Haha Ciara, very funny." I lightly smack her arm and glare at her, but there's a small smile on my face. She wipes the tears from her eyes and stands up straight. 

"Ok but seriously Em, you've been really spacy lately and totally out of it. What's up with you?" I shrug and turn back around, looking out at the street. "I don't really know. I've been having weird dreams lately that wake me up during the night, and It's always the same dream." "I'm standing in a big field, and in the middle of the field is a small flame floating above the ground. Every time, I walk towards the flame and reach out to touch it. But every time I'm about to reach out and grab it, I wake up." 

Ciara seems to ponder what I just said, looking as confused as I feel. "Maybe you should talk to someone about it. Have you told your mom yet?" I shake my head. "She would get all worried over nothing, I don't want to bother her with it." 

Ciara shrugs her shoulders and gives me the same exasperated look she always does when I refuse to let people help me. I know I should let more people in, but after my dad left us, well, I just don't know how to open up to people anymore. 

Ciara someone knows what I'm thinking and hugs me from behind. "Don't worry girl, it's probably just a meaningless dream. And besides, we're starting our junior year! This year is going to be the best year ever, I just know it." I can't help but smile. Ciara always knows how to make me feel better. "Yeah, you're right. This is going to be our year. Anything can happen!"

 We both laugh and smile, excited for the school year ahead of us. The bus finally arrives and we both find a seat towards the back where it was less crowded. I rested my head against the bus window and smiled. I could already feel it. This year was going to be...magical.