The Light of Roria

Chapter One

It was apparent at this point in time that I had become abnormally and eerily obsessed with the fantasy novels I had randomly discovered at the Ontario Public Library (a place where I spent most of my leisure time, actually). This was all becoming quite clear for two specific reasons. One: I had pathetically- or impressively depending on one's outlook- read an entire four-book saga in a short period of just two weeks. Two: I had been wandering the mall, passing plenty of unfamiliar faces, all the while, I would imagine some of those individuals as possible candidates for characters within the saga; taking note of each person's unique attributes to better fit the storyline.

So, as anyone could see, I had become wrapped up in the fairy tale. All because everything in those books-all the adventure and romance-was exactly what I wanted in my life. Unfortunately, none of this even slightly resembled my current reality. For example, my incredibly mundane occupation involved my ongoing and sloppy attempts to sell overpriced sunglasses in a rural area filled with ranchers who preferred a sturdy pair of boots and a shiny new gun over lenswear.

Not to mention the fact that romance was practically a foreign language for me. I didn't even know what it was like to have a boyfriend, period.

Not that I'm hating on my own life! I had a lot to be grateful for! Rent was paid, my classes were going well, and I had a best friend for a room mate but I certainly wouldn't complain about a little excitement here and there.

The sudden ring of my cell pulled me away from my daydreaming and back to reality. The ID showed it was my roommate, Staci, who, besides my own mother, was the only person who called me.

"Yes?" I said, sounding a little agrieved.
I didn't mean to sound so reluctant to speak to her, but my half-hour lunch was coming to an end, and I would soon have to get back to a hovering boss who was not only as dull as rocks but also had the tendency to only believe that I was capable of failure.

"I just left Perfection in Sweets. I bought you the buttercream milk pastry. Thought I'd save the customer behind me the longest wait of their lives."

Staci's comment didn't come as a surprise to me. I was actually quite positive that I knew exactly where this was going. Yet still, mostly for the sake of a playful argument, I asked, "What exactly do you mean by that?"

"Come on, Addisyn. I would've had you on the phone for thirty minutes while you debated between the triple chocolate trifle and the buttercream milk pastry."
I was mentally kicking her in the chin. Yes, it was undeniable that I was quite the indecisive young lady, but a girls got a right to take her time when making decisions. Staci, on the other hand, was a little more fly by the seat of her pants, never idling and forcing everyone around her to either keep up or get out of the way.

"I'll be there in five," she said, abruptly handing up.

I waited for her at the large fountain near the front entrance of the mall. Staci smiled once she spotted me, and with each confident step she took, her long blond hair swayed from side to side.
Staci handed me my delicious pastry as she sat on the fountain's edge with her legs crossed. Then she spoke. "How much time do you have?"

She took a sip of her latte as her eyes scoped the people passing by. Two young men, who made no attempt to hide the fact that they were checking her out, gawked in her direction as she smiled flirtatiously in response.

I was used to Staci getting so much attention. She was strikingly beautiful-tall and slender with long, thick locks that framed her heart-shaped face.

"About ten minutes," I replied with a mouth full of pastry.

It was quiet for a moment as I joined Staci in a little harmless people watching. I cringed as a mother began losing her patience while her two sons continued to wrestle as they walked; her eyes filled with fire as she threatened life and limb, mentioning their father would be hearing of their unacceptable behavior. Behind them were two teenage girls laughing hysterically as they walked with their hands full toward the exit.

The West Park Plaza was Ontario's notorious hotspot: a small one-floor mall with several clothing shops, an arcade jammed with veteran players who spent more time in there than I did reading, and local family-owned restaurants. With a population of a little over 11,000, and the only other source of entertainment around were swimming, mudding, and hunting, it was no surprise the place thrived from opening to close.

"Look, it's your lover." Staci nudged my shoulder as she spoke.

My stomach did an immediate jump at her words. I knew exactly whom she was referring to, and I attempted to discreetly scan the small crowd of people walking by, quickly spotting him.

Jake Allen fiddled with his cell, casually walked past in all his glory. I shifted slightly and hoped that he wouldn't notice I was watching him. He was the best-looking thing that had ever happened to Ontario. At twenty-two, Jake was a few years older than me. He had been a football legend in this town during high school, leading the team to the state championship two years in a row, leaving as a senior with an undefeated season and Ontario first state championship in years.

Everyone in this town believed that Jake would easily land a scholarship to the school of his choice, but a horrible accident on his father's farm had left Jake with a shattered right leg that had never healed correctly. His dreams collapsed in a moment, and the football legend eventually landed a job as a repairman in the mall's large hardware store.

Jake's striking blue eyes turned toward my direction. I quickly shifted to face Staci and felt slightly humiliated as Staci smiled devilishly.

"I think you should just talk to him, Adi. He's just a guy, not a god."

I didn't reply. It was easy for someone like Staci to make a comment like that; she could talk to anyone. I, on the other hand, did not carry the level of confidence she did. I also was an excellent stammerer under pressure; a habit I learned often deterred people my own age.

Staci said, "He hasn't dated anyone since Lily Moore broke his heart when she realized he wasn't her way out of this town anymore. Plus you are way prettier than she is."

I rolled my eyes, picturing Lily in my mind. They had been the Hollywood couple of their time-both gorgeous and popular-but as soon as Jake's football career fell through, she moved to LA. And no one ever saw or heard from Lily Moore again.
Staci sighed, shaking her head like I was a hopeless case. "Well, I'd better get back to work. Your break is almost over, too. Anyway I'll see you later." With that, she waved and headed toward the exit.
"Yeah, see you later," I said, dreading the moments to come. Throwing away the wrapper to my pastry, I walked back to work.

I arrived at my own personal living nightmare (or, as some called it, the Shade Shop) with my boss waiting at the entrance.

She looked at her watch. "Hmm," was apparently all she had to say. Or so I thought. "You were almost late."
I took a look at the clock behind me, which showed that I still had three minutes before I was required to clock back in.
She then followed my action by saying,

"That clock is three minutes behind. Anyway I'm off to take my lunch. Hope you can handle everything on your own."
I wanted to reply with a smart remark by saying, "Oh, you've only taken your lunch right after mine for the past ten months, and I've somehow miraculously managed to keep the store intact every other time. But keep your fingers crossed and stay close because I might just lose all self-control and completely demolish the store!"
I didn't, though. In fact I didn't say anything. I just clocked back in and got back to work. Lorelai-my passive-aggressive boss-always managed to infuriate me to the point of insanity.

On a positive note it was a well-paying gig with hours that worked around school, and for that, I would hold in the urge to strangle her and continue working.