Dark and light: The Shadows

Chapter 1

I dreamt about my teeth falling out again.
But I guess it's better than the one I had a few days ago. That one had me checking my body as I woke up. I sighed when I saw my crystal charm hanging on the nearest bedpost. It swayed gently as I shifted my weight to touch it.
I need to cleanse it. It's harboured enough energy.

The phone read 3:31

Of course, it is.

I looked over to my right. I half expected it to be empty. Surprisingly, Storm was still here. It made me smile a bit.
She shifted at the energy change and sleepily put a hand on my head. I held back my laugh as she tried to give me some semblance of a head pet.
I kept my eyes on the ceiling, kept it moving as the constellation projection on my ceiling did. I disliked the way it morphed into shapes or figures when my vision drifted lower. It gets my heart pumping harder than should half the time.

I looked at the time again and closed my eyes. I could only hope that I could fall asleep again. The rag I have from her, under my pillow, can only do so much.

So I count mentally,

One butterfly,

Two butterflies,

Three butterflies,

Four butterflies...

—x—

It's morning now. And damn is it cold in the morning. I've made a habit of using a jacket over a regular-sleeved shirt so I can just remove that when midday reaches and I'm outside. One thing I'm glad for? That we moved here in the summertime. It gave me ample time to adjust.

Storm isn't beside me any longer. The room door was slightly ajar and there was the smell of food being prepared. The alarm went off as if on cue and I sat up. I registered a slight pricking feeling in my stomach and groaned. I wish that would just stop. The feeling is only prevented when I roll off the bed and then get up.

That would be very peculiar to do with a dorm mate in the room from this day forward.

After I had done half my morning routine, I looked to my far left. My suitcases were gone. A smile crept up my face as I heard Bella downstairs and I got my slippers on before I knew it to rush downstairs to her.

"Morninnnnggg Bekati! Oh, SLOW DOWN-"
I sort of slammed into her but she could've still kept a grip on whatever was in her hand. I felt her wrap her hands around me gently and I gave her a slight squeeze before I let go and she pecked my forehead.
"Oh, we're twinning with bangs this season??"

I chuckled and looked at the table with breakfast options.

"Come on sis, we gotta go. Why are you still in your pyjamas?" Abosk squinted his eyes at me. "Also do I have to twin your bangs too? I really don't wanna cut my hair again."

I chuckled and shook my head no. His was at shoulder length. I think he had cut some in a release ritual. It was hard for him to do. The man had slightly swollen eyes the next morning, I hoped he'd only cried when he just woke up. But it's been a couple of weeks, I do not want to freshen that memory at any time.
Bella's, Anya's and mine were about mid-back. Anya cut her hair to be in line with mine and Storm kept her hair in line with Abosk's.

God knows what length Eva's is at now.

"So, y'all ready for year two at Lafayette?" Storm set the last of the vegan eggs on the designated plate and smiled up at us.

"Yeah, the first year was a breeze. Meeting some friends from that job helped. They were going to school that fall too." Not to my surprise, Abosk had half the regular eggs Storm made on his plate already.