Celestial Guardians: Uniting Dimensions (Celestial Guardians Series, #1)

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Jamaica's POV

The first rays of sunlight bled through the blinds of my room, and I blinked against their brightness, a sharp reminder that I hadn't slept. The events of the previous night swirled in my mind, each memory more surreal than the last. Lyra's haunting words, my wings, Kevin and Nel's revelations—it felt like my life had flipped inside out overnight.

I dragged myself to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face in a half-hearted attempt to look presentable. My reflection stared back, exhausted but determined. Today was my first day at Southern Horizons University, and despite my newfound celestial duties, I couldn't afford to mess it up.

Philosophy. Of all the things to study, it felt almost ironic. Here I was, questioning the meaning of life while secretly carrying the weight of humanity's survival on my shoulders.

The campus buzzed with energy as I walked through the gates. Students moved in clusters, laughter and conversations filling the air. I clutched my bag tighter, weaving through the crowd, my nerves on edge. This was supposed to be a fresh start, a chance to blend in and figure out how to navigate my double life.

But blending in was easier said than done.

When I entered the lecture hall for my Introduction to Philosophy class, the lack of sleep caught up to me. My eyelids felt heavy, and my head buzzed with a dull ache. I found a seat near the middle, hoping to stay out of the professor's line of sight.

Dr. Morales, a stern woman with sharp glasses and an even sharper tongue, wasted no time launching into her lecture. "Philosophy is not just the pursuit of wisdom," she said, pacing the front of the room. "It's the relentless questioning of existence, purpose, and truth. And if you're not prepared to question everything, you're wasting your time here."

Her words cut through my haze, a little too on the nose for my liking. Questioning everything had become my full-time job lately.

I tried to focus, jotting down notes, but the words blurred together on the page. My head bobbed, and my chin hit my chest before I knew it.

"Miss Cruz!"

I jolted awake, the sound of my name ricocheting through the hall. Dr. Morales's piercing gaze locked onto me like a hawk spotting prey.

"Yes, ma'am?" I stammered, straightening in my seat.

"Am I boring you?" she asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"No, ma'am. I just—"

"Just decided my class was the perfect place for a nap?" She crossed her arms, waiting for an explanation.

"I didn't sleep last night," I admitted, my cheeks burning.

She raised an eyebrow. "And why is that? Were you too busy contemplating the meaning of life?"

If only she knew.

"No, ma'am. It won't happen again," I said quickly, hoping to end the conversation.

"It better not," she said, returning to the board. "Because if you're not awake, you can't learn. And if you can't learn, you might as well drop out now."

The class laughed, and I sank lower in my seat, mortified. Great. Day one, and I'd already drawn unwanted attention.

I forced myself to stay awake for the rest of the lecture, though the words barely registered. My class ended, and I felt like a zombie, dragging my feet as I made my way to the cafeteria.

As I sipped a cup of bitter coffee, my mind wandered back to last night. How was I supposed to balance all of this? School, my celestial duties, and whatever insane challenges Lyra had in store for us—it felt impossible.