Dawn Of Jaide

An Unexpected Guest (Part 1)

The golden rays of the morning sun pierce through the curtains, painting soft dapples on the hardwood floor of Jaide's house. Each room is filled with traces of memories and laughter, but today, the atmosphere feels different, almost charged with a mystic energy.

Jaide, dressed in jeans that have seen better days and a white t-shirt that contrasts sharply against her grey sweatshirt, hurries down the stairs, two steps at a time. The faint hum of a mystical tune she'd heard in Vintury last night lingers in her ears, a soft reminder of the otherworldly journey she had embarked upon.

Upon reaching the kitchen, the aroma of pancakes and eggs, freshly made, tickles her nose, pulling a small smile onto her face. Her mother, despite the struggles they face, always finds ways to sprinkle little joys into her day. A note rests by the plate: "Your favorite, for luck on your test today! Love, Mom."

Although the meal is meant to offer comfort, for Jaide, it feels almost surreal. The arrays of her seemingly ordinary life with the revelations from last night makes her feel torn between two worlds.

She quickly eats, her thoughts a whirlwind of the fantastical events that unfolded. Finishing her meal, she's brought back to reality by the tick-tock of the kitchen clock. She's running late for school!

Grabbing her worn-out bag, which now feels lighter than usual, she heads for the door.

As she steps out, the wind carries a faint, nostalgic scent - the unmistakable fragrance of Amberfalls. Shaking her head as if to dispel the memories, Jaide pulls her bike from its resting place, ready to pedal away, but with a gnawing feeling that the worlds of Vintury and Amberfalls aren't as distant as they seem.

***

Jaide's bike glides over the asphalt, the tires humming a rhythmic tune as they spin. The streets of her neighborhood, once so ordinary to her, seem to whisper of secret stories today, drenched in both sunlight and the memories of last night's events. Her heartbeats sync with the rhythm of the ride, every push of the pedal a determined move to bridge the gap between reality and the dream-like state of Vintury.

With a surge of adrenaline, Jaide takes a daring shortcut through a gravel-strewn alleyway. The crunching sound beneath her tires echoes the flurry of thoughts in her mind. As she emerges, there's a sudden shout, both startling and familiar.

Suddenly, a voice, unmistakably Quentin's, pierces the ambiance.

"Jai!"

She brakes, turning to see Quentin leaning against a lamppost, one of her best friends. His fair skin almost glows in the sunlight, but it's his raven-black, unruly curls that capture attention. The yellow of his cardigan matches the daffodils that grow wild in the streets, and it's offset by the pale blue of his jeans. He looks every bit the carefree teenager, but his eyes, always too sharp, too observant, hint at a wisdom beyond his years.

"Where's Ez?" Jaide questions.

Quentin's gaze follows a butterfly as it flits by, but his response is immediate. "At school. He's been quite secretive lately, but he did mention having some news."

Jaide's eyes, clouded with thoughts of another world, suddenly sparkle with mischief, "We better get there before all the gossip's gone cold then."

Quentin pushes off from the tree, his grin teasing. "Race you there?"

Jaide smirks, feeling the playful challenge pull her from her reverie, "Oh, you're so on!"

The two burst into motion. Their bikes whir and laughter rings out, echoing through the streets.

***

The final stretch to Fairport High saw Jaide and Quentin, caught in the exhilaration of their playful race, pedal fiercely. But it was Quentin, with a sudden burst of energy, who surged ahead and triumphantly crossed the imaginary finish line first. He looked back, panting slightly, his eyes gleaming with the satisfaction of victory. "Looks like I remain the champ of course," Quentin teased, drawing out the word 'Champ' for effect.