Solasta Academy: All Hallows Eve

Chapter One

The simple daisy sprouted into an enormous oak tree within seconds, and Calia gaped at the beautiful magic before her. According to the history books, the Fae were created by nature herself, but it was different seeing in its full force. Under the circumstances, she should have been thinking about this sad day when her mother's body would be going back to nature. But her mind wanted to find answers to the strange magic. Calia was a genius who always dealt with facts because they were easier to understand. It's better than thinking of the alternative. With her living in this magical world, the picture wasn't clear anymore.

The oak tree branches gave each of them an ounce of shade from the sun shining over them all. Calia wore a simple baby-blue dress that ended at her ankles and white flats, allowing her to stroll through Faylinn's cemetery without getting stuck. The others—her friends and guardians—wore various colors, from pale yellow to blush pink. She almost smiled at the thought that her vibrant mother would have loved it. Not only because she could finally rest in the Kingdom of the Fae, but most of the royal family was in attendance, too, for Juliette and Calia both.

However, Calia still found it difficult because her mother's body turned into a beautiful tree, and she couldn't stop staring at it. Gods, she missed her. Missed her contagious laugh and inability to focus on one task at a time. One morning, she woke up with her mother cooking breakfast while sweeping and folding laundry at the same time. Calia wasn't sure if she was trying to prove a point, but it only led to disaster as the toast and eggs burnt to a crisp.

Today wasn't her idea because she didn't know it was a thing. But now she was grateful for everyone who planned it for Calia. Tears sprang from her eyes at the memory of her fierce mother and how she kept her daughter safe until her last breath. She finally turned around to face the others, who looked somber as Calia was about to deliver her speech. Soari and Amias stood hand in hand, their outfits almost matching. Soari's twin siblings stood quietly next to her and their parents, the King and Queen of Ambrosia. Calia noticed Jasper Meryn, his children, and Soari's friends were in attendance, and they were there to get her out of the mental institution. In the back, a male stood with his hands in his pockets, away from everyone else. She recognized him immediately, for he gave her drugs. Graves. But that wasn't what made her pause. Professor Blackwood's arms were crossed as he gazed ahead at the tree that once was Juliette Nox. What was he doing here? His gray suit almost looked like a cloud among a field of flowers, and she wanted to frown that he didn't get the memo of the specific attire today. Or maybe he didn't care. Who knows, she had other things to think about.

She cleared her throat, ignoring the surprise of the two guests behind her friends and newfound family. "First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for not wearing black, as it was my mother's least favorite color," Calia paused as a bunch of chuckles reverberated through the attendees. When they were silent again, she continued with a sad smile. "Not many of you knew Juliette Nox, but she was a warrior to me. She was a strong woman who somehow always found solutions to her problems despite the world against her. I watched her battle against rude customers, perverted bosses, and shitty landlords, and she still came home at the end of the day as if it didn't bother her one bit. I asked her why, but she only said, 'I'd put up with anything if it meant keeping you safe.' I know, without a doubt, that she kept that promise until the last moment."

"I was lucky enough to be her daughter for sixteen years, though I wish I had forever. But as we all know, forever isn't necessarily true in our world." Another pause as Calia bit her lip, trying not to fall apart in front of everyone. "Except the love we have for those who are gone. I will cherish every memory I have with my mother for eternity." Then her eyes landed on Soari, who was silently crying. "If it weren't for Juliette, I would have never met Soari Breevort. She would be joyous to know we found each other. Even if we aren't blood, we're family."