The World I Knew Isn't The Same Anymore

Chapter 18 The Birth of a New World is Near

'Happy New Year!' Bree has heard that countless times over the past weekend of returning back to Shoreline. The snow that was on the ground over Christmas break is no where in sight anymore. All the trees and plants seem to be naked and the shivering cold air has everyone layered in at least 3 layers. The sun is now setting before 5pm, but she finds the stillness and quiet peaceful. The past two weeks have been nothing but peaceful.

Upon arriving back to her dorm room she's found her room decorated and splattered with presents by Izabel. The endless amount of gifts have made her feel shy with just two bags that Bree has given her friend. Bree didn't do anything to clean up the decorations because she found it comforting and sincere that someone actually surprised and did something for her. As the first Monday of the New Year and school year came, she got dressed in a new warm beige trench coat gifted to her by Izabel.

The freezing air outside doesn't seem to faze her as she meets up with her friends - Chase, Izabel and Ethan - waiting for her to walk to class. They all seem to be filled with freshness and pure bliss from their two week vacation. Izabel rambles on and on about the presents her family got her and continuously asking if they all liked what she got them.

In Valencia Ethan and Izabel went home to their families, both of them coming from luxurious households. The two families were able to meet up and enjoy time together, and Izabel and Ethan went up to a hot springs on a nearby mountain trail and had 'the time of their lives.'

Soon enough the four have reached the building built of purely white cement, and a roof that is too pointy and decorated with antiques that look straight out of medieval times, and that's when Bree realizes they're back to their reality. The reality of demons and magic, angels and goddesses, and a looming darkness that's threatening to change their world as they know it.

As Bree steps through the double gated brown doors she remembers the anxiety she first felt coming through them. Now she feels as if this is where she belongs and she's so used to if she can walk here with her eyes closed. She's mentally mapped out the campus and can navigate like the back of her hand. All it took was about 5 months.

The four friends sit in the leather chairs in the middle row of the lecture hall. Most of the other students are here too and each share the same look of freshness and bliss. Who knew god slaying warriors needed a break from life too.

"Mon potes!!" The familiar sound of Justin's echoing laugh and radiant voice announces right as he steps through the door. Bree laughs beneath her breath as she sees the mini present bags at his side and his eyes covered with red gloss.

Justin didn't go home over break, he didn't even reach out to his father and silently pleaded that his father would actually reach out to him. But he'd never admit that aloud, nor would he be caught slumping in his dorm room. Instead he spent the last two weeks traveling the countries of Europe. He hands the mini bags to everyone, starting off with Stan who even seems to be surprised by Justin's generosity. He even got a present for Monica, who decided to shy away in a corner of the first row by herself. And then hands more bags to the rest of their classmates.

Finally he makes his way towards the middle row where Bree, Chase, Ethan, Izabel and even Lacey, Jane, Aiden and Cade and grouped together and gallantly hands each and every one of them a bag.

"Justin you are a menace," Stan huffs as he takes out the single gift and raises a Fireball shot up. "Save these for after class," and his voice is stern, but he's quick to shove the mini shot in his slack pockets.

Justin laughs out loud again tilting his head back causing his straight slick black hair to move out of place. "Come onnn. I got them from Greece! I thought we could all do a New Years shot together," then he looks towards Chase. "Except Chase, I got you an exotic wellness shot of turmeric and ginger."