In a world where magic was a privilege to a very reduced number of people, a few select out of the most powerful families, Chesterfield college for gifted new adults was a very rare privilege.
After a life-altering accident, Skylar Evander, only chi...
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'I am aware, sure I am aware.
Catastrophically aware.'
Sylvia Plath
( S K Y L A R )
He ran. He ran and it hurt so bad I couldn't leave my bed for the rest of the day. I don't know how I managed to get to the dorm in the first place, I just knew that I wanted to vanish from the face of earth and never ever have to see the expression on his face again.
Everything was supposed to be good, he was kissing me back, he was ruining me for every other man on earth. Then all went down to hell.
The small cabin in the woods was dark and cold, just like every other place in the vast green area surrounding it. Someone was pressed to my side, sharing a small blanket that barely managed to keep the cold away from my small, chilly bones.
'Would you go there too?' I asked curiously. Looking up at beautiful light eyes that looked between green and grey. "Da says it's so pretty, it's where him and Mam met."
'Yeah.' The boy answered, splitting a small chocolate bar and handing me the bigger half of it. 'Chesterfield will be home to me and you.'
The fear on his face. The pain that twisted his usually cool, handsome face was something I've never seen before. Like someone was stabbing him again and again. Why did that happen? What was that vision, the brown eyes looked familiar, the voice too.
I didn't know what else to do, not when he was baring is soul to me and offering me an explanation I desperately ached for. He kissed me back for what felt like a divine eternity, then he got back to his head. God, what if he thought I was trying to harass him? I'd rather not think about it.
"Time for sulking is up." Saoirse barged into my room, her hands resting on her hips. "C'mon, Skies. Whatever happened this morning doesn't deserve to take away your pretty smile." She dragged the covers away from my face.
"Sersh, just let me be, will ya?" I protested. She rolled her eyes and opened my closet, running through the already messy piles of clothes.
"You didn't get any dress for a party?" She turned with a look of disbelief. "God, girl, what species are you?"
"Human, I've been told." I scoffed. "And why would I need them anyways? You already had your homecoming." I wasn't much on wild teenage celebrations, all I ever needed for fun was a book, maybe even music, and Jinx too lately. Alcohol and blasting speakers aren't my kinda thing.
"This is Chesterfield, babes, there are parties every week." She rolled her eyes at me. "Wait, we're the same size. I'm sure I'll find something to suit you."
"I'm not sure I'm in the mood for a party here." I winced. Going to a party that isn't another boring reception my mother set up or a noble dull ball wasn't really my thing, too many people, too much noise. "Maybe another day?"
"No, nope, not buying that. It's time for your official 'fun' debut in this school. "She gave me a pointed look, "Go hope in the shower, I'll find something for you and Alma can do your hair."
"I sure will." I heard Alma screaming her answer from the other side of the dorm. Samia appeared at my door and quipped. "Oh God, I'll do your makeup. Pretty please, Sky."
She gave me her damned best puppy eyes and I pathetically folded. "Ugh, fine." I gave up. Jinx hopped off the bed, clearly annoyed. Girlfriends, after all, were a handful.
Half an hour later, much to the girls' thrill, I was sitting on my bed, Alma straightening the wild curls of my hair on a side, Samia making my face her own personal canvas. "He did what?" Sersh choked out.
"It was my fault, Sersh." I was quick to reply. "He's taken, and I overstepped. It's alright, really."
"No, it isn't." Alma said, making sure she didn't tug at my hair. "He made the point that the engagement is fake." I cringed at the words she used to describe the situation.
"Yeah, that's Hayes for you." Samia sighed deeply. I couldn't help but realize that she actually knew him beyond the stained lenses of confusion I saw him through. "He'll come around, don't worry."
"While we wait for him to come around." Saoirse mocked teasingly. "These will make you glow.." My redhead roommate threw clothes on the mattress. "I'm not taking no for an answer, you'd look dazzling in this."
It was a burgundy red dress, one that would barely reach my knees but still managed to hide my chest enough. I wasn't self-conscious about my image, I liked my reflection just fine, but that didn't mean that wearing something like that wouldn't make me nervous. It was too bold, too daring, and I couldn't afford the suffocating attention. I took a nervous glance at Samia. "You'll be fine, Sky. You can borrow my black leather jacket."
I wasn't convinced at all, but I still played the game, smiled and nodded, lied and deflected.
