Ebony Wings

Chapter 1

I LOOKED AT THE SUN as it hung lazily in the late summer evening making the large sycamore cast a long shadow. I glanced down at my own shadow then the one next to it. My best friend, Eve Gust, sat next to me on a dilapidated lawn chair that matched the one I was in. Eve must have felt my eyes on her because she grabbed the plastic glass on the table and held it up.

“I declare a toast!” she said flicking her light brown hair so it fell behind her. “To a summer well spent and to the beginning of a great senior year.”

“And to being eighteen!” I said and tapped her cup with mine. They made the dull thunk sound of plastic on plastic.

Eve set her cup down hard and tried to slug me in the shoulder. I was far enough away that her reach just barely skimmed my arm. “Quit rubbing my face in it! You’re only two months older than me!”

“Patience is a virtue,” I said in a sensei voice. I made a point of setting my cup down gracefully. Smiling I added, “Young one.”

“Well, at least I don’t have wrinkles yet!”

We stared at each other then burst out laughing. That was how we did things. Of course, that’s how any best friends dealt with each other. Tease each other, get pretend offended, and laugh at each other.

Like most friends, Eve and I were almost as good as polar opposites. She had the soft light Caucasian skin and the light brown hair and hazel eyes to go with it. My tan skin showed I was probably from Native American or Hispanic heritage, along with my black hair. But my dark blue eyes proved some other race delved in my lineage. Eve was the brain and super religious. Don’t get me wrong, I like school and do good in it, but it’s not my number one priority. Same with religion. I may not be Catholic like Eve’s family, but I attend every Sunday service with my parents at the protestant church in town. Both Eve and I are only children, which might explain why we sought each other out in grade school.

I sighed and stood, Eve following me saying, “I should probably go finish preparing for the first day of our senior year.”

I groaned. “Ugg, I have barely started!”

“Then you need to get going!” She swung her hip into me. Her slimmer frame had little effect in altering my balance as we walked. I walked her to her car. We exchanged a hug before she settled into the driver’s seat. She started the engine and backed out of the driveway yelling that she would see me tomorrow morning.

I entered my house to find my parents watching the news in the living room. Looking at them, no one would ever guess that I was their daughter. My father donned dirty blonde hair, while mom sported her auburn hair in a bun. The biggest shock though? They both had white skin. You guessed it: I’m adopted. I may be adopted, but I am definitely their child. I have my mother’s fiery personality, but my father’s reserved side. They both smiled at me as I turn toward them from locking the door.

“Is Eve excited to start her last year of school?” my mom asks.

“Of course she is!” I reply. My parents knew how much Eve looked forward to education.

Dad gave me a questioning look. “And what about you? Are you all equipped for the school year?”

“Jeremy, stop,” my mom warned him. “We know Okia has been ready ever since her birthday in July.”

“Sorry. Sometimes I forget that our little girl is all grown up and responsible now.”

Oh, I was so leaving before this became a mushy feelings festival. “Don’t worry, I’m all set for tomorrow. Love you guys. Night!” I dashed for the stairs and headed to my room.