Dawn of a Kiss (On hold)

Chapter 8: Crying and Remembering

Aunt Syrina explained that she was in her bedroom, looking through some old photos of my parents. She had heard us enter the house when the mysterious figure appeared in the room. Upon seeing the figure, Aunt Syrina had screamed for the mysterious figure reminded her a lot of something terrible.

I tried asking my aunt about what she meant about something terrible, but she just shook her head, frowning deeply.

“Just hope you never run into someone like that.” She said in a completely serious tone. Noticing Naumi, she asks me, “And who is this delightful young girl, Valerie?”

“I’m Naumi. It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.” Naumi held her hand out to my aunt.

“Likewise, Naumi.” Aunt Syrina responded, shaking Naumi’s hand and for the first time I noticed the bandages that were wrapped around them.

Not thinking I blurted out, “Naumi, what happened to your hands?”

As soon as the words left my mouth, I dropped my eyes to the floor, turning beat red.

“Well, the short version of it is that I have a power where if I just touch people with my bare hand they'll become cursed, so I wear these bandages to prevent that from happening.” She explained in an unusual cheerful tone.

“Oh.” I said, dumbfounded and then allowing my curiosity get the best of me I asked my aunt, “What kind of magic do you have, Aunt Syrina?”

“I don’t have any special powers. I’m just a witch.” She replied truthfully and then she stood up and walked over to the kitchen. Turning back to face Naumi and I she asked, “Would you two like any herbal tea?”

“I would love some ma’am.” Naumi replied, standing up and walking into the kitchen.

“What about you, Valerie?” Aunt Syrina asked, both her and Naumi looking at me expectantly.

“Sure.” I answered. Then, standing up and making my way over to the staircase I told them, “Um. . . I’m going to go upstairs for a little while. Just come get me when the tea is done.”

I ascended the staircase and made my way down the hallway to my bedroom. Once in my room, I closed the door behind me and walked over to the window seat, opening the window and letting in some fresh air. Taking in a few deep breaths of the fresh air, the aroma of freshly mowed grass filled my nostrils. It wasn’t until then that I realized how stressed I had been during the day. The whole Francheska situation had me on edge and then I came home and that mysterious figure showed up.

Ever since the first week of school, my life had been one stressful thing after another.

I wish Mom and Dad were here to tell me that everything would be okay. I found myself thinking as I recalled everything that had gone on. Maybe if they were still here, they could have told me about being magical and then maybe, just maybe, I wouldn’t have been in such stressful situations.

Stop it, Valerie! You are just going to upset yourself even more thinking like that! It’s just that I miss them so much. I just wish they were here, with me. My heart ached as I thought of my parents. Oh, now you’ve done it! You went and upset yourself and now you feel even worse than before!

Crying rapidly now, I walked over to one of my end tables and grabbed a tissue.

I wish my parents could wrap me up in a hug right now and comfort me, promising that everything would be okay. That things always worked themselves out if you just had faith that they would.

I had been crying like that for many moments when I noticed Naumi standing in my doorway, looking worried.

“Valerie, are you okay?” Naumi asked.

“How long have you been standing there?” I stared to the floor, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.

“Long enough to know that you’re upset.” She replied, walking over to me and putting a hand on my shoulder. “Do you want to talk about it?”

I didn’t say anything. I just turned around and threw myself into her arms, sobbing.

“It’s about what happened at school, isn’t it?”

“That and everything else. Ever since my parents’ deaths my life has been one stressful thing after another. I‘m stressed about how Francheska is behaving what with turning those girls against for no reason and I‘m angry that I still don‘t know about my magic or who I really am if that makes sense!” I was ranting, gesturing wildly with my hands. Not being able to sit still, I jumped up and began to pace back and forth. “I’m confused on the whole magic thing and I’m partway angry that my parents never told me anything and I’m mad that they were killed and I’m just-UGH!”

I snatched up a pillow from my bed and tossed it at the wall, enraged. I was angry that my parents had been killed, but I was even angrier at the fact that they weren’t here when I needed them to explain everything about magic to me.

“You still have your aunt, you know.” Naumi stated and I realized that I had spoken my thoughts aloud.

I sat down on the bed next to her. “I’m sorry I just blew up like that, Naumi.”

“That was blowing up? Haha! To me, that was just a friend blowing off some steam.” Naumi laughed, easing some of the tension that I felt building up inside of me.

“Thank you for being a friend to me.” I said, throwing my arms around her in a hug, surprising her a little before she returned my hug.

“It’s no problem, Val. You’re a nice girl and I’m glad we’re friends.” She smiled, with me returning it with my own smile. “So, what do you want to talk about?”

I pulled my knees up to my chest, making myself comfortable on the bed.

“I want to talk about that boy you were batting your eyes at today in History. Who is he?” I asked cheerfully.

“Oh, that's Zack. He's kind of mysterious, but I find it kind of sexy.” Naumi sighed dreamily, playing with her hair. “I just love the way he wears that long hooded jacket every day.”

“Sounds like you have a crush, missy!” I threw a pillow at her playfully.

“I do! I'm crushing on Zack big time!” She replied, giggling happily and throwing the pillow back at me. With a mischievous glint in her eye she told me, “But, not as much as you're crushing on Jonah!”

“I am not!” I declared in defense, aiming and throwing the pillow at her chest.

“Yes you are! I can see it in your eyes every time you look at him!”

“No way! You lying! I don't like Jonah!” I lied, a bright blush starting to appear on my cheeks.

“Valerie, it's okay. Jonah's a handsome guy and he's sweet to you. It's only natural that you would like him.” Naumi explained to me, as if to justify it all.

I sighed dramatically, laying back on my bed.

“I like him a lot, but I don't think Francheska would ever let him like me back. She would probably sabotage any hopes of Jonah and I being together.” I stated, frowning deeply.

“Well, you'll never know if it would work out between you guys if you don't make a move.” Naumi said, a serious expression on her face.

That got me to really thinking. If I didn't tell Jonah I liked him, then he would never know.

“Naumi, you're a genius!”

“Yep. I know I am.” She grinned. Then a confused looked crossed her face. “Why am I a genius again?”

“If I don't show Jonah that I like him, then he'll never know I do!” I declared, jumping up from my bed and going over to the window, sticking my head out it and letting the air blow my hair about my face.