onyx: poltergeist

one

JAYDA

I remembered my seventeenth birthday like it was the most significant day in my entire life. To some extent it was, considering how it was practically the seventeenth anniversary of my existence on the surface of this planet. Big deal. The actual reason why the seventeenth birthday of a girl named Jayda Hudson was because it was the last day of school that year, which was yet again another constant reminder that I was going to become a junior in a few months from now, and that I'll be graduating sooner or later.

That birthday was a hectic affair. Since it was the last day of school my parents grew extremely paranoid with my choices for tertiary education. I don't blame them, I've spent quite a large amount of time in my life figuring out the high expectations Mom and Dad have ever placed on me since day one. In this case, they were trying all they could to qualify me in one of California's top universities. God knows how many application forms they could have already filled out and delivered to the Dean.

That aside, I was still glad they remembered about their daughter turning a year older.

"Happy birthday baby girl," I could still recall my mother calling out to me from the kitchen back then. I cringed slightly; sometimes I just can't seem to get my family, especially when every single grown adult calls you 'baby girl' whenever they see you. Didn't they realise that I was turning seventeen, not seven? Nevertheless I still put on a smile and thanked her, receiving what could only look like a small black box, adorned with a glittery silver ribbon tied into a bow. Very glamorous.

"Thanks mom," I received the small box from her hands, holding it firmly in mine, "I'll just go put this upstairs, I think I'm starting to run late for school."

"You can open it first Jay," Mom smiled, excitement running through every faint crease on her forehead. I forced a small grin and pulled apart the ribbon, lifting up the black lid to reveal a delicate necklace of crafted out of sterling silver, nestled atop a miniature satin cushion and boasting a small black gem as its pendant. However, despite its fresh packaging I could tell the item of jewellery looked rather lacklustre, as if someone had worn it before.

I looked back up at my mom questioningly. "Mom?"

"Oh, I got it at an antique store," she explained, "It was displayed in the glass case when I got it so I decided to DIY and prepare the box and the cushion for it by myself."

Right.

"Looks great," I remarked as my mother fished out the necklace and clipped it around my neck. Surprisingly, it managed to match well with my black crop top and black leather jacket. "I guess I'll just finish my breakfast and run off the school," I continued, re-adjusting the backpack on my shoulders and shuffling over to where a plate of cereal was awaiting my arrival atop on the bar counter. Thanks Mom.

~

If there was one thing I learnt from rushing to class, it was that my pair of black combat boots was a really unwise choice to wear for running, because I could feel a few blisters riding up my calves by the time I reached homeroom. Give me a break already, I'm turning seventeen.

I pushed the door open and stumbled inside. About half the class was already seated inside, shooting me judgemental stares as I straightened myself up to shut the door. "Morning, Mr Lambert," I half panted, half greeted my English teacher, who was already seated at the teacher's table patiently sipping a cup of Starbucks bought coffee.

"Hi Jayda," he smiled back warmly. Ever since I was placed under the wing of Mr Adam Mitchel Lambert for English that year I felt an unfathomable admiration towards this teacher. Maybe it's how patient and friendly he is towards the students under his care, especially with the problematic ones. Either ways he was one of my favourites among my school's teaching staff, a few of my friends constantly insisted I have a crush on him but all those were rumours anyways. He was twice my age after all.