Pectrals Academy - Beginnings Novella

Chapter One: Train Bound

Chapter One: Train Bound

Groaning only half as loudly as my obnoxious alarm I rise out of bed and make my way to the bathroom for a shower and to ready myself for the day. Once showered I throw on a pair of black skinny jeans and a pastel pink top and make my way over to the mirror. I stare at my reflection unable to stop the building resentment towards my white waist length cascading hair and storm grey eyes that are too big for my small round face and have caused me little more than misery.

Curious one day I had asked mum if the strange hair and eyes were just as predominant when her and dad adopted me. When she had informed me that even as a newborn my oddities were present, I knew why my birth mother hadn't wanted me and I also learnt the lesson of not asking a question that may have an answer you really are not ready for. Sighing to myself I set about braiding my hair into twin braids, which is my usual choice, upset with myself that I had chosen to dwell on such negative things today of all days. I shake myself from of my morbid musings by repeating my self  taught 'loving myself mantra' into the mirror several times before making my way downstairs for breakfast.

I make it down to the dining area finding mum already preparing breakfast in the kitchen humming a beautiful yet sorrowful tune to herself. I asked her once what it was about but she just looked at me with her sad blue eyes and told me she would tell me about it when she is ready. I watch her dance around the kitchen for a little bit, always finding myself mesmerised by her natural grace which I have not managed to master myself. Suddenly she stops humming and makes her way towards me wrapping me in one of her perfect good morning hugs.

"Good morning Sybilla," Elizabeth croons. "Happy eighteenth birthday!"

"Morning mum," I reply returning the hug and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

I extract myself from her and flick the kettle on so that I can make myself my morning coffee that I will not function without.

"What, no shot for breakfast now that you're finally legal?" Mum jests as I put three heaped tea spoons of sugar into my coffee.

I laugh at her antics and shake my head, "no I think we are both well aware that a shot would be the last thing I need this morning."

I smile thinking back on my eighteenth party that we held last night that double as a farewell do as well. I had been allowed to drink last night and may have overdone it a little, it wasn't my first time drinking but the whole eighteen shots to celebrate ones eighteenth was apparently a little bit much. It was only after I completed the coming of age challenge and began drunkenly bragging about it that dad so kindly informed me he was only joking and he wouldn't be surprised if I ended up with alcohol poisoning. I made it through in the end though it may or may not have involved cradling the toilet for half of the night. I will never admit to anything if I am asked though.

"How did you sleep last night honey?" mums blurts, suddenly turning serious.

I can't say that I blame her though. About a month ago I began having strange dreams of places I have never been and people that I have never met before, which on its own wouldn't be all that concerning. The problem with the dreams however is the feeling that comes with them, being able to smell the scents and feel a breeze caress my skin or the suns warmth even on a cool evening. The first time it happened I put it down to an overactive imagination but three nights later when it happened a second time I told mum about them, surprisingly she didn't appear overly surprised but only concerned for my own wellbeing.

"No mum it has almost been a week since the last one, it has been wonderful."

She smiles at my answer pleased that the issue seem to have resolved on its own. The front door opens and the tall dark lankiness that is dad steps through.