Shadow Princess

Chapter Three: Sometimes a Fantasy

Callista groans as she comes to, her eyes flickering open. She flinches and her eyes close against the dim sunlight. Her head pounds, it vibrates through her. Her face feels heavy and the skin around her eyes feel tight. Her stomach rolls with nausea and she lurches upright, her hand flying to her abdomen. A scurry of footsteps, made her trail her eyes to a nurse. Her dark red hair is pulled into a tight bun and her emerald eyes shine with pity and sympathy. She holds a trash can in her hand, pushing it toward her. The nausea fades away, leaving a bitter taste in the back of her mouth.

"I'm fine," she whispers, her voice croaking, "What happened?"

The nurse smiles softly and sets down the trash can beside them. "You passed out in first period. Mr.Murphy carried you here and wanted to stay. Mr. Kindred made him leave."

Callistashuts her eyes, leaning against the cool wall behind her, the memories of this morning replaying in her head. The dream, Parker flirting with the girl and then the heat attacks. She opens her eyes to see her best friend.

"Girl, you know better than to go to school sick," Sasha scolds, her hands on her hips. Her green eyes glare at her as she helps her up. The nurse shakes her head and meets Callista's eyes, they flash black and then back to the bright green. Shaking her head, she meets Sasha's eyes, "Everything okay?"

Callistahesitates, her mouth ready to spill everything that has happened to her. Something stops her, the entire feeling of Sasha and her doubt in the world she finds herself in. She knows her best friend won't understand and call her delusional and mock her, in a good way. Sasha isn't mean by any standard, but she is a lot like her mother and Callista's parents. Only believing in what they could see. She believes there is something more out there.

So, Callista smiles, her lips pulling back into a smile. "Yes. I'm sorry, I just had a dizzy spell again." Her friend looks at her, with a knowing look and loops their arms together.

"School is over and with the page that eventually called my mother in, we have to walk home." Sasha mutters, her voice dripping with fake enthusiasm. Callistachuckles and allows her friend to drag her out of the office. The school is empty, people already left or is leaving as they walk by. Callistanotices Parker and the bimbo leaning close, whispering. Cheeks flushing with anger, she looks at Sasha. Her best friend's eyes seem to blaze with rage, but she tugs, and they leave.

∞†∞†∞

Callista walks into her home, listening for the paws. Fiona bounds toward her, her pink tongue lolling out of her mouth. Sighing, she rubs the back of her dog's neck as she kneels down. Fiona goes crazy, barking and jumping on her. Laughing, Callistastands, pulling her bookbag off her shoulder. She heads for the kitchen, setting the bag on the counter. She yanks out her notebook, filled with notes and homework that Sasha gathered for her.

She settles into the chair, her head bent over the notebook. Ready to not let whatever is affecting her, get in the way of her education. The granite top shows her reflection and when Callistaglances up, just a mere second, her eyes flash golden. Scooting back, her heart beating frantically, she sucks in a sharp breath. Fiona's head cocks, her amber eyes flickering in the light. Callista swallows, shaking her whole body as icy sharp shivers go throughout her body. She scoots to the countertop, bending over the notebook to catch her reflection, seeing her normal blue eyes watching her. Sighing, she backs down, laying her forehead against the edge of the counter.

Fiona whines, brushing against her legs. Callista reaches down and starts petting her dog. Fiona calms down and lays down at the base of the chair. She starts her note reading again, keeping her eyes on the pages before her.

An hour later, Callista nods off and slams her head against the granite top. Yelping, she groans and rubs her forehead. Sitting straight, she notices Fiona is missing by her feet. Shrugging, Callista stands, feeling the stiffness in her calves. She bends and rubs them, soothing the ache. She walks around the island and gets into the fridge, grabbing a water bottle. The cool air hits her skin dragging a relieved sigh escape her. Closing the door, she goes up to her room, where her shepherd usually hides in.