A Book of Shorts

13

A/N: This took longer than I thought it would! Sorry for any mistakes, but I'm not fixing it. Enjoy!

I have been waiting for this day for my whole life. But, at the same time, I've also come to dread it. Today is my thirteenth birthday, which also means that I will be able to summon my familiar for the first time. This happens with with anyone who turns thirteen. You get excited and nervous at the same time, or at least that's what my older sister told me when I asked her. Yet, I don't feel either of those emotions at all. Instead all I feel is dread. And with my family's reputation when it comes to their familiars doesn't help a whole lot.

See the thing about my family is that all their familiars are, well, weak. They're not very strong and they can't do very much because of it. Mainly the familiars that my family have are these tiny birds, or my one uncle whose familiar is a sloth. Or my dad. So, I've learned to not have too high of hopes when it comes time for me to summon mine. I've also learned that just about everyone in the little town we live in, and the towns around us too, knows about my family's predicament. They also won't let any of us live it down. Like at the middle school I go to. I could be walking down the hall with my friends minding my own business and have three people point me out and make fun of my family. It's days like those that I wish I was homeschooled, just so I didn't have to deal with this. But, what can I do? Sadly, not much.

For an example of what I have to deal with, yesterday we were learning how to summon our familiars for the first time with our teacher Mr. Adams. Who, might I add, also happens to be my brother-in-law. More on that in a bit.

"Now when it comes time, and you'll know trust me, a name will pop up in your mind. That is the name of your familiar, and with that you can summon them like this. '(insert name here) I call thee to my side. To guide and protect me in my times of need. Joining our souls we are bound as one. My promise to you is the promise of kinship for you are my familiar.' And that's all there is to it. Short and simple so not too hard. Only takes a few minutes. But, is there any questions?" He looked around the room as hands shot up like bullets into the air. Mr. Adams called a girl by the name Lila, whose family was well known for having strong familiars. You know, the complete opposite of mine.

"But, what if we end up getting a weak familiar like Ninas' family? Are we able to break off the pact?" She asked while looking at me with a sly smirk. Not that I could see it, I refused to look at her, but I could feel it. Also the few people who snickered at the mention of my family qued me in. But, it didn't last long when Mr. Adams silenced all of them so that he could answer her.

"Unfortunately you won't know if your familiar is "weak" or not until after the pact has been already made. Once the pact is made that's it. So, no, you can't break it. They're your familiar forever." He informed the whole class. Basically he was telling us that once the pact is made there is no going back. Yeah, now I'm definitely not looking forward to turning thirteen.

"Well my father says that it wouldn't be a surprise if hers was weak like the rest of her family's." I bet he also tells you that you're the most amazing person in the whole world, but even he knows that's a lie.

Before Mr. Adams can say anything the bell rings and everyone rushes out the door to go home. Though we're supposed to wait to be released, but some people just don't care anymore. As they all left I stayed behind and slowly began to put my books and stuff into my bookbag. Before I leave the room I hear Mr. Adams call out to me.

"Don't let what they say bother you Christina. I'm sure your familiar will be just as impressive as anyone else's." He beams, giving me one of his famous smiles.

"You're only saying that because you're my brother-in-law." I sigh.

"No, I'm saying that because that's how I feel. So does your brother." Yep, that's right, my brother. They met in college, and it was no big deal since we already knew my brother was gay.