Impurity; Jaded (BOOK 1)

Chapter One

It's been nearly two years since everything fell apart. Nearly two years since everything seemed to stop. My life, my joy, my happiness. The only thing I have left is the remains of my broken family and my few good friends. And there's only one person to blame.

10 years prior:
[Aria]

"Are you still texting Rivet or whatever his name is?" We were fighting again, and she keeps trying to change the subject.
"Yes, I am. And it's River, Ashley. R-I-V-E-R." I've known Ashley for quite some time now. Our families are great friends with each other, and she's one of the few people I've met outside of my short time in school.
"Why won't you guys just go meet? In person?"
"Because- we wouldn't be able to work in peace." I got up and slammed my binder down on my writing desk. I really didn't need to use it, but I enjoyed conveying my annoyance with my actions. "Not like it matters much, if we are going to this Academy." I looked back just in time to see her roll her eyes. I'd been looking over the invitation almost non-stop ever since it arrived.
"Which we aren't." I fiddled with the worn pages, biting my tongue in all efforts not to throw anything. Here we go again.
"What is with you and not wanting to try something that could be good for us. I want something different in my life, and it feel like that wouldn't hurt you either."
"What, is being famous not good enough for you?"
"No. Not anymore. It's overrated and I hate it now. Everyone always wants to hear about Hunter and it's terrible." I could tell that she was becoming more empathetic now, after alluding to the "incident".
"I- didn't mean to hit a nerve... sorry."
"Whatever Ash. I just don't understand why you don't want to do this."
"Because it's weird! What if it's a trap or something? We don't know where this letter came from!" I just shook my head. But she continued, spitting arguments at random.
"It doesn't seem like you to abandon all of what you have like this." Funny. It seems like you to completely disregard my feelings.
"If you were me you'd understand."
"It was two years ago Aria. You have to move on someday."
"How insensible do you have to be to say something like that?!"
"That- that came out wrong. What I mean is, I want you to be happy again. Like how you were"
"I think I'll be happier away from this house." I sat down with a huff, and she wrapped her arms around me, engulfing me in a warm hug. I smiled, but I could tell that she just wanted me to stop yelling at her.
"I know you," she said quietly. "Sell your point." I didn't hesitate.
"My sister has been in contact with one of the main directors. It actually sounds like a lot of fun, and you're able to drop out if and when you want. They just select kids that are out of education or ones looking to switch and if they meet the requirements, they get an invitation." She fell silent, probably thinking. "You have time to think on it, and there might be a way to get a tour of the academy beforehand."
"Fine." Ashley's voice made me jump, as I was getting used to the silence between us at this point. She sighed and released me, rolling her eyes a bit. Despite her best efforts, I still knew she would follow me to the end of the world. I wasn't too convincing, but I was hard to say "no" to, apparently. "I'll join you, but promise we can leave once we've had enough."
I didn't hesitate. "Promise."
--
River and I had been friends for a little while now. I held a raffle back when I was on top of my game, and River was the winner. The prize was a joint project, and he had the idea of superheroes. I used to be a character creator back then, for reference. The label was vague, but I drew a lot back then, and even today with all the free time I have now. Riv and I ended up working together on a bigger project, and even after what happened with Hunter he still stuck with me. But unlike River, Ashley and I have known each other since we were kids. We don't always get along, but she's still all I have. Or at least, all I'll have to remember of my childhood.