Just a Myth (Jayden's POV)

The dream world was quite harsh to me this time. I wasn't expecting to have that same recurring nightmare after I had tried to forget about it. I was 14 years old and I was with my previous foster family. They were waiting for me to get home because I had just gotten a bad grade on a test. In every family I've been taken into, I was expected to be the best and nothing less. It's nothing that I specifically wanted for myself, but I was just happy to have been adopted.

As soon as I walked through the door, the questions started pouring out like water from a cup. I was so overwhelmed that I wasn't being the best me that I could possibly be. They kept comparing me to all my "siblings", asking me why I wasn't like them and why I wasn't getting straight A's like them. I was getting upset because I thought this was a family that I could trust, but I was wrong. I lost control of everything and my demon form ripped itself out of my human skin. I ended up wreaking havoc on the entire family, ending the lives of all of them. That was until Catherine happened to be walking by and she calmed me down after I turned back. She took me out of the house and took me in as her own. I didn't ask questions on why she did it or what her intentions were, I just had to sit back and be thankful.

When Catherine brought me home to her family, I looked like a mess. I had tears streaming down my face, blood dripping from my eye, and it was hard for me to stand. Caide came running down the stairs to greet his mother. Instead, he came face to face with me. He helped his mother to take me to the hospital so they could make sure I was okay. My body physically rejected all the liquid they tried to inject me with. Catherine told them if they couldn't figure out something to do, she was going to do it herself. That somehow got the doctors to start working harder. She must have scared them out of their wits, which I understand; she was a pretty scary person when she wanted to be. They had to put me to sleep in order to stitch my wounds back together. When I awoke, I had bandage around my left eye and I couldn't really see straight. I was very scared about what they were going to do if they found out. Luckily, they didn't and I was safe for a while. A couple days after that, I was sitting in the hospital bed, trying to get some rest. Catherine and Caide had not once left my side, though I knew he had school to attend to. However, there was something that Caide said to his mother that made me start crying again. He said, "Mom, I don't want her to get hurt anymore. Can I be her older brother?"

When he said it, I started bawling. My bandage was starting to get wet, but I didn't care. I thought it was silent, but I was wrong. Catherine and Caide came running to be by my side, asking me what was wrong. I told them I didn't know and they sat by my side, comforting me. Catherine held me in a tight embrace, in which Caide soon joined soon. She kept telling me it was going to be okay and she was going to do everything in her power to make sure I recovered well. I couldn't stop the waterfalls coming from my eyes. I'd been crying for a good ten minutes before a nurse came in to change my drenched bandage. When she took it off, her face changed to something of shock. Caide asked her what was wrong and she couldn't bring herself to say anything. The two came to check on me themselves, seeing the stitches on the left side of my eye had vanished. My eye had completely healed itself and a single scar remained. Catherine took the optimistic road and told her it probably wasn't as bad as they all thought.

The nurse nodded at what she said, not bothering to put the bandage back on. Exactly two days after that, I was able to be released. When the doctor asked what they were going to do with me, Catherine said she was going to take me home. I was more than glad to hear that she was willing to do something like that, considering she knew nothing about me. Catherine signed a couple papers and I was officially in her care. She took me back to her house and cleared out the extra room, making it mine. She asked me what color I wanted it to be, the design of the bedsheets, the clothes I wanted to wear, etc. I told her simple colors and she ordered the paint right away. I felt like I was intruding a bit by just being there, but Caide reassured that everything would be okay. That exact moment is when Caide and I became siblings and best friends.

That was a really long time ago and I don't really talk about it unless I have to. I am Jayden Reyes, currently, and I am 18 years old. I have honey brown hair, emerald green eyes, and I had a scar across my left eye. It was because of the accident that happened when I was younger. I wasn't exactly the girliest girl in the world but I wasn't quite a tomboy. I preferred clothes that were labeled as "Boy's clothes" but sometimes I'll wear a dress for business purposes. I worked as a Physician and a language tutor. From all the families that I had lived with before, I had learned several different languages for family reasons. I know English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese, Dutch, Russian, and a little bit of Arabic. It's too much to handle sometimes but at least I was able to help out kids who were struggling. That's what my father had wanted me to do. He wanted me to help people, no matter what it was I was doing.

Being a Xanite, there were a lot of things that limited me from being happy. I wanted to be able to get close to someone without having the feeling of hurting them. It's the same with most of us, I'm sure, but it was different with me. I couldn't get close to anyone because I tend to overthink things a lot. It's not something I can switch on and off, though it would be so much easier if I could. I overthink about how people would react at finding out what I truly was. Especially my current family. I wouldn't be enjoying the life I was meant to have without them, whether they know it or not.

Overthinking has its ways of breaking into my brain. It comes in many different forms. Mental breakdowns, sudden crying, immense pain, even nightmares. Caide tells me that it's okay to sit back and cry sometimes, but it's never that easy. Doctors have tried to diagnose me with some type of family background, which is what causes the pain. What I have is not something doctors can diagnose. It's who I am and I can't change it, even if I tried to. It's what I was created as. It's why I'm not allowed to feel some human emotions like love or heartbreak. My creator made me for some reason and I've been placed in this area to find out why.

Some people have said that nightmares are normal; everyone has had one in their lifetime. I'm positive that no one has ever had ones that were as bad as the ones I've encountered. It's nearly impossible to wake me from. I'm stuck in that horrible place until I've spread blood of those I've been close with. I wake up in a cold sweat, in my demonic form, tempted to do as the terror had shown. I'm not permitted to go against what I'm told to do, unless it's a way for me to reveal my true form.

That's why I have tried my absolute hardest not to get close with anyone that I've been put in the care of. It's never worked, no matter how hard I've tried. Caide and I have a bond that's tighter than anything I've ever seen. We're very close as siblings and I wouldn't change that for the world. When Catherine first brought me home to her family, I looked like a mess. I had tears streaming down my face, blood dripping from my eye, and it was hard for me to stand. Caide came running

My eyes opened slowly as the bright sunlight peeked into my room. They lit up the whole space with a soft blue because of the color of my curtains. I smiled happily as I sat up, yawning out of finally getting a good night's sleep. I had to enjoy it, considering I probably wouldn't see one again for a while. I looked at the watch that was sitting idle 0n my nightstand, seeing that it was nearly 8:30 in the morning. I felt a sudden rush of adrenaline speed through my body like a roller coaster on tracks, for my mind realized I would soon be late for work. I hurried around my room, trying to find my work outfit and such. I passed myself in the mirror and had to take a double glance. I really did look like I was electrocuted. Nonetheless, I found my outfit hanging on my door with a note from my mother. It read, "Have a good day at work and make good money." I sighed softly at it, though I was happy she said something before she left. I felt like if I wasn't impressing her, I wasn't doing anything right.

My current mother, Catherine Reyes, was a well known fashion critic. She had shoulder length black hair, brown eyes that glistened in the light, and she was always dressed to impress. She was born Denver, Colorado, our current living space, raised in Paris, France, and then came back to start a family of her own. She is the reason that I was here and possibly not in jail. She saved me from a really bad mistake that I possibly could have made. She wasn't the nicest person to be around, for the attitude made a better critic, but she was also very caring. I couldn't have asked for a better person to have rescued me that day.

My current father, Thomas Reyes, was a plastic surgeon in Korea. His hair was blonde, always slicked back, naturally a cute messy when he's relaxing. I don't really remember much of what he looks like because he was never really home. He lived in Korea so he could do what he always dreamed of doing, but he calls every now and then. Sure, I miss him, but when I never really got the chance to meet him, how could I miss him as much as I would miss my foster mother? It's not to be said in a way of favor. It's said in a way of spending time with someone for such a long time, that you become closer with them.

My current brother, Caide, was still in high school but about to graduate. He had brown hair that always covered his forehead, dazzling light blue eyes that he could use to charm other humans. He was one of the smartest people I personally knew. He was a straight A student and I don't think he ever got a lower grade, not in high school anyway. He was really over-protective with me because of my human background. He's told a couple of people off for getting too close to me, though I never truly knew why. He said it was because he didn't want one of the boys to take advantage of me. I'm still learning the human dialogue, so I left it at that.

I felt like I was actually part of something real. I have never felt that with any family that I've been with before. Yes, my father was off an awful lot and I was alright with that. Caide and and I went to the same school so I saw him a lot. My mother, however, was very busy at her studio all the time. It wasn't like I was never going to see them again, because I knew that wasn't true. Though I did want to tell at least Catherine about myself, I didn't want her to regret her decision on taking me in. She and her family was the best thing that could have ever happened to a Xanite, so unfortunate as me. Even as they didn't know my true identity, they still loved me as one of their own. Catherine always told me that she would never give me up like the rest of my families did. I've never believed anything so much.

I got in the shower as quickly as I could, the water flowing heavily along my skin. Once I had gotten out, feeling refreshed, I styled my hair. I pulled it into a tight bun, as always, because I really didn't like the length of it. I had wanted to cut it since I was younger but Catherine said that it fit my body type more than short hair would. I didn't want to make her angry with me so I dropped the subject. However, that didn't stop me from putting it in a bun like it was short. I got dressed into my outfit just like I did every morning. I had a white button-up shirt, a vest, a tie, and slacks. It was a suit, as the humans called, that was a soft blue color.

I put on my shoes and nearly fell over onto my carpet floors, causing me to laugh at myself a bit. Apparently, my older brother heard me laughing at nothing from his standpoint, which made him curious. He knocked on my door softly, speaking out my name. I told him to come in, which resulted in him opening the door. He stepped in quietly, looking at me while I was half on the ground. I gave him an innocent smile as I froze in my position, making him chuckle gently.

"Jaydie, are you alright?" he asked me.

"I'm fine. I just forgot how to stand for a minute." I said with a smile still.

"If you say so. I came to ask if you wanted me to drive you to work?"

"I don't want to be a bother. Don't you have school?"

"We're off for the week, remember?"

"Oh yeah," I said cluelessly, "Of course I remembered. Really though, it's no issue. I have to stop at Syrena's work really fast to grab a dress."

"What for?"

"I have to go to this party thing with mom tomorrow night and she said she didn't have time to make one for me. Didn't she tell you?"

"No, she did. I just forgot."

"Are you going?"

"Probably. A friend of mine said she was going to be there, so I might. I'm not really doing anything right now, so I can drive you. It's no big deal. Besides, I don't want you walking by yourself."

I sighed, "Alright, then. I'll be down in just a minute."

He nodded his head to me as he stepped out of the room, closing the door. I was still not understanding why he didn't want me going anywhere by myself. I didn't question his motives, nonetheless, because if it were serious enough for him to tell me, he would have. I put on some lip gloss that my mother bought me and put some soft scented lotion on my hands. Afterwards, I headed out of my room and down the stairs, seeing Caide pull his black Camaro into view of the window. I walked over to two empty bowls on the ground and filled one up with food, the other with water. As soon as the bowls hit the ground again, I heard the jingle of a collar come bounding toward me. I turned around to see my German Shepherd, Ace, running toward me happily. He barked softly, because my mother trained him to, nuzzling his face into my hands.

"Be careful, Ace. I can't get the suit dirty right now." I said to the dog.

He did as he was told and licked the palm of my hands. I smiled softly and squished his cheeks together, before heading out the door. The rain hadn't seemed to let up one bit since yesterday, which was truly no surprise. I ran to the car and got inside, putting my seatbelt on immediately. As soon as I was prepared, Caide drove off toward the shop. The ride was pretty silent all the way there, but it was mostly because he never felt amazing when it was raining. For some reason, his stomach always began to hurt when it would rain. I wanted to start up a conversation but I truly had no clue what I would even say. I exhaled softly without the intention of it being heard.

"Is something wrong?" he questioned.

I shook my head softly, "No. Why do you ask?"

"I don't know. You just look kind of stressed. I'm probably wrong."

"No, actually. It's not really stress. I suppose it's just because I wanted to cut my hair, but I know that mom wouldn't really like it if I did."

"Why don't you talk to her about it? She's been in an oddly strange mood lately so maybe she might let you."

I leaned my head against the window, "I don't know. I don't really want to bother her. She seems busy nowadays."

There was a silence that hung between us for a bit, until he spoke up, "Tell you what. If you end this semester with straight A's, I'll talk to mom and take you to get your hair done. I promise."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, it's the least I could do, since you always help me with my work."

I let out a big, happy smile. When he saw me doing so, it was contagious. He smiled too, which made me even more happy. I loved seeing him smile because he didn't do it much while I was around. It's not anything personal, from what he told me. He just doesn't really have the "facial qualities" to smile. I was confused for a really long time on that statement, though I finally figured it out. He just didn't like his smile. I don't know why, but I thought it was the friendliest one I've seen. I knew a way to make him smile though.

"So. You wanna tell me about your not-so-secret crush?" I asked.

He immediately started smiling as he talked, "I don't know what you're talking about. What crush?"

"Don't play games with me! I know how much you talk about her. I'm curious about what she's like."

"Well, she's really kind and she has a great sense of humor. She has long, brown hair that's dyed at the tips. Her eyes are brown but not normal brown. They're different in a way."

"Does she go to our school?"

"She does. I think you know her. Her name is Alysia."

My eyes widened at the hearing of her name. I remember Syrena talking about that same name when she mentioned her older brother. She told me that an Alysia and her brother started dating a while back. That immediately put a bad taste in my mouth, but I kept my mouth shut. I didn't want to assume that he knew and say something. Caide and I have had so many things going for us and I really don't want to chance ruining it. Besides Syrena, Caide was the only person I was close with. I felt a connection with him, considering I probably would have been removed from the family if he'd said a single thing.

I got into an argument with that girl a while back. Her friends kept saying that I was a teacher's pet, yet she stood silently beside them. She didn't stop them, she didn't intervene. She let them talk bad on me. I never had a bad feeling about someone in my entire time of being alive, but she gave me a vibe that I couldn't handle. I knew too much about her for my brother to lose his happiness over something so simple. I didn't want to crush his dreams but I didn't want him to be lead on by some girl.

"Why don't you ask her to be with you if you like her so much?" I questioned subtly.

That's when his smile began to fade, but not completely, "She's dating someone else. I'm her best friend though, which is good enough for me. I don't think it would have worked out between us anyway."

"Why do you say that?"

"She has a type. I don't really fit the bill."

"Type? What do you mean?"

"Her dream guy."

"'Dream guy'? Don't you think that's kind of discriminative?"

"In a way, yes. However, everyone has a person in their minds they want to accompany in the future. Even me."

"If you say so… but what does her 'dream guy' look like?"

"He's tall, kind, well-mannered, friendly, all that jazz. Her dream guy, you know?"

"I think you fit that bill perfectly. You're super tall, you're super friendly, your manners outdo anyone I've personally ever met. Believe me, you're her… type. Maybe she just hasn't realized your true potential yet."

He chuckled softly at my statement, "Thanks, Jaydie. You're the best."

"Of course. I'm here to make you feel better at all times."

The smile I put on his face was one I had never seen. It was a smile of pure, genuine happiness. I haven't even seen that on my own face before. It made me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside, which was rare for me to feel. I rested my hand on his arm, for assurance, and to also read his mind. I wanted to know what was going on in his head that I knew he wouldn't tell me. He was thinking about her now. I could visually see her and what he thought of her. She was his angel that was sent to earth for an unknown reason. Even though they were just friends, I could tell that wasn't enough for him. He wanted to be the one who could make her happier that she's ever been. The very thought of her being with someone else broke his heart, but he didn't want to lose what he was able to have of her.

So, that's why he doesn't want other guys to be around me. He doesn't want me to feel the heartbreak that he's suffering. I felt horrible for being this burden that sat square on his shoulders, holding him down from doing anything that he wanted. It was his life to live, yet he was spending it protecting me and I don't understand why. I know this isn't my fault but I still don't want to weigh him down. I didn't want to be the person that was keeping him down to earth instead of following his dreams. Considering that I was always one to be ahead of schedule, maybe time itself, I knew what was going to happen.

Caide was eventually going to admit his feelings to Alysia, though she didn't quite know what to say. When it happened, her current boyfriend was going to get overly jealous. He then would have said and done some hurtful things, which would have made her realize how wrong the choice she made was. It would conclude with her breaking up with him and taking Caide's feelings into consideration. They don't immediately end up getting together, but I know that he'll be alright with it.

While I was lost in my thoughts, Caide had arrived at the store and pulled up in front of the doors. I smiled happily at him as I hurried inside, watching him drive to find a parking spot. I knew exactly where I needed to find this specific dress, for I'd been in this store too many times not to. I normally came here to get my mother some of the fabrics she needed because it sold exquisite ones. All of it from the hands of the manager, my best friend, Syrena. I looked around for her as I walked to the far left rack, not catching eye with her figure just then. Once I got to the rack, I grabbed a hanger that held a beautiful black dress. I knew that this was the style of something my mother would expect me to grab, but definitely not the color. Anybody that has spent even a couple minutes with my mom would know that.

However, I couldn't find the same dress in the color she would approve of. I took the current dress up to the customer service counter and sat it carefully on the marble. I caught eye with the unfamiliar boy standing in front of me and I could basically hear my heart begin to pound. He looked so professional and kind that it caused butterflies to flutter in my stomach. He had gorgeous brown eyes, dirty blonde hair, and a face that could have been carved by the gods themselves. The way he looked at me made my cheeks heat up and my fingers fidget. Surprisingly, he didn't have much to say about my flushed cheeks because his were doing the same thing.

"Excuse me, could you help me find this same dress in blue?" I asked calmly.

I couldn't help but feel a bit pressured at asking that question. I had never seen this boy before and I come here nearly everyday. He grabbed the dress and lead me to a different part of the store. We continued to have a conversation that kept my spirits up and my flustered emotions down. I haven't smiled as much as I was while talking with him for as long as I can remember. I don't even remember seeing someone this flustered with me before which raised a little bit of suspicion. I didn't want to question him on it because I didn't want to embarrass him or anything. He seemed like a nice person overall and I had a good feelings when I talked with him.

"Did Syrena assign you a new position here?" I asked politely

"She did. How did you know?" he replied.

"Syrena and I are friends. Her older brother used to tutor me when he lived down here."

He chuckled softly as I caught his glance for a moment, "That's funny. Her older brother is actually… close with my older sister. If that's the word you would use."

"Are they dating?"

"Yes, that's what it is."

I chuckled lightly as the boy continued to search for the outfit I'd asked for. He looked as if he were about to say something until a voice interrupting.

"Ah, Jayden Reyes. What a pleasure to see you again."

When we both looked at who had spoked, Syrena's smiling face was there. I grinned and immediately wrapped her in a hug.

"Syrena! It's good to see you, too!" I replied giddily.

"I see you've met one of my best employees," the other spoke, gesturing to the boy in front of me.

"Oh! Is this Ryan?"

He nodded, "Yes, that's me."

Syrena grinned, "Yes, he just moved up a couple positions today. Isn't it wonderful?"

"Indeed, it is!"

"Well, thank you both for saying that. It means a lot," Ryan said spoke.

I was going to respond before another customer walked up to us, "Uh, pardon me… Syrena, can I get some help?"

"Of course, sir," she replied, "Well, I'll see you two around."

As Syrena walked away, I realized that there was a sense of cluelessness in Ryan's eyes. I couldn't tell what he was confused about and I didn't want to ask. After a bit, he handed me the exact dress that I had been looking for.

"By the way, I found the dress that you wanted."

I smiled, "Thank you! I never would have been able to find it without you."

I took the hanger from his hands, mine grazing his ever so gently. I was really confused on why there was a long silence between us. Why was I unable to hear his thoughts? My cheeks turned the smallest bit of pink before he let go of the hanger. I gave him another smile as I turned and began to walk away.

"You're welcome." he said.

I turned back around one final time and looked at him, "By the way, my name is Jayden."

Once I began walking again, I hadn't seen him. I was simply eye to eye with the cashier, paying for the outfit. Afterward, I walked outside and noticed the rain starting to clear up. Slowly but surely, the raindrops stopped falling like heavy marbles. I smiled happily as I got back in Caide's car. I didn't say much but I could feel the atmosphere changing. His mood lightened because the rain did so too. He looked over at me as he put the car back into the driving motion.

"What are you so cheery about?" he asked me.

"Don't you see the sky?"

"Yeah."

"Exactly! We can actually see the sky today, Caide, isn't that amazing?! We haven't been able to see the blue sky since last month!" I said happily.

"I think I know why the rain hasn't gone away."

I looked at him, "Really? Why?"

"It's because of the species we live among. The Xanites."

My smile quickly faded. I didn't have anything to say to his statement about that. I knew that he wasn't aware I was part of the species he was talking about, but it wasn't fair that he talked as if he knew all of our intentions. I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms in front of my chest.

"Why do you say that? It's not like they can control the weather…" I said.

"I'm not saying that they can, I'm just saying that the whole species just brings bad luck. We've had rain for a month straight, not even a break in the weather, and it's probably because of them."

"You can't say that, Caide. You haven't met one."

"Oh, have you met one, Jayde?"

I sighed softly, " No, I've not met one."

The silence hung dead in between us, for I didn't want to share another word on the topic. Regular humans didn't want to talk about the topic because they were scared, but we didn't talk about the topic because we knew the truth. We couldn't risk being exposed, not while they thought horribly of us. It was hard being the species that everyone hated, especially when you had to pretend to be one of them. I don't like to talk horribly on my own species because I am the only Xanite that I know of. I can't talk bad on something that I've only seen one of.

I looked out the window, seeing that the rain was only gone for the moment. The cloud came rolling in as if they were on a hill. I could practically see the raindrops planning to drop on the town, returning it to its dark and gloomy state. I sighed quietly as Caide pulled in front of an office building, allowing me to exit the car. I told him that I had a ride back home and I'd be home as soon as my shift ended. Without another word, I got out of the car and headed inside. I was greeted by many younger children running around and having fun. I smiled softly at all of them as I sat my belongings in my office.

Every morning that I came in, there was always a list on my desk of kids I would be taking care of that day. There was always one child that was given to me everyday, for she would only talk to me. I never knew why, nor did I ask, but I was curious about it. After I had all of my things sat down, I walked out to the main room where most of the children were. There were many smiling faces and lots of happy laughter, though I could tell what most of them were really thinking. What they were really feeling. We saw eye to eye, these kids and I, for they didn't have an original place to call home. Just like me.