Another Life

The sun shone brightly as Cerin woke from her dream. The sound of her alarm had ruined her dreams. There was a lovely lady with eyes like tourmaline, that told her she needed to take a short nap. She had been so happy to see her and the lovely male with her. His eyes resemble emeralds dipped in honey. They had been so kind to her, even giving her sweets and petting her head. Sadly, it was all a dream.

"Rania!" Coral shouts as I free my legs from the tangle of blankets.

"I'm up!" I shout as I head for the shower. Cold-water greats me, it seems someone forgot to pay the gas bill again. I shower and dress in black leggings and a t-shirt with a grumpy kitty on it. As I brush my teeth, I hear Clarissa and Coral arguing, about the lack of heat, I guess I'm not the only one that woke to a cold shower. I brush out my midnight hair twisting it up into a bun, holding it in place with a comb made of obsidian flowers I have only seen in dreams are carved onto it. The comb is the only thing my parents left me if only I could remember what they looked like.

The house smells of burnt toast and coffee, Caleb sits on the couch feet propped on the old coffee table. A raunchy novel in one hand and a mug of watered-down coffee in the other. Caleb is the quietest of my roommates only speaking when foods involved. The way he eats you'd think he'd be a butterball by now. He nods at me as I head out the door, opting for coffee from the shop near the library. For whatever reason, my roommates believe in squeezing the last drop of coffee from the grounds. It's not like they don't have money the triples are heirs to one of the most prominent socialites this side of the globe has ever seen. Of course, their father is "secretly" a mob lord but that's another story.

###

By the time I reach the MorningStar, a line has formed out to the fountain at the center of the little Village. Students from various Universities occupy the line. They do make the best coffee in town, but why do people from University have to come out of their way. A guy with mint green hair and a snake tattoo on his forearm taps his foot impatiently, as the line continues to move at a snail's pace.

Someone behind me squeals like a little pig before laughter erupts.

"I can't believe it," a female voice squeals, it has that annoying fake baby voice that some find cutesy. Honestly, unless your five years old, your voice should not sound like that.

"Fuck," the guy in front of me says. As squeaky and her friends run up to him. "Do me a favor," he adds turning towards me, his eyes are violet with silver.

"Sure," I say and he smiles.

"Get me a coffee with half hot chocolate and cinnamon sugar," he says handing me a twenty I stick it into my cloak pocket, "I'll be by the library entrance," he says as I nod, he takes off.

Squeaky stops before me, "Where he go?" she asks her voice is clearly, fake as she struggles to keep it when speaking to me. She probably thinks it makes her seem attractive.

I pretend not to hear her magicking earbuds in while taping my free hand against my lap. Squeaky pokes my shoulder, I pull one of the earbuds out and look at her with cold eyes.

"What?" I ask. Using the voice that's kept me alive all these years. My aunt and uncle only wanted my parents' fortune. When they realized there was no way for them to get it unless I died, they did everything in their power to end me. Only for each attempt to backfire. I ended up in the system until I turned sixteen and emancipated myself.

I've been on my own ever since my inheritance remains frozen until I turn twenty-one. Unless of course, I attend University. Opting for the high road I work odd jobs here and there. Collecting money for the triplets' father is one of those odd jobs. Finding a blood source for the Vamps is another. Keeping the fairies from killing each other and collecting changelings being the third. Honestly, I can't seem to recall when I started doing what I do. But the little magic I possess is quite useful.

"Where did Jai go?" Squeaky asks using her normal voice.

"I don't know who that is," I say, "but touch me again and you'll lose that hand." Luckily one of her friends seems to have some common sense and drags her away.

By the time I make it to the front of the line my patience has run thin. Thankfully Nora's working the register, she smiles as I make my way towards her.

"One mocha with cinnamon sugar," she says.

"Make it two," I say eyeing their selection of doughnuts and fairy cakes.

"We have a new doughnut, maple bacon with chocolate drizzle."

"I'll take two, and two pomegranate passion fruit tarts."

"Who's the extra mocha for?" she asks as she places the two donuts in a brown bag and the two tiny tarts in a clear container. Something about tiny pastries always brightens my day.

I wink at her taking my items, I place the bag of donuts on the cup holder and the tarts in my satchel. Nora just shakes her head before tending to the next person.

There are four entrances to the library, considering Jai as squeaky called him wants to remain hidden I head for the entrance by the Cypress Forest. He leans against one of the ruby pillars' eyes closed arms crossed.

"Just for your little stunt, you won't be getting your change," I say heading up the steps. His eyes remain closed as he gives me a quirky grin extending one hand, I hand him the mocha. He inhales before downing it. I watched wide-eyed as he finishes the hot contents, finally opening his eyes with a sigh.

"Ah sweet nectar of life," he says eyeing one of the donuts I'm eating.

I shake my head at him and he laughs.

"No, as in you do not agree or no, as in they're all yours and I can't have one?"

"You can't have one," I say wolfing one down then moving on to the next.

Jai just smiles at me, "my little sister loves sweets so much so she only shares with me on my birthday."

"Why?"

"Beats me," Jai shrugs, "she's odd that way."

"Where is she?"

"Close yet far away," he sounds sad at this. Without thinking I offer him my half-eaten doughnut. Surprisingly he takes it popping it into his mouth before I can change my mind. "Be careful out there."

I'm still too stunned to notice which direction he's gone. How can she be close yet far away? Perhaps I can find her for him. I think as a gust of wind blows my hood back.