Wake Up Call

Dear Imena,

The story you really want to hear isn't about my college experience, so we can talk about that later. I know you're waiting to hear about the final piece of the prophecy, so I'll start getting into that.

It was near the end of my second year of college. I was now twenty years old, I was a very accomplished young woman on Earth, and a successful and loved Queen of fifteen years. But prophecies don't seem to care how many awards and degrees you have, how many people like you, or how hard you try to avoid the prophecy itself. It always finds you, and it usually catches you off guard.

We were prepping for my graduation where I would receive my Bachelor's degree in education. The Council was planning where they would put in our soldiers in case of an attack from Andrew, I didn't really think he would attack at another graduation since he hadn't attacked my high school one, but we were all still scarred from his attack during my graduation from Academy almost eight years before.

Milo, who I was still with, would be flying out to see me at the graduation. The day after, I would fly back with him to go to his graduation that took place few days after mine. I was very excited to see him, I hadn't seen him since Christmas when he visited the Vail for a few days.

The day of my graduation rolled around finally, and I was getting ready. While trying to tame my curly hair and make myself look presentable, I couldn't shake my nerves. I was nervous about getting my degree and maybe coming back to college, or maybe not because life took me down another path. I was nervous about getting my first job as a teacher, and having young eyes stare at me, waiting for answers, or not caring at all. I was nervous that Andrew would attack and ruin yet another big moment in my life. I was nervous the prophecy would be fulfilled that day, in front of so many people.

I began to spiral, the area around me went dark, and more worries filled my head. I tried to shake it off, but something kept pulling me back. I felt my breathing speed up, and my body began to shake.

Then I heard that voice.

I hadn't heard that voice in four years. I hadn't missed it either.

Before it could say anything I could really understand, I spoke to it.

"Leave me alone, whoever you are. You are not welcome in my mind or in my life."

An alarm went off.

Color and light returned to the area around me.

I turned off the alarm and checked the time, it was time for me to start heading to the ceremony. I grabbed my things, and took one last look in the mirror. I spotted the white rose and the vase I brought it to college in. I took it out of the vase and pinned it to my robe.

"Today is going to be a good day." I said to myself, and I left.

- 𝒮. 𝑅𝑜𝓈𝑒