Danielle's Choice

My family history was something I didn't know much about, not until I turned thirteen. I found my entire family is made of mythical creatures, animals, and or witches.I thought turning thirteen would be great, but now its like walking into a crazy dream that young kids dream about. I knew every family had secrets, but I never thought my family secret be so weird or crazy , especially one that seem so impossible and unrealistic. I thought it couldn't get any more crazier or unreal, but I was wrong.

Right after my parents show and tell our family's crazy, weird, and astonishing secret we had an unexpected visitor. My parents and anyone in our family knows this Liza person, apparently she goes to every of our family members when someone turns thirteen. Anyway Liza comes over and put this necklace on, then a few minutes she removes it and leaves. That wasn't odd or weird that some necklace was glowing after she placed it on me.

My parents was confused, they told me Liza usually tells the family what their child is, but she didn't. So my parents thought it be wise to keep me home from school for a week or two. Angry and upset I was that I ran to my room, few hours gone by; coming back from the bathroom to my room I noticed that Liza lady was in my room. Great! Liza was telling me how this family became cursed and why the necklace was glowing. Wow, lot to take in. So two-hundred years ago our ancestor disliked her family, but that wasn't as bad as treating animals badly, not believing in anything mythical, and mistreating/disliking others.So then Liza placed a cursed on our family, that each family member would turn into either a mythical creature; animal, and or witch. Each member can be any of the there, but the talisman knows what any of the members would be. The talisman tells Liza what that member of the curse would be for an example a dolphin, mermaid, and witch plus there human self/form. That the only way the curse can be broken is a caring girl that possesses all of the curse-mythical creatures, animals, and witch; that or the same girl would marry a mortal who accepts her and her family. Now if the necklace glowed it means that it had found or noticed the caring girl that could break the curse. Even if the curse is lifted the talisman will still hold its power and that I would still and forever be a witch since I'm the caring girl, the chosen one. Ok, wow! That sounds crazy. Wait if it glowed that means. I...I'm the caring girl. Liza told me to practice transforming and witching like spells, potions, and magic; that I'll see her again, but when I'm eighteen. So then Liza left through my window. Astonished; it wasn't until I heard the clock chime that I got up closed my window and went down stairs to tell my parents what Liza told me. I think they were shocked what Liza told me not to mention questionable on why she told me this and not them.

With that said my parents wrote and sent letters to my family members, the ones who is really good changing themselves and controlling into certain creatures and animals; it took awhile to decide whom to send a letter to a good and powerful witch. They decided on my father's older brother and sister-they're twins and great witches I heard.

Mom said that it would be hard on me to transform. She's good at reading faces, sometimes it feels like she can read mind; you see I had a confused look on my face. I was wondering why it be hard for me to too transform, my mother said 'that usually family members who are angry and upset sometimes turns into a creature; for my mom its a wolf.

Can't believe I am being sent away so I can learn how to transform and control when to transform and then learning witching. Its going be years till I see my parents again, so I better work extremely hard so I can get home faster then possibly planned.

I'm leaving on a bus too get to my cousin John's house or in town where he lives. From what I heard from my parents he is good at transforming and controlling his transformation and he is patient. I'll be learning to transform into a ghost and frog and controlling the transformation, also mom said he's good at transforming into both.

I finally arrived and John was waiting for me, he grabbed my two suit cases placing them into his trunk with the bags I placed also in his trunk. It felt weird, I mean here's my cousin and we didn't talk much like months ago at our Bar-B-Que. John finally spoke, but about helping me and the transforming; he said that the first weeks he wished for me to 'go about normally, like I was home' that he's going to watch or study me. I'm not sure how this is going to help, but ok. So for two weeks I read, drew, and on the computer doing homework the teacher sent me; and if I wasn't at John's house I was in the neighborhood at the orphanage or the hospital playing or reading to young ins, and if I had time I would help out at the soup kitchen.

Finally, cousin John decided it was time to train...for a few days or should I say a week now of training nothing not even a transparent color. Ok cousin John one day took me on a hike, up a mountain close to his house; I just don't know how this would help me, but I trust him and I'm sure he knows what he is doing. The view was breath taking, something I never seen, its lovely here just to see the view of trees, mountains, and a few houses. Only a few seconds, until his voice broke my thoughts; training again, but it was different. I mean his method, he took out two yoga mats and then told me too close my eyes; I did so.

I heard him get up, I guess he has some type of plan and setting it up. It was minutes later till I heard John telling me to open my eyes. Yes, a big plan he has...a lot of ropes, but the surprising one was the big glass box that I'm in. He had many traps for animals; John placed some animals in the traps. I turned into something, but I wasn't sure what; seeing John expression it wasn't a ghost or frog, he then told me to calm down and showed me that the were stuffed animals. I guess I'm back to normal since his expression was easy, but he still seemed tense and scared... So then John did something else, he still left me in this glass box, but asked for all/anything electronic that I had on me. I'm still in in here as for John he set up a tent outside of this box and a camp fire, he started cooking soup...well that's what I think it is. Well at least John gave me food, few days passed and John hasn't came out of that tent and I'm still in this glass box. Cousin John finally steps out of his tent he looked up at me and started smiling. John smiling, why? Doing as he said I went forward and looked back that the door was not open, apparently I went through the glass. Yay! I'm a ghost, but it didn't last long. So then after that day cousin John and I practiced on transformation and control. After I did that, caught on how to control and went on. John video taped everything; in almost two half months I learned how to control and transform into a ghost and a frog.

I was packing to set off to my like uncle or cousin who ever, but John told me I'm staying there and my teachings will continue on that mountain. I suppose that is better then traveling from place to place. For months all I've seen is that mountain and glass box, one day I asked to go out- to have a day for myself. My cousin agreed, so I went out, I went to the: orphanage, hospital, and movies; it was a nice day out.

Wow! It's been a year and few months since I left my house to study. Mom was right, its going take some time for me. I do ask for a day to myself maybe once a month I ask. Training hasn't changed much, still on that mountain and using that glass box even Cousin John comes up to watch plus video tape us-me and my cousin or who ever teaching me. I've been mostly taught by cousins and or uncle/aunt or two. And by watching the video tapes they found new ways and or ideas to help teach me.

Almost three years of learning and everything is still crazy I'm done finally, I can transform into a: ghost, wolf, dolphin, mermaid, fairy, and leprechaun etc.. I think the leprechaun, unicorn, and fairy took up most of the year.

My last training is witching, yay! I get to learn potions and spells, but the best part is I don't need to see that mountain and glass box instead I'm actually going to my dad's sister's house in the country. She has a few houses and rent them out accept one in the country. That country house open, not many houses or neighbors their, private, and some rooms. So uncle Wade, aunt Irma, and I have our own bedroom plus other rooms for training. Nice!

Instead of teaching me potions, spells, and flying on a broom all at once they are going too teach me to fly on a broom first. I thought it be fun and easy, that it will take a few weeks too master flying, but I was wrong took an month and a half. To get up off the ground, to control it while I'm in the air, and to move in the air like a ghost or fairy accept I'm on a broom. Next was potions which seemed interesting it took months up to my 16th birthday.

On my 16th birthday we took a break and had a sweet sixteen party. My family came and I got to see my parents, I was so very happy to see them. It felt like we hugged each other for a very long time. It was such a nice birthday that I didn't want it to end. I hugged my parents tightly good bye for that I'm unsure when I'll be home with them again. Even though my birthday was yesterday we're back to training. Learning spells from spell books; I know its important for me to learn these spells, but why so many? Its like potions too many, well at least there isn't many potions as it is spells. Finally, I'm a fullerised witch after months of training I can head home; back with my parents, seeing my friends, and going back to my school.

Nothing really changed accept the change of trees leaves and crisp wind, the birds that always fly south, but that's fall for ya. My room was the same when I left, and thanks to my parents they had it dusted and vacuumed while I was gone. It was the weekend, thank goodness cause then I can prepare for school. I know it'll be amount of weeks into the school year, but I'm anxious going back to a school building then doing school online; I'll be working hard to catch up and I'm also in my sophomore year; well I'm ready for school tomorrow. Seems I was excited going back to school because I had somewhat a hard time going to sleep.

Alarm clocked sounded for me get up and ready myself for school, sadly I can't drive there since I don't have a drivers license and I couldn't get my permit or license because I was mostly concentrating on my training. So I took the school bus, I wasn't going to transform into a flying animal/creature or ride my broom on the account of their might be a possibility someone would of seen me.

I'll try for my permit after I'm caught up with my classwork like everyone else afterward for what ever the time limit is I'll get my license of course. It take long to get mine driver's license, even though my training I still practice transforming, witching, and all.

Summer at last! Fun in the sun, no waking up early, and no homework etc. For me summer was to practice my family heritage. I also drove to the mall with my friends to shop some and maybe watch a movie, I worked my way to the mall's book store. Nice and interesting books, but this annoying boy came up to me and I just wanted to turn him into some small like animal. Of course I wouldn't do that because there's more to a person than meets an eye. Without turning him into anything I continued ignoring him and browsing through the books. I to search for my friends, and that annoying boy is following me, ugh! Finally found my friends and quietly told them of the boy who is at that bench; my friend Cathy went over and told him off... I know she was being a good friend who helps out like everyone, but that seemed a little embarrassing. Ah so we left and when I got home in my own room I chuckled thinking what Cathy said then I told myself its thankful he's not in the same school as me.

Wow time goes by like I don't know what, summer is over. Crazy first day of school besides homework from like every class, that annoying boy I saw at the mall he's in in every class with me. Great! Well at least I have a name to put with his annoyance and so I can tell him to stop irritating me, anyway his name is Patrick.

As goes by Patrick seemed more irritating, it got more so the day when Mrs. Davidson paired us up. The class had to write either about each other or to think of a subject in history too write about; it was up to us to pick. He didn't want pick either one so I did.. A subject in history and of course Patrick didn't want nothing to do with this so I did all the work. I.. Well us handed in our project to Mrs. Davidson, and a few days later she asked which one of us thought about the topic. She said it was excellent; I couldn't say 'me' before Patrick; but I said that we both had ideas, just that we agreed on Mark Twain. I know its not others picking World War 2 or something like that, but subject in history mean can mean anything even if it's someone's personal experience, pass and such. School ended and I started my walk home when Patrick ran passed me and stopped right in front of me. Why didn't I drive to school? Oh right it's fall and I like to see the different colors in the leaves and the fall breeze. Anyway Patrick asked me why I told Mrs. Davidson that both of us agreed on the subject? I told Patrick that 'I may get irritated by you, but it doesn't mean that I will do something to hurt your grade.' After saying what I did I started walking away, it was seconds later that he said my name and a thank you after. A few days gone by and nothing really changed, Patrick is still annoying, but I don't know something is different about him, maybe it's my imagination.

The weekends, I do my witching and transforming basically my heritage not only on the weekends, but any days off or like winter break. Sometimes though if I'm not practicing my heritage I'm with friends.

I know it might be risky, but I think I'll get to school early in the morning in my ghost form and go to a girl's bathroom stall to change back to human or like find a spot without cameras and out of site. I don't know, I'm still thinking. So right now its walking or driving to school till I can make up my mind.

I got to school early today so I could get a table at the library to finish a project, and amount of minutes went by when Patrick came in... Oh yay, I get to be irritated while I try to work on a project for science. He did some annoyance, but we also chatted, hmm interesting he may be annoyance but he has things tucked away like my friend Cathy's little brother... Too bad I don't have a little brother; or any siblings at that matter. I wonder why he doesn't act like this in class, but its not my place too say and if he wants it to be like that I want to respect him so I guess I'll forget/pretend this chatting thing never happened. For like a week I been waking up early to go too school's library for research or typing on computer, Patrick was their a few times, but not irritating instead talking to me. He asked if we could talk more, 'maybe in the mornings and weekends.' As weird as it sounds I told him 'ok.' He may be annoying person, but he's alright to talk too.

Winter the coldest season yet beautiful- the scenery, white powdered snow on the bare trees, land, houses. and hill. Makes you feel like magic is in the air as if your standing next to the creator of all this mystic planet, weather, and well everything.

Even in the coldest Patrick and I met in the mornings and weekends at the school library or park; depends if school is closed or if it's the weekend either one we met at the park. If we're at the park we walk chat and even go to the swing set and chat while we swing till we get like frozen cold then we leave for HH (Heather's House) to warm up and some hot coco.

Today was different, instead of meeting at the park bench, met at the school bus stop he had a surprise for me. I had to follow him too where ever. A hill? Wow I lived here for years and know every place, well I thought I did till now. What a beautiful sight of the snow dressed town. I said ' what a beautiful sight' he didn't respond so I turned around. He wasn't their then poof he appeared from behind a tree and bunch of bushes with two sleds. Definitely a surprise, being on a hill I never been too over looking the town. Hours of sledding and I'm finally cold, lol; HH time.

The other day I thought how happy I am, is it me or am I falling for someone who is irritating yet really nice? Maybe its crazy of me thinking that. Winter break, Patrick and I still meet up, but I also have to remember to do some of my heritage so, during some days when I come home and my friends leave I start working on everything I was taught. As for potions that the witches in the family makes can be sold to humans. A lot of potions sold to non-mythical people, humans can is know as remedies to them and it won't hurt them. The remedies being sold is stuff that will help them nothing that will hurt themselves, others, and or there immune system.

Wow I can't believe it, winter break is over and school back up tomorrow. The new year was nice and I finally decided to work on tiny bit of my heritage, I mean more of it by sides most weekends, I also get up early and going to school and finding a hiding spot to retransforms into my human self. So sometimes I fly on my broom or transform into a ghost getting to school early I found a good hiding spot where I can land with no cameras, behind the school past their baseball field at the woods. Basically I transform into human if I'm a ghost or some type of flying mythical... or if I'm on a broom, I make a half circle so I don't fly over the school and get caught on camera so far its working. But I also drive my mom's car to school and if I'm not driving or heritage thing to school I walk.

Patrick is still irritating, but some how it feels like he's slowing down.. annoying little less, I don't know maybe its just me or that I got used to it. A new semester, meaning new classes and meeting new faces with some old faces.

Patrick and I are still in the same classes and we do get paired up sometimes by the teacher or if our friends aren't their. And of course if one of our friend(s) there then we won't pair up and work with who ever is left, or join another group, and or work by self.

The walk sometimes drive home is nice, it's the homework... I'm stuck on homework for hours sometimes, I don't know how, but my friends are like mind readers- they like know when I finished my homework. Luckily in a few months it'll be summer and able do what ever like sleep in. Err, today is April fools day.. I don't mind it I guess, but it can be a little annoying; my friends got me once and Patrick got me three times... All I want is get home and have this day over, oh great I got fooled again by my own parents. Ugh! Thankfully April Fools day is only once a year.

There's weeks till summer vacation, but first study guides from teachers for any lasts tests before the finals. Ahh, finals in which everyone dislikes! The studying, amount of time you take that test for that class, and then more finals for the other classes you have. And if you need time or that you weren't there for it then you get to come on the last day of school and make it up and or finish that final. Luckily I didn't need to come on the last day of school, I finished all my finals for each class on time.

Summer at last! Like any summer started normal-first boredom and then complaining about the heat. I almost forgot about my interesting, weird, and crazy heritage of mine and that I have friends I could go visit or them visit me. Patrick and I now meet at the park bench or he'll just come to my house and yes even at the school bus stop.

It was crazy one day cause my friend Cathy came over when Patrick was already chatting with me, I thought they'd argued for ever, but thankfully didn't and stopped. Instead both stayed and chatted, Patrick left and Cathy stayed a little longer talking to me. So after that day Cathy, Patrick, and I would talk to each other, but some days Patrick would ask if we could hang out at the park and sometimes I'd have to tell them I'm busy.. Busy with my heritage.

Middle of July it was crazy and awful. Anyway I told my friends I was busy today and Patrick came over any way, he went to my room I guess to wait for me... Thing was I was I'm my room doing my heritage thing when he came in. Uh-oh! He stared and I could guess he was going to run, I was right. So I used my magic to lock every window and door in the house accept my room's door. Turned back into a human and pushed Patrick back to my room, closed my door and locked it.. He saw me turn into a ghost, Patrick went to every window-nothing, I gestured to my bed or chair he sat on the floor. So then I talked... Told him how my family history is like this, basically I said almost the same thing my parents said, then told him what Liza said. He got up and pointed at me saying ' you're not normal, you're a freak, you probably even had spells on me.' Hurt feelings, but anyway I asked him not tell anyone and if he doesn't tell I promised not talk to him again and give him anything. He agreed, but I had to give him two things which I did-some money I had in my little bank thing and a spy set thing. I unlocked everything, he left.

Few weeks passed, I got my report card- all A's, but I'm sad and mad at Patrick. Sad cause I miss him and mad cause he agreed to those two terms and two given items.

My 18th birthday, yay! Still bummed about Patrick, I was hoping he would be here. Hm, maybe I do... did like him. I had a small party.. it was nice, but like every day it came to an end and once everyone left. Guess who shows up? Liza! Oh yeah she said she'll be back when I'm eighteen, she said that five years ago. Can't believe its been that long since I learned about my heritage and my family's little or big secret. Anyway she came for me, it seems I get to study more. Oh; yay- whoopee do!

Fist she took me back in time and showed how our family and other families were. Not nice, those families and or ours. So after that we went back to the present to her house. First thing I learned was that I will always be a witch even if the curse is broken; and that I have all powers like Liza I think- I'm unsure. weeks have passed and school is back in and of course I'm still with Liza so I'm doing my senior high school courses online. I really hope that I'll be back in school the building itself before graduation or maybe hopefully before prom.

So I learned all the curse's on one person and or family's and also the family members, like my family curse. Then she taught me how to remove curse(s) that was placed on whom ever and or family. I have two or three more things too learn, one is going back in time-transparent another is reading the necklace. As for the third one she'll show and teach me when I'm done my training.

Many readings for the talisman, luckily its all English and not some foreign language. Going back in time transparently was little hard for me, but I got it.

Before she show and teaches me what ever it is their seemed like a bell was ringing in my ear as if my mind was telling me to go check on my cousin Willa. Liza interrupts my thought why my mind was saying that its cause Willa just turned thirteen. Liza and I are going to place the necklace on her, but I get too read it and tell my cousins her three transformations since I'm new and that Liza told me I needed to do it.

So we got back to Liza's house and she said a spell, I listened carefully... we're at my house, but Liza says we're transparent in the present. I looked around and saw some envelopes and a list of folded- ' call back' it says. Then Liza repeats the spell with an added ending and we're back at her house, normal. ' Your training is complete.' She, Liza says; at last I can go back to school-the building no more online school I think. Before Liza vanished into dust she said ' Remember what I taught you; that you'll always be a witch that a small part of me lives in you which is why the necklace glowed on you. Use the powers for good. Good luck Danielle, good bye.' Wow! Again a lot taken in a little sad how she disperse like that.

So I rode my broom home, since it was dark out and nobody could see me and yes it was cold out cause its December, but I had a warm fuzzy coat on so I was enough... I guess. Anyway I walked in and hugs & kisses from my parents, then my mother gave me envelopes and the folded list of call backs. Oh they were for me, so I went back into my room and thought a little bit about the curse of our family, I decided that the curse of our family will stay. After settling about the curse I went through the call back list- my friends and oddly Patrick was on there a few times. I opened the envelopes all in which from Patrick. Wonder what he wants?

Tomorrow is school day so I had to get everything gathered. Day started normally, but instead of going to school early as a flying animal or mythical creature I drove to school... Everyone seemed happy to see me again, my friends were really happy. I'm glad I am back and I'm certain that I don't need catch up, I mean my teachers said my grades are excellent from when I was absent... doing online, I'm so glad. Day ended, I went home and I don't know how long I was home that I heard the doorbell ring. Patrick! I gestured for him to come in, which he did. Still nothing said even after he took a seat on the couch, finally he spoke. ' I'm so sorry for the way I acted and what I said to you months ago. I guess I was scared or confused. I hope we can still be friends.' That's what Patrick said and then took a small wrapped box thing out, handed it to me. He said its my late birthday present, its beautiful... a locket with our pictures inside. So we're back to normal, friends again and winter break be coming up soon. I gave him a long like hugged for saying sorry, being friends again, and this amazing birthday present. Now friends again that we meet up, heck he comes to my house when I do my heritage thing and don't even mind.

Winter break at last! Patrick and I going have nice time catching up still, but not tomorrow. Tomorrow is Christmas and I spend it with my family, though my friends do call to wish my family and I happy holidays. Patrick still came over on Christmas. As much as I loved that its Christmas and it's a special day to spend with family. He understood that, but he wanted to give me two gifts.. one is a surprise for tomorrow or in a few days the other gift was a surprise, he asked if I'd be his girlfriend. I told him yes, as for the other gift I'll receive in the next few days, in the mean time I got him a gift to- it's a gift card to HH, I'm pretty sure he'll like it.

Anyway his surprised gift is definitely surprisingly secret since he blind folded me, we were in his car it came to a stop and we got out. Before he took the blind fold off I gave him in his late Christmas present he placed it on the dash board I think, he hugged me for it. Patrick took the blind fold off, ahh yes the hill we went sledding on and I didn't know about this hill. Still a pretty view and yes the gift card is on his dash board, I turned around and saw him holding our sleds. Hours in deed of sledding and then of course HH.

Winter break was wonderful, one that I hopefully will always remember. Time can certainly fly by... I remember how I was a freshman trying to learn my family heritage and yet keep up with school now look its April. Again I dislike Fools day, but I joined in the fun this time unlike last year. Finals are next week, I know its still April, but we graduate in May... Like right in the middle of May. I think I did good on my finals and prom is the first of May.

Patrick of course asked me to prom, I wore this green, slender, and not glittery beaded some dress.. you could say its plain, but to me it's a beautiful prom dress and even Patrick said so. And yes as expected a bunch of pictures taken at my house from both of our parents plus two more at prom. Prom I thought felt like we were in a castle it was big to hold both junior and senior students plus we could go out onto the balcony. Patrick and I danced- all kinds and we even went out to the balcony and sat at an unoccupied table looking outward at the scenary and the stars; it definitly felt magical. To end a magical evening, a kiss by my knight in shiny armor boyfriend.

As fast as prom ended, graduation came unexpectedly fast. We practiced our entrance for graduating and all, but when I walked in, wow! I felt like, actually I'm not sure how I felt. But all the people in that large gym, I remember telling myself don't fall or trp. I was so happy I got to my seat, sadly the row had to stand up and walk in like a circle to get too stage. We stood their waiting to hear our name, my name came; 'Danielle Brown' nervous even more so standing then walking onto stage in front of thousands of people. I'm so happy I didn't trip, lost balance, and or fell. Like any other graduation at other schools we took our hats and threw them up. We're finally graduates! We left the room too another room, out that door went to the side of the building through another door... We're back inside the room where graduation took place it was empty accept of the stage, seats, and Patrick and my parents. Getting hugs and congratulations and then having them get pictures of us and then rearranging us with our friends, basically it was like before we got to prom- a lot of pictures taken. Our parents even got a surprised picture of Patrick and I kissing.

Patrick has definitely changed since I first met him at the mall in the book store. He doesn't annoy as much as I used to remember. I had wonderful years, a lot of weird experiences and memories yet I will never want to forget or exchange any of them.

And as for the talisman I wear it everyday with the locket Patrick gave me. The talisman doesn't glow liked it first did, but it feels like sometimes it talks to me.. who knows it might be. I took over what Liza did- reading the necklace, if it needs to be done- a curse might be placed or removed on what ever family or person. I still transform as do as my family.

I never thanked Liza so I'll do it now cause I'm sure she'll hear me.. ' Thank you Liza for putting this curse on my family.' I know it sounds weird thanking the person who placed a curse, but I know myself better and it makes our family different and special plus its like a way to find our soul mate.. To have some one accept you as you are as well as your family; and that person who marries into this family also gets curse to be same as the family.