Chapter 1

Rosa was just an ordinary teenage, Latina girl. Well, she thought she was ordinary enough. Rosa had everything a child could need, a loving family, food and water, a home, she was even enrolled in school. And if you ignored the first six years of her life, she was like every other girl in her school, during 2008. She hated homework, loved a little gossip with her friends, and she'd even tried to speak to a boy once. It failed miserably and she swore never again.

It was Tuesday morning and the day's first light stretched across the sky, as it came time for school.

Rosa released a chilly breath as she embraced the cold day. She tucked her long black hair back and wrapped herself in a thick coat before leaving her house and roaming the streets of Aldock. A neighbourhood found on the outskirts of Liverpool.

Like the rest of the city, the air and winds had grown icy as they approached winter and Rosa had to add a little more caution in every step she took, unless she wanted fall flat on her backside or on her face again. It was days like this when she would reminisce about her younger years in Mexico.

Even in winter the Mexican climate would be considered summer worthy here in Liverpool. Snow was also very rare, and if ever did fall you'd have to live high up which Rosa never did. Taking both of her homes into account, Rosa much preferred the winters here, despite her 'natural' resistance she'd never really enjoyed the heat, favouring the snow and icy winds England brought forth. The only similarity the two nations shared was they both knew how to truly celebrate Christmas. Both countries embracing the decorations, festivities and Christmas spirit.

Pulling her backpack tight, she made her way across roads and down streets, towards her school. She was now in year nine or her third year of secondary school and it was going well. She hadn't butted heads with any teacher, well, at least she hadn't so far. Had a thriving social life, and her grades were increasing with every test. If Rosa kept up her momentum, she may even be able to surpass the record her older sister left behind in the family records. The top grade in every GCSE she took. She also got perfect grades in four A-Levels but that was an issue for Rosa's later years.

Rosa strolled down the same streets that she had for the past few years, passing the same people day in and day out. Subconsciously, she had given them all names that she'd repeat in her head whenever she shot them a friendly smile as they passed. A habit born when they started greeting her in the mornings.

The newest member to her morning posse was a tall man with greying black hair who simultaneously somehow seemed fifty and seventy. He'd only started appearing on her school journey the past month. Rosa assumed he was on his way to work and had only recently moved to Aldock. Since the first day they'd met, he'd quickly caught her eye with his unique appearance. Aldock had its fair few anomalies, but Sebastian (the name she'd awarded the man) wore an attire that wouldn't look at of place in 1800s England, along with a luxurious walking cane.

Like her thoughts had summoned him, Sebastian appeared from around the street corner ahead, the sound of his cane striking the pavement echoing between he houses. As they passed, Rosa struck him a pleasant smile, but like always he carried on without even a glance in her direction, it wasn't ignorance but instead like he wasn't even aware of her existence. She should probably stop smiling at him, Rosa realised, but she childishly wanted to see if she could get a reaction one day. At least get him to notice her. With their short, failed interaction over, Rosa carried on her way.

Her school wasn't far from her home. After around twenty minutes of walking she'd arrived.

The school was a grand campus that powerfully displayed an ancient, gothic architecture. It looked like something that should belong in the city's centre and by the Albert Dock, not, out here, lost in Aldock.

Like every school morning she entered under the arched school gateway and into the courtyard. A bland open space with little vegetation and benches scattered around its square perimeter. She'd came to school early today and as a result the courtyard was completely empty. She carried on into school's main body and wandered down refurbished and modern looking corridors that didn't match the school's exterior at all. They reminded her of a hospital. Rosa made her way to the west side of the school where its library rested.

The library was one of the few places in the school that kept its ancient interior and Rosa felt like she was transported into a different dimension every time she entered. It was a massive, one floor, red carpeted room, decorated with tables, chairs, some outdated computers, and not to mention the rows and rows of towering bookcases. It contained knowledge and information so vast that Rosa had never failed to find out what she wanted while here.

Rosa headed straight to their usual spot. Hidden away between bookcases was an isolated table, already hosting a guest. Sitting at the table was a golden-haired girl, who'd seemingly went through puberty years too early, being as developed as most of the final years. Despite also being in year nine like Rosa, she was even taller than most of the sixth form girls, resulting in her always towering over Rosa. Nevertheless despite her differences to the rest of the year she was Rosa's closest friend, Sam Nela. She was currently working in a mathematics workbook and scribbling on the paper furiously. Sam struggled a little with certain modules of her academics, so for the past month Rosa had been meeting her here early every morning to help. Mainly with mathematics and physics.

"So what are we covering today?" Rosa asked while taking a seat across from Sam and placing her backpack on the chair beside her.

"Trigonometry again," Sam grumbled. "No matter how many times we do it, I keep messing up."

Sam finished up the question she was working on and then jumped to the back of her workbook to check her answer. She cursed under her breath.

"No worries," Rosa said. She dragged the workbook towards her and analysed Sam's work. "Ah, this is an easy fix. You're just making a simple mistake," Rosa said happily.

Sam's face lit up. "Where?" she asked and leaned over the table to see the book.

Rosa quickly explained her friend's mistake and they spent the next thirty minutes working through the booklet, and thankfully Sam got every question correct. Their morning session concluded as the first school bell rang, calling them to their form rooms. Rosa said goodbye and left the library, she wasn't in Sam's form nor any classes with her this morning, so wouldn't see her until break and lunch.

Rosa's school day went as normal as any other. She attended form, spoke with friends, went to all her morning classes which she was able to easily breeze through thanks to the extra revision she'd been doing at home. One good thing about having a super genius, older sister was when you got stuck you could always count on her to help. Lunch came and Rosa socialised with Sam and the rest of their friend group while eating the lunch her mother made her. After was her afternoon classes which went the same way as the morning classes, easy and boring, well except for one class. She always had English in the afternoon and Rosa hated it, essays were the bane of her teenage existence. Despite her strong abilities in academia, English literature had always been her nemesis. The one thing she could never figure out how to do. Thankfully essays were also the one thing Same excelled at, so she never asked for Rosa's help.

'Maybe I should ask for her help?' Rosa thought. 'Trade knowledge.'

At three o clock the last school bell rang and with-it the school day was over. Rosa had no extracurricular activities or clubs today and was therefore thankfully free to head straight home. A place were her days always found themselves a little less normal. As she strolled home there was an extra bounce in step. That same morning her family had told her they had some exciting news.