CHAPTER 1

Taming the Beast….

I am currently isolating myself inside my room. These past few days had been terrible, really terrible. I failed my exam in my majors which cause ruckus inside our home.

Mom would kick me out of the house if it weren't because of Dad.

She doesn't know the art of adolescent. Tsk

Talks about being old….

I am reading this fantasy novel my younger sister lent me. It talks about a man who regress in the past and was granted the power to control monster. At first, I don't really understand how this book caught people's interest.

Or is it because I find magic boring.

I do read books, the one which I can relate the most.

Technically not this type of genres.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Dinner's ready"

Finally, I was actually allowed to walk in our house but not allowed to use electronic gadgets or go outside. Since, it's summer vacation. In this time of the year, eating ice cream while watching birds flying at the sky or watching kids playing at the ground is very relaxing.

Something I'll never experience in this year's vacation.

Probably, facepalm*

*Mentally screaming

"Your sad face won't lift your punishment so fixed it now" I look at Mom and look away immediately while pouting.

"You don't love me anymore" I whispered. But it didn't slipped her ears. She pinched me on my side upon hearing it.

I look at her teary eyed while caressing the part that's hurting. We walked together at the dining table where Dad, Anna, and Brother Alex were sitting. After sitting I look straight which make my eyes meet a fumming glared from my mother.

I immediately dodge…

I can feel the sweat on my forehead. The fear is gushing throughout my body. Afraid of getting another punishment, if I ended up adding fuel to the fire.

"Come on, sweetie. Our princess won't be able to eat properly if you wouldn't calm yourself" Dad trying to soothe mom's.

Go! Daddy!

"Stop, spoiling them" My mom said.

We started eating while talking about how are days passed. Looking at them despite my mom's short temperament and my dad's over sweetness.

I really love this Family…

We ended our family talk, and I headed back in my room. I cleaned myself thoroughly and change into my pajamas before throwing myself in the bed.

My eyes are starting to get heavy. I didn't fight back and let me drown back to my dream.

I was shocked when I opened my eyes.

The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes is a golden sun striking it's magical ray into the greenery field, making it glittered underneath. It's wide, clean, and beautiful. The air is swirling around carrying this fresh scent. The trees are dancing in the wind's rhythm.

I was holding a hand, when I look at my side to see who it is. Instead of the face, I saw a church behind are back.

"Let's go, Aurea" A girl's voice said.

Huh?

I look around and I was in my….

room?

Was that a dream?

I tried to remember the detailed, but everything is blurry. I got up and go straight in the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and take a bath.

When I go down, I saw Dad and Brother Alex watching a football game. While Anna is in the kitchen helping Mom. I sat at the table and watch their back.

For some reason, that dreams feel so real, like in the moment, it was my reality. But is that even possible?

nah, you're crazy, Aurea.

Huh? who is Aurea?

"Amara?"

Who the heck is Aurea? Is it a name from my favourite movie? or it is a name in the novel I'm reading?

"Amara"

I don't think so…

So, who is Aur—

PAK!

Ouch! What a heavy hand. When I look up, I see mom's raging eyes. My face turns pale and my sweat starting to rush down my neck.

"M-m-mommy hehe" I closed my eyes when she was about to hit me again.

But, instead of hurting me I felt her hand on my forehead. When I opened my eyes, she looks really worried.

"Are you sick, honey? What's happening? Are you in pain" I smiled, and act like in pain.

"Mommy, I'm in pain. I need you supeerrr hugggg" I said in a very dramatic voice. I heard her sigh and hug me tightly. She was caressing my hair, after that she gives me forehead kiss.

I smiled at her…

Why would I think about someone else anyway. Maybe, it's better to forget about that. She looks at me full of concern.

"Come on, Mom. Your princess is strong and healthy" I said.

"Okay, but if you're feeling even a little bit of sick. You have to tell me, immediately" she said.

I smiled at her. She walks back to the living room to call Dad and brother. I watch her leave when someone let out a fake cough. I look at her when she sits Infront of me. I look at her confused

"Do you have any problem? Is the book, I recommend you didn't ease your boredom" I laugh with how curious she looks. I crossed my arm and close my eyes, acts like thinking.

When I opened one of eyes, I see her patiently waiting.

What a cutie….

It makes me want to tease her even more….

"Well, kinda" I said and look at her with serious expression. She looks shocked "Why? everyone like that book" She was in deep thought. I can't stop myself from bursting.

Anna is a total bookworm; she is the opposite of me.

Her face is slowly turns annoyed. I immediately cover my mouth but it's too late because she throw the rag on her side, straight in my direction. I failed to dodge it, so it ended up in my face.

yuck! Mom uses it to clean the counter earlier. I glared at her and was about to throw it back, but someone stop me. Brother Alex took the rag and put it back at the counter.

"Both of you clean your hands." He said in a strict voice.

We followed him and while standing next to each other, our eyes meet. We burst out laughing. When the three of us turn our back. Mom and Dad are smiling.

We started eating.

What should I do after breakfast? Well, it's not like I have lots of option. I will finish the 'Taming the Beast' before Anna start sulking and after maybe a little bit of sleeping and then definitely not studying.

Some says that if you are a girl you need to be more conscious about grades. But I never been like that. I mean as long as you're not abandoning it, that's enough. Yes, I will stick in my principle.

*Mentally nodding

"What do you think about picnic this Sunday" Mom asked.

My eyes twinkle as I look at Mom. She laughs with our reaction.

"Then, it's a picnic"

After eating, I decided to go back in my room to finish the book. I sit at my bed and started reading it.

A line caught my attention.

"They sought the love that bound to end. As light and darkness are not made to be together. One will rise above the sky while the other fall into the abyss"

Love, huh…

How about me? when will I ever feel love? I am nineteen and I've never been in a intimate relationship. It is a flex, not everyone is like me. Yes, that's right I am pure and innocent.

*Mentally crying

[want to experience it but never had the chance]

In the end, I was able to finish the book. Anna would be glad; she probably lent me her books because she wants someone, she can talk about it. But reading an entire novel is tiring, maybe a nap before returning it.

I wrapped myself with the comforter.

"Aurea"

huh? I opened my eyes and wait…

Where am I?

"Aurea let's go a visitor arrived" I can't see her face clearly. But her voice sound like a girl, it's gentle and sweet. We walked outside holding each other's hand. There's a lot of people here. We stood at the back.

Is this the dream again?

"Aurea? are you not excited to meet people?" She asked with a concern tone. I hesitated at first but nodded after.

"Should we escape then?" Her voice is now full of excitement. We walked slowly not letting other people noticed. Until we reach the back door, we run outside.

As my eyes adjusted to the light. The view of a beautiful greenery field glittering beneath the golden sun with it's sky flushing its beauty, clean and refreshing. The smell of the fresh air embraced with its cool breeze.

This is the same dream…

I was holding her hand, when I look at my side to see who it is. Instead of the face, I saw a church behind are back.

"Let's go, Aurea" A girl's voice said.

"Amara" I woke up because of the continues knock from the door and with Anna's voice. What the heck was that? I lean on my headboard and let out a deep breath. This is the first time I dream about the same thing.

The door opened and revealed Anna. I smiled at her and gestured her to go near me and sit at the bed. She gladly hops in and sit beside me.

"Are you okay? you're sweating a lot" I lean my head on her shoulder and stayed like that for ten minutes. It's just a dream why do I feel so worked up?

"I'm going to wash my face" She nodded, and I head straight to the bathroom. I usually don't fret about dreams, but this one leaves a lingering feeling.

It's hard to explain.

I go out and found Anna holding the book. I smiled as I walk towards her.

"I just finish the book. The beast tamer fell in love with the princess but because of their magic differences they were forced to separate"

I sit in the side of the bed facing her. I tuck some of her hair at the back of her ears.

"I find it interesting, how a villain change himself willingly for the girl she loved. But the sudden revelation of his regression is quite underrated. They could at least show more affection to the scene"

She looks at me with amusement…

"You really read it" I chuckle and nod to answer her question.

"Then do you think such love do exist?"

I looked at her, as she patiently waits for my opinion. Anna has always been the baby of our family. I want to protect her and her happiness till the day that I die.

Looking at how curious her face is, makes me want to pinch her cheeks.

A cutiee~

"Let's just say yes. Because I believe that love makes you grow into a better version of yourself. Love makes us do things that we never expect we are capable to do. Love is

powerful"

I hug her tight and pinch her cheeks after. She frowned due to my action. She doesn't like to be treated like a kid.

"Why don't you go back to your room and think about what kind of love this world will offer and come back to me to share it?" She agrees and run back to her room while hugging the book.

Anna is a twelve year old kid. She acts matured most of the time. So, in times like this, makes me realized that she is still a kid.

Now that I'm alone makes me think about the dream, again. But maybe that was normal and nothing special. It just made me a little bit curious. That beautiful place,

I want to see it again….

The face of the girl and her name.

The place and even the people, I want to see it clearly. I'm dying out of curiosity.

I lie down on the bed and hug my pillow. I'm bored and I know Mom won't let me go outside. I finish the book and talk to Anna.

Let's focus on the Sunday picnic, instead.

*Nodding

What food Mom will prepare? What kind of place this time? thinking about it makes me drool. A view of a great scenery with a smell of a delicious food.

I hope Sunday will arrived fast…