Chapter 3

She jolted awake, her heart racing in her chest, sweat dropped from her face to her sheets, and her breath came in ragged gasp. The dream's vivid horror lingered, making her skin crawl. She sat up, her hands instinctively touched her abdomen, searching for the wound that felt so real. Her fingers found only smooth skin, but the memory of the blade's searing pain lingered.

Tears pricked at the Corners of her eyes as she struggled to shake off the dream's grip. She took slow, deep breaths, trying to calm her racing thoughts. "it was just a dream." she whispered to herself, but the words felt hallow, and the fear lingered.

she tossed aside the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. planting her feet firmly on the ground. Regaining her composure, she headed to the bathroom and splashed her face with cold water, calming her racing thoughts.

Aurelia stood in front of the mirror, staring at it when she felt this sudden cold. The room became darker and a figure fleeting across the mirror. Startled, she looked at the mirror again, eyes wide and her heart racing, trying to catch a glimpse of the fleeting figure. the alarm on her phone rang, and she jumped. The alarm was a reminder for her dad's birthday. when she picked up the phone and noticed what the notification was, Aurelia felt a mix of emotions. A little bit of sadness crept in, changing her facial expressions from scared to sad.

Aurelia's father had passed away two years ago from a plane crash. The plane had slammed into the ground, sending debris flying in all directions. The pilot had lost control, and flames erupted from the wreckage, casting a fiery glow over the surrounding landscape, leaving no survivals

Aurelia and her family had watched the event on the news the following morning. After listening to the news, they were devastated and in shock. feeling numb and disbelieve. Aurelia's mother had cried for days. When the memories swept in tears rolled down her cheeks, she quickly wiped her cheeks and left the bathroom.

Aurelia then walked back into her room.

She got dressed in a preppy outfit consisting of a mint green argyle sweater vest, a white button-up shirt, light-wash wide-leg jeans, and a matching pastel green bag.

Walking down the stairs, Aurelia came across an image of she and her father it's hung on the wall properly, a feeling of nostalgia swept in.

Getting downstairs, the atmosphere was frantic, the kitchen area was messy, and her mum looked stressed. "You're up early, here, I made you breakfast." She strode over to the table and plunked down the food while Aurelia remained at the kitchen counter. "Mum, I need a few art supplies: I need a new sketchbook, brushes, markers canvas, and paint. They was a quiet silence in the room. Aurelia mum was stunned, and then she finally spoke, still shocked. "Seriously, sweetheart, we can't afford that right now," she kept a straight face and continued with what she was doing. "But mum," she said pleadingly, her mother turned to her with a frown. "But dad would have gotten it for me." she said with a hint of resentment. Her mother face hardened with annoyance, and her voice took a sharp, irritated tone as she responded, "I understand you miss him, but that doesn't mean you get everything you want, besides he had a better job than me." she said, her voice softening slightly despite her frustration. "Maybe you should get a better job." she responded with a hint of attitude. "That's enough, young lady, her mother snapped, her voice rising. 'Your father's not here to spoil you rotten , nor will I, i said no, and I mean it." Her voice was firm. She stormed out of the room just as Jaylen walked in, his face still heavy with sleep. "I heard you and mum," Jaylen said, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he stepped further into the room. "What was that about?" Aurelia turned away, crossing her arms tightly, "it's nothing," she muttered. Jaylen raised an eyebrow, concern creeping into his voice. "Didn't sound like nothing."

Aurelia sighed, her shoulder sagging slightly. Just mum and Dad stuff. Don't worry about it." Jaylen expression remained skeptical, and he took a step closer. "You're upset. What happened?" Aurelia hesitated, then muttered under her breath, "Mum was just being... mum." Jaylen eyes narrowed.

Tell me about it." He asked teasingly, Aurelia's gazed drifted away, and Jaylen concern deepened that he shot her an encouraging glance.

"I just... I don't get it," she whispered, running a hand thorough her hair and pacing slowly across the kitchen. " Why does it feel like I have to fight just to do the one thing that makes me feel... okay? she paused, eyes flickered towards the celling like she might find answers in them. "Dad would have understood. He always did." Her voice cracked just slightly. He never made me feel guilty for wanting to create." she pulled out one of the chairs from the table , took a deep breath, and sank into the edge of the chair, staring at her fingers and the floor, "But mum? she doesn't even see me. I mean, really see me." She clutched the fabric of her trousers tightly. "And maybe... that's worse than being ignored."

"Mum might not understand, but I get it. your art is amazing, I totally support you, Dad would have wanted us to support each other, and I gat you." He said his expression soft and calm. "But I think you were hard on mum, you know," he pointed out.

"she's also going through a lot. Be nice to her, " he spoke. Aurelia nodded in agreement even though deep down she didn't like the fact that he now supported their mother. She quickly changed the topic. "Hey, ain't going to school today?" "Yup, " he said while chewing on the biscuits he picked up from the table. "Why?" she asked, concerned because it was unlike him to skip school. "Got suspended, no big deal. "Oh my God, you got suspended," she said, her expression shocked. "You're in so much trouble. Mum's gonna kill you!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with amusement as she teased him about getting suspended. "Since I'm not suspended, if u don't mind," she said mockingly."I have a bus to catch, I'm gonna be late." she grabbed her backpack and walked towards the door. Jaylen shot back, "Hahaha, not funny."

In school throughout the morning classes, Aurelia hadn't been concentrating she kept thinking of the argument she had with her mum earlier.

During lunch, Aurelia sat next to Layla in the cafeteria, unwrapping her sandwich and opening up about her argument with her mum. She went on and on. "I just feel like she doesn't understand me, you know? Ever since dad passed away, things have been tough." Layla nodded sympathetically, but her eyes seemed distant, her gazed drifting towards the entrance. Aurelia noticed and nudged her friend. "Hey Layla, what's wrong? you're not even listening." Layla expression remained neutral, and she didn't open up. "Nothing is wrong, I'm listening." she said quickly with a smile on her face. Aurelia raised an eyebrow, sensing something was off but continued sharing her story. Layla's responses were brief and didn't match her usual level of engagement.

Aurelia was trying to remove a book from her locker when she saw Kai, Kai Brooks.

Aurelia and Kai have been friends since middle school, sharing countless memories. As their friendship grew, it blossomed into something more for Aurelia, but kai feelings remain ambiguous. An unrequited confession led into awkward drift apart. The distance grew, and they found themselves navigating separate social circles.

kai is a cutely handsome guy with brown hair that's always perfectly messy. His bright hazel eyes sparkle with warmth, and his charming smile can light up a room. He has a relaxed demure that makes him easy to be around. His style is casual but put together.

when she saw kai walking down the hallway from the entrance. Her eyes lit up, and she left her locker open, book forgotten. She ran toward him, excitement radiating from her face.

"kai!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. "You're back!"

kai response was slightly awkward, and Aurelia didn't notice at first. But as she pulled back, she saw the girl standing beside him, and her smile faltered.

"Uh, hi," Aurelia said, trying to compose herself.

kai smiled and wrapped his arm around the girl's shoulders. "Aurelia, this is Ruby, my girlfriend. We met while I was away." "Hi I'm Ruby Jenkins." She extended her hands to Aurelia. "I'm Aurelia." She said with a forced smile. "You go to school here?" "Yes, " Ruby answered shyly. "Nice to meet you, Ruby. Aurelia said with another forced smile.

"Nice to meet you, kai has told me a lot about you." Aurelia eye flickered to Kai, wondering what exactly he said about her. kai expression was neutral, but she detected. a hint of awkwardness. As they chatted, Aurelia couldn't help but feel a pong of disappointment. She's been looking forward to catching up with kai. now it seems like Ruby will be part of their dynamic.

As they parted ways, Aurelia remembered her open locker and hurried back to retrieve her book. She couldn't help but wonder why kai hadn't mentioned Ruby before. Aurelia thought that Ruby was pretty, She noticed Ruby striking features her light, dark skin, tight curls of dark brown hair, and deep black eyes that seemed to sparkle with warmth, Aurelia had also notice Ruby piercings and her knuckle rings which she thought was cute.

Aurelia walked through the cemetery gates with a flower clutched in her hands. she hadn't been back to visit her dad grave in a while, but today felt like the right day. it was his birthday, after all. As she approached the familiar headache stone, she saw her mum sitting there. Aurelia's mum looked up, her eyes filled with tears she quickly looked away, pretending she wasn't crying. Aurelia felt a pong in her chest. She knew her mother was still hurting, even after all this time.

She placed the flowers on the headstone, running her hands on the engraved letters of her father's name. "Lawrence Adelberg Malis." beneath it was a Latin inscription on the headstone," Amor vincit omin." Which means love conquers all. "Happy birthday, dad," she whispered..

Her mum looked up again, with a soft smile on her face. "Hey sweetie, I didn't know you were coming." "Yeah wasn't planning to, but someone needed to change those flowers." She chuckled.

She then took a seat beside her mum on the grass, when all of a sudden her mum started sobbing. Julia voice cracked as she spoke. "it's just..today feels like a big void without him. It's so difficult-really difficult without him, I wish he was here. she spoke while cleaning tears off her eyes.

Aurelia squeezes her mum's hand, staring at her. "I know, mum, we're in this together. we can get through it together." Julia looks at Aurelia. She nodded in agreement, "You're right."

"Mum, I'm sorry about this morning. I was really upset, but I shouldn't have snapped at you or compared you to dad, mum your doing great, and your job is really cool." she spoke in a rush as tears dropped from her eyes. Julia face showed a mix of surprise and relief. She quickly turned to Aurelia, stopping her from talking too much. "Sweetie, it's alright, I understand, and I'm sorry too for not being more understanding." She apologized, and hey hugged each other.

As they sat in a contemplative silence, a sudden thud broke the stillness. A raven, its sleek black feathers ruffled, lay motionless on the ground beside them. Aurelia and Julia exchanged uneasy glances. The bird's eyes seemed to stare accusingly. Without a word, they stood up, brushing off their clothes. Julia shivered, "looks like it's time to go." Aurelia nodded, and they quickly walked away from the grave, leaving the ominous bird behind.

The atmosphere had shifted, and they didn't look back.