2 My Begining

It's a warm day. Something about that gives me hope. I live in the central coast of Australia. I'm Asher Collingsworth. I'm 16 years old. I was born on the sixth of July.

Everyone calls me Ash. I'm the son of Jim Collingsworth. My dad is famous for being a builder. Jace is my younger brother. He is 14 years old. Right now I'm watching my Dad and Jace attempt to play soccer.

In my hand I hold a special book my Mother gave me.

Who is this Angel on the cover, you wonder. With dark brown hair and green eyes, she's my Mother. My dad looks like me with his blue eyes. He just has black hair instead.

Inside my mother tells me about her father. He was the great saviour. Built stones and crystals.

Magical stuff. My Mother writes about how she bends water. Mum I love your stories but I doubt they are real. My Mother isn't here. She died when I was young.

I was 13 years old. We all went out while she was cooking. She didn't want to come with us. We came back to our village and every house was on fire.

Lots of people survived, others didn't. She didn't survive. Surprisingly I only cried once over her death. Jace helped me not be sad anymore. He held this family together. When Dad and I had failed to think positively. Jace is my best friend.

Suddenly I feel something hard hit me. I rub my head. "Jace." I say as, I'm brought back into reality.

"Sorry Ash, but you should play with us. Instead of sitting on the backyard chair and only reading books." I groan. I start kicking the ball. Dad kicks it back to me. I kick it back to Jace.

It's hard to play soccer with only three people.

Since who invited Corey around. Corey hangs by the fence. Corey is Jace's high school friend.

He's a vegetarian he's into soccer as well. He is especially obsessed with music, he plays guitar. He's extremely friendly. Jace always tells me about how he has a guinea pig as a pet.

"Hey Ash, Hey Jace, Hey Mr Collingsworth." My Dad smiles. "Hey Corey. I'm glad your here Ash hates soccer."  Corey laughs. He lots at the soccer ball like he has a who bag of confidence in himself.

"Should be easy." Corey is fast. Jace tries to take the ball off him and he runs. He's so fast. I try and I end up failing.  My Dad is currently blocking the goals. Corey can't seem to get the ball in. I take it from him and score.

"Good luck next time Core."  He put his hands behind his back. He grits his teeth and sighs. "You were awesome Ash. Jace should we go inside for some video games." Jace hugs Corey. "Sure."

My Dad touches my back as we watch Corey and Jace go inside. "They are like boyfriends." "You wish they were." I doubt that Corey and Jace are dating. My dad is funny and weird. I laugh. My Dad messes with my hair.

"Stop that." I pull away. I don't want much affection from my Dad. Jace and Corey play against each other and it is so fun to watch. It goes on for hours.

Later on it's nighttime. Corey heads home. I'm surprised he hadn't brought his guitar with him. He use to always bring that. 

Lucky we had lunch before the soccer game. We had a roast chicken. Nothing exciting.

Late at night I prepare for sleep. I have my pyjamas on. Jace is in the opposite room. He's usually loud when he comes to talk to me.

"Ash, I heard Corey say that we might live in a world where we have to fight so video games prepare us for that." Why would Jace not know that Corey is making things up.

"Corey is being a story teller. How about you and I do some video gaming tomorrow." Jace nods. "Well I probably shouldn't tell you about something."

I blink, I'm clearly frustrated not knowing about something. Jace pinches me. It doesn't hurt surprisingly.

"Zap." He says quietly.  I pinch him back. "Zap." I say. I turn onto my pillow. Jace walks away. "Goodnight big brother." "Goodnight Jace." Jace turns off the light. All I see is darkness. I'm hoping my phone doesn't ring loudly.

I want nothing to disturb my sleep. Images come into my head. Flashing lights and everything. In my dream I try to solve a puzzle then it disappears and then building blocks come. Fires spreads to the area. All around me. It's awful.

Yet I stay to find out what will happen next. Before I know it. I wake up to the light of the day. The sun comes through my windows. Whether I like it or not I am awake. It's a Saturday. Yesterday on Friday I had a day off.

It was before the holidays and Dad felt, we all deserve a day off at least once a year from an ordinary school schedule.

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