2 Brianna

I ran because I wanted a chance to be myself, a chance at freedom. Of course, neither of my parents would understand, so instead, I said, "I guess, I did it in the spur of the moment." 

"Hmmm," was my mother's response while my father bobbed his head. 

It was good to know he wasn't as upset as she was. Then again, my mother was often the one with the temper. 

I studied my fingers. 

Funny how they never asked why I got expelled but ate up the garbage they were fed by the school board. I knew with my Mother's connection, they got the information even before my faith was finalized. A secret which could have been kept. The prodigal daughter was expelled. A revelation more terrible than disgrace.

I doubt anyone at school even missed me. During my misery, I had avoided friendships, and due to my other abilities, other students avoided me. Even though I was never a bad student, I was not as involved as the instructors wanted. I saw no triumph in showing off the powers I had. Through it all, I felt like the Head Mistress had a thing for my mother. She tried to humiliate me every chance she got. Snotty feedback about my mother often followed each attempt. How I despised the troll and her brat of a daughter. The term like mother like daughter suited them well. 

The moment I knew I was expelled, I was somewhat relieved. I used the opportunity to spread my wings. It was a pity it was short-lived. 

"Where were you even running to?" Mother enquired. 

Nowhere. Everywhere. As long as I was free to be who I wanted, it never mattered where I ended up. "Ah…"

The statement trailed off when she raised her palm. "Don't even answer that. When will you change?" 

Into what? Who? 

The answer swirled in my brain and fought to be uttered. Regardless, I kept quiet. I knew my mother, if she thought one word sounded disrespectful then I would regret it. 

Her audible sigh floated around the room. "We're retiring."

My ears perked, my head snapped in their direction. "What?" Her glare got me shrinking into the mattress. "I mean, why?" 

Were high council members allowed to retire? Why had she said we instead of I? 

I eyed my father who remained quiet. 

"We have run our course and it's time for a younger generation to take over." 

As mother spoke, father's head bobbed in agreement. 

I could not help but wonder whose idea was it, his or hers. 

"And, we want you to take the reins of becoming the leader for our community." 

Again with the we. They wanted me to…

Wait! What? 

"Why?" was my stupid response. 

"Why what?" she snapped. 

"Nothing," I grumbled. My nails became of great interest. 

"You are supposed to be the next leader. It's in your DNA."

What if I didn't want to be a leader? "What if I am not ready?" 

Her sharp laugh rang out. "Why would you not be ready? It's your birthright. This is what you had been training centuries for."

No, I had trained because it was what you wanted. Not because I wanted to become the next high council member. 

"We'll retire this summer," father joined in. "This is why we are letting you know from now. So you can prepare yourself for what is to come."

Summer? Summer was in the next few months. How could I be prepared by then? And, what about what I wanted? 

" I wanted to travel a little, maybe visit France. There's a lo—"

My words were cut off by my mother's raised palm. "There's no time for that. You're coming home with us today." 

"But, I know nothing about being a high council member. Aren't the selected few supposed to have a little experience to be worthy of joining the High Council?" 

Both parents stared at me as if I had two heads. 

"Most of the world's powerful leaders never had experience before they became who they were. It was always in them to be great." She rubbed at her temple with manicured fingers. Black fingernails winked in my direction. "Besides, you had plenty of practice over the years."

I sank further into the mattress. 

I could not believe this. They were ganging up on me. Why had I not ran when I had the chance? Now I was stuck with an unwanted future.

"We have also chosen Brian to lead alongside you," Father's bored tone crept into my eardrums. 

My eyes bulged; my heart paused for a second too long at the declaration. 

He said Brian, my Brian. 

A slow smile tilted his lips. "I knew that would have caught your attention." 

Was this a joke? This could not have been real?

 My mind raced with possible reasons they agreed upon this arrangement. 

The last time I checked, they hated Brian. The mere fact I had broken several laws for him was unforgivable. So, what changed their mind? What were they planning?

"Why?" I asked for the second time in the past few minutes.

"Is there not another word in your vocabulary? We don't have to tell you why we do what we do. The only thing you need to know is that we made the decision and you need to carry out the act." Agitation dripped from each word spoken. Mother turned and headed to the small closet. 

Realizing her next move, I shot to my feet. 

I never asked for this. "Mother?"

"I will not sit by while you throw away your life." Mother threw the closet doors open. Clothes started floating in the air, folding themselves into my suitcase. 

"Mother, please." My words did no harm. I looked at my father. "Daddy, please."

His gaze flickered from me to his angry wife; his facial features softened with each look. "How about a dual?" 

The garments froze in mid-air; mom's glare aimed at him. "What nonsense."

"Not at all. This would give you both the chance to get what you want." Both their attention landed on me. "Brianna, you would get a chance to travel wherever you wanted for how long you desired without our interference." His attention returned to mom. "And, you, Miranna could choose whichever future you wanted for her without a rebuttal."  He allowed his words to sank in before he continued, "So, what will it be?" 

Yes, what would be my response? Mother was way more powerful than she led on. She could crush me without as much as lifting a finger. Now, worst since she had a motive. All those times I disobeyed her. All those sleepless nights she got, fixing my problems. All the pain I caused her. Everything would be released in her wrath against me. Yet, I could not dismiss the fact I was given a choice. For the first time, I got to choose what I wanted. If I won this matchup, I could get a chance of freedom, a chance to be myself, to be anyone I wanted to be. 

I squeezed my eyelids shut, and drew in a mouth full of air before having it released. 

Sure mother would use the opportunity to have me disciplined, but this was my chance at happiness. I could win, I had to. 

"Okay, I'll do it."