10 Brianna

Sundays.

At East mere, Sundays were the days I enjoyed. Those were the days I got to be myself without being judged for it. Now, I was home, I wasn't sure it would be the same here. Instead of feeling optimistic, I felt dreadful. 

My steps took me in the direction of the kitchen. Every moment summoned panic. Ever since the incident on the battlefield, a huge elephant took residence among my parents and me and refused to move. 

I knew they were still furious I got expelled. However, I never regretted my decision to participate in the act which caused it. Renae often bullied others to prove her superiority. I knew being the Headmistress' daughter wasn't an easy load to bear. The Lord knew I felt her pain. We had more in common than we both led on. Still, it never gave her the right to be a bitch. And, because of that, she had started a competition that night. 

Other times, I would have ignored her, filed it as, Renae being a bitch moment. But, then she chose to bully Vanessa, my roommate. Though Vanessa and I were not close, she was nothing but kind to me. Therefore, I joined the charade. 

If it was one thing I learned, hiding who I was never helped. So, I cast the spell. It went well. Done better than everyone else, including Renae's. Jealousy took her over and she grabbed my hand at the spell's peak, hurting herself in the process. 

It sent her to the hospital, the remaining students were given letters of warning, and I was expelled. It was a price I continued to pay. 

An audible sigh left my lips.

In the kitchen, Brian and Father were seated at the island. Both were engrossed in conversation. They were situated before two large glasses filled with a crimson-colored substance.

"I'm very pleased with the way you've been handling things with the wolves," Dad praised. "I've been hearing nothing but good news from that school of yours. You're a wonderful leader. The High Council members couldn't have been this steady without you and your little group."

"Yes, most leaders show their best qualities when their hands are tied, but you're phenomenal. You guys were the ones who helped us decide to retire," Mother chimed in while she placed slices of bread in the toaster behind the island. 

Instead of bolting as I wanted, I harvested my courage and trotted forward. 

"Morning," I grumbled. 

No one, but Brian acknowledge my presence. He sent a bright smile in my direction. Returning a fake smile of my own, I strolled to the refrigerator, searching for something a little less vampire and more human. My decision included orange juice with a few slices of mother's already made toast. 

Then I settled down on the stool Brian tapped beside him. As soon as my buttocks found the seat, he plucked one of my toast from off my plate and started munching on the delight. 

"I'm glad my partner in crime has returned. Now she'll help make history," he enunciated between bites. 

"In a good way, I hope," Mother retorted. 

I slurped my orange juice, drowning out her words. 

"How have things been going with that history class of yours? Are the youngsters giving you any trouble?" Dad inquired, sipping from his glass. Red stained the glass as the liquid tumbled to his lips.

I took a bit of my toast, grateful for the change of subject. 

Brian gulped down half of his thick punch before he provided an answer, "Well, it's going great. The kids are amazing. They are so smart and attentive. The whole experience had been wonderful."

When they weren't cooking up a wedding for you and I. And, that Troy kid was a nightmare. It was far from wonderful. 

"Their parents are happy," Mom laughed. "I've talked with Jenna the other day and she said Camille has come out of her shell. Both parents and their children can't stop praising you."

Brain smiled, reaching for a piece more of my toast. "Yeah, but the kids are the ones who should be praised. They are the ones who are willing to listen and learn." 

"Yes, I guess you are quite right. However, I've heard your teaching tactics are fun." Mother's lips curled at the edges as she sat beside her husband. Her stack of toast plated in front of her along with a glass of gooey blend, which resembled green poison. 

How she loved that disgusting supplement. She once wanted me to join her beauty marathon. I was stupid enough to have accepted. Two days and I begged her for out. The nasty taste of the drink was like mud mixed with leaves, enough stain to send my taste buds hiding for a whole month. Nothing but numbness. 

"I mean, they are children. To learn a boring subject like history, I had to make it fun." Brian stretched to clasped my glass of orange juice and earned a fist in his side. He grunted, rubbing the sore spot before settling with the remaining of his drink. "Take yesterday for example. Brianna was allowed to teach the legend." His smile widened. A temporary red mustache sat on his lip. "And, she used these cool illusions to play out the tale. The whole thing was spectac—"

"You used magic?" Both my parents shouted. 

Confused Brian rushed to rectify the situation. "I can assure you, it was harmle—"

"I can't believe you disobeyed our rule," Mother accused. "Rules are implemented for a reason. If you can't follow a simple rule we gave you, how'd you expect to be a great leader?" 

I never wanted to be a great leader. 

"You could have hurt one of the kids, Brianna," Father added.

"But, it was quite saf—" Brian tried to help. 

"It was just an illusion, guys. I didn't freaking blow up the whole school," I interjected. 

"Watch your mouth, young lady," Father scolded. 

"Oh, my gosh! When can I be me? At East mere, I never got a chance to be a vampire. Now I'm home and I can't be a witch. When do I even get a chance to be myself?" My gaze slid over my parents. "When do I get to be my true self?"

Mother dropped her fork. It collided with the plate. "Well, if you're not yourself now, I wouldn't want to see what you'll do or who you'll become if you get to that point."

Silence killed the noise. Brian laced out fingers together and gave it a light squeeze. 

Was that the reason why she treated me like this? Was it in fear of who I would become? I was her child for Christ's sake. 

I snatched my hand from Brian, pushed to my feet, and left them behind. My strides never stopped until I was outside. There I took off running. 

I never knew how long I ran for or when the tears started cascading down my cheeks, all I knew was I needed to feel better.

Like Father, running was always a therapeutic strategy to relieve stress. The mere fact I could run at the speed of light was also a great advantage. The wind in my hair always felt great. It tickled my skin and played with the hem of my dress. 

I stopped. Tall trees surrounded me. Birds sang and the sound of the river joined the harmony. The sweet relaxing morning forest fragrance intruded my nose. My head tilted; my eyes drifted close. 

This was what I needed. Nature's melody with its therapeutic perfumes. Nothing else mattered.  

I inhaled a lung full of air. 

This was how he smelt: divine, amazing. A smell I could never forget. 

My eyes shot open at the revelation. 

That boy and his darn ghost. They both haunted me. 

A faint sound stopped my train of thought. My ears perked as I scanned around me. Careful steps brought me in the direction of where the sound came. 

Up ahead was a young petite girl. Ambling closer, I crouched behind a tree guarded by fluffed bushes.