Chapter 1

Aurora groaned in annoyance, "What do you mean I need to go on the school trip? One that I haven't informed you about, by the way?" She looked at her Aunt who was her guardian since her parents left her at her doorstep when Aurora was eight and never returned.

She was sitting on the table in the kitchen, sipping her ginger tea when her aunt announced her news.

"Oh don't be a downer, the spirits gave me a dream that you will be needed on this trip and you know it's useless to keep any secrets from me"

Aurora looked at her but when she didn't budge, she sighed, "I didn't tell you because it was not important and because I'm not going" she shrugged.

Her aunt gave her a stern look. "You do not go against the spirits Aurora! You going, maybe you will even get a chance to catch Xavier's eye"

She rolled her eyes in annoyance again, "You know, there's so many stories about how witches and vampires never got along and are the enemies, and since the basis of that is true... Shouldn't you be telling me to stay away?"

She got down, kissed her Aunt, and left for school.

She still cannot believe that the humans knew of their kind. Just a few years ago, everything was about keeping the secret, and now... They belonged, or at least it felt that way but the witches knew differently. They had the spirits on their side so they knew what was behind the acceptance. There were some who did really accept them but there were also a few that only accepted the ones they liked, or thought they could contribute in some way and control them.

Aurora thought about what it was like at school when the news first came out... She was in the third period in grade eight when the school erupted in an uproar. Students showed everyone breaking news live footage of the supernatural... She remembered how panic and suspicion erupted throughout the school and then everyone was sent home to be under a strict lockdown until this was sorted out. She was terrified of being found out, but over the days to save the suffering of supernaturals everywhere, a few supernaturals sacrificed themselves by posting stories, journeys, interviews, podcasts, and blogs of their lives and proved they were not so different and that they have been working with, for and living without a life of crime. Heck, they were more spot free than most humans! There were even some who posted videos of their suicide because they were afraid of being found out, and people's reactions were both shameful and heartwarming. Then there were videos of the people who were saved by those who outed themselves talking about their experiences. Things never really died down but after a month in lockdown where the government decided to take action by first registering the supernaturals, the newscast let out the percentage of the supernaturals that registered, but for our protection, didn't announce anyone by name and slowly things went into place, but of course, it was hard and still is. There is a group that hunts and kills us either for sport like an animal or openly opposed to the supernaturals and the government's support. There were even schools that advertised that they were not accepting supernaturals but most did and it is still like that all over in schools, universities, and work but it would soon be looked at as racism.

Aurora is registered but she's never told anyone what she was, not that she had anyone to tell and those that outed themselves soon died or worked for the government under close moderation and rumors stated they also have regular tests.

Aurora is a wallflower and an introvert, she always preferred being on her own. She will never be able to live under constant watch and be bombarded everywhere.

She sat in class, looking out the window watching the sky and the birds playing or it seemed like it when there was a knock on her desk and she looked up to see her teacher,

"I know not many people like my class but if you want to pass, you will pay attention!"

She nodded and she heard the laughs behind her back but she didn't care, she was actually great in mathematics but she couldn't show it, she still lived the way she did before - not to bring attention, she faked a lot.

She looked to the back of the room and saw Xavier. He looked so carefree and happy... She had a crush on him from primary school. He was a wallflower like her but he had a couple of friends, he just seemed so cool but then he outed himself and as the only supernatural in school that outed himself, he became popular and it changed him. She can't say she likes the new Xavier and she tries to see the past in him that she liked but... The supernaturals don't have a sixth sense that alerts them that there's another supernatural around but if you know what to look for, it's easy to see, but with Xavier, she never did so she was just as shocked as the rest but she couldn't accept it because vampires are seldom born and had a distinct feature so he would have to be a very newly made vampire, which made it impossible for him to be here.

"Remember to bring this back with your parent's or guardian's signature and the entrance fee before Friday!"

Aurora really didn't want to go, she had no reason to go before, no friends to be with and she didn't want to be with her schoolmates any more than necessary, but of course that changed with her aunt's dream sent to her by the spirits. You never go against the spirits or you regret it.

Why would they not speak to her but relay messages meant for her to her aunt? She used to wonder if her parents were dead and if they were one of the spirits that watched over her and she couldn't wait for when they would message her but since she's never had the pleasure of receiving a message from the spirits, not even on her twelfth birthday, a day that every witch or warlock receives their first message from the spirits, she gave up hope... After all, she's now in her seventeenth year and still hasn't been messaged. The covens rejected her each time she applied, after the one she was born into kicked her out, stating that the spirits rejected her and they should heed their warning.

Aurora was used to being rejected by everyone because she was different or wasn't special enough. She didn't care anymore but she remembered when she did because everyone was young and longed for things even if it wouldn't suit them or hated it but it was the 'popular thing' or it helped you 'fit in' and a part of her will always be the lost girl wanting a home.

One of her best memories is of a friend of hers when she was younger, it was so long ago that the memories are hazy but she tries to keep the memories because it was the happiest she's been with another person. It was a neighbor of hers and she was about a year younger than her. She used to meet up with her and shout over the fence or meet at her house. She was a witch too and they used to play witch games and be open about their magic but things changed after her parents left, she moved away and they forgot each other. Times like this, she wonders if they would still be friends or what she's up to now then Aurora reminds herself that having any relationship is draining and full of drama.