Aurelia sat at the far end of the art classroom, carefully dragging her paintbrush across the canvas. it was a water color piece, a soft blend of blues and purples that formed a dreamy twilight sky over a quiet lake. she had spent the entire art class layering the colors. "Hey, nice painting." a voice sneered from over her shoulder.it was Mindy,one of the more popular girls flanked by her usual group of friends. Aurelia tense but didn't respond. "Yeah, real masterpiece." Another voice chimed in, dropping with sarcasm. Before Aurelia could react, Mindy reached out and picked up her paint cup. A splash of murky brown water poured over the shy she had carefully painted rolling down to the rest of the painting. Grasps and laughter rippled through the room. "Oh no," Mindy said mockingly, "Guess it needed more.... texture."
Aurelia stared at the ruined painting, her hands clenched around the brush. Her throat tightened, and her vision blurred, but she refused to let them see her cry. The teacher didn't notice, too busy helping another student at the front.
The group walked away, leaving Aurelia with her ruined artwork. She swallowed hard and reached for a tissue, dabbing at the mess. The colors had bled into an ugly smear, the twilight she had crafted so carefully now a storm of muddied tones. Out of anger, she dropped the brush and tissues, took her backpack, and left the class, knowing fully well that the painting was running, and she couldn't fix it. quickly, she stormed into the bathroom,her heart pounded, but she forced herself to take a deep breath, but as she thought of the damage, she felt something heavier settle inside her, the quiet, growing wait weight of knowing they'd do it again.
Aurelia stormed out of the school building and got fist clenched at her side. The cool afternoon breeze did nothing to soothe the fire burning inside her chest. Her paintings ruined her dignity mocked. The whole day had been a disaster, and she wanted nothing more than to get home and disappear under her blankets.
"Aurelia, wait up,"
she heard the familiar voice of her best friend Layla, jogging behind her. Aurelia huffed but didn't slow down. Layla caught up, slightly out of breath, and matched her stride.
"What's wrong? You're walking like you're ready to punch a wall." Layla observed staring at her face.
Aurelia exhaled sharply. Those jerks in art class ruined my painting! Mindy and her little minions thought it'd be funny to spill water over it. And of course Miss Penny didn't see a thing."
Layla face twisted with anger, "Are you kidding me? That's so unfair! Did you say anything?"
"What's the point? Aurelia scoffed. They'll just do it again and I_.
Before she could finish, something hard snacked against the top of her head, a dull thud echoed, and iths impact sent her stumbling to the ground. A soccer ball had it her.
"ahhh," she groaned, rubbing her head.
she barely had time to process what happened when a deep voice called out.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Aurelia looked up just as the culprit jogged towards her, and of course, it had to be him.
Sebastian Cole. Popularly goes by Cole.
one of the most popular guys in school. The star of the soccer team. And as every girl seemed to agree, ridiculously good-looking. His tousled dark hair and piercing black eyes only made her angrier.
"Are you serious?!" Aurelia snapped. Still on the ground. "Watch where you kick that thing next time!*
Cole stopped in front of her and extended a hand. I was aiming for the goal it just didn't go as planned. His lips twitched, suppressing a grin.
Aurelia ignored his hand as she pushed herself up. "yeah well congratulations, it landed on my head instead. Great aim, really.'
Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and stormed off. Layla quickly followed, barely holding back a laugh.
Watching them walk away, Cole chuckled to himself, shaking his head. "Feisty," he muttered, watching Aurelia disappear across the field.
Layla caught up to her friend, nudging her playfully, "Okay, that was kinda funny."
Aurelia groaned. "Shut up, Layla."
But Layla kept on laughing, Aurelia walked away quickly, Layla ran towards her, stopping in front of her and putting both her hands on Aurelia's shoulder. "I know what would make you feel better," "What's that?" Aurelia asked as if not being interested. "ice cream....." she said, holding her hands together and squeaking, with a cheerful smile on her face. "I know you can't resist, you love it," Layla said, keeping a pleading face. "Fine, let's go." Layla immediately dragged Aurelia by the arm, urging her to move quickly.
The ice cream shop buzzed with soft chatter and the hum of an old ceiling fan. The air smelled of vanilla and sugar, wrapping Aurelia in a temporary comfort as she stirred her melting strawberry ice cream with a plastic spoon. Across from her, Layla leaned forward, her mint chocolate chip cone in her hand.
"Nothing, fix a bad day like ice creamr."
Aurelia sighed, resting her cheeks on her palm, "I appreciate it, Layla. Thanks a lot. Really, i just..."
Before she could finish, Layla phone rang loudly on the table. She glanced at the screen, and her expression changed from playful to serious in an instant.
"crap," she muttered, already grabbing her bag i have to go right now."
Aurelia blinked, What? what's wrong?"
"I'll explain later, I promise!" Layla was already halfway to the door, looking back at Aurelia with an apologetic smile, "I'll text you!"
"I'll explain later, I promise!" Layla was already halfway to the door, looking back at Aurelia with an apologetic smile. "Stay, finish your ice cream. I'll text you!"
And just like that, she was gone.
Aurelia sat there, the bell above the door jingling as Layla walked out. The seat across from her was empty. Now, the cone Layla had barely taken a bite from slowly melting onto it napkin. The shop suddenly felt cold and quiet.
she let out a soft breath and picked up her spoon again, even ice cream couldn't fix the day.
Aurelia stared at the half melted remains of her strawberry ice cream, staring it absently. The shop felt empty without Layla there, and the hum of conversation around her barely registered in her mind. She sighed, pushing the cup away before standing up, grabbing her bag, and making her way to the door.
The bell above jingled softly as she stepped outside. The air was thick with the scent of rain, and within moments, droplets began to fall light at first, then steadily heavier. The rain soaked through her clothes, pouring on her hair and running down her face.
she didn't rush, she didn't pull out her umbrella she just walked, against the pavement marching her slow, tired steps streetlights flickered on their Glow reflecting off wet sidewalks, making the world shimmer in an eerie golden haze.
By the time she reached her house, the sky had darkened completely. she pushed open the from gate, the hinges creaking slightly, and stepped onto the porch. The lights inside were off, no Voices, no warmth. Aurelia swallowed the lump in her throat and brought out her keys. The metal cold against her fingers as she stepped inside the silence greeted her like an old companion. She kicked off her wet shoes, leaving them on the floor. Nobody was home. "Mum, I'm home. Hello, is anybody home?" she called out softly, but they was no response. She exhaled slowly, then walked further inside, her wet clothes clinging to her skin as she disappeared into the quiet, empty house.
Earlier that day, the school hallway was quite except for the low murmur of Voices coming from the principal's office. Jaylen sat beside his mother, his backpack slumped at his feet.
"Jaylen, what were you thinking? fighting? again?
Jaylen spoke defensive, "He attacked me first, I wasn't just gonna stand there."
"You broke his nose. That's not an excuse!" his mother spoke angrily.
After a while, the office door opened, and both Jaylen and his mother stepped out. her lips pressed into a thin line, and she stared at him with disgust. "Young Man, you're so grounded," she spoke, her voice firm. Jaylen had gotten a suspension.
Jaylen followed behind her, his cheek bruised and hands shoved deep in his pockets.
The car ride was silent. Rain tapped steadily against the windshield, and the sky outside had already turned dark, slipping into dusk.
When Aurelia got home, she opened the door, and she stepped into the house filled with darkness. The air inside felt heavy and still. She reached for the light, her fingers brushing against the cool switch before flipping it up. The sudden burst of light made her blink as the room was lit up in a warm glow.
As she walked further into the house, the silence began to feel oppressive. Aurelia's eye scanned the empty space, her footsteps echoing. she felt shiver run down her spine and suddenly,
She was aware of a presence, a presence of something watching her.
Aurelia. spoke her voice barely above a whisper. "Hello, mum, is anybody home?" There was no response. she took another step forward, her heart beating faster. Aurelia skin prickled with unease, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched.
A swift movement caught Aurelia off guard as a figure burst out of nowhere, knife sparking in the light. Before she could react,. the blade sliced through the air, cutting deep into her flesh from behind. Aurelia eyes widened in shock as she felt the piercing pain.
The figure turned her around, their eyes locking in a chill gaze. "Do you remember me. Emmeline?" he whispered,his voice dripping with hatred.
Aurelia mind swayed in confusion, Emmeline?
Who was that? That wasn't her name she
clutched her stomach desperate to stern the flow of blood, but it sweeped through her fingers, warm and sticky
The stranger grabbed her hair, yanking her head back."'I've been searching for you for over a century, love," he smirked, his breath cold against her ear.
Aurelia scream was torn from her lips as the knife cut deeper, twisting with a cruel precision. The sound echoed through the house, shattering the silence.