Chapter 1

I had to run but at a human pace. It was so frustrating to do everything at human speed since I have learned that I am capable of so much more. Everything seemed duller and more frustrating than ever before. I thought I’ll never be on time, but unfortunately, I was just on time (that’s my luck. Almost everyone was in the corridor). I breathed a sigh and went in.

I could feel everyone’s eyes on me and see the confusion spreading from one learner to another in quiet whispers and jaw-dropping silences. I preferred the silence and quiet whispers to the usual intended to loud whispers and mocking laughter. I squared my shoulders and walked to my locker.

My once friend, Sandra, stood there with the rest of the ho-club. They were giggling and chatting away. Apparently, popularity is more important than friendship.

I threw open my locker she looked over her shoulder expecting “fatso” but her eyes almost popped out of their sockets (she looked like her yorkey LOL) I grinned at them stifling a laugh that was building its way up.

I took my books and was about to walk away when she looped her arm through mine and said in a voice so sweet I thought I was going to puke “Hey girls, this is my friend Zonia”

I rolled my eyes at them “It’s Zinnia, and I was your friend” I slipped my arm out of hers and walked away.

Suddenly, I was glad I sat alone in almost every class. There was only one class I had to share my desk (at least I don’t have to worry about that class till the end of the day).

As always I was alone break time but this time I won’t sit in the bathroom as I usually did in fear of someone making fun of me or even tipping over my tray of food as I walked past them. Today, I will sit outside. As I got outside, the trees welcomed me, I could feel the sun on my face it felt so warm, caressing my skin. Since my rebirth, I was more intimate with my natural side. Since elves were natural beings and respected the nature for what it was-our companions and source of live- elves had a deeper, more emotional bond with nature. Some old and powerful elves and, of course, the pure blood elves could even communicate with the nature… if I understood my father correctly.

I went to sit underneath a big oak and laid my head upon my knees. I wasn’t tired, not even close, I just had a lot on my mind, and I wanted to relax for a bit, take a break from the confusion, and everyone gawking at me.

As I was about to clear my head and just shut it off for a few seconds, I heard Sandra “Did you see what she did? She probably got a face job and tummy tuck…such a freak!”

It always amused me how peope were afraid of something they don’t understand, in an instant that thing is a freak or dangerous and should be disposed of or cast out of their community or even their close proximity but they always go out of their way to find something different or weird that they cannot understand.

“LOL girl, you are so right” I heard Silvia.

“Whatever she did, she looks damn hot” Eric said. A hint of confusion clouding his voice. Not that anyone would even notice that little tint I so clearly heard.

“Ya, babe, maybe you should do it” Chad chimed in. I heard a smack and a shocked intake of breath from one of their other companions.

I blushed to myself and, with that, shut myself off from the world.

I got up unwillingly when I felt the vibration of the bell and the annoying ring in my ears. The day dragged on, and in every class, I had to face the teachers’ confused stares and annoying whispers of my fellow inmates. I made my way slowly to the biology lab and plopped down in my seat.

“Hey!” I heard Eric next to me a little too over exited.

I rolled my eyes mentally (Why can’t I sit alone in this class?)

“Hey” I replied and glanced over my shoulder to see he was sitting closer then usually. It wasn’t unusual that he greeted me, but the fact that he did it so…enthusiastically was definitely new. My heart skipped a beat slightly, but I remembered the last time I saw him and rage filled me, I took a deep breath and calmed myself.

“How… was your summer?”

“Wonderful thanks” (I should probably be polite)

I stifled a sigh and asked “and yours?”

I could see the excitement in his eyes flickering.

“Probably not as good as yours so…what did you do?”

I couldn’t help the glance I gave him that made him cringe slightly, nor did I feel guilty giving him the look.

“Everyone quiet."

That was the end of that unwanted conversation.

I was absolutely starving when I at last got home. I walked past the living room to the kitchen when I heard my mom “aren’t you going to greet?” I rolled my eyes slowly, turned around, and placed a smile on my voice.

“Sorry mom, I didn’t see you there, hey, how was your day?” I said in the sweetest voice I could manage.

I looked at my stepsister, grinned, and turned to my mom.

“Fine, now go clean the kitchen. Your sister and I are going shopping.” (She is so not my sister) I smiled and went to the kitchen “what the f...”

“Language!” I heard from behind me.

I swirled around and saw Peter my fake ass ‘stepdad’ behind me. I glared at him (ugly bastard). Without saying anything, I turned back to the ruined kitchen. (Great, I can’t even use my new abilities, since Peter always stared at me with those perverted, hungry eyes.) With that thought, I started working.

After washing the dishes, vacuuming broken glass of some sort and scrubbing some sticky brown liquid from the floor, that I guessed was brandy and coke by the stench of it, I was done. After what felt like hours, I was finished, and I haven’t even had something to eat yet. I quickly made myself a ham, cheese, and tomato sandwich that I finished in a few big bites. I was exhausted when I finally fell down onto my bed. I instantly fell into a deep sleep.

Too deep for my own liking. I could feel a cold, prickling feeling going through my body along with a strange feeling that crept down my spine.

I opened my eyes, and darkness filled my senses. I looked around. I could only make out that I’m in a corridor with loads of doors. It feels so familiar, if only there were light, so I can see where I am.

There is a light burning at the end of the corridor. I saw a shape as I got closer. I blew out a sigh of relieve for it was human.

I caught sight of beautiful blond hair disappearing around the corner. I ran towards it, dying to find out where I was not thinking who it might be but when that revelation struck me I stopped in my tracks but it was too late, I ran into a light filled room and saw the person waiting. I held my breath, hoping it would not realize I was here. I started to back away slowly and placed my focus on the person (could it be?)

“Briana?” I asked. The confusion in my voice could be heard by a deaf person.

“Greetings Zinnia, I see you have not forgotten me.” She said, turning towards me.

“Hey! Of course not. You scared me there for a second.” I stumbled forward to greet her properly, but the expression on her face made me stop dead in my tracks.

(That is...mmm different, very weird. She always looked so happy, and what is up with the formality?)

“Is something wrong?”

“I see you have not left your teenage ways. How do you expect to rule and lead the kingdom?”

The question baffled me slightly. I know I was the daughter of a king, but I never thought about ruling the kingdom.

“O...a...but I’m...”

She interrupted me: “No! You won’t learn this is my kingdom, you won’t take it!”

(What the hell?) She is kind of scaring me now. Anger flooded me and took over, “You shall not talk to me like that! I am new to all this and I will learn!” I did not recognize my own voic, and I must have looked fierce because of her expression. She turned red and blew up nine bars. (I want to wake up now!)

I calmed down a little and asked:

“Why do you hate me all of a sudden?”

“Because of your heritage, I was to be next in line for the throne, and thanks to your return, you took that from me. I will not stand for it!” she started calmly but worked herself up to an explosion and looked like she would attack any minute now. I backed up slightly and in a nervous whisper, I thought a little too loud: “I really want to wake up!”

She broke into a shrill laughter “you stupid child! You’re so not fit to take over the thrown. This is not a dream! This is a way of communicating.” She said, ending with a scowl.

(1, 2,3,4,5...) I tried to calm myself, but it didn’t work, and then I burst.

“Get out of my head! I don’t want you here! Get out, get out, get out, and get out!”

Suddenly, she was in front of me.

“I’m warning you, stay away or else I will hunt you down and kill you” She sniffed the air around me “and that won’t be hard. You smell like your father. Remember this part...” she tilted my head so I would look into her brooding eyes “I won’t let anything or anyone get in the way of my thrown.”

I jerked up straight and clasped my hands over my mouth. (What the hell just happened, and what walked over her life? I couldn’t remember her being this... horribly scary.)

I threw off all my covers in one swift move of my hand and ran to my on-suite.

My whole body was shivering with anger, and the cold breeze coming through my window most certainly did not help. I was terrified, and it showed in my eyes. I just hope Briana didn’t notice it.

I was wet, the sweat dripped from my brow, and I shivered again. I splashed some ice-cold water on my face. The cold burned my face. The sensation filled my body, and I rejoiced in it. It distracted me for a while. I returned to my comfortable waiting bed.

It wasn’t long, though, before her brooding eyes warned me again to not even think about returning. It amused me how people hide who they really are and only show they’re real colours when provoked.

My memory flashed back to the vacation when Briana and myself went out to the courtyard to enjoy a delicious tee for herself and a coffee for me with a huge piece of sponge cake with layers and layers of the most mouth-watering icing I have ever tasted, even the mere thought of it made my mouth water all over again and I wished for just a little piece like crazy. We started to talk about everything two girls would talk about and more. We laughed and exchanged hilarious stories about our past, and I listened attentively as she spoke about all her experiences as she was really old. It was really a wonderful day, and at that moment, I wished I could have rather grown up with her. Now I’m most definitely reconsidering it.

I sat up straight and laid my head against the headrest, pulling my legs up towards my chest. I hugged my legs tightly in search of some kind of comfort. Another shiver went down my spine as I was drifting away (Oh no, please not again, not again)