Generosasis: The Chosen

I had been in Generosasis for two months now, and this was a long time for one to stop being a stranger. Ace and I hadn't spoken since the last fight between Heather and me. Did I feel a type of way? Yes. The silence between us felt like a chasm, and every time I saw him in the hallway, I felt a pang of regret. It was as if we were two planets in orbit, drawn together yet destined to remain apart.

"Deborah, you okay?" Seb asked, pulling me from my thoughts as we walked through the school courtyard. His voice was warm, a stark contrast to the coldness I felt from Ace. Seb had been my anchor in this new environment, always ready with a friendly smile or a word of encouragement.

"Yeah, just... thinking," I replied, glancing toward Ace, who was standing with a group of friends, chatting away as if I didn't exist. But what caught my attention was how different he seemed. I felt a pang of confusion. He was standing with a group of friends, laughing and smiling as if he didn't have a care in the world. It was a stark contrast to the brooding, solitary figure I had met just a few weeks ago. I couldn't help but wonder if I had misjudged him, or if he was just hiding behind a mask, in this town, you can’t be too trusting. The way he had protected Heather and ignored me still lingered in my mind, and I found myself questioning everything I thought I knew about him.

The laughter echoed around me, but it felt distant, like a sound from another world. I couldn't help but wonder if he missed me as much as I missed him.

Seb noticed my gaze. "You know, it's been rough for you since the fight with Heather. But you're doing great. Just focus on your exams."

He had a way of making me feel like I could conquer anything, even when my heart felt heavy. "Thanks, Seb. I appreciate it," I said, forcing a smile. He had been truly good to me these past weeks, showing me all the ropes and being patient. I often thought about how different my life would have been if I hadn't met him. He was like a light in the darkness, guiding me through the chaos of high school.

As we settled on a bench, Seb leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Have you heard?"

I shook my head, intrigued. "Heard what?"

He looked so serious, and I felt my curiosity bubbling up. "It's this legend about the most powerful shapeshifter in our town. They say she had a favorite day, a day when she could transform into anything she desired. It's celebrated every year, but no one really knows the truth behind it."

Seb's eyes sparkled with excitement as he spoke, and I found myself hanging on to every word. Of course, Generosasis. I'd been here two months now; it was only natural that I'd adapted to calling the town by its proper name.

"What day is it?" I asked, my interest piqued.

"Today," Seb said, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. "It's said that on this day, she revealed her true self to the town. But here's the thing—no one has seen a shapeshifter in centuries. It's like a ghost story, but I think there's more to it."

I felt a shiver run down my spine. "I do think there's something dark about her," I said frankly. The idea of a shapeshifter lurking in the shadows filled my mind with possibilities.

Seb's expression turned serious. "You think there's something hidden in the library, something they don't want us to find out."

I nodded, determination rising within me. "I need to see this for myself. There has to be more to Generosasis than what everyone says."

My heart racing at the idea of uncovering secrets that had been buried for years, I thought about how this discovery could be the big break I needed. I had always dreamed of being a journalist, and this could be my chance to prove myself.

Seb's concern was evident in his voice. "Just be careful, okay? The stories about the library aren't just tales."

His warning only fueled my determination. I could feel the pull of adventure drawing me in, and I knew I had to follow it.

As I stood up, I caught a glimpse of Ace again. Our eyes met for a moment, and I felt a surge of emotion—anger, sadness, and a longing to bridge the gap between us. But he quickly looked away, and I felt that familiar ache in my chest.

It was a reminder of how complicated our relationship had become, and I couldn’t help but wonder if things would ever go back to the way they were. Would he still show me his drawings? Would he ever smile—smirk at me?

Moreover, why did I care so much about a guy that clearly spelled ‘bad news’ in bold letters?

“Let’s go study,” Seb suggested, but my mind was already racing with thoughts of the library and the secrets it might hold.

“Actually, I think I need some air first,” I said, my heart set on uncovering the truth about Generosasis and the shadows lurking beneath the surface of this town.

I needed to clear my head, to find some clarity in the chaos of my emotions.

As I walked away from the bench, I spotted my mom approaching us. "Home is where it is. Your mom is here," Seb said, nodding in her direction.

I walked towards her, my thoughts still swirling. My parents' divorce had left me feeling lost and uncertain about my place in the world. I was searching for something, anything, to fill that void.

If I was going to explore a creepy library, I would need some food first. And home, as Seb had said, was where to get it.