Chapter Two

I drifted between sleep and waking up but the chirping of birds was enough to win over my consciousness. My eyes felt heavy but I managed to flutter them slowly and with work I kept them open. I recognized my aqua-tinted walls and posters. My body ached for some reason, it was a challenge to shift onto my side. I stared out the window examining the leaves that danced in response to the wind. Cause and effect.

The tree outside my window was older than me. It felt good knowing it was still standing strong. I wondered if it knew of its own existence. Did it know of the power it had? Was it aware that it could smash through my window and cause damage to one side of my house? Of course only if the weather willed it though or if a part of the tree grew weak and disconnected itself from the rest of the tree. My palms were the next thing I gazed at. I didn't know why but they felt itchy. I grabbed my phone only to see it was two in the afternoon.

"What the," I furrowed my eyebrows in response to my awakening time. I didn't remember sleeping late yesterday. Happy Birthday was sung to me by at least eight and I looked through my old family photo album with my Dad at around half-past eight. After that everything was blank. My stomach distracted my thoughts with a grumble. I listened to my stomach and made my way downstairs. The railings acted as a support system for my sore body. I had never gone down the stairs this slowly.

The chattering of the television added a layer of throbbing pain in my head. "Hey Annalise," I greeted her as I made my way to the kitchen. "Hey Ren, there's some pancakes for you on the kitchen counter," I made eye contact with my father, and his entire body built tension. His eyes gazed at mine with an emotion I spotted for the first time when he looked at me, fear. I couldn't understand why. "Hey, Dad." He cleared his throat as if it was difficult for him to say what he was going to say next. "Good afternoon Ren." Good-afternoon? He has never greeted me that way. I entered the kitchen in search of something to consume. The pancakes Annalise mentioned were on the table. I placed them in the microwave for a minute. "How are you feeling Ren?" Dad revealed himself.

"Honestly, all I'm feeling is a pain in my body, my head, and... for some reason I can't remember anything that happened after we looked through the photo album." I gulped in order to get rid of the lump that had formed in my throat. I looked into Dad's eyes in hope that he had answers but I couldn't read his face at all. The Microwave alarm set off which had shaken both my Father and me. Why did we shiver at the ring of a Microwave alarm? "Ren, your powers activated yesterday." His words had caused a deep confusion in me. "Powers," I let out a nervous giggle. What was he talking about? "Dad, I don't understand?" He took a step towards me and placed his hand atop my head.

His touch activated all of my forgotten memories. Everything just came crashing down on me like a powerful tsunami. I had no time to process any of it, not even the emotions. Dad removed his hand from my head and wrapped his arms around me. What had he just done to me? What did he know about all of this? I didn't have it in me to ask as I was still stunned at the fact that I had a force of power come out of me yesterday and I had hurt my father. I suffocated him.

My lips began to tremble and my eyes began to water. "Dad I'm sorry. I didn't mean t-" He held my shoulders and wiped away the tears that had fallen down my face. He looked back clearly nervous. I'm guessing he didn't want Annalise to join us in the kitchen. "Gather yourself, Ren. There's a lot I've kept from you but we can't talk about any of it here." I nodded. "Nothing is your fault, do you understand?" He folded me in his arms once more. I closed my eyes with the intent of slowing down my breathing. My shoulders still quivered and my chest inflated and deflated dramatically. "I want you to get ready and we can go for some fro-yo alright," Dad pecked my forehead before letting me go. I nodded and headed straight to my bathroom. My appetite went away and all I currently yearned for was a shower.

The water was at a perfect balance between hot and cold. The water streamed down my body, soothing me in every way. I shut my eyes to savor the moment a bit longer. Taking a shower would always clear my mind. I went ahead with the next step of washing myself with my body wash and loofa. Never did I enjoy a rinse like now. I had eyed myself in the mirror before entering the shower and I stared back at someone I could barely recognize. Even a stranger would spot the tension throughout my body. I now stared at something that was more me. The water washed away what it could at least- of everything that removed me from myself. I had forgotten how cold the air could be after a shower, I tightened my towel around my bust which didn't help at all.

Selecting clothes was never easy but it had taken me half an hour. I honestly wanted to delay as much time as possible. I dreaded my interaction with my father. That meant we would have to talk about everything that happened yesterday and I can't say that excited me. "I'm ready Dad." He nodded. "We'll be back baby," he said to Annalise. They kissed which I did not enjoy looking at. "Have fun you two," I couldn't understand why she didn't seem shaken up like my father. She was pretty frightened yesterday. "Does Annalise remember what happened yesterday?" I asked Dad as soon as we were out of the house. "No," he shook his head. "I spelled her to forget," Spell? What has he been hiding? "She doesn't know anything about any of this does she?" We entered the car. "No, she doesn't and I intend on keeping it that way." My mind buzzed with a million questions but I didn't even know where to start. "Did Mom know about any of this?"

"Yes, she did Ren. There's a whole world out there of people like us. Witches, Vampires, Werewolves- they all exist. I'm a Warlock. You're mother, she's a Mermaid." That explains that Halloween picture. "All those swims were necessary to her survival. A mermaid can't stay on land for long periods of time. It was hard at first but we found something that worked for us. The longest she stayed on land without visiting the ocean was for seven days. What happened to you yesterday was the birth of your powers. I've never seen a young witch with so much power. You didn't even use a spell to do what you did." Now that I think about it. Mom never set foot in a pool and always swam in Ocean water. "Why did you both keep this from me?" This did more harm than good. They kept me from who I am and themselves. "We thought it would be easier for you to assimilate into human society." He seriously thought that was best.

"You really thought it was best to lie to me for years about what I am. About what Mom is? What if... what if I killed you yesterday Dad because I lost control. You could've taught me how to control what I have. You were suffocating because of me," I couldn't look at him anymore. The window became my view. I was filled with shame. Whether I had control or not didn't matter. My actions could've hurt Annalise too. "Now, I will admit what we did. It wasn't right. I should've told you you're a witch. Although, I thought you'd inherit gifts from your mother's side of the family but it seemed like your Bordelon genes overpowered your Mertier ones." So I could've been a Mermaid? "But I swam with Mom and she never had a Mermaid tail."

"She possessed a lot of strength when it came to her abilities. A lot like you. She could keep herself from transforming in water which is difficult for any Mer-being." I chuckled. "I don't think you should declare me powerful or anything like that Dad. I felt pretty weak yesterday and I still do." My energy was really low and I still had a mild headache. "I'll give you a clear quartz crystal. That should restore your energies and the full moon is coming. Now that your powers are activated. It's not safe for you to be exposed like this," I still kept my gaze focused on what was going on outside. I knew what he was insinuating. It wasn't safe for everyone else if I stayed.

"What does the full moon do?" Last time I checked the moon was half full. That was like two days ago. "The full moon is every Supernatural Being's worst enemy. It draws out as much magic as it can from you and it reveals all truths. I hate to say it sweetheart but the full moon will take advantage of all of your emotions and use it against you. That fear and shame inside of you will project into your magic. Even if you choose not to use the magic it will use you." What he just said added more fear to the fear I already had. I know this is who I am but I can't help but fear myself even more. "How do you deal with it Dad? I've never seen you have a magical outburst unless you spelled me to forget." This time I faced Dad when I spoke. I was genuinely curious. He sternly shook his head before replying.

"I have never used my powers on you. Yesterday was actually the first time I used magic in six years. Believe me, guilt poured out of me as soon as I spelled Annalise. Magic just isn't for me. Magic requires sacrifice and well, I don't have anything to give. Look at it like this, imagine six years without doing Mathematics. You'll most likely forget all the formulas. So, I guess the full moon doesn't take much out of me because I haven't done a spell in years and your old man has learned how to control his craft over the years. "

"So what are we going to do about me this upcoming full moon. Are you going to lock me up in a tower?" My words were all laced with sarcasm but I really didn't want to be in the house if I would cause harm. It was the twentieth day of the month already which meant I had about a week until the moon would be full. I would have to pack up my life in San Diego in a week. "That's actually where that Boarding school comes in. You see, it isn't just a school. It's a school for people like us. I wanted you to activate your magic in a safe space but you did that on your own. It's where you can learn control. I figured you'd rather learn how to use magic around young people like yourself. This was all my idea. I didn't say anything yesterday because I couldn't explain all of this around Annalise.

"Where is the school?" I looked towards the window again. I began building up the mechanisms in my body that would stop my tears from streaming down my cheeks. I swallowed the lump that had made itself comfortable in my throat. My eyes shuttered in an attempt to dry out what had begun flooding. "It's in Washington State. You would have to wear a uniform and the semester starts on Wednesday but you can go on Friday," a chuckle slipped through my lips and my brows raised. "You're sending me to a preppy, supernatural school. How can we even afford that Dad?" I wasn't the most social of butterflies but I still had my friends Elliot and Vera that I had to say goodbye to. They would most definitely question my departure. It was all so sudden even for me. "You'd be surprised how affordable it is. The place runs on magic so the school doesn't have to cover water or electricity bills. You know, things like that. "

"Well, I have to at least say goodbye to Elliot and Vera. " We had arrived at our destination. There was a pink fro-yo food truck that stood out from the rest because of its vibrant color. "Of course Ren. I wouldn't take that away from you- but you can't tell them about any of this. It's too dangerous, for you and for them," my eyebrows furrowed. I didn't understand why I couldn't tell my best friends. I knew Vera and Elliot best and they wouldn't expose me or be scared of me. "They wouldn't tell a soul Dad," he had frowned a bit and had put his hand on my shoulder. This only meant that good news wouldn't follow.

"I know they're your friends Ren but they're also teenagers and teenagers can get excited about knowing things like this. They could make a mistake and tell someone. That puts everyone at risk Ren. There are people out there that kill humans who put us at risk and I wouldn't want to see any of your friends getting hurt," my gaze lowered to my feet. Dad was right, I'd be putting Vera and Elliot in harm's way. That meant I'd have to leave without seeing them. If I didn't tell them the truth they would know I'm lying about why I'm going to Boarding school. I could get emotional being around them and what if that force that took over me came back. I couldn't risk hurting my friends just like how I hurt my father yesterday. I had made my decision.

"Can you get me the usual," my usual order of fro-yo was a blueberry yogurt with toppings of coconut shavings and jelly babies. "Of course, I'll be right back okay," Dad pecked my forehead and had finally left the car. I pulled out my phone in order to text Elliot and Vera. I gazed at the screen blankly. I wanted to write something, anything but nothing came to mind. My fingers grew their own mind and typed a message. I had only realized what I had written once I had already pressed send.

Ren: I love you guys so much.

Dad came back with our fro-yo orders. I tucked my phone away back into the frontal pouch of my hoody. "Here you go," he handed me what was mine. Maybe we can go to the cliff nearby and eat?" I nodded as my response. It had been years since we visited that spot. We usually went with mom. I had always wondered why she always admired the view beyond adoration and well now I knew. She was looking at her home. The view of the ocean was spectacular from there and I kind of needed a scene of serenity. My phone buzzed and I assumed it was a response from the group.

Elliot: You're okay right Ren? We love you too.

Vera responded just as I had read Elliot's message.

Vera: We love you, like a whole lot. Like the entire size of the Universe.

I lightly chuckled at Vera's simile. It honestly made me feel better.

Ren: I am okay I just wanted you guys to know I love you.

I sent a red heart emoji to follow my text.

"I just wanted you to know that your Mother's sister is the Headmistress at Luveldom," My mother's sister. The last memory I had of her was the day my mother disappeared. She attended my tenth birthday party and I never saw her since. The only thing I remembered about her was that she would keep to herself and she was much tenser than my mother. She gifted me with a Lapis Lazuli necklace that was definitely too pricey as a gift for a ten-year-old. The only time I ever wore it was for the tenth Grade spring dance. Other than that its usual place was inside my nude, designer jewelry box. Which was a gift from my Aunt Celeste too for my ninth birthday.

"Luveldom, what an interesting name," I didn't acknowledge the fact that Aunt Celeste was the Headmistress at the Academy I was going to attend because, in all honesty, I didn't know how to. I couldn't say I was excited to see her because well, it had been a whole seven years of nothingness from her. No birthday wishes, no enquiring about any information about her missing sister. Nothing.

"I'm sorry Ren, that all of this is so sudden. I should've told you a lot sooner about all of this." Dad looked at me. I could tell that he was genuinely apologetic. He could've made an effort to speak to me about this at the beginning of summer vacation but now I had to deal with processing all of this sudden change and its effects in a few days. I would be moving away from home, leaving my friends, and entering an environment I knew nothing about.

"What's done is done, Dad." We drove to the cliff without conversation. At this point, I was too overwhelmed to speak and all my attention was on the view of the pacific. Dad and I sat on the hood of the car while devouring our fro-yo. I looked at the ocean differently after everything I had learned today. In some way, it was my home too and I couldn't wait to embrace it. We let the waves of the ocean do the talking and honestly I couldn't ask for a better way to spend my day.