Light In A Dark Tunnel

Tara POV

Miss Jenkins, your eyes should be infront of the class”

I turned to face Mr Isaac, my cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. Class continued with Mr Isaac turning literature into history and i giggled, This man really loved history. His obsessed with medieval times, and his always talking about mystical creatures.

One time he said mermaids were real but they were evil creatures that walk amongst us, searching for their destined lover amongst humans and they only return back to sea when they find the Destined one. They drag them to the bottom of the ocean where they live happily ever after with a dead corpse.

One of the students complained to the principal and Mr Isaac was told he doesn’t get paid to teach students about mythical creatures in-front of the whole class. Yeah our principal is a mean lady and you only see her if you’re in trouble or if there’s an event at school. Just then the bell rang.

“Students don’t forget to get a history partner for tomorrow”

Geez i forgot! Who the hell am i going to pair with? I waited for everyone to leave and approached Mr Isaac’s desk.

“Sir, I know you said we have to be in pairs tomorrow, but i won’t be able to find a partner. Can i please skip tomorrow’s class?”

“Nonsense! You are one of my top students. There will definitely be a odd number tomorrow, i will pair you with that student”

“Okay sir”

I turned around to leave but he stopped me.

“Miss Jenkins, there’s something really different about you today”

I giggled at his words.

“Sir, it’s just a new outfit and i forgot to do my hair”

He looked at me as if he was looking through my soul with his magnifying glasses.

“Very well, you may leave”

“Thank you sir”

I turned around to leave, that was very strange it felt like he had more to say, but i shrugged it off and went straight to my locker. I packed my books and headed for the cafeteria. I was welcomed by loud chatter as usual.

I stood in line and when it was my turn to choose my lunch, i opted for a chicken and mayo sandwich, sliced fruit and an orange juice. I walked to my table and took my seat.

The sandwich looked good and i started indulging before anyone comes to throw my food on the floor. I just finished my sandwich when i felt a presence behind me, i turned to see Kai with his hands in his pockets.

“Well what do we have here”

I gulped. Why must he always disturb my peace , sometimes i wish he could just get hit by a bus and lose his eyesight. That way he won’t be able to find me.

“Cat got your tongue?”

“No”

“You look weird as usual”

“Thank you”

“Trust me it was not a compliment”

“I don’t recall saying that it was”

“Who do you think you’re talking to”

He looked seriously annoyed that i was talking back. But he wants me to speak, he’s really indecisive.

“My royal highness”

In seconds he was infront of me, pulling my hair and inches away from my face, i could feel his hot breath on my cheeks. My face contorted in pain as i looked at him.

“Stop playing with fire Tara, i will burn you alive”

“I wonder how everyone will feel when i announce to the whole cafeteria that you gave me a ride home yesterday”

I threatened him and he looked surprised by my words.

“Nobody will believe you, the whole school knows you’re still obsessed with me”

I scoffed. That delusion i had died the day he degraded me infront of so many people.

“For your information, i am not obsessed with you, i hate you”

His grip on my hair tightened and a cry of pain escaped my throat.

“How do you think i feel about you”

“I don’t care. Lexi’s friend saw you drop me off yesterday and i promise you, i will tell her the truth if you don’t let me go”

“you just made your life a nightmare, prepare for my wrath bitch”

He let me go and stormed off, i held my head, the pain that was radiating from it was unreal. My life is already a freaking nightmare, what more could he possibly do to make it worse. I cringed at the thought. I had a bit of leverage on him but for how long? My thoughts were interrupted

“Hey”

I turned to see a beautiful girl infront of me, i have never seen her before, she had glowing blue eyes and blonde curly hair. I was captivated by her beauty. I even forgot to speak.

“Uhm, i’m kim” she extended her hand for a handshake.

“Hey sorry about that i’m Tara” i said accepting her handshake. Her hands felt so soft and so safe it was unusual.

“I have never seen you before”

“Oh i’m new here, i arrived today”

“The school term is almost over, how did you get in so late”

She giggled at my words and took a seat next to me. I looked around the cafeteria everyone was minding their business. I moved my attention back to her.

“I just moved to town recently and my father is close friends with the principal so it wasn’t hard asking for a favour”

“I see”

“I’m in your history class and Mr Isaac has asked me to be your partner for tomorrow”

He actually came through for me and i was truly grateful. I smiled so hard and she laughed at me.

“I’m glad you’re just as excited as me” she teased

“You have no idea”

“I like you. Do you want to be friends?”

My heart sunk at her words, people don’t like being around me for a reason and she seems so kind and bubbly i would feel terrible about myself if students started treating her indifferently, especially Kai!

“Listen Kim, i’m not sure that’s a great idea, bad things happen to people that try to get close to me”

“Nonetheless, i’m a big girl and i can definitely take care of myself, just agree woman”

She rolled her eyes and i laughed. I guess it wouldn’t hurt giving it a try.

“I agree let’s be friends”

She squealed and stood up, the next thing i know she’s squeezing me so tight and i couldn’t resist hugging her back.

“We are going to be best friends”

That word was euphoric to me. Ever since we moved to this town i haven’t had a real friend but i had so many when we were still living in the city. She let me go and rested her hand on her chin.

“So tell me about you and i’ll tell you about me”

“What would you like to know?”

“Everything” i giggled at her words

“ I’m Tara Jenkins, i just turned 18 two weeks ago, my favourite food is pasta, i moved to this town when i was 13 years old, my favourite colours are black and red. I enjoy reading, cleaning and definitely eating. I have been bullied ever since my second year of high school and i practically live alone because my parents are barely home, i have also never kissed a boy.

She had a weird look on her face and i wanted to laugh so bad i think my intro was too deep.

“That was depressing and so sad”

I laughed

“What can i say, my life is depressing”

“Not for long”

I looked at her. Confused by her words.

“What do you mean?”

“Urhm just a figure of speech, would you like to know about me?”

That was strange, i didn’t dwell on it, although i wanted to. There was something about her words that had so much reassurance to it.

“Sure”

“I’m Kim Arcana and i live with my dad, i never knew my mother, she died when i was born. I’m 17 turning 18 next month. My favourite dish is trifle pudding. I love the colour red so me and you have that in common.

I am obsessed with magic, i believe it lives in all of us, and sometimes all we need is a gentle push to our full potential and only then, will our true power be unleashed from the binds our ancestors have placed upon us”

I looked at her in disbelief and also amusement, she lived in a fantasy world and that’s probably better than living in the real world.

“That’s beautiful Kim”

She smiled and the sound of the bell going off indicated it was time to go back to class.

“I’ll see you after school?”

“sure”

She gave me a hug and left. I walked to my next class and i couldn’t stop thinking about her words. As i sat down and listened to Mrs Whitlock speaking. My mind was plagued by Kim’s words.

Could magic be real? Does magic truly live inside all of us? Why am i so invested in her words that i feel so drawn to her. What is it about her that makes me feel so safe? Is it the idea of finally having a friend or a bond much deeper?! I guess only time will tell.

I wasn’t paying attention in this class. My mind was racing with so many thoughts when the bell rang i hurriedly left class and took my bag out my locker, i went outside to wait for Kim after five minutes of waiting she finally showed up with a big smile on her face.

“I’m so glad that’s over”. I giggled at her words.

“Yeah that makes both of us”

“Are your parents picking you up ?”

“They were supposed to, but i’m sure they’ll be here any second now”

“Come on i’ll drop you off”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes now come on” she started dragging me

“Okay fine let me call my mom and tell her not to come”

“Okay”

I took out my phone and dialled my moms number, after the fourth ring she answered.

“Hey mom”

“Hey baby, i’m just about to leave now”

“You don’t have to pick me up, my friend is going to drop me off”

“Friend” she questioned with amusement in her tone.

“Yes mom, i’ll explain later love you bye”

I hung up and walked with Kim to her car, she had a pink bmw and i laughed

“I thought your favourite colour is red”

“It was a gift before you start judging” she rolled her eyes and unlocked the car.

We got in and i gave her my address, we made our way to my place which is a shorter distance by car

“So, i couldn’t stop thinking about your magical quote today”

She laughed

“It was not a quote Tara, it was the truth”

“How are you so sure”

“Trust me. I just know”

I rolled my eyes at her words.