"Everyone say cheese," Mr. Spay clicked the camera, the flash capturing the smiles on our faces at the end of our senior trip. "I've had a wonderful year with this group. Throughout the fighting, teenage angst, hormonal decisions, and boy trouble, I still wouldn't change a thing. I know you all have a wonderful future ahead of you and I hope you enjoy life's journey there." We cheered for our principal as we boarded the bus with our baggage.I found the back of the bus, sliding next to Lucian. "Look," I took the photos of us out of my memory box and brought them up to the light. "Don't we look great together?" He smiled, giving me a simple yes. "Not big on words today," I teased. "I enjoyed the trip. It was over too quick." Lucian replied, "Time always flies when you're having fun," he gently caressed the love bite from the previous night on my thigh. I blushed in silence as he turned his head to the window to watch the scenery pass us by in a blink outside. "You know you haven't b
I stood in line behind my classmates, watching and waiting as the line got shorter. The counselor called my name, "Isabelle Milani Smith." I proudly graced the stage with an unfading smile, ready to shake hands and pose with my diploma.The camera flashed and I walked back to my seat. It was just like we have practiced earlier this morning. I was glad everything went smooth. After a speech from Noelle and Mardrid, we were finally instructed to toss our caps into the air.***********"Honey, we're so proud of you," my mom planted many kisses to my cheek."Okay mom," I tried to get away. "You're embarrassing me.""I'm sorry," she sulked. "Do you like the party? I tried my best.""Yes, it's the best," I beamed. "I can't believe you surprised me." "Your dad will be here soon. He said he had something special for you," my mom shared."Is it a car?" I asked."No," she frowned, "but I'm sure you'll love it." My mom wandered off to the refreshment table, replacing food and refilling glasses
The party was over and I hugged just about everyone as they exited my home, thanking them for their support and their gifts and their time.“Honey, we’re going out tonight,” my mom and dad approached me, looking elegant and ethereal.“Wow,” I marveled at mom and dad. Mom wore a green dress that had an embroidered golden shoulder. Dad donned a black suit with a green tie to match; its diamond-shaped pattern fluctuated between green and golden yellow. “Y’all look good.”“Thanks honey. Number’s on the fridge if you need anything,” she gave me a quick peck to the cheek, careful not to ruin her makeup. They grabbed their keys and I watched their retreating figures step out of the door. All alone now. Oh well!I couldn't wait to get upstairs. I dashed to my room, hurriedly discarding my pants. I sighed as soon as they came off. "Nothing like freedom."I kicked the bathroom door in lightly with my foot, setting my bathroom abright when I hit the light switch. "First thing first," I blew a ki
It was the last day of summer and I was saying goodbye to my friends. I hugged them all goodbye and promised to keep in touch. As I drove away, I looked back at them all standing there and knew that I would never forget the summer fun we had. I was ready to start the next chapter of my life, but I would never forget the memories I had shared with my friends. We had spent the last several weeks together, enjoying our last days of freedom before college. We had gone to the beach, watched movies, taken long drives, went to parties, and even had sleepovers. And that wasn’t everything! We had done a million things. But now it was time for us to part ways and pursue our own paths.I was excited to start college but sad to be leaving my friends. I had grown so much closer Jennifer, Jason, and Noelle over the summer. We had shared so many memories together, and I hated that I had to leave them behind. As I began packing for college, I found myself pulling out the photos from our senior trip.
IsabelleI was still shocked. I was stuck, gawking at the black and white images unfolding in my lap. I was still replaying the technician confirming my doubt."Are you okay?" Lucian asked."I'm two months," I said in shock."Lucian you're not even human. How can you have kids?" "You're mine," Lucian said plainly."That doesn't .. huh." I gave up and slouched into the seat with a sigh."You're going to be okay." Lucian cooed."How am I going to be pregnant in my freshman year of college?" I was going crazy. "It's all just happening too fast.""Calm down. I'm going to be there. For your every need," Lucian caressed my thigh. "It doesn't matter what it is, I will make it happen.""What about class?""I'll come with you and we can sit in my barrier. That way you won't be cramped and you two will be comfortable.""What about after school?" I asked."You worry too much," he kissed my temple. "Just move in.""What?" "You heard me. Move in. We're basically husband and wife already," Lucian
Lucian and his wife had just welcomed their beautiful son into the world. Exhausted and overwhelmed, Lucian knew he had to take advantage of this special moment. He looked into his wife's eyes and quietly said, "I figure now is a good time as any." She looked back at him confused, until he pulled out a small box and opened it, revealing a sparkling diamond ring. His wife was too exhausted to be surprised, but she happily accepted his proposal. "Yes, a thousand times over." Lucian gave her a sweet kiss. Ares was sound asleep; he had been fed and changed and was quietly occupying his crib. "How are we going to ..?" She began to voice her worries but Lucian hushed her. "You're too pretty to be worried, love. Rest," She succumbed in bliss as she drifted off to sleep, still wearing the bedazzling ring on her finger. Lucian watched in awe as they slept; the way their noses curled and how they looked so innocent, he could tell Ares was borne from her. He was so in love with their little
* The beautiful end of Lucian & Isabelle *The wall was decorated with plaques and awards, grand achievements that could only belong to the cursive name inked on the honors. "I'm so proud of you," her mom hugged her with a few streaming tears running down her face. "Where are my grand babies?""They aren't babies mom," Bella scolded."Says who? They're my babies," her mom stood her ground.Ares and Artemis had their separate portraits hanging above the mantle, next to the family portrait. Lucian added, "They are waiting for us. We're running late.""Where's dad?" Bella was growing with worry."I'm right here," her dad's voice came from behind us followed by his short footsteps."Then let's go," Lucian ushered them inside the car. The drive was quick and the hostess led them to their table.The table was full with family and friends; Jennifer, Tina, Noelle, Jason, Tyler, & Rick along with her many family members and her two children."Congratulations, Bella," Jennifer hugged her. "T
•Sarah's POV•My mom died when I was twelve. I lost half of my heart that day. You're supposed to have a bond with your mother anyway, but my bond with my mom was so much deeper than that. She was my literal best friend.I was a weird kid. I didn't fit in. I only had one friend. I never stuck up for myself and when I finally did, I was reprimanded for being mean and got beaten by the kids outside of school later. I was even labeled a bully but it didn't stick. No one believe I could be a bully. So that made the bond between my mother and I stronger than ever.But when I was ten, my father lost his job as a carpenter. He went on a down spiral. He tried to apply for other jobs, but no one would accept him. He turned to alcohol and started to abuse my mom.Her body became weaker after all the hits she took. The bruises weren't even bruises anymore. They looked like reducing chickenpox, but without the bump. Broken bones became a regular thing when I was eleven.I tried so hard to protect
* The beautiful end of Lucian & Isabelle *The wall was decorated with plaques and awards, grand achievements that could only belong to the cursive name inked on the honors. "I'm so proud of you," her mom hugged her with a few streaming tears running down her face. "Where are my grand babies?""They aren't babies mom," Bella scolded."Says who? They're my babies," her mom stood her ground.Ares and Artemis had their separate portraits hanging above the mantle, next to the family portrait. Lucian added, "They are waiting for us. We're running late.""Where's dad?" Bella was growing with worry."I'm right here," her dad's voice came from behind us followed by his short footsteps."Then let's go," Lucian ushered them inside the car. The drive was quick and the hostess led them to their table.The table was full with family and friends; Jennifer, Tina, Noelle, Jason, Tyler, & Rick along with her many family members and her two children."Congratulations, Bella," Jennifer hugged her. "T
Lucian and his wife had just welcomed their beautiful son into the world. Exhausted and overwhelmed, Lucian knew he had to take advantage of this special moment. He looked into his wife's eyes and quietly said, "I figure now is a good time as any." She looked back at him confused, until he pulled out a small box and opened it, revealing a sparkling diamond ring. His wife was too exhausted to be surprised, but she happily accepted his proposal. "Yes, a thousand times over." Lucian gave her a sweet kiss. Ares was sound asleep; he had been fed and changed and was quietly occupying his crib. "How are we going to ..?" She began to voice her worries but Lucian hushed her. "You're too pretty to be worried, love. Rest," She succumbed in bliss as she drifted off to sleep, still wearing the bedazzling ring on her finger. Lucian watched in awe as they slept; the way their noses curled and how they looked so innocent, he could tell Ares was borne from her. He was so in love with their little
IsabelleI was still shocked. I was stuck, gawking at the black and white images unfolding in my lap. I was still replaying the technician confirming my doubt."Are you okay?" Lucian asked."I'm two months," I said in shock."Lucian you're not even human. How can you have kids?" "You're mine," Lucian said plainly."That doesn't .. huh." I gave up and slouched into the seat with a sigh."You're going to be okay." Lucian cooed."How am I going to be pregnant in my freshman year of college?" I was going crazy. "It's all just happening too fast.""Calm down. I'm going to be there. For your every need," Lucian caressed my thigh. "It doesn't matter what it is, I will make it happen.""What about class?""I'll come with you and we can sit in my barrier. That way you won't be cramped and you two will be comfortable.""What about after school?" I asked."You worry too much," he kissed my temple. "Just move in.""What?" "You heard me. Move in. We're basically husband and wife already," Lucian
It was the last day of summer and I was saying goodbye to my friends. I hugged them all goodbye and promised to keep in touch. As I drove away, I looked back at them all standing there and knew that I would never forget the summer fun we had. I was ready to start the next chapter of my life, but I would never forget the memories I had shared with my friends. We had spent the last several weeks together, enjoying our last days of freedom before college. We had gone to the beach, watched movies, taken long drives, went to parties, and even had sleepovers. And that wasn’t everything! We had done a million things. But now it was time for us to part ways and pursue our own paths.I was excited to start college but sad to be leaving my friends. I had grown so much closer Jennifer, Jason, and Noelle over the summer. We had shared so many memories together, and I hated that I had to leave them behind. As I began packing for college, I found myself pulling out the photos from our senior trip.
The party was over and I hugged just about everyone as they exited my home, thanking them for their support and their gifts and their time.“Honey, we’re going out tonight,” my mom and dad approached me, looking elegant and ethereal.“Wow,” I marveled at mom and dad. Mom wore a green dress that had an embroidered golden shoulder. Dad donned a black suit with a green tie to match; its diamond-shaped pattern fluctuated between green and golden yellow. “Y’all look good.”“Thanks honey. Number’s on the fridge if you need anything,” she gave me a quick peck to the cheek, careful not to ruin her makeup. They grabbed their keys and I watched their retreating figures step out of the door. All alone now. Oh well!I couldn't wait to get upstairs. I dashed to my room, hurriedly discarding my pants. I sighed as soon as they came off. "Nothing like freedom."I kicked the bathroom door in lightly with my foot, setting my bathroom abright when I hit the light switch. "First thing first," I blew a ki
I stood in line behind my classmates, watching and waiting as the line got shorter. The counselor called my name, "Isabelle Milani Smith." I proudly graced the stage with an unfading smile, ready to shake hands and pose with my diploma.The camera flashed and I walked back to my seat. It was just like we have practiced earlier this morning. I was glad everything went smooth. After a speech from Noelle and Mardrid, we were finally instructed to toss our caps into the air.***********"Honey, we're so proud of you," my mom planted many kisses to my cheek."Okay mom," I tried to get away. "You're embarrassing me.""I'm sorry," she sulked. "Do you like the party? I tried my best.""Yes, it's the best," I beamed. "I can't believe you surprised me." "Your dad will be here soon. He said he had something special for you," my mom shared."Is it a car?" I asked."No," she frowned, "but I'm sure you'll love it." My mom wandered off to the refreshment table, replacing food and refilling glasses
"Everyone say cheese," Mr. Spay clicked the camera, the flash capturing the smiles on our faces at the end of our senior trip. "I've had a wonderful year with this group. Throughout the fighting, teenage angst, hormonal decisions, and boy trouble, I still wouldn't change a thing. I know you all have a wonderful future ahead of you and I hope you enjoy life's journey there." We cheered for our principal as we boarded the bus with our baggage.I found the back of the bus, sliding next to Lucian. "Look," I took the photos of us out of my memory box and brought them up to the light. "Don't we look great together?" He smiled, giving me a simple yes. "Not big on words today," I teased. "I enjoyed the trip. It was over too quick." Lucian replied, "Time always flies when you're having fun," he gently caressed the love bite from the previous night on my thigh. I blushed in silence as he turned his head to the window to watch the scenery pass us by in a blink outside. "You know you haven't b
LucianThe council of angels convened to reprimand me for my past transgressions. I stood before them, impassive and unafraid, though I was slightly amused by their haughty expressions and sparkling wings. I could hear their naughty whispers, which seemed to be a combination of disapproval and bemusement. I was ready to accept whatever punishment they deemed fit. The triad of angels governed from behind the wooden podium bench in their assigned choirs, conversing and giving me the evil eye as I paid no attention to them, fancied by the stone golems they'd turned into guardians.The angels conferred amongst themselves for what seemed like an eternity before finally delivering their opening argument."You have been charged with many crimes, the major crime being that you defied God and led a war against him, endangering humans and breaking the heavenly rules. You are also charged with 100 counts of murder, 1 count of kidnapping, 20 counts of unsolicited visiting to the human world, & 5
I was lying in a hospital bed, my body feeling the numbness of the painkillers and the fatigue of the fight I had endured to get here. My head was throbbing in pain from the constant beeping of the machines surrounding me, I had lost count of the number of times it beeped, but it seemed to be a necessary part of my care. I felt a wave of emotions overcome me as my eyes tried to adjust to my surroundings. I could see my family and friends, all looking worried and scared, their faces a mixture of worry and hope. I wanted to tell them not to worry, that I was okay but my words were stuck in my throat, my voice suddenly feeling so far away. All I could do was lie still and try to relax, knowing that I was finally safe and that everything was going to be ok. I was hoping that one day soon I would finally be able to go home, dreaming that it would be over.My family cleared from my room momentarily as the doctors talked to them. A lone doctor entered, short and graceful in his stride, and p