Chapter I: In Another World

Enchantment. That’s what I feel every night as I drift off to sleep, as if the skies were awake, the moon was watching, and the celestial bodies resonate in my once upon a time. The dream was hazy but fascinating. However, even if I tried my hardest, I can’t remember anything once I open my eyes.

Except for one voice. As though it were the voice of an angel. She was chanting a familiar tune, something that was making my heart melt, but at the same time, it was aching. And the only thing that would retain the next day was the pain in my heart. As if I was missing something very significant from my life. Something that I cherish the most. Something that makes me feel at home.

But I can’t remember anything. It was like the missing puzzle piece in my life. And I can’t distinguish whether that was only a dream or if it is really part of me.

“Hey, watch out!” I snapped back to reality when I heard someone yell and realized a ball was heading straight for me. But, before I could even react, I was hit in the head by the ball, knocking me to the ground.

The clumsy, danger-prone Blaire Patterson. What’s even new with me?

I tried to help myself get up when I heard some footsteps approaching. My blurry vision slowly became pellucid, and there, a young man with attractive pitch-black eyes welcomed my sight.

“Are you alright?” The guy asked as he helped me stand on my feet.

I looked around and noticed that I was in the middle of the soccer field. Obviously, I was having deep thoughts again. Just a few meters away, the school’s soccer team was looking at us in a teasing manner.

I gazed at the man who helped me up, and I could say that he had a great body built. Given that he wears a varsity uniform, he must be a player.

“I’m fine,” I said, trying not to stutter. It’s not that I’m afraid of people, but I’m not sure how to interact with them or start a discussion with them.

“Damn, your nose is bleeding!” He gasped and pointed out my nose. I slightly pinched my nose, and he was right. My nose was bleeding.

He leaned closer and held my hand, which made my eyes widen.

“Let me take you to the clinic—”

“No, thanks!” I instantly declined, which startled him. I cleared my throat and continued, “It’s nothing. I can handle this.”

If Mother knew about this, she would be worried, and it would be detrimental to her health. She has not been feeling okay ever since my father died, and even though she’s not telling us about it, I know she is barely living. Well, just like me.

“Look, I can’t leave you here looking like that. So, please, let me help you.” He smiled as his eyes flashed a bit of concern.

In the end, his kind words brought my feet to the school’s clinic.

The nurse assured me that nothing was serious, but she told me to rest for a little bit so that they could keep an eye on my condition. If I ever feel dizzy or anything, they will rush me to the hospital to check me up. I only told them not to tell Mother anything, so they informed my sister, Grace, about my situation. Which is a better option because I’m sure she won’t share it with anyone. It’s not that she doesn’t care about me; we’ve just been on bad terms since then.

“Thank you, Miss.” The guy thanked the nurse before he went beside me.

“You can leave now,” I told him. “And thank you for your help.” I expressed my gratitude.

I fully expected him to go, but he did not. Instead, he sat near my bed in an empty chair.

“You must be new here,” He casually said. When I realized he was starting a discussion with me, my brows furrowed in perplexity.

“Yeah, but how did you know?” I asked.

“Because Lakeshore High isn’t very huge, I know practically every student here, and it’s also the first time I’ve seen someone walking in the center of the soccer field.” He teased, making us chuckle.

“I’m Trevor Adams, by the way. Senior, captain of the soccer team.” He introduced himself and offered his hand to me.

“Blaire. Blaire Patterson, junior.” I said with a smile and extended my hand to him.

His eyes brightened, “Patterson? Are you related to Tim Patterson?”

Hearing my father’s name brought me to a halt. I gave him a warm smile and answered, “Yeah, he’s my father.”

“Really? I’m his fan! He’s a great soccer player. I’ve heard that he could have joined the national team if he hadn't died on the fire—”

He stopped as he realized he had said something disrespectful. He quickly apologized and added, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

“No, it’s okay. It was tragic. But at least I got to see Father one last time.” I muttered with a smile as I tried to keep myself from crying.

Tim Patterson, my foster father, died after saving me from our burning house five years ago. Grace and I are playing with something in the backyard that resulted in a massive fire. We hastily left the house, but when I discovered my necklace was still inside, I ran back to get it.

And that turned out to be the worst decision I’d ever made. As a result, I lost the only man who truly cared about me. He treated me like his own daughter, despite the fact that I was adopted. He loved me so profoundly that he went back inside to save me. He was successful in letting me live, but not himself. And that made me feel dreadful.

I heaved a sigh as I clutched the jewelry I was wearing. It has a moon-shaped pendant where my name was engraved. My foster mother, Mary Patterson, said that it was Grace’s birthday when they saw me at the gate of their mansion. The rain was pouring hard, and they thought I was already dead. But miraculously, I survived.

My biological parents are unknown to the Pattersons, as is how I ended up in front of their mansion. The only clue about my true identity is this golden necklace. And maybe that’s why I wanted to get it back despite the fact that it had the potential to harm my father. A cause to risk everything for this one thing that knows deep well the truth about who I am.

Trevor stayed with me for a couple of minutes before his teammate fetched him. As I stood there watching him go away, I smiled at the thought of having a new friend in my new school. Since my father died, my family and I have been hopping houses and schools in numerous counties after Patterson’s mansion was sold to pay off our debts. It was difficult for us to survive, especially since Mother had to raise the three of us, this time, on her own.

After class, I proceeded to grab my belongings from my locker when Trevor appeared in front of me again. And this time, seeing scrutinizing eyes staring at us made me feel awkward. Trevor was clearly famous at Lakeshore High School.

“Blaire! I have a party later at my house. Are you coming?” He bubbly asked as if we were the only ones inside and no one was paying attention to us.

“I’m invited?” I asked in confusion.

He smirked, “Of course you are. So, I’ll take that as a yes?”

“Trevor, I—”

“Please? It would be fun! I promise!” He even put his hands together as if he were begging me.

I bit my lower lip and tried to find the appropriate words to reject his offer. It’s not that I don’t want to come and see it; it’s just that I don’t have time to party.

“Blaire!” But before I could even answer, a familiar voice interrupted us.

Grace went towards us, looking at me with an angry grimace on her face. “Why are you not answering your phone? I’ve been calling you for the ninth time!”

I closed my locker and faced her, “My phone’s dead. What’s the matter?”

“Mom told us to come home early. Now, let’s go.” She commanded and walked away.

I looked at Trevor with an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, I have to go.”

He smiled and pinched my chicks, which made me surprised. “My house is in the 3rd street, 4th row. Feel free to come if you ever change your mind. I’ll be waiting.”

I returned a small smile before I followed Grace to the parking lot. While we were inside the car, Grace and I ignored each other’s presence as we used to.

Even though I am not his biological sister, she has never treated me differently since we were children. Many youngsters used to bully me, so she became my defender. But everything changed when my father died. Grace has been blaming me for his death and treating me like trash in our house until now.

I don’t blame her because I’m also to blame for what happened.

“If I were you, I’d stay away from Trevor Adams.” My head turned to her as she broke the silence. It was the first time we were talking inside the car.

I stared outside the window, “He’s kind, Grace. He even helped me—”

“He helped you because he hurt you first.” She cuts in before giving me a short glance. “Do you honestly believe he likes you? Stop dreaming, Blaire. No one would even want you.”

My forehead creased at her remark. Before I could even know it, a tear had fallen from my eye.

“Do you hate me that much, huh, sis?” I asked as soon as she stopped the car in front of our house.

She paused a bit before she looked at me and said, “We’re not sisters, Blaire. That’s the truth.”

Her remarks had such an emotional impact on me. What have I ever done to deserve such treatment?

She got out of the car and left me inside. I wiped my tears before I followed her inside the house. And there I saw Mother cooking in the kitchen. She’s in a hurry, as though she’s attempting to finish cooking as soon as possible.

“I already told you, Grace, I can do this. You don’t have to treat me like a disabled.” Mother told Grace as she tried to help her.

“Hi, Mother!” I warmly greeted and went to my mother to kiss her.

“Blaire, sweetheart!” She exclaimed as she rushed over to hug me. “Please sit down and let me prepare your birthday dinner.

I stopped for a moment because of what my mother said. When I looked at Grace, I noticed she was staring at Mother’s cooking.

“I cooked your favorite pumpkin soup.” Mother uttered, smiling sweetly at me.

I glanced at her, my eyes welling up with tears. “Mother, it’s—”

“I’m home!” Exclaimed a voice, drawing our attention. It was our younger brother, Harry Patterson.

“Woah! Are we going to celebrate Blaire and Grace’s birthday?” Harry said with full excitement, causing Mother’s smile to fade.

Mother’s surprised expression confirms my gut. She forgot Grace’s birthday again.

We all looked at Grace, who was now giving us a forced, annoyed smile.

“Grace, darling,” Mother tried to reach her hand, but she shoved it away.

“It’s always about Blaire! You cooked her favorite dish. And you even remembered her birthday, but not mine? I’m your true daughter! But why are you neglecting me?” She cried.

“It’s not, Grace. It’s just—”

“Stop!” Grace stopped Mother from approaching her before she stared at me with pain in her eyes. “Happy birthday, my beloved sister,” She remarked coldly before walking away.

“Grace! Where are you going?” Mother tried to follow her, but I stopped her.

“I’ll go,” I said before handing Mother to Harry. He gave me a heads up to follow Grace as he took care of our mother.

It was raining when I followed Grace outside the house. I saw her going to the car, causing me to immediately hold her pulse before she could even go in.

“What the hell do you want, huh?!” She scowled.

I took a long breath and started playing with my fingers, “I’m sorry.” I whispered.

“Sorry for what? For being the favorite child? For stealing my mother? My brother? And even my father’s life?” She wailed as the rain began to fall.

A tear ran down my cheek. I want to say something, but I don’t have the strength to do so. My heart hurts, and I don’t know how to compensate for being such a mess in this family. And for causing trouble in a family where I don’t belong.

“If you’re truly sorry,” Grace came toward me. But this time, she carried a softer expression. “Then leave.” She said in a persistent tone.

“W-What?” I blinked twice, unsure of what I heard.

“Please, leave us. Just leave!” She begged and fell to her knees.

Suddenly, my tears stopped falling as I watched her cry in pain. My heart was aching so much that crying was not enough to express it. After a few more seconds, I helped her stand and said the words I didn’t expect to speak.

“If this will be the atonement for my sins, I’ll leave. I’ll leave you all alone.” I said earnestly.

I turned my back on her and walked away in the rain. It was funny that the rainy night where I arrived at the Patterson’s mansion was also the same as how I left them without any words at all.

Tim, Mary, Grace, and Harry—the Patterson. They have been my home ever since. But how can I live knowing that they don’t want me anymore? That I am nothing but a nuisance to them?

Why did the heavens save me from death the first time? What caused my biological parents to abandon me? Aren’t I worth it? Otherwise, why am I still here?

As I walk away, I can feel the cold breeze rushing through my skin. I hugged myself, and when I stopped in front of the tree, I started to cry again.

I always knew that I didn’t belong here, that I was different. But the question is, where do I have to go? Who am I, exactly? And what is my life’s purpose?

A thousand thoughts race through my mind, but one thing is for sure, I want to find the answers to them.

I stared at the dark gray sky as I cried in pain. If another universe exists, I pray that somebody from there would get me out of here.

“Please, help me,” I whispered.

Suddenly, I felt exhausted and fell off the ground. It felt like a lot of energy was getting off my body.

But before I could even close my eyes, a strange man came running towards me. He carried me away from that place. I narrowed my eyes to see him, but I saw nothing but a blurry vision. As we hurried away in the rain, I could feel his warm touch, fair enough to calm my body from the cold of the night.

I felt as if I was being taken to another world, similar to the one in my dream. There were strange noises all around us, and the water pouring down on us abruptly stopped. The enchanting feeling was there, as though my body was absorbing vigor from my surroundings. It was familiar yet strange to me.

And the next thing I knew was when I opened my eyes; I was in another world.

A world they called Olympus.