Authors Note:

I am currently working on this book only. I will be editing it as I go along. I hope you enjoy it because I enjoy writing it.

**Prologue:**

 

Oriel stood in the pouring rain, her long black hair stuck to her face from the force of the raindrops. Her hazel brown eyes were narrowed, as she strained to see in the far off distance. She let out a sigh and puffed out her cheeks in annoyance.

 

 “Where is that idiot?” She asked herself, rubbing her hands together to bring life back into them.

 

She had been standing in the rain for over half an hour waiting for Jacob -her best friend- who was at basketball practise. He was the schools second best player, coming closely after Noah Jackson –the hottest boy at Richwood High school. The team had a major upcoming match that determined whether Richwood would be able to take part in the High school Championships, to make sure the players were ready for anything the coach had been keeping them afterschool for extra practise.  

 

Normally she would have walked to Alfred’s Café that was two blocks down from where she was at, but Jacob insisted she waited outside of the school building for him. Unable to stop herself from falling for his persistence she had agreed, that was before she was drenched to the bone. However standing in the showering rain she regretted every word. Deep down she knew he would have done this; it was completely like him to be late.

 

 She moved her wet strands of hair out of her eyes and squinted again in the direction Jacob would exit from; still there was no sign of him. She couldn’t take it any longer so she dug into her jeans pocket pulling out her phone and dialled Jacob’s number. After three rings Jacob finally picked up.

 

 “Hey, Oreo,” He greeted her in his cocky-joker voice only to get snapped at by Oriel.

 

 “Where the Hell, are you?” She asked finding it hard to keep the annoyance out of her voice.

 

 “Practise just finished, I’ll be out in five minutes.” His voice hadn’t changed from his overly confident tone.

 

 “Well you can walk to Alfred’s Café on your own, because I’m not waiting in this freaking rain,” She snapped back at him.

 

The weather had finally got to Oriel; before she could cut the call off Jacob stopped her by saying “Noah might join us.”

 

 Those four words had the entire colour drained from Oriel. Her mouth suddenly, became dry. A small tingle made its way down Oriel’s spine making her legs a little shaky.

 

 “Noah Jackson, as in super-ultra-hotty, Noah?” Oriel questioned into her phone, her breathing becoming a little heavier.

 

“Yeah, I don’t think I know any other.” Jacob mused, sounding pleased with himself.

 

“Noah Jackson is coming with us to Alfred’s,” She repeated again into the phone just so she could hear those words out loud again.

 

“Yeah already, stop getting all worked up and girlie okay. His brother Dean is over at our house playing video games with Alex, so I told him he could hang with us before collecting Dean.” Jacob’s voice suddenly sounded like it was a perfectly tuned melody as he explained the real reason.

 

A small smile crawled onto Oriel’s face as she thought about spending time with Noah.

 

 “Okay, fine he can join us but please hurry up I can’t wait in this rain anymore,” She reciprocated back to her best friend then before he could say anything else she added “and no I’m not coming inside with all you guys getting changed, no matter how much I want to see Noah Jackson naked.” With that she cut him off.

 

She’d made that mistake one time before and was never going to make the same mistake ever again, no matter how desperately she wanted to see Noah Jackson’s firm strong body.

 

 Minutes had flown by; the rain continued its beat against Oriel, who seemed like the only person outside. She hadn’t noticed the two boys approaching because she was too absent-mindedly jumping into small puddles and giggling at the splashes.

 

“You finished playing, little girl?” Asked Jacob amused as he got closer to her with Noah not so far behind.

 

 “Yeah…I mean I wasn’t playing…I was testing,” She spluttered out, flustered by their arrival.

 

Noah only chuckled from behind Jacob. Jacob gave her a small wink and smiled at her before turning to Noah to introduce them both.

 

 “This is the girl I told you about, Oriel,” Jacob said stepping back so then Noah could look straight at Oriel. She expected something more, even just a, hey but all Noah did was nod his head in her direction, as an acknowledgment of her existence.

 

Well that was nice…I guess? Oriel thought to herself still staring at Noah.

 

 Then stepping back in Jacob began having a conversation with Noah about last night’s game, something Oriel had no interest in. Within minutes both of the boys were oblivious to her, as she trailed them from behind.

 

 Is this the reason why he wanted me to wait for him? Idiot!

 

 Thought Oriel, she continued to rant at herself on how foolish her best friend really was. When suddenly, Jacob shot her a sinister smile as they became closer to Alfred’s Café, she took no notice of it till they reached inside.

 

 All three of them took a seat near the window, Oriel began to take off her woolly hat and matching beige coat, when Jacob dismissed them and disappeared into the men’s loo. Then it hit her, Jacob had planned it from the beginning, he wanted to leave them alone then she could spend some time with Noah Jackson.

 

 So that’s what his plan was.

 

 She smiled at her best friends intentions and drifted back to her main attraction, Noah. He was tall and lean. He had dark brown hair that hung just below his ears and curled a little on their ends. His eyes were the same chocolate colour as his hair.

 

 She smiled at him, he smiled back at her. That was their only exchange, when she opened her mouth to speak; someone else’s voice promulgated. She turned to her right to see a tall blonde haired girl stood beside her. Brigit Martins. Her pink plum lips curved into a fake smile her pale blue eyes narrowed on Oriel with her eyebrows crossed.

 

 “Hey baby,” She said to Noah before taking two glances at Oriel then completely ignoring her.

 

 “Hey Brig, sit we were just going to order, this is Jacob’s best friend... sorry I forgot your name,” Noah told Brigit then looked at Oriel expecting her to speak.

 

 “Oriel,” She replied bluntly.

 

His words had cut deeper than he had thought.

 

This is Jacob’s best friend…sorry I forgot your name. Like how could anyone forget a name like Oriel, it rhymes with Oreo. It’s so simple to remember! Oriel ranted in her head.

 

 “You know I can’t I’m on a diet and plus Lauren just texted me they want to meet up, please come with me,” She pouted; her lips pushed out and battered her eyelashes hard.

 

 “Fine, fine but can I get something to eat first?” He asked looking at her.

 

“You can eat whatever you want at Lauren’s.” She persisted; she began to tug at his arm lightly to get him on his feet.

 

 Before leaving, Noah turned around to look at Oriel who was sat alone now watching the couple leave, he gave her a small sympathetic smile, but even that couldn’t make her feel better. Seconds later, when Noah and Brigit where out of the door Jacob return a sour look on his face.

 

“Didn’t go so well?” He asked her then looked in the direction Noah and Brigit had left.

 

“Don’t even bother asking,” She replied to him, her mood dying down.

 

She should have known better to think she would actually get a minute with the hottest guy in the school. Jacob could tell that she wasn’t in the mood so he just rolled his eyes and picked at the menu. Oriel looked down at the table absent-mindedly when a waitress came and stood beside her.

 

 “Can I take your order?” She asked in her high girly voice.

 

 “I’ll take the usual coffee and Oriel…” Jacob replied then looked at her, she just gave him a small nod then he continued “she’ll have the same.”

 

 With that the waitress disappeared to get their orders.

 

 If only I could use my powers then I would have all the boys falling for me, not only Noah Jackson, but all of them.

 

 Oriel thought to herself ignoring the glances Jacob was throwing in her direction.

 

 “Earth to Oreo, hello?” Jacob waved his hand in her face getting her attention.

 

 “What?” She asked letting a small smile perch on her lips.

 

 “It’s your fault you know,” He began then the waitress came back with their steaming hot coffees, just as she had come she disappeared again.

 

“You should know better to crush on a guy who has a girlfriend.” He said picking his cup of coffee off the table.

 

 “I didn’t know they were going out, Okay! And besides you were the one egging me on, I know you set us up.” She threw back in his direction.

 

She laughed when he burnt his tongue from the piping hot coffee as he pulled the hot cup away from his mouth and waved his hand. Oriel smiled inwardly as Jacob stuck his tongue out like a little puppy and smiled at the same time.

 

 One day Noah Jackson will be mine…One day… oh shit now I sound like a psycho.

 

 

**Chapter One:** Don't do it Oriel!

 

Oriel lay on her bed watching the ceiling. Her room almost felt like it was covered with a black blanket blocking any single ray of light. Letting out a sigh she picked her back up and leaned it against the pillow, still staring out into the blackness that embraced her. Feeling hopeless Oriel flopped onto her side, half her body was on the bed while the rest including her head hung off the edge of the bed.  

 

 I hate life.

 

 Still unable to sleep, she waited. Feeling the rush of blood to her head she pulled herself back up onto the bed. Feeling infuriated she picked her alarm clock up for the tenth time that night. Why is this shit not working? She thought staring down at the numbers displayed on the screen which read two thirty. With more force than she had expected she slammed the alarm clock back in its original place on her bedside table making a loud thud.

 

 A midnight snack will help me sleep. Yep! Snack time!

 

 Oriel thought to herself before she jumped out of her bed piling the blanket on the floor. She pulled on her grey bunny slippers that matched her bunny PJ’s and felt her way to the door. When her hands met the door handle she turned it cautiously and stepped out of her room peering over to her parent’s room.  Making certain that they were asleep she tip-toed down the stairs. Only to slip in her bunny slippers and slide the whole way down her face making a painful smack on the last step. 

 

 Instantly, she pushed her body back up and got to her feet looking back to the top of the stairs to see if either of her parents heard the ruckus. But there was nothing. So this is what they would do if I was being dragged down the stairs by a serial killer, seriously!

 

 Rubbing her face where the floor had smacked her she grimaced. Ineptly, making her way to the kitchen she slapped the light switch on. Without hesitation she began to open every cupboard to find nothing. I hate life.  Flustered with herself she paced through the kitchen again hunting down something that would satisfy her roaring stomach.

 

 I GIVE UP!

 

She thought before slamming her hand on the counter forgetting for a millisecond that her parents were still asleep. When this registered in her mind she instantaneously held her breath and watched the staircase, hoping her parents were still asleep. When there was no sound she let out a sigh of relief and pulled out the stool from under the counter.

 

“Well this is hopeless, can’t sleep, can’t eat…” She muttered to herself till something in her head lit up like a blight bulb – ironically the light bulb above her head popped and fizzed into darkness- Oriel stared at the ceiling of the kitchen swallowing down all the swear words she wanted to yell.

 

 “Well this is just great.” Oriel gritted.

 

Pushing the stool back out again she jumped off it and began to rub her hands together.

 

“I’m sure this is an emergence, mother, father wouldn’t you agree?” She asked no one in particular then answered herself trying to mimic her mother’s voice, “I agree darling, I encourage you to use your powers.”

 

 With a small smirk on her lips she snapped her fingers together. Nothing. She tried again this time there was a little spark that suddenly fizzled out.  Damn it this is hard work.

 

Oriel thought, before trying again. This time something happened. Instead of a small spark there was an enormous burst of flames. Oriel’s eyes grew large when she saw gigantic flames at the tips of her fingers. Not thinking things through she waved and flapped her hands in her air, accidently activating the fire alarm and suddenly the cooker began to bleep as well.

 

 “Arg! Mum! Dad!” Oriel began to panic and did nothing to hide it from her voice.

 

 Still wavering, her hands around trying to stop the flames, the microwave started to heat up. The orange light from inside showing that it was working on its own, Oriel’s face turned bright red with frustration and embarrassment.

 

Nice going Oriel!

 

Was the last thing she managed to tell herself; before she saw a silver smoke in front of her. Groaning inwardly, she knew what was to come. When the silver ominous smoke cleared, she saw her angry looking parents.

 

 Oriel’s mother clicked her fingers and everything stopped. Oriel looked down at her hands; the flames had disappeared leaving behind small black marks. There was silence as her parents observed the damage Oriel had caused. Her father was the one to break the silence.

 

 “Oriel Tabitha Collins you are grounded till you die.” He used her full name, that clarified he couldn’t be reasoned with -he only ever used her full name when she had hit his sensitive nerve- if his bright red face didn’t tell her that he was fuming then his voice did.

 

 “How many times have we told you?” Her mother started, “Look, look at all the mess you have made? What do you think the neighbours are going to say? Uh?” She piled the questions upon themself.

 

 Oriel licked her lips and opened her mouth to speak only to shut it again when her father interjected

 

“Do you want us to be exposed to the world? Is that it?” He snapped at her, his eye twitching a little.

 

 “No, of course not, it was an accident, I swear…” She mumbled trailing off and drifting to look at her blackened hands once again.

 

Oriel bit the inside of her mouth trying not to say anything that would cause her parents to mute her for the rest of the night. That was one of the punishment she would get from her parents instead of getting sent to her room or her parents not speaking to her like a normal family, Oriel’s parents would mute her till it was necessary for her to speak again.

 

 “Then what derived you to use magic?” Her mother asked her brown eyes looking exhausted.

Oriel opened her mouth once again to speak but her mother cut her short and looked around for the clock and then back to Oriel.

 

 “What on Earth are you doing down this late on a school night?” Her mother probed.

 

 “Can I answer this one?” Oriel stated, quickly before either of her parents started bursting again.

 

 Her parents looked at each other with a wary look then turned back at Oriel.

 

 “I couldn’t sleep so I came down to get a snack, there was nothing to eat and it’s not my fault the light bulb popped so...” Oriel paused expecting her parents to understand.

 

 “You used magic.” Both her parents replied simultaneously in a dah tone before both of them clicked their fingers and Oriel felt the silver dust around her throat.

 

She huffed out in annoyance. Waving her hands in the air trying to complain but her parents had muted her, feeling defeated she finally gave up. Her mother pointed to the stairs, Oriel slowly dragging herself to her lonely desolate bedroom the only thing welcoming her was the darkness.

 

***

 Oriel wiped the drool that had summated on the side of her mouth.

 

“Oriel, get out of bed!” Bellowed her mother, Oriel could hear her mother’s calls but decided not to move.

 

Her mother called once again Oriel yet again did the same? When suddenly, Oriel felt something penetrate her nostrils, she rubbed her eyes only to get a glance of silver smoke surrounding her.

 

Oh no…

 

 Oriel’s bed was flipped upside down spitting Oriel out. She fell to the floor with a loud thud. The silver dust began to clear and then bed shifted back into place, Oriel sat on the floor rubbing her backside. Well that hurt… She pointed out the obvious to herself before getting to her feet and stretching her arms in the air. Her eyes drifted to the clock that sat on her bedside table, she dismissingly walked to her wardrobe to pull something to wear. Suddenly, she slammed the door shut again and turned to face the clock display that read seven: twenty-eight, when it finally sank in she began to panic.

 

 “Oh shit!” Oriel mouthed kicking her bunny slippers aside and pulling the wardrobe door, she heaved the first pair of clothes she saw. Without a second of thinking she began to strip her PJ’s off and changed into the black skinny jeans and a white tank top. Jacob was her ride to school and he always came to her house on the dot.

 

 Opening her bottom drawer where she kept all her socks she pulled out the top pair –that was variegated- Oriel groaned inwardly staring at the colourful socks in her hands but then looking back at the clock she saw the clock blinking, taunting her. Crouching down she tried to struggle her socks on, in all the confusion she toppled over and fell straight onto her face however she had successfully put her socks on. She looked at her long lengthened mirror that was joined with her wardrobe. She saw her dark black hair poking in every direction and drool the on the side of her face.

 

 “Great. Just great.”  She hissed with no sound.

 

That looks so attractive, doesn’t it... Oriel ranted at herself.

 

 Swinging her door open she ran to the bathroom swivelling the tap. As soon as the water appeared she splashed it on her face letting the droplets fall on her white shirt.  She applied some water on her hair to keep it down then she ran back to her room trying not to slip.

 

 She looked at the clock again to see the time seven: ten, Oriel’s mouth dropped and a grimace took over her features. She did it again. Slowly picking her converse sneakers from the floor she began to make her way downstairs.

 

 Sitting in the same place where she had smacked her face on the floor, she sat and pulled on her sneakers. Tying her laces she smelt the silver dust near her nose and looked around her only for it to clear away. She test coughed first and smiled.

 

 “Mom! Did you tamper with my alarm clock again?” She asked still sitting on the step.

 

 “Who me?” Her mother asked as she appeared around the stairs to come face to face with Oriel. “Nah, why would I?” She teased and battered her eyelashes.

 

 “It’s not cool Mom, look this is your entire fault.” Oriel announced indicating to her out going socks.

 

Her Mother peered at them for a second and smiled. “I think they look pretty cute.”

 

 Oriel gaged as her mother giggled at her overreaction.

 

“Now, get your ass moving, or you’ll be late for school.” Bloom- Oriel’s mother- told her.

 

 Oriel got up and sauntered her way to the kitchen where her father –Merlin- was already seated with a newspaper in his hand. She pulled the stool out from under the counter.

 

 “Good morning, Dad.” She tried but her father seemed to be ignoring her.

 

 She wanted to try again but regretted it; instead she picked up a toast and began to chew on it. Wiping her face of any crumbs she drank her orange juice that was placed neatly next to her plate. Looking down at her –now empty plate- she waited for something to happen between her parents, a conversation or anything. She expected it to be the normal clutter and noisy atmosphere she was used to but, nothing.

 

 “So Mum, are you going to your cooking class today?” Oriel asked trying to make conversation.

 

 “Yes.” Bloom bluntly replied still occupied by cleaning the worktop.

 

Okay this isn’t going to work.

 

Oriel thought to herself. Breathing in she tried again with her father, she put a smile on her face and turned to him.

 

 “Dad, do you finish work early today?” Oriel tried.

 

 Nothing.

 

 She made her smile even larger and leaned closer to her father trying to budge the newspaper away from him to get his attention but it was in vein.

 

 “Why are you ignoring me? For sorceress lucky eye’s sake, I’m your flipping daughter.” Oriel burst out, she even used her father’s favourite catch phrase to be truly honest the sorceress that came up with that must have really been injudicious because everyone knows sorceress’s eyes are not lucky, if anything they were bad luck.  

 

Putting the newspaper down her father raised his brown eyebrow and looked at her intensely.

 

“Oriel, I’m still mad at you.” He started off by saying, “We have only one rule and that’s ‘no magic for Oriel’ and you know clearly why we have that.” He continued to explain; suddenly Oriel regretted ever starting a conversation in the first place.

 

 “We don’t want you getting hurt, and what you did last night just shows us, how careless you can be. Imagine if you burnt down that whole house? God forbid imagine if you exposed magic?” He continued and Oriel knew she was feeling guilty but she felt they were partly to blame, not only her.

 

 “I’ve never stopped you from anything, but you broke the one simple rule we had and that, that has really made me upset with you.” His eyes had softened.

 

“Oriel, make me a promise.” He instructed her.

 

 “Okay, what is it?” Oriel asked trying to act eager to hear what he has to say but really she wanted out of the conversation.

 

“Promise me you’ll never use magic without supervision.” Oriel wanted to argue but then her mother Bloom stood behind Merlin and put her hand on his shoulder and looked at Oriel with the same look in his eyes.

 

 “I promise.” Oriel answered, her feeling of defeat took over once again.  

 

I promise I won’t use magic… without supervision. I wonder how that’s going to work out?

 

 

**Chapter Two:** The Greatest Evils in the world!

“So what’s up with your mood?” Jacob asked closing his locker.

 

“What do you mean?” Oriel mumbled distractedly.

 

 Oriel was unconsciously, staring directly at Noah Jackson and Brigit Martins making-out against Noah’s locker.

 

“Earth to Oreo!” Jacob interrupted Oriel by stepping in front of her view.

 

 “Oh sorry what were you saying again?” She asked looking into Jacob’s big brown eyes.

 

Jacob let out a small sigh before putting his hand through his spikey hair.

 

“Look Oriel I want to be real with you, because I’m your best friend. I know he was your first crush but you have to let it go, he’s not worth it. You can do better.”

 

Instinctively Oriel jumped back and shot Jacob with a grimace. She was shocked Jacob would even think of something like that.

 

 “What, Jacob how could you even say that?” She overreacted.

 

 “Why are you so offended? I’m right though, am I not?” Jacob supplied, before straightening the strap of his bag.

 

“Noah wasn’t my first crush.” Oriel puffed out her cheeks in annoyance and glared at Jacob for a few seconds before walking a head of him.

 

“Wait, what? Then who was! Now you have to tell me!” Jacob called from behind Oriel as he trailed her to their class.

 

“No! And I’m never going to tell you!” Oriel snapped back.

 

 “See this is what I mean.” Jacob sighed from behind.

 

Jacob tried to catch up to her but the crowds of students pouring in every direction tackled him from doing so. Oriel kept herself together, holding tight onto her books she kept walking in the direction of her first class. The truth was Noah wasn’t her first crush but she would never spill the truth about who it really was. As much as she tried to avoid thinking about him, Noah managed to find his way back onto her mind. Feeling a little dejected and disheartened for leaving Jacob behind she looked over her shoulder only to be met by a big set of white teeth surrounded by a smirk.

 

 “I’m guessing Oreo felt lonely, uh?” Jacob teased as he began to walk beside her.

 

 “Sorry, Jay, I’m just so tired, you’re never going to guess what I did last night.” Oriel replied yawning, she hadn’t had enough sleep.

 

 “Oh, Shit! What did you do this time?” He asked his eyes still set on her waiting for an answer.

 

There was a pause between their conversations as Oriel pondered around in her mind thinking of a way to weed her way out of her situation.

 

 “I nearly burnt down the house,” She blankly responded then opened the door to their classroom.

 

She walked into the classroom without another word, while a gob-smacked Jacob trailed from behind her. The classroom already had a few lingering students sitting or chatting with each other. Jacob took his seat which was behind Oriel. Placing his bag on the ground and pulling out his chair he leaned forward and whispered.

 

“How were you planning on burning your house down?” His tone had changed from the playful to eager.

 

 “Shut up Jay!” Oriel snapped back at him in tease.

 

 “No but I’m serious, what did you think, oh I’ll get a lighter and use it on the cooker then, this can be my science project.” Jacob hissed then chuckled behind her as he pulled out his text books from his bag.

 

 Oriel also chuckled at his comment not progressing it quickly enough, when she realised what he had said she turned around swatted his head while he was looking down at his text book.

 

 “Hey.” Was all he could reply before everyone started to scurry to their places because the bell had rang signalling for lesson to start.

 

 Oriel opened her History text book to the page they had last stopped at which was “Greatest Powers in the Wold” and “Greatest Evils in the World” she read the first few sentences to jog her memory then began to jot down the date before the teacher arrived.

 

 The brunette that sat in front of Oriel continued her chatter with the girl opposite her. Oriel ignored the two; it was like an endless sprouting of words.

 

 “Megan can you please stop talking now the lesson has begun.” Mr Muar told the brunette who hadn’t even noticed the teacher had entered the room. 

 

 This is going to be a long and painful day. I can feel it already.

 ***

The Greatest Evils in the World…. My parents for sure…

 

 Oriel was in the library looking for a book that would help her with her History assignment which was to write five thousand words on The Greatest Evils in the World. Still grudging against her parents who had ruined her day with their same old same old practises she continued to blame them for her magic outburst.

 

 If only like normal parents they would just teach me how to use my powers then maybe I wouldn’t go around trying to use them on my own, like for sorceress’s sake. Would that be such a crime! 

 

 Still ranting in her head Oriel didn’t perceive that a blonde haired girl was watching her. A small smirk stitched onto her lips she made her way to Oriel before tapping her on the shoulder. 

 

“Hey…Brigit?” Oriel replied she looked more confused than she sounded.

 

 “Hi, Oriel Collins, right?” Brigit asked putting her finger to her lips like she had to think about it.

 

Oriel knew better, Brigit was one of those girls who acted mild minded but she controlled the whole school population. Her long blonde hair was curled leaving it to bounce above her shoulders, her light beige trousers matched perfectly with the light top. She wore a small cardigan with a few other accessories like some wrist bracelets and a clip in her hair. 

 

 “Yeah…” Oriel replied dumbly.

 

She looked around to see if it was some sort of prank where someone would pull a string and something was supposed to pounce out into her face. But nothing happened. It was only Oriel and Brigit stood in between the rows of bookcases.

 

 “I like your name, it’s very unique.” She continued, her smile growing with every word she spoke. “Your friends with Jacob, right?” She changed the subject.

 

 “Yeah…” Oriel answered once again still not wanting to give anything away.

 

She couldn’t help but have a bitter feeling towards Birgit.

 

What in the holy sorceress does she want?

 

 “Ah! Perfect. I was supposed to tell Jacob but seen as I can’t find him anywhere I’ll just tell you.” She supplied then leaned her back against one of the bookcases her eyes not once moving from Oriel.

 

“Lauren is having a party this Friday night and she wanted me to invite Jacob.”

 

 Oriel felt herself stiffen; she tried to stop herself from swallowing so hard. She didn’t want Brigit to see how intimidated she was by her.

 

 “Yeah I’ll let him know.” Oriel answered turning back to the shelf pulling out the first book she saw.

 

 “You should come, it’ll be fun.” Brigit mused.

 

 “Yeah, I’ll have to think about it.” She responded opening the book to a random page and reading the first few sentences.

 

 “See you around, Oriel.” Brigit prolonged before leaving. The small tapping noise left behind by her high heels against the hard floor.

 

 Oriel snapped the book close and stared at the cover for a few seconds before whacking it in her own face.

 

I’m so stupid! Forget about my parents being the Greatest Evils in the world, Brigit Martins was the number one Greatest Evil.

 

**Chapter Three:** Sinking further into emptiness

 

“What did you expect me to say?” Oriel protested as she walked alongside Jacob.

 

She had just finished telling him about her unusual encounter with Brigit Martins in the library.

 

 “If I’m going so are you.” Jacob replied with a confident grin on his face.

 

Oriel nudged him with her elbow and frowned at him. Jacob knew why Oriel didn’t want to attend the party. The party was going to be hosted by Lauren Nightingale, one of the highly ranked girls and also known as Brigit Martin’s best friend. If that was not bad enough, if Brigit was going to be there it was certain that her boyfriend Noah Jackson would also be there, which made Oriel unsettled. She would never admit it out a loud but if it was not for Noah, she would really like Brigit and Lauren. Oriel only ever saw them as the enemy because they had something she couldn’t have. She envied them.

 

 “I didn’t get an invite, remember.” Oriel hissed, and then hesitated for a moment remembering back to the conversation with Brigit.

 

She remembered Brigit had invited her. But it was the tone she had done it in. Did she really want Oriel to attend? And if so, why did she want her to come? It just didn’t settle right with Oriel, she understood why Lauren and Brigit would invite Jacob because he was friends with Noah and one of the best basketball players. Whereas what interest would they have with silly, little Oriel.

 

 “Why did you hesitate?” Jacob asked instantly, knocking Oriel off balance mentally.

 

 “What? I didn’t hesitate.” Oriel retaliated, trying to amend her mistake.

 

 “Stop bluffing, you so did. Even a dodo bird could tell you’re lying.” Jacob replied his right eyebrow lifted a little in suspicion.

 

 “I didn’t hesitate, I was thinking.” Oriel replied, and then mimicked Jacob’s tone “Even a dodo bird could tell you’re lying…”

 

“I don’t sound like that!” Jacob looked shocked and offended.

 

He raised his eyebrows and shook his head in disagreement.

 

“You should know so much about dodo birds, considering you come from the same species.” Oriel further insulted him and then burst out laughing when Jacob knitted his eyebrows together in a frown.

 

 “Well that was harsh. Miss Moody.” Jacob retaliated.

 

Putting his hands up in truce Oriel nodded agreeing to their truce. Suddenly, Jacob dropped the basketball he hand been bouncing around for the past few minutes and picked Oriel up from the waist.

 

“What the Hell are you doing? Put me down!” Oriel demanded but Jacob disregarded her cries.

 

Oriel began to lightly beat Jacob on the back still demanding to be put down but instead he began to whirl her around in a circle even though he knew she hated it. Oriel was very sensitive about spinning around; she would nearly vomit just thinking about it.

 

 “Jay put me down! I mean it I’m going to throw up on your back” She tried to warn but because she was having so much fun she couldn’t stop herself from laughing so hard.

 

This caused Jacob to twirl her faster within minutes both of them were dizzy. Suddenly, falling to the ground they both looked at each other and burst into yet more laughter, they almost looked like a pair of drunken homeless people. Both of them snapped out of their trance when they heard a pair loud click-clack designer high heel boots approaching them.

 

 “Hey, Jacob.” A familiar voice spoke from behind them.

 

Jacob was the first to turn considering his name had been called. A second later Oriel snapped her head in the same direction of the voice only to see Brigit Martin and Lauren Nightingale stood in front of them. Without a word Jacob jumped to his feet and tried to put his cool-guy attitude back on.

 

“Sup ladies?” He asked in his cocky toned voice, within seconds the three of them had drowned into an all-out conversation excluding Oriel.

 

Jacob glanced over his shoulder to see Oriel was still sitting on the ground. Jacob’s eye brown twitched a little, maybe it was with embarrassment or confusion, either way Oriel still did not move. When both girls looked over at Oriel again acknowledging her, all she did was politely wave.

 

She smiled and waited for them to converse again before sneaking away.

 

I’ll text him later. Don’t want to get in the middle of that.

 

Oriel thought to herself before taking one last glance at her best friend who was laughing at something Lauren had said. She wanted Jacob to be happy but she couldn’t help but feel a little betrayed by him.

 

 She knew it was neither Lauren nor Jacob’s fault but she couldn’t help but blame them. Lauren was the cute brunette with nice big brown eyes and flawless chiselled face. Her lips were the perfect size. Oriel didn’t want to truly admit it but Lauren was a little prettier than Brigit and Brigit was seen as an idol. Jacob was the hunky basketball player who had the perfect build and full set of spikey hair to fit his bad boy image. Together they were a couple made in heaven. But that couple had no room for people like Oriel in their life, she knew there would come a day when Jacob and she would drift apart, Oriel could feel it already happening but she wasn’t ready for it.

 

Not yet. Please don’t leave me.

 

Oriel thought within her head, she felt hopeless without Jacob. She had known Jacob most of her life and to so see him leave so soon just broke her heart ever so slowly.

 

The walk was silent, because she couldn’t talk to anyone, and it would look silly talking to her own self –not that she cared because most of the time she spent talking to herself. Walking up her drive-way she looked at the houses that were next to the one she lived in. They all looked the same, brown bricks, old and no story to them. Oriel was absent-mindedly looking at her house from the outside imagining, if her parents would ever allow her to paint the outside of their house blue to make it more attractive. Unexpectedly, she heard footsteps and saw Mr Anderson leaving the house next door with a couple of boxes in his hand.

 

 Diverting her full attention to her neighbour James Anderson, carrying two large boxes Oriel leaned closer to the fence that divided the two gardens but then began to walk towards the small gate between the middle that let people pass through more efficiently.

 

 “Hello Mr Anderson, would you like some help there?” Oriel asked, beginning to walk towards the struggling man.

 

 “That would be great, dear.” He managed to wheeze out from behind the boxes.

 Oriel smiled as she made her way around from her driveway to the Mr Anderson’s lawn and took the boxes from his hands. She had been so distracted about Jacob and looking at a brick wall she hadn’t even noticed that James was emptying he’s house.

 

 “Are you going somewhere, Mr Anderson?” Oriel asked, taking another box from James’s driveway and adding it to the car.

 

 “Yeah, I’m going to stay closer to Katy.” He simply replied.

 

Something about his tone told Oriel that there was something more to his story. Katy was the youngest of his children, she had recently moved out from home. Oriel knew Katy very well because she had practically grown up with her. Katy was only a few years older than Oriel. She used to be an outgoing, adventurous girl who loved to explore but after her mother’s death she was never the same.

 

 “How long are you going for?” She asked walking beside James.

 

James motioned his hand over at the last box that was sat lazily on the lawn.

 

 “That’s the last box, sweetie.” James told her before opening the car door.

 

He stood in silence for a few minutes as he waited for Oriel to bring the box, his hand placed on his bad back. James was known for his horrible back; most of the time he walked slummed over because he was in pain because of it.

 

 Oriel picked the last box that wasn’t closed and sealed like the rest of the boxes the top was opened, she couldn’t resist but to peek in. In the small box was stacks of photos, old ones and new ones. Oriel could tell because in some of the pictures James was very young stood next to a very beautiful lady, who must have been his wife when they were younger. Another picture that Oriel was able to get a glimpse of was of a small girl holding a teddy and sitting on the same lawn she was walking on, that girl was not Katy.

 

 “Here you go,” Oriel handed the small box to James as he fixed something in the car.

 

 “Thank you, dear.” He replied taking the box from her hands and placing it in the car.

 

“You’ve been a big help, kid.” He smirked and nodded his head.

 

 “Mr Anderson how many times have I told you I’m no longer that little girl who used to throw mud in your garden claiming I was scaring off the demons?” Oriel chuffed back, recalling at the memory of her running around in her own garden and collecting mud so she could throw it at the so-called demons in Mr Anderson’s garden.

 

 It used to drive Mrs Anderson crazy.

 

 “And how many time have I told you to call me James, I’m your neighbour not your teacher.” He teased back, wagging his finger like he was a teacher telling a student off.

 

 Oriel only rolled her eyes and smiled. She attempted to leave but her curiously got the better of her and she couldn’t help but question once again.

 

 “So James, how long are you going for?” She asked looking straight into his worn out blue eyes.

 

 His wrinkles looked deeper than any other day. The unshaved prickles on his chin showed that he must have had a rough morning. That wasn’t like Mr Anderson. As long as Oriel had known him which was a long time, he was a well-organized man who always had a clean shaved face.

 

 “Forever.” He replied pulling out his packet of cigarettes.

 

 “Why? Is everything alright with your daughter?” Oriel asked further knowing she was walking on thin ice asking too many question but she had remembered that he had mentioned –Katy- his daughter.

 

And she wanted to know if anything had happened to Katy because she had been close friends with her growing up. She missed her.

 

 “You’re a really persistent little girl, aren’t you?” James told her lighting his cigarette.

 

 “Mr Anderson I’m not a little girl.” Oriel scrunched her eyes together making her eye brows stich together.

 

 “Mr Anderson?” He raised his eyebrow before blowing out a puff of smoke away from Oriel’s face.

 

 “James.” Oriel corrected herself unable to stop herself from rolling her eyes.

 

 “You know Oriel; let me give you a piece of advice. Don’t let a guy dominate your life and always listen to who you really are.” His words seemed melodious but something within his eyes showed that there was a deeper meaning to his words.

 

He looked completely broken. It almost felt like he would break into a million pieces right in front of Oriel.

 

 “Er...I’m confused.” Oriel blankly spoke her thoughts.

 

 “You’re a good kid, you’ve almost been like my daughter, I remember when Katy moved out you were the only kid who challenged me about everything, the rest were afraid of me.” He laughed at an amusing memory that crossed his mind.

 

 “I’ve seen Katy suffer a lot I don’t want that to happen to you.” His last words hit home, Oriel had pieced it together what must have happened.

 

 “I was always a weird kid.” Oriel smiled to herself.

 

 “Yeah you and that Jacob kid.” James laughed and puffed the last smoke before dropping the cigarette on the ground.

 

 Oriel had the intention of asking another question about Katy and her boyfriend Stephen when suddenly, Oriel’s pocket began to vibrate.

 

 “Oh! Sorry about this,” She told James pulling out her phone from her jeans pocket.

 

 “It’s okay. Oriel. I have to go any ways. Just remember what I said and let you parents know I said thanks for helping me out on such short notice.” James smiled his last smile before it completely disappeared.

 

 “I sure will.” Oriel called over her shoulder as she began to walk to her own drive way looking down at her phone.

 

 “Take care. Sweetie.” Were James last words before she heard his steps walking to the house for the last time to lock it up?

 

 As Oriel had been walking she looked at the phone and saw that the caller was unknown.

 

 Unknown caller, who can that be?

 

 She pressed the answer button before putting the phone to her ear.

 

 “Hello,” Her voice suddenly, had become shaky but she didn’t even know why.

 

 There was no answer. She tried once more but nothing, the other side finally cut off leaving a distressed little Oriel waiting for an answer.

 

 Wrong number, I guess.

 

 Shoving her phone quickly back into her pocket where it belonged she pulled out her house keys and opened the door. Just stepping into the house she could already feel the empty feeling; it wasn’t like she was never left alone before she just missed that feeling of not having Jacob there with her.

 

 This punishment is worse than I thought.

 

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 21.01.2015

Alle Rechte vorbehalten