Flashbacks

Between exams and figuring out my work experience (more updates on that...), I have been quite busy so here is another story I wrote a year ago that I have let see the light of day:

First grade, Lexie Williams stole my seat. Second grade, she beat me in a colouring competition. Third grade, her star was placed higher than mine. Fourth grade, she got first taste of the ice cream even though I raised my hand first. Fifth grade, her whole family got uprooted and moved across the country. I never had to see her face again until ninth grade, when her family moved back. I hated seeing her face everywhere I went. Tenth grade, she got top of the year while I came second. To her. Eleventh grade, she chose the same classes as me and I’m still convinced it was purely to make my life hell. Thankfully, I got top of the year. Senior year was basically a competition on who would get the better university. But, shocker, we both got into Yale. University was too big a place for us to be each other’s only competitors. So I haven’t seen Lexie Williams in a long time. But yet here she is, sitting opposite my boss. 

“Miss Cooper. Come in,” my boss, Rachel motions for me to take a seat next to the devil. 

“What's going on?” I ask, staring back and forth between the two. 

“We have an exciting new story for you. Sage Brown is currently in New York, filming his latest travel segment and we want to send an investigative journalist to scope him out,” she explains. 

My heart leaps a little. I’ve been dying to write a news piece of this calibre since I first started at RW Company. But the joy is dimmed a little when I realise I have to write it on Sage Brown. 

“Then what's she doing here?” I glance at Lexie, who doesn’t look at all shocked. 

“We agreed to print the story in our newspaper and the Brettson’s and naturally, they sent someone to oversee the writing,” Rachel hesitates. “You two will have to cowrite the piece,”

“No way,” I fold my arms. As much as I hate to admit it, Sage Brown is one of the hottest new names that everyone knows about. This story could be the one that could make me a household name and I’m not stupid enough to do it with Lexie Williams, who would take all my credit. 

“We specifically wanted you because of your style of writing. It's incredibly similar to Lexie’s which is why we think you two would be a good fit,” Rachel says.

I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes. “The answer’s no,”

“It could be one of the biggest stories you’ve ever written and you know it. Are you really gonna pass on that?” Lexie speaks up. 

“What's going to stop you from taking my credit?” it comes out of my mouth before I’m able to stop it. 

“Nothing,” Lexie says simply. “I just won’t,”

“And I’m meant to believe your word? Answers still no,” I shake my head.

“You’ll get an all expenses paid trip from London to New York, a platinum card from Mr Brown himself to use on any of your expenses, professional or personal and your names will both be in print. Emphasise on the both,” Rachel says.

“An all expenses paid trip?” I ask. That had to be taken into consideration. It had been a long time since I had flown to New York because the plane tickets cost me twice my rent. 

Rachel nods. “If you can’t make a decision now that's fine but you need to make one by the end of the week,”

“I can do that,” I nod.

“Good. You two are both dismissed,” 

The second Rachel’s door closes, Lexie hisses to me, “Seriously? This could be the story of our lives for both of us and you’re really going to think about it?”

I quicken my stride but Lexie manages to keep up with me. “I’ve had my experiences where my work has been stolen because I agreed to deals like that. Forgive me if I wanted time to consider it,” 

“For the last time, I didn’t steal your maths test and cheat off it,” I can just hear her rolling her eyes. 

“I’m not talking about that,” I snap. “But you so did,” I murmur.

“Well then what can I do to convince you to take this job?” Lexie says, exasperated.

“Why do you need it so badly?” I turn around. 

She gave me a look like I was so dumb, “Money, for one thing and revenge,”

I raise my eyebrow, “Revenge?”

“Yeah,” Lexie turns away. “Don’t bother asking,”

I shrug, “Okay,”

the study session

Disclaimer: This scene doesn't appear in my book

Characters:

Celeste Albus

Riven Markham

Kyton Robertson

Trinity Albus

Celeste Albus:

Scarlett has abandoned me. She has left me in the library to face the clutches of my final exam. I’m slightly irritated at her because it seems her father or her brother has been drawing her attention away a lot lately. This is the fourth time she has canceled on me last minute and I can feel my best friend slipping away.

I’m crammed in a hidden corner of the library with my head buried in a book. Most of those who are in the library are students my age and regularly attend classes with me so the novelty of the heir has worn off. Unfortunately, a select few of the younger years spotted two tables across from me and have been whispering and staring at me all afternoon. Scarlett usually takes the edge off but she's not here so I grit my teeth and sink further into my seat. 

I don’t look up as someone slides across from me but my body reacts faster than my mind does. My warmth reins in as I battle for control of the temperature. Instinctively, I glance up to meet the sharp, fierce eyes of Riven Markham as he slides his books onto the table.

“Riven,” I say curtly, my eyes drawing back to the textbook. 

“Celeste,” he responds, equally curtly. 

Riven Richard Markham. One year, my elder. 

“What do you need?” I sigh, making a note in the book.

“More like, what do you need?” he arches an eyebrow.

“That is the worst pick up line ever,” I let out a laugh.

“Tell that to Ky,” he picks up his books before throwing them aside.

“Kyton Robertson? How are you friends with that kid?” I finally put my book down. 

“You realise he is the son of one of the most powerful members of your council?” Riven asks. “Why are you studying?”

“Final exams,” I explain.

“I did those last year,” he says, picking up his books again. 

“I get it. You’re a year older than me. Stop flaunting it in my face,” I say, not impressed. 

“I’m not flaunting it in your face, I’m stating pure facts,” he says, matter-of-factly. 

I notice half a shadow peering into the library and I recognise her immediately. Its my younger sister, Trinity Albus who loves the library as much as I yearn to be in the forest. Riven turns around and meets her eyes. She immediately scurries out, afraid to speak to him. 

I pick up my pen and I wish to be in the forest.

Short Scene: Twisted

With assessments building up over this past month, I haven't had a lot of time to create some new content. I wrote this little scene in 2020:

I hiss in pain as my bruises knock together. My bruises were turning black and purple over time. I glance at Axel. I was expecting him to fall over in pain but he was remaining strong. Even after all that had passed between us and every lie he had told and been told. Every betrayal. My cheeks flush as I remember the last few days and I can’t imagine how it must feel for him. 
My eyes linger on his face before he feels my gaze. Our eyes meet for a split second before I turn my head and stare at the wall. I can’t bear to look into his eyes. The eyes I used. The eyes I also betrayed. 
“Manio, Reese,” a voice from behind me calls out. 
I swing my head back to see a girl that looked a few years older than me standing firmly with her hands on her hips. She meets my gaze with a challenging look. She has long blonde hair and emerald eyes. I straighten my back, not letting anyone see me, retreating into my shell and stare right back.
She blinks and then breaks her gaze, “I’m Lynn and I’m looking after you guys while you're here,”
“And where’s here?” Axel bites.
Lynn holds his gaze for a few seconds before hesitatingly replying, “You're on Midnight, the sleekest boat-“
“I don’t think this counts as a boat,” I interrupt, my voice even. 
Lynn glares at me, “ It's an underwater boat, we are currently in the ocean tunnels,” 
“Submarine,” I hear Axel mutter.
“Hey,” Lynn glares at him. “In case you haven’t noticed, you two are in the presence of a person who didn’t exactly grow up as important as you, Axel or had enough money to get by, Jade. My family grew up rough, surviving because people like Kayo and Lee were there to help us and while you're here, you obey us,”
“Well Lynn, in case you haven’t noticed, you're standing in the presence of two people who have suffered a lot in the past week,” I snap back, my face flushes. “And no matter how much you resent people like Axel or me, we don’t exactly live all sunshine and roses,”
Lynn and I stare at each other waiting for the other to break. 
Axel clears his throat, “If you girls are done, I have a question,”
Lynn doesn’t break her gaze but raises her eyebrow.
“Lynn, if you're implying that you can’t survive without help then how do you have a submarine, sorry, an underwater boat? Only the government has one,”
Lynn looks away, her face red, “ We stole it,” in a small voice.
“Who’s we?” I ask slowly.
Lynn sighs and looks at me. “I’m sure you know how unfair the rules are between lower class people and higher class people, and why we even need to be “classed”,” she looks pointedly between Axel and I. 
I can’t bring myself to look at Axel though I know I’m burning up. 
“When the harder rules, like wearing wristbands to signify what class we are, came into play, it was getting harder for us to survive. So Kayo, Lee, a few other people and I joined forces and we became The Shadows. We had a goal to change the future, overthrowing those above us,”
“I think you have to ask yourself, do you want a better future for yourself or do you just want vengeance?” I say slowly. “Because if we become the leaders, we will not be any better than the people making the decisions today,”
Lynn is silent for a while. I can see no one has ever questioned this goal. “It’s just a goal. An imperfect one,” then in a softer voice. “Alex, my brother, thinks our goal is a dream. Impossible. He doesn’t stop us but he doesn’t join us. I think I’m starting to believe that,” her eyes glaze over, in a long memory.
I take a step forward and gently touch her shoulder, “At least you want to change the future and have people with you,” 
I flinch when I say ‘have people with you’. Before Axel and Matthew, I had never once felt like people cared about me. I was fragile. I still am but parts of me have changed.
Axel eyes me. I know he sees that in me and I can see it in him. 
Lynn smiles sadly at me, “I wish, the shadows were ready to stop before you two came along. Now everyone thinks you guys are miracles,”
I scoff, “Miracles? We just two broken teenagers,”
Lynn shrugs, “Miracles come from the strangest places even if you guys are pains and I can barely stand to be in the same room as you,” 
I grin, the familiar bite is back. “Before we have another emotional conversation-“
“Tell us what’s gonna happen today,” Axel interrupts. 
Lynn walks towards the door, I didn’t notice it before, and says over her shoulder, “Come with me,”
Axel and I exchange glances before we follow her.
The hallway is crowded with people in black masks. Every single one of them has an emblem of a silhouette. All of them avoid my eyes and some even clear the path for us. Axel is met with disgusting looks. We are both out of place here. We don’t belong in a place where we stand out. But now I don’t know where I do belong. I am an outsider in both. The people in my “class” see me as a rebel, a traitor and will sentence me to execution. The people here see me as someone higher than them. Someone not worth their time. And I don’t think they will trust us.
Lynn leads us through dark twisting corridors before stopping at a dark blue door. She knocks
“Enter!” a deep voice booms. 
“Aah. Our two guests,” the voice says as Lynn brings us in. It's a man a few years older than Axel. Maybe twenty two, twenty three. “You may leave Lynn but stand guard outside the door,”
Lynn nods and retreats.
“Well well well. Two higher ups,” the man sneers. “I’m David,”
I am fighting the urge to laugh right now. He looks so pathetic right now, sitting in a chair looking down on us. He is sitting so tense. Axel and I are both deadly and he knows it. Axel alone has had military training since he could walk and I’m a natural fighter. David wouldn’t dare try to attack us. We would overpower him quickly.