Alethia jolted awake, gasping for air, her vibrant green eyes wide with alarm. The cacophony that had disturbed her slumber was none other than the intrusive screeching of her alarm clock, perched obnoxiously beside her bed. With a groan, she reached out to silence the offending contraption, her long, fiery red curls cascading around her face as she did so. Resting her head in her delicate hands, she desperately tried to recall the contents of the dream that had shaken her so profoundly. It had felt inexplicably real, leaving her cheeks damp with the remnants of tears shed in her sleep. Running her slender fingers through her hair, she cast a wary glance at the clock, groaning at the realization that she still had to bathe and prepare for her first day of high school.
Summoning her resolve, Alethia pushed herself upright, rising from the bed and making her way to the closet in search of an appropriate ensemble. After some consideration, she settled on a dark purple tank top and snug-fitting dark blue jeans. Draping a black wrap over her arms, she proceeded to the bathroom to shower and dress. The details of her dream remained frustratingly elusive, with only fleeting fragments of images passing through her consciousness. A name lingered on the edge of her thoughts, teasing her with its elusiveness whenever she attempted to grasp it firmly.
Emerging from the shower, Alethia wrapped a towel around her lithe form and regarded her reflection in the mirror. Her emerald eyes, shimmering with depth and intelligence, stared back at her, mirroring her own curiosity and uncertainty. Gently towel-drying her long, damp curls, she completed her attire by running a brush through her hair. Slinging her bag over her shoulder and clutching her cell phone, she descended the stairs, slipping her headphones on and immersing herself in music as she ventured out into the world.
Sending a quick text message to her best friend Corie, informing her that they would meet in the cafeteria, Alethia strolled down the street, her mind still grappling with the remnants of her dream. Upon reaching the school, she located her locker and deposited her belongings before heading to the cafeteria to await Corie's arrival. Settling into a seat, her music still enveloping her senses, she suddenly felt the embrace of someone's arms encircling her waist.
Startled, Alethia leaped to her feet, her phone nearly slipping from her grasp as she instinctively clenched her fist, ready to strike her assailant square in the jaw. Fortunately, the person, none other than Zepher, her boyfriend, swiftly retreated beyond her reach, his hands raised in a gesture of peace.
"Easy there," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "I just wanted to say good morning."
"Holy hell, Zepher," Alethia exclaimed, attempting to stifle a smile despite her lingering irritation. "How many times have I told you not to sneak up on me like that?"
Struggling to suppress his laughter, Zepher replied, "My apologies, my love. I was simply overjoyed to see you."
With a soft sigh, Alethia reached out and took his hand. "I'm glad to see you too, but I'd rather not have a heart attack or beat up my boyfriend on the first day of school."
Suddenly, a high-pitched scream pierced the air, and before Alethia could brace herself, she was tackled to the ground. Corie embraced her tightly, muttering some incomprehensible words.
Zepher couldn't contain his laughter any longer and helped pull Corie off Alethia, lifting her up from the floor. "Oh my god, Alethia, there's so much I need to tell you. So much happened over the summer, and you won't believe it."
Suppressing a laugh, Alethia ran her fingers through her long red curly hair. "Well, maybe try catching your breath first, and then you can fill me in."
After taking a few deep breaths, Corie took a seat at the closest table, with Alethia leaning back against Zepher who sat behind her. "I met someone," Corie blurted out, her cheeks turning a shade of red.
Taking her best friend's hand in hers, Alethia asked, "You met someone? You have a boyfriend?"
Corie nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, I met him at my mother's boat shop over the summer. We went on one date, and he's going to be coming to our school." She clapped her hands in excitement.
"That's wonderful, Corie. What's his name?" Alethia inquired.
"Brolly. He was supposed to be here already, but he messaged me this morning. Something came up, and he can't make it today. Hopefully, you'll get to meet him tomorrow," Corie explained.
Alethia smiled warmly. "I can't wait to meet him. As long as he treats you right, that's all that matters to me."
Corie pulled her into a hug just as the bell rang. "Oh, we should get to class. What's your homeroom?"
Pulling out her schedule from her back pocket, Alethia replied, "I have Math with Mr. Clarke."
Corie squealed in delight as she looked at her own schedule. "I have the same class!"
Zepher sighed as he got up, shouldering his backpack. "Well, looks like I'm the odd one out. I have English, so I'll see you both later." He leaned over and kissed Alethia on the cheek.
"Have fun." Alethia smiled as she watched him walk away, linking her arm with Corie's as they made their way to class. Corie chattered on about her summer holiday spent with her mom and her movie date with Brolly.
Alethia couldn't help but smile as she listened to her friend, momentarily pushing her dream from the night before out of her mind. They were lucky to have three-morning classes together, making the first day much easier. By the time lunch came around, Alethia found herself thinking about the dream again. She took a seat at the lunch table beside Zepher, resting her head on his shoulder. Looking up at his short brown hair and blue eyes, she smiled. "Hey there, handsome. How were your classes?"
"They were good, but I'm exhausted. I slept last night, but I feel like I ran a marathon," Zepher replied, smirking as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Probably just first-day jitters."
Alethia nodded, sitting back up and starting to eat as Corie joined them, taking a seat across from her. "I can't believe we don't have any classes together this afternoon."
"It'll be fine. We can always meet up at the end of the day before you catch the bus. Besides, we'll see each other tomorrow, and you can call me tonight," Alethia reassured her.
Corie pretended to pout. "I guess you're right." She took a sip of her drink before starting to eat.
As lunchtime ended, Alethia bid farewell to Corie and Zepher before heading back to her locker to grab her books for the next period. The next few classes went by quickly, and as the end of the day approached, Alethia grabbed her bag from her locker, struggling to zip it up. Suddenly, someone came running down the hall and bumped into her, causing her bag to fly open and her books to scatter across the floor as she fell onto her rear.
"Hey, watch where you're going," Alethia exclaimed, slightly annoyed.
"I'm so sorry, Alethia. Let me help you up," the young boy with long brown hair and brown eyes replied, extending his hand to her.
Hesitating for a moment, Alethia slipped her hand into his, asking, "Wait, how do you know my name? Do we have a class together?"
As he helped her to her feet and started gathering her books, he explained, "No, we've never met before. Actually, I was looking for you."
Gently taking her bag back, Alethia glanced at the emptying hallway as students began to head home. "Sorry, but I'm late to meet my friends before they catch the bus. I'll talk to you later."
"Alethia, wait! I have a message for you from your grandfather, Harold," the boy called after her.
Glancing back over her shoulder, Alethia scoffed, "That's not even amusing. I don't know who put you up to this, but my grandfather passed away years ago."
"In your true realm, however, he thrives," the stranger countered, maintaining an air of certainty. "It is time you recall your true self. You possess a peculiar poem, a prophecy of the daughter of stars and the chosen ones. It is not merely a poem, but a glimpse into your destiny. Many prophecies revolve around you. And I am your guide, here to awaken you."
Alethia shook her head, resuming her stride down the hall. "You're nothing more than a peculiar individual. Leave me be."
"I speak the truth, Alethia, and you know it," the stranger pressed, an unyielding conviction in his voice. "Something feels amiss in your life. You sense an incompleteness. I can aid you in finding your true purpose. Just give me ten minutes. If I fail to prove the veracity of my words in that time, I shall depart and never trouble you again."
Biting her lip, Alethia considered. She had never shared her poem with anyone, yet there was an undeniable sense of unease within her. "Fine. I have errands to run and then I'm heading home. You have ten minutes, and after that, you're gone. Understood?"
He nodded, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Excellent. That's all I need."
Unconvinced, Alethia muttered, "If you say so. Well, come along then." She bid farewell to her friends Corie and Zepher in the parking lot, promising to contact them later that night, before embarking on her journey down the street. "By the way, what's your name?"
"Chris. Chris Johnson," he replied. "And it is my duty to guide you towards your destined path."
