Lost Tempest Queen

And So It Starts

I awoke with a start my dad’s slamming on his brakes. Hitting the window with my head I groan, my dad looks back and frowns sorry Bug. I sigh as I rub my head it’s OK dad s**t happens. Language Rylie!! My mom huffs annoyance seeping out of her. Oh yay I thought to myself always got to be prim and proper.

I look out the window to see we are stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic trying to get on campus. I can see big signs pointing Duke University this way tells me we are here. As I look around I get this strange feeling like I’m supposed to be here. Today was a magnificent day the warmth of August along with the bright full sun. With the sun left unburdened of yesterday‘s overcast, the day felt ready almost welcoming of a new start.

Since the sun was now high in the sky the world around us awake and buzzing. Cars zipping around taking others to their destinations. My dad pulls into the school finding a spot in the front of the school to park. We spend the next three hours walking around with our guide.

To my mothers annoyance the spunky girl was extremely quick and knowledgeable about not only the school but its surrounding area. She was able to debunk most of my mothers negative comments. As her, my mother and father were speaking. I took a moment to observe our spunky guide because for some reason I felt instantly drawn to her almost like she was family.

Her smile genuine and contagious. With a short black pixie cut style and emerald green eyes along with her very petite frame she looked like a fairy or maybe even an elf. I chuckle at The thought but to my surprise I catch her startled look. Her dainty face looking at me almost like she knew what I thought. I look down at the paper name tag on our shirt again trying to recall what she had called her self.

Va-Lara Winter it reads in bold black letters. I could tell she had wrote it herself in sharpie. Her penmanship amazed me. The thought crossed my mind to have her teach me if My mother agreed I could go here. I instantly took a liking to the unusual name. She smiles at me with a side eye while explaining to my mother yet again how the school had one of the best medical programs in North Carolina.

My father who was impressed with the school tells my mother we should keep Duke on the list to choose from. As my mother glared at my father all she could do was nod. She says it’s times ahead home that it would be dark by the time we arrived. Va-Lara handed me a thick welcome package along with the Duke University hoodie just my size. With a cheeky grin popping a scrap of paper on top. Her phone number scribbled on it with the most elegant handwriting I had ever seen.

She leans in and gives me a hug whispering welcome to Duke in my ear. With a confused look she shrugs saying your dad will convince her to let you come. She skips off leaving me in shock my dad grinning ear to ear. He begins to chuckle pointing out I had made a friend already. Heading back to the truck I felt giddy excited and for once hopeful.

I heard my mom and dad talking once we got back home. Mom not at all happy with my dad taking my side about the school. He seems to not understand why my mom was over reacting to the situation. He lets out along frustrated si shaking his head. I overhear him say I don’t understand Jamie Braiden is all the way in California, and you never made such a half about that.

He’s across the country at least she is within the state. We don’t even have a say she has a full ride and soon to be 18 we need to support her before we lose her. I hear the door click and sigh, my parents never fight and here I was the reason. Dad was right because I was offered an all expense paid full ride to Duke for a medical academic scholarship. Plus as an adult you don’t need your parents approval.

I really wanted her approval because, I must admit who doesn’t want their parents approval? All my life I have gotten straight A’s in perfect attendance never once even being sick. I had to bed exhaustion taking over as soon as my head hitting my pillow. For several weeks now it’s been the same dream over and over again. Always beginning an Indian in the same exact way.

I’m in the jungle alone it’s dark but I can see perfectly with the bright full moon. I can smell everything around me from the wet earth, to the fresh blooming flowers. I can hear every twig sway and creek in slight breeze. I feel free so alive almost like a live wire under my skin. I can see the particles of water in the air as I breathe. Then I hear her calling out, calling for the tempest.

I can’t hear anyone besides myself and wonder who this beautiful voice calls for each time. Each time I try to call to the unknown voice my dream ends abruptly. When I wake up I feel disappointed and frustrated. I take my shower and get ready for the day at a snails pace not wanting to confront my mother’s disappointment again. I decide to clean my room, bathroom and hallway to pass the time.

My dad yells for my brother to call me for breakfast. Braiden knocks on the door, when I open it he’s learning against the wall. He looks at me then around the room. He sighs and states mom left early this morning on another business trip that couldn’t wait. Dad wants us down for breakfast he cooked pecan waffles, bacon and eggs. He grins telling me to stop hiding in my room we all know the only time you clean is to avoid mom.

Slapping his should we race down stairs, my dad grins as we enter the kitchen. Dad’s breakfast is always amazing. Me and Braiden sit and start to devour the piles of food we had shoveled on our plates. Dad clears his throat looking at me, I ready for myself for the bad news. He looks down in thought, just as I see him smile broadly.

Your mom left out early this morning, some important business trip she will be back on Thursday. I gulp knowing I only had till 5pm today to send in my acceptance to one of the seven colleges that accepted my admission. I am confused because he’s still smiling so excited while knowing my deadline ends today.

His pecan colored eyes looking at me excited as he finishes speaking. Your mom has agreed to Duke University Bug!! I start choking on my food trying and hard to swallow. You have got to be kidding me right? I ask. Shock covering my face as I look at my dad and Braiden to see if they were joking with me. I couldn’t believe it the little minx Va-Lara was right. The thought crossed my mind to text her and tell her the good news. Shaking my head to get the thought out I didn’t even know the girl.