Lost Tempest Queen

And So It Starts

I awoke with a start, my dad slamming on his breaks. Hitting the window with my head, I groan and frown. Sorry Bug, he shrugs. I sigh and rub my head, it's okay Dad s**t happens. Language Rylie!! My mom huffs with annoyance seeping out of her. Oh yay, I thought to myself I always got to be prim and proper "Cue the inner eye roll". 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 to Duke University this way. This tells me we are here. Thank goodness there are no more stiff legs. As I look around, I get this strange feeling like I'm supposed to be here and that itself is strange because I have never felt like I belonged anywhere.

Today was a magnificent day with 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 for a new start. Since the sun was now high in the sky, the world around us was awake and buzzing. Cars zip around taking others to their destinations. My dad pulls into the school, finding a spot in the front of the school to park. We spent the next three hours walking around with our guide. To my mother's 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 mother's negative comments.

As her, my mother, and my 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 was genuine and contagious. With a short pixie cut style and emerald green eyes along with her very petite frame, she looked like a fairy or maybe an elf. I chuckled at the thought, but to my surprise, I caught her startled look. Her dainty face looked at me almost like she knew what I was thinking. I looked down at the paper name tag on our shirt again, trying to recall what she had called herself.

Va-Lara Winter, it reads in bold black letters. I could tell she had written it herself in sharpie. Her penmanship amazed me. It was so beautiful. The thought crossed my mind of having her teach me if my mother agreed to allow me to start here in a few weeks. I instantly took a liking to the unusual name. She smiled 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. It wasn't that my mom couldn't understand, it was just that she didn't want me to come here or become a doctor. She thought that I would do my best to become a lawyer like herself and the rest of her family.

My father, who was impressed with the school, told 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 time to head home and that it will be getting dark by the time we arrive. Va-Lara handed me a thick welcome package along with a Duke University hoodie just my size. With a cheeky grin, popping a scrap piece of paper on top. Her phone number was scribbled on it with the most elegant handwriting I have ever seen. She leans in and hugs me, whispering welcome to Duke in my ear. With a confused look, she shrugs, your dad will convince her to let you come, no worries. She then skips off, leaving me in shock, my dad grinning ear to ear. He began to chuckle, pointing out I had made a new 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 is not at all happy with my dad taking my side about the school. He seemed not to understand why my mom was overreacting to the situation. He lets out a long frustrated sigh, shaking his head. I overheard him say" I don't understand Jamie, Braiden is in California, and you never made such a half of that. He's across the country, at least she is within the state. We don't even have to say she has a full cycle and is soon to be 18 years old. We need to start supporting her before we lose her completely. I hear the door click and sigh, my parents never fight and here I was the reason.

Dad was right because I do have an all-expense-paid scholarship. I can get into just about any college in the United States and most in the world if I want. Plus, as an adult, I don't need my parents' approval anymore, but it would be nice if they supported me. More to the point, I wanted my mother's approval because, unlike my dad, it was harder to earn approval from him. All my life I have gotten straight A's and perfect attendance and never once been sick. I head to bed, exhaustion taking over as soon as my head hits the pillow. For several weeks now, it has been the same dream over and over again. The dream always begins and ends the same way for weeks now.

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 could hear every twig sway and creek in the slight breeze. I feel so free and so alive, almost like a live wire under my skin. I can see the particles of water in the air as I breathe. Then, like clockwork, I hear her calling out, calling for the Tempest. She sounds so far away at first, but it's the same desperate cry. I can't hear anyone besides myself and wonder who this beautiful voice calls for each time. Each time I try to call 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 snail's pace, not wanting to confront my mother and be disappointed yet again. I decided to clean my room, bathroom, and the hallway to pass the time. My dad yells for my brother to call me for breakfast and I feel the anxiety start to form. Braiden knocks on the door. When I open it opened he is leaning against the wall. He looked at me and then around the room. He sighs 'Mom left early this morning on another business trip that couldn't wait. Dad wants you down for breakfast. He cooked us pecan waffles, bacon, and eggs. He grins, telling me, so you can stop hiding in your room. We all know you only clean to avoid Mom. I do not say try my best to keep a straight face.

Slapping his shoulder, we race down the stairs, my dad grins as we enter the kitchen. Dad's breakfast is always amazing. We always sit around the table and eat while we chat away. I and Braiden sat and started to devour the piles of food we had shoveled onto our plates. Dad clears his throat by looking at me. I ready myself for the bad news. He looks down in thought, just as I see him smile broadly. Your mother left early this morning, on some important business trip she will be back on Thursday. I gulp knowing I only had until 5 pm today to send in my acceptance to one of the seven colleges that sent me an offer letter. I am confused because he is still smiling so excited while knowing my deadline ends today.

His pecan-colored eyes excitedly looked at me as he finished speaking. Your Mom has agreed to Duke University bug! I started choking on my food, trying hard to swallow it. You have got to be kidding me, right? I asked in pure shock. I looked 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 the good news. Shaking my head to get the thought out, I didn't even know the girl. I am speechless for a few moments and Dad reminded me I should text Mom to thank her for this opportunity. I don't feel great about needing to thank her since this should have been my choice, but I wanted to keep the peace, so I did as I was instructed.