Lost Tempest Queen

DukeUniversity

Like every night lately the dream comes. Her voice seems louder almost pleading to me to answer her. I don't know who she's calling because it is always just me and her. This time I don't just hear her but I can also feel her presence. I can't see her even though I know she is close as she calls out to me again. I look around still not seeing anything until I see bright glowing fluorescent teal eyes and I’m awake.

The sound of my Mom calling me had woken me up. I was frustrated because I felt like I was so close to seeing the person behind the voice. I was so sure that the voice belonged to the person with those bright animalistic teal eyes. Mom’s voice booms again louder pulling me from the woman in my dream again. I huff irritated and call back telling her that I’m up. As I’m getting ready for my day, my mind wanders and soon my thoughts are again consumed with the slightest changes to the dream. Going over all of the changes like this is the most important thing in the world.

The way her voice seemed louder, the way I could feel her presence, and the way I could almost smell a musky smell. The eyes that deep down inside me tell me they belong to that voice, but those eyes remind me of a cat’s eyes glowing in the dark. I should be scared of these strange glowing eyes but all I feel is drawn to them. My body is on autopilot as I place the last of my hygiene products into my bag it is time to leave. The excitement starts to bubble at the prospect of the new adventure. Bringing my duffle bag downstairs my parents are talking low but I still hear them whisper yelling.

Why don’t you tell me about the sudden late-night business meetings? Do I not get included in the loop since I said I didn’t agree with you? I hear my dad saying but suddenly, like they heard me coming the conversation stops and fake smiles replace both of their scowls. Mom’s behavior makes me realize that something is wrong because they never fight and that seems to be all they have done lately. I notice how Mom can have a nasty scowl and then suddenly a fantastic fake smile in an instant.

Despite the smile on his face, Dad’s eyes looked nervous, that I had caught them in the middle of an argument, or maybe I had overheard something I shouldn’t have. His smile looked real though, he did seem happy to see me, unlike my mother. I glance at Mom and she is still sporting that same cold smile, her eyes lacking all emotions sending a shiver down my spine. I don’t like how uncomfortable I feel right now and choose to give my fake smile heading past them outside so that we can leave.

The drive was not that bad some slower construction but nothing too congested. Arriving at the dorms I was so excited and nervous I could almost forget about my parents arguing this morning. I parked my Jeep close to dorm 1983 so I didn’t have far to carry my stuff. My parents park close and we all walk to find my room. The silence on the way was almost deafening. I was happy when we finally found my room, we walked in and were greeted by a sandy blonde.

She greets us with a quick Hi I’m Dorthy and turns back just as quickly. My guts are screaming at me feeling so unwelcomed. I look around to see my bed and desk or so I assume mine because it was empty. I push my hurt feelings aside and wave my hand in the air toward the empty bed. I guess let’s bring in my stuff, it’s not gonna walk itself in. As me and my parents walk outside I see Dorthy glance at my mother and bow her head to her. This action would have come across as strange if I didn’t notice people doing it around us all the time.

I roll my eyes even people who don’t know her always acknowledge her. Me and Dad barely got a high but ya know whatever. I walk faster to get to my Jeep, ready to be alone to unpack. It didn’t take the three of us long to unpack my Jeep, as it took me to load it. We stack everything next to my bed. When you came back with our first trip back we were greeted by an empty room. Since the girl had made me feel unwelcomed I wasn’t at all upset. After another two trips we were finally finished so I asked if everyone was ready for lunch.

My Dad’s chipper voice echoes in the half-empty room I am famished, all this work built up quite the appetite. Just then my stomach starts to growl, embarrassingly loud. Everyone laugh’s guess I am not the only one famished, huh bug? Grinning from ear to ear I nod my head and wave my arm towards to door to leave. Va-Lara mentioned a nice diner around the corner from here, I announce. I am secretly thanking her because the quicker my parents can head home the better. While I am distracted I thought I missed my mother snapping and who is Va-Lara? Does this child know anything about class?

I should have known the mention of a low-class diner would set her off. Thankfully my Dad interrupted her soon-to-be outraged ranting, stating that it would be a wonderful opportunity to see the local area before heading out. With a huff, she agrees and turns out the door. I see my Dad give me a sly smile and wink at me. I see him turn to follow my mother with an exhausted expression making my stomach knot. I felt like their bickering was all my fault and now they will be at it again for my Dad standing up against her again.

We head towards the diner that Va-Lara mentioned called the Island Spot. I tried to make conversation with my Mom along the way explaining that Va-Lara was the tour guide and had already been here at the school for two years. I told her about Va-Lara mentioning the milkshakes are supposed to be the best on campus. I get no response other than a nod of her head. On the other hand, my father must have noticed her lack of response because he started to talk about how excited he was to try out the milkshakes.

I took about seven minutes to walk to the diner from my room and once we arrived it did not take long to get a seat. My mother looked rather uncomfortable but she was quiet. We looked over the menus when the excited voice of Va-Lara rang in the air. Oh my goodness!!! You came, I was so hopeful you would stop by. We all greet her with a smile and place our drink order. She was quick and made suggestions on what the best items were as she pranced off to get our drinks. After a few moments, she returned with our drinks asking if we needed a few minutes or if we were ready to order.

My mother snubbing her nose at the greasy food ordered a salad, while Dad and I ordered fried chicken sandwiches and fried sweet potatoes. While we wait for our food we all go over my class schedule for this semester. After lunch saying goodbye was quick since I had promised to see them once a month for family dinners, and I would be home Sunday for my birthday party. I appreciated their help but gosh I was just exhausted now. I just had one thing on my mind and that was taking a nap. Opening the door to my room I immediately realized I would not be taking a nap any time soon. Hi, Dorthy I’m back I say with an enthusiastic wave.