Phoenix Rising

Chapter 2

It’s been about a year now since the Mylitcha’s found and took me in as one of their own. Pyre and I have become like sisters, we even fight like how they would. School was not a dream come true but I stick with it. It’s awesome to be able to live like a normal person.

Last month of Senior Year.

Crazy how just a year ago, I ‘died’ and came back to the living.

Even though it’s been a full year, I still hadn’t told anyone what or who I was. How could I? They’d probably throw me in an insane asylum.

“Amara. Guess what!” Pyre came running towards me as I walked through the halls of our ‘famous’ school ‘Snake River High School’. As much as I hated the school, I’m glad I have the chance to go. Funny thing is, everyone thinks I’m almost 18 but in reality, I’m almost 22. Perks of dying and coming back to life. Exactly like a vampire.

“What?” I repeated a question back to her. Based on the tone in my voice, it was obvious I didn’t really care what she was freaking out about but I still wanted to be there to support. Remembering the drama from last week, I asked with a smirk, “Did Brylan finally break up with Levia? Wow, that is awesome…”

“You are rude! And a smartass! I don’t care if they broke up or not.” She replied in an offended tone. It was obvious she liked him, everyone knew this. The same went for him, except he wouldn’t admit it, “Okay but seriously, guess what’s happening today.”

Not going to lie, I haven’t seen Pyre this excited about something in a long time, “This is weird, especially with how excited you are… Spill it. What’s happening today?”

“Ugh! You were supposed to guess.” She exhaled in defeat, causing me to chuckle, “Never mind. Anyway, all of the seniors, including us, get to chose where we’ll be going for our senior trip! The guidance councelors are holding a meeting during lunch, which we will be going too. But, what place should we vote on? A lot of the students have been talking about New Orleans. Apparently it has some really pretty scenery and cool places to visit. What do you think? Should we vote on it?”

The second I heard her say New Orleans, my mind immediately went back to four years ago. My cousins. All the memories began to flood my mind and I couldn’t think straight. They thought I was dead. I’ve been among the living for a year now but still, I haven’t contacted any of them.

“Uhm, Earth to Amara.” Pyre’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Looking at her confused, she asked, “Are you okay? You got really quiet right there…” Not saying anything, all I could do was nod my head. She continued, “Anway, I guess we should probably get too class. The first bell already rung and I’d rather not be late again. I’ll see you in Math class. Think about it though, it’d be a really fun place to visit. Bye!”

Before she could walk away, I said, “Don’t worry, I’ll think about it. See you in Math. Bye.” Once she walked off, all I thought about were my cousins. What if they were back in New Orleans completely? Maybe, I should go and find them. No, I can’t do that. They’d never think it was me, they would probably think someone is pretending to be me. Ugh! Who knows, maybe it’d be good to just visit New Orleans again.

During the first two hours of school, the only thing my mind kept going back to was the possibility of me seeing my family again. Of course, I couldn’t help but miss everyone. The twins, Derek, Spencer, Kai and especially Erin. God, I wonder if they were successful with bringing him back. So many thoughts raced through my mind.

Ring

Crap! Which bell was that for?! Third hour? Damn, I really need to try to pay more attention. Plus side, this is the same class I have with Pyre.

As I walked into the class, I saw Pyre already sitting in her seat towards the back of the room.

“How was English? Any drama you can fill me in about?” Pyre asked anxiously, waiting for me to answer.

I swear she was obsessed with any and every type of drama, “Not this time. How was art?” I repeated a question back to her but quickly changed it once I saw how her eyes were gleaming, “Wait, let me guess. Did Brylan finally break up with his girlfriend and ask you out?”

“How the hell did you know that?” She immediately looked at me full of shock.

When I heard her say this, it shocked me too, “Oh my God! He actually asked you out?” We weren’t even in school for over four hours and already so much has happened.

“I’m so surprised you guessed it correct! But, yeah, he did!” Pyre squealed in excitement for a second before turning back to face the front of the room. We both watched as more students piled into the room and made their way to their seats.

“Class. Take your seats please.” Our teacher, Mrs. Joyle, got all the students attention, “Today, we will be presenting our projects from last week. Does anybody want to go first?” Silence, “Nope. Okay.” She looked around the class and her eyes stopped at Pyre and I, “ Alright. Amara, why don’t you and Pyre start us off?”

“Okay.” Anyone could tell by my tone I didn’t want to present, neither did Pyre. We both walked up to the front of the class and set our board infront of where we were standing.

Math. A class which was normally supposed to revolve around numbers and stupid equations. Our teacher on the other hand, always had us doing these projects that had nothing to do with Math.

“What do the two of you have for us today?” Mrs. Joyle asked once we finished setting up our board.

“Good question. I have no idea what we did.” I replied in a sarcastic tone.

“Our project is…” Pyre was getting ready to begin our speech but ended up getting interrupted by the class ‘asshole’ Jaden.

“None of us want to sit here and watch as the two of you epically fail at presenting.” Jaden said which just pissed me off, “It probably sucked anyway. Just, get out of the class.”

“Why don’t you shut the f**k up and let us do our presentation?!” I snapped, not caring if I’d get in trouble by the teacher. She didn’t say anything. In fact, she had a small smile on her face.

“Fiesty!” He continued to laugh and be rude, “No, but seriously, let someone who has a good project do theirs first. Please, save us the torture of having to watch the two of you stutter while trying to talk.”

“Did I stutter when I told you to shut up? No, as a matter of fact, I didn’t.” I could feel the anger inside me getting worse. Before I tried to say anything else, I calmed myself down; knowing one wrong move and I’d probably kill everyone in the room. Looking back at Jaden, I said once more, “Why don’t you give all of us a favor and shut up?! Or leave, it’s all up to you.”

“Oh, you just got told!” Another kid laughed at him.

“That’s enough. Settle down. Let’s get through these projects.” Mrs. Joyle shouted out to calm the class.

Clearly, our Math class was pretty eventful throughout the entire hour. All because of the projects Mrs. Joyle had us do. Not long after third hour ended, the school decided to send us home early. No idea why they did but frankly, I’m glad they did.

“So… Have you given the trip anymore thought?” Pyre pressured again as we were arriving at her house. Seeing the look on my face, she stated, “We don’t even have to go with the entire senior class. We could go by ourselves.”

“If I agree to go with you, will you quit asking?” I looked at her, starting to give in on going.

“Yes. But only if you actually go too.” She looked at me with a smile.

I knew this trip wouldn’t be a disaster and I might’ve been able to visit my cousins, prove to them I’m still alive, “Okay, fine. I’ll go. Only us, we’re not going with the whole class… When do we leave? I mean, we could skip school for a few days if your parents let us.” I looked ahead and began to think of the class and when they’d be going, “Do you know when the school plans on taking the trip?”

“The end of the month, our last week of school more specifically.” Pyre answered. By now, I could see her parents waiting for us in their driveway.

“My sweet babies!” Reina exclaimed and hugged us once we got close enough to her. I’m still surprised they took me in from when they found me a year ago, I’m thankful they did though.

“How was school?” Ivan questioned next, “You’re home kind of early.”

“School got out early. No idea why.” Pyre answered but looked between her parents and asked, “Uhm. Anway we could borrow the car for a few days? Neither of us has missed any school this year, which means we can still miss five days.”

“I hate to ask this because I know they don’t matter in your eyes but, how are your grades?” Reina asked her. I never understood why Pyre’s grades meant so much to her mother.

“Passing. Thanks to Amara!” She looked away from her mother to her father, “It’s our last year of high school and I don’t plan on going to college so honestly my grades don’t matter. Please?”

Ivan looked at Reina and shook his head with a smile, “They don’t matter. Your mother just wants to see you do better than the both of us. How about this? You two can take the car. But, under one condition.”

“What’s the condition?” Pyre’s voice held excitement.

“Yeah. What is the condition?” Reina looked at him with a playful glare after hearing him agree to let us take the car.

“Five days. That’s all the two of you get.” Ivan said but I could tell he was only saying this to keep Reina off his back, “You better be back here by then. If you’re not, Amara won’t be aloud to stay here anymore.”

“What? Why me?!” I found myself asking, which caused him to laugh.

“Don’t worry. I have faith you two will make in back in time.” He continued to laugh then whispered towards me and Pyre, “It’s not a real punishment.”

“A 32-hour drive. We can make it back in time.” Pyre confidently said. She grabbed my hand and led me inside the house while saying, “Let’s hurry and pack!”

We ran up the stairs so fast, I swear I tripped a good three times and all Pyre could do was laugh at me. What a great friend she is!

“First… Have you ever been to New Orleans?” Pyre asked as she rummaged through her closet trying to find her ‘cute’ clothes, “When I mentioned it earlier, you seemed pretty upset.”

“I’ve been there a couple times.” I said but didn’t tell her why I’ve been there or anyone I knew.

“Were there any hot guys?” Pyre repeated another question. Clearly, I couldn’t answer the question. Pyre and I had completely opposite types. But I didn’t really meet that many people while I was there. Realizing I hadn’t answered, she shook her head, “Never mind, don’t answer. Your taste in guy’s is bleh! I’ll find out once we get there. Go pack some of your stuff!”

“Okay, okay! I’m going.” I laughed as I walked out of her room and towards mine. Before I got to far from her, I shouted, “Meet at the car in half an hour.”

“Got it!” I heard her yell with excitement in her voice.