The Inatrix Academy

Make a wish

“Did I hear it’s someone’s birthday?!” spoke a soft voice as they emerged through the door carrying the most delectable chocolate cake I’d ever seen, glistening with 16 sparkling candles atop. I don’t think there has ever been a day I haven’t seen Marnie, not because she lives next door to us, but because she is the best company anyone could be around. Her warm energy just spreads to anyone near her, making you instantly feel at ease when around her. She’d been a friendly face and helped us out a lot since we moved here 6 years ago.. after it all happened.

I jumped up and ran over, bursting with excitement, catching my breath ready to blow out the flames.

“Hold your horses, let me get a picture first!”Mum emerged from the kitchen clutching her Polaroid. After what felt like a lifetime of pulling funny faces and giggling.. I was ready to make my wish.

I wish things were different.

“So, who wants some cake?” Marnie chirped, pulling me from my thoughts. I could tell she sensed I wasn’t feeling myself today. I couldn’t ignore the fact that it was as if she knew exactly what was wrong with me, when I didn’t even know why myself.

We spent the rest of the morning opening my presents, talking about the plans I had that evening and what I was going to wear. My two best friends had planned to take me out for a surprise dinner and thats all I knew about it.

Marnie’s phone rang soon after, she left the room and talked in a muffled voice, but I didn’t think much of it as she came in and announced her departure.

“Duty calls, got to get to the post office and send the boy his care package!”

She was talking about her son, Brandon. He’d moved away to a boarding school just over a year ago, leaving an empty void behind. We’d grown up together since I got here, him just being two years older than me and I missed him terribly.

He had the most unbelievable blue eyes, drawing in and encapsulating anyone who dared to look in them. Paired with his brown, shaggy hair and muscles sculpted from the gods, he was one of the most beautiful humans to grace this world. Or so I thought so. I’d fallen in love with him the moment I saw him those years ago, when he came to my rescue. I was stumbling, carrying a heavy box up our garden pathway off the moving van, and just as I was about to drop it, I felt a hand delicately wrap itself around mine, easing the strain on my arms. I looked up at the stranger and his smile took my breath away instantly.

“Bye Scarl, see you later” Marnie embraced me with a big bear hug, distracting me from my dreamy daze.

I sat down at the table whilst lunch was being prepared when I remembered the mysterious post I’d received. As I slid my finger under the seal, releasing it, I was blissfully aware how my life was about to change, forever.