WAR OF ROSES

CHAPTER 1: ZAPHIRA'S POV

Tears glistened down my cheeks, my eyes opened wide. I woke up taking in a deep gush of air , I placed my hand on my hammering heart. Not again! I've been having the same nightmare for the past 3 years, ever since Daniella -my older sister left. I made my bed and entered the bathroom.

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I came out and got dressed in a white croptop, ripped jeans, denim jacket and white converse. I combed my blonde ombre hair out and placed it in a high ponytail . I reached out for my silver rose pendant necklace- I held it lightly in my hands looking at it. My older sister got it for me when I turned 13 , she said I reminded her of roses . From that day onwards I cherished this pendant necklace- its the only thing that gives me hope of finding her. I placed it around my neck and looked at myself in the mirror- I looked presentable but I felt like there was this huge hole in my heart .

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My door slowly opened , Tanya -my other sister came walking in. I looked at her while her green eyes searched my hazel blue eyes , she placed her hand on my shoulder. ''We should get going !'' I nodded , grabbed my bag with my phone and walked downstairs. I enter the kitchen and see my mum on a phone call - my mum was a private investigator who up till now could not even find her own daughter . There was just something about Daniella's disappearance that I couldn't figure out . Someone was definitely lying to me .

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I ate my cereal as quickly as possible and got up. I rinsed my bowl out and as I was half way out of the house-my mum calls me. ''Have a good day Zaphira!'' I smile and leave the house , today was a new day , a new start for me, an opportunity to take my passion for art to a different level and that's why today is a good day because I'm attending Artonson-the finest art school in my town.

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My sister, Tanya drove me to school , she was 19 years old and she was one of the personal assistants at Artonson. To give you a brief story of our relationship -she's like my best friend, we both learned the hard way ever since Daniella mysteriously disappeared. We arrived at Artonson and I took in this fine beauty before my eyes-it looked like a palace and it felt so right to be here. Something about this place drew me here .

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''Okay so since you officially the youngest student in this school , you might be treated a little differently from the rest of us but its nothing to worry about because thanks to the Stone brothers -they hosting an assembly for you and they will personally show you around and you will settle right in !'' my sister seemed so enthusiastic that I just laughed. ''Tanya, you make it sound like I'm about to die in there -I'll be just fine!'' she got out of the car and so did I .

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''I know I know !'' Tanya gave me this look and I shrugged . I walked in this huge palace and my eyes wandered around. Tanya escorted me to where everyone was waiting for me . We approached this staircase and she looked at me '' good luck!'' I smiled and walked up the staircase . Once I reached the top, there were these doors- I took a deep breath and opened them.

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Everyone's eyes were on me , it was so silent . I looked up and noticed this guy standing on the podium waiting for me. He must be Edward Stone-one of the 4 brothers who founded this school. As I approached him, I noticed his features-he had pitch black hair ,these olive green eyes- that bore through my every movement , he was also pretty muscular and tall.

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