"Hello dad......I'm not yet in school.....I had a little accident....... oh no no dad, it's nothing serious......I didn't even sustain any injuries...... daaaaad!.......fine!, have it your way.......got to go now, byeee!". Bethany sighed as she ended the call, she shouldn't have told her dad about the accident, now he's probably on his way to her school and coo all over her on the first day of high school. Everyone would know her as daddy's girl and she couldn't do anything to stop it. She was almost at the school entrance when the school bell rang, she was late.
Ugh!, can today be any worse?, first I had a mysterious accident, then I got rescued by a mysterious beautiful man that talks so little and wears ancient clothes, then I got a call from General clingy Dad that would be coming soon and I would probably be teased all section due to that and just when I thought it all over, I'm late for classes". She didn't know she was lamenting aloud until a voice startled her from behind.
"Do you have an imaginary friend?, or you just like talking to yourself". She turned around to meet a brown kid with pitch black full hair and gold eyes that was concealed in thick rimmed glasses. He was tall and lanky, wearing baggy shorts and a tee shirt. He had a lot of books in his hands. Bethany had no idea on how to address the situation but she made an attempt.
" I–"
"Oh sorry for my ill manners, I'm Brian". He held out his hands and she shook it with enthusiasm, my first friend in high school.
" I'm Bethany, nice to meet you".
"You're new here, yeah?"
"Yes, how about you?"
"I'm in my second year here, I work in the library and I love history". Oh, that explains the thick rimmed glasses and huge books.
" I love art, and fantasy novels". Bethany mumbled to keep the conversation going, she wasn't really good at conversations.
"Oh, fantasy. I love fantasy too, especially ones that includes magic". He chirped like a bird. 'We are going to get along just fine', Bethany beamed as they walked into the school's entrance.
" I love magic too, I mean....magical novels....actually what I mean is–"
"I understand what you mean, there are some history books about magic, if you're less busy during lunch break, I could show them to you". Bethany was glad that she already made a friend, but she didn't really like history.
"I'd love to Bri, but history isn't exactly my cup of tea". She smiled apologetically.
" Come on, history isn't all that boring. I could show you the history book about the orb of Jy–". Brian was interrupted by a pull by the collar.
"What are you black bastard doing with my daughter?". The intruder barked. Even without turning, Bethany already knew who it was.
" Daaaad!".
"Stay out this angel, now you, off you go". He roughly pushed Brian, the poor kid hurriedly stood up and scampered out of sight. Bethany was already red with embarrassment and anger.
" Daaaad!, for Christ sake that was uncalled for"
"Oh angel, you needed protection from that kid, coloured people ain't reliable you know?, any ways are you okay?, did you get hurt?, turn around let me see". Bethany was rigid as her dad inspected her like a cop.
" Dad, I told you I'm fine, you didn't have to drive all the way here to see for yourself if I'll be back in a few hours". Bethany rolled her eyes as her dad pulled her into a tight hug.
"I'm sorry angel, I couldn't control my anxiety and I was already missing you". Bethany gave him a knowing look
"Dad, do you see exactly why I told you to get a girlfriend?, I am still in grade 9 at 17 thanks to your clingy-ness, and even now, you wouldn't allow me to be free?". Bethany was trying to control her rage.
" Fine, I'm going already. Just be careful and don't befriend coloured people, my eyes are on you". He deliberately made eye contact with her. Bethany scoffed, her dad had been a racist since he challenged a black junior in the military and got his legs broken in the process. That was in fact what caused his early retirement.
She stomped off to class, she already missed a lesson and she was not in a good mood either, her dad had embarrassed her in the presence of her very first friend in high school, she could only pray he wasn't hurt and wait patiently for lunch break.
********
"I summoned you all here to discuss the future of the universe, the secret guardian of the orb of Jyka has been identified and her life is in danger as our arch enemy –Marco is head bent on ending her. And we all know that if he's successful in that endeavor, the orb of Jyka isn't safe anymore. The last thing we all want is Marco gaining the power of the orb, he'll cause total destruction to the earth and rule us all like the tyrant he is, what do you suggest we do to keep the balance in the universe safe?".
Everyone was silent, no one dared to utter a word as they were in the presence of Lord Dwayne, the greatest and most important person in Jyka, even if he looked like a frail 20 year old guy, they knew he was the most powerful person when it comes to magic. They feared for their demise if they uttered anything unpleasant so they all sat quietly.
There were twenty four people in the room in total, each representing a sect or sub sect and two human magicians representing earth. Two alien like creatures were also present, they were representing the underworld, another existence of life deep down the earth's core. They were the first to speak up.
They began by bowing respectfully with both knuckles jammed together. If a normal human being had seen this creature, they would probably scream to death. They had eyes almost as big as a human baby's head, their hands were like twigs of wood and they could barely stand upright, their legs were pretty normal but for their feet that consisted of two long fingers and dagger sharp nails.
"Lord Dwayne, we are from the underworld, we suggest that the mortal guardian be eliminated!". The others started murmuring and some nodded positively.
*********
" I'm sorry about what happened earlier, my dad is a nosy racist but I don't mind hanging out with you at all, in fact I'd like to read the history book you recommended to me earlier". Bethany ran into Brian at lunch hour, thankfully he didn't sustain any major injuries. She was sincerely relieved as she barely even concentrated in class, maybe she likes him.
"Oh, that's nothing. I understand what it feels like to have nosy parents, and you don't have to read history books just because you feel guilty". He said calmly as they strolled over to the library.
" Oh really, is it mum that's nosy or Dad? ". The question made Brain frown.
" My parents are divorced and I live with my aunt, mum works away from home".
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't realise.."
"It's nothing, how about I grab us lunch and you go ahead ahead into the library?". He was bad at changing topics but Bethany played along so things don't get awkward.
" Sure". She said and made her way to the library on her own.
"Well well well, if its isn't the old ninth grader daddy's baby". Bethany was instantly surrounded by four black guys, she shifted backwards slowly.
The hallway was deserted and she couldn't scream for help as almost everyone was in the canteen.
" Oh dear, things are about to get freaky". Bethany silently muttered to herself as she tried to calm down. Maybe high school isn't so great after all.
*****