I walked down towards the park again. That's where Dawn and I always met. Some days we go to my house and train. Other days we stay at the park, either playing on the swings and stuff or just sitting by the tree. The boys don't bother her anymore, which I am grateful for. Dawns a super nice girl. Her long hair is always soft, and I love platting it. I think she likes it too because she's always blushing. I did notice though, that she always wears the hoodie I gave her. So, today I decided to give her something else. It's been exactly one year since we met. In order to celebrate, I brought us matching necklaces. One has a sun on it and the other a moon. The moon is coloured black while the sun is coloured white. You can also clip them together and the pair become one. I saw them the other day while walking downtown with mum. I asked if I could buy them. She asked who it was for, which in turn I blushed.
"Dawn…" I mumbled under my breath. She just laughed and smiled. We went into the store and bought them. They cost about $40, which to me was quite expensive but mum said it was fine because it was for Dawn.
I saw Dawn sitting under the tree, so I ran up to her and gave her a hug with a matching smile. She smiled at me too. I always blushed around Dawn because I really liked her. After letting go of her, I sat down and leaned against the tree trunk.
"You're really beautiful, Dawn." I said again, even though I said that to her yesterday. I earned a blush in return.
"And you're perfect, Aidan…" She smiled while looking down. I was really blushing now. Dawn had just called me perfect. I felt so happy.
"I've got something for you." I said nervously. She looked up at me shocked.
"Really, you didn't have too."
"I really wanted to, ya know." I reached into my pocket and pulled out the necklaces.
"They're beautiful." She said breathlessly.
"Not as beautiful as you." I replied. I know that sounded really cringy, but I didn't care. I just wanted her to know that.
"Thank you."
"Let me put it on for you." I put mine down on the ground and Dawn turned around so I could clip it on her neck. After I finished doing it up, she looked down at it. I gave her the moon and I had the sun.
"Let me put yours on." She said picking mine up off the ground. I turned around so she could do the same for me. When finished I looked at the necklace only just realising then how stupid this idea was.
"Thank you." She said again, smiling.
"You're welcome." I smiled as well. I looked at her necklace and picked it up, connecting it to mine.
"This way we can always be together."
"Thank you." The wind suddenly picked up, blowing her hair into her face, hiding her tears that threated to fall.
"You really need to stop saying thank you all the time, ya know." I stated. We sat in quiet for a few moments until Dawn spoke.
"Promise me something, Aidan." She whispered. I nodded.
"When we get older, no matter what happens, we'll get married." I looked at her. Did she just say marriage? I was so happy that the girl I liked had said that, so I nodded.
"I promise."
"That's good." She said as she got up and walked away. I watched her leave. I felt sad for some reason. To see Dawn leaving kinda broke me. I knew why the next day. Dawn wasn't at the park. I sat there until the sun set and had to go home. I did the same thing for the next two weeks. Dawn never showed up. That's when I realized, I would never see Dawn again.
"AIDAN!" yelled my Physics teacher. I was currently in last period, but I had drifted off to sleep again, which wasn't the best idea because I dreamed about Dawn again. I reached for the necklace around my neck and held it tight.
"S-Sorry, I feel asleep." The teacher sighed.
"You always fall asleep. Is there a reason you don't get enough sleep?" I didn't really know what to say because lately I've been deprived of my beautiful sleep. I mean in between all of my training, music practice, and actually doing my work, sleep seems to just not happen anymore.
"I'm sorry, Miss. I won't do it again." She sighed again.
"It's fine, you are still a top student, so I guess I'll let it slide." She said while walking away. Again, how am I a top student?
---------------------------------------
When school got out, I met up with Claire.
"My house?" I asked Claire.
"Sure." Was all she said.
While walking down the walkway I suddenly got a bad feeling. It started in my stomach then went to my chest. It was an aching pain. It filled me with fear. Fear of what was going to happen. I started running. I didn't bother to tell Claire as she started running as well. The wind wiped across my face, stinging my eyes, making them water. My house was a block away but every step closer, the pain increased. It was horrible. It kept on pulsing, screaming for me to run faster. When my house come into view I sprinted to the door, pausing for a moment to catch my breath. When ready I pushed open the door only to be meet with silence.
"MUM! DAD! I'M HOME!" I yelled as loud as I possibly could.
"Big Brother, stop yelling." Elaine said while walking into the room. I paused; relief washed over me like a tidal wave. I walked up to her and hugged her extremely tight. Tight enough to know that she was real.
"Big Brother, you're squeezing me!" She piped in my ear.
"Aidan, leave your sister alone." Mum scolded. I looked at her, tears forming in my eyes. I had seriously thought that something truly terrible had happened to them.
"What's wrong with you?" Claire asked, noticing the tears in my eyes after she had finally caught up.
"I just had a really bad feeling." I replied while still hugging Elaine.
"Yeah well next time tell me instead of running off like a lunatic." She sighed.
"You can let go now; you know." Elaine said, annoyed that I hadn't already let her go.
"Right."
"You should go and get changed and then Elaine can tell you all about her day?"
"Okay, Mum. Claire do you wanna get changed in the guest's room?" I asked. Claire just stood there not responding.
"Earth to Claire." I said while waving my hand in her face.
"Uh I'm actually going to go home now. I just remembered that I have to pick up my dress from Ino's." She smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow it is!" I said happily as she walked out the door.
"Wait here for me Elaine. I'll just go and get changed." I walked up the stairs to my bedroom which was filled head to toe with comics, books and to many peoples surprise, instruments. I could play the piano, guitar, violin, banjo, ukulele, drums, and bass. I was a total music freak. I don't know what got me into it but ever since then, it's all I would do other than train. It's so calming and beautiful as well. Well, it wasn't for my parents when I was first learning, but now, it's always nice. I make sure of it. It's sort of a way to repay them for everything they have done for me. Changing out of my shirt and jeans, I threw on an oversized hoddie and black baggy shorts. I put on my bunny slippers and went downstairs or well more or less went flying down the stairs. Yes, I tripped, and it was so not funny.
"How was your day, Elaine?" I asked after recovering from my horrid fall. I really did want to know how her day went. It was her first day at middle school after all.
"It was amazing Big Brother!" She said while waving her hands in the air.
"Really? How so?"
"Everyone was super nice, and I made lots of friends. Plus, the teachers are really nice as well!"
"I'm glad to hear that, but!" I said dramatically, pausing for effect. "No boyfriends." Sternness showing evidently in my voice.
"I know, I know. You always go on about how I'm too young to have one." She pouted. Then after a minute or two she asked, "Why don't you have a girlfriend, Big Brother?"
I just looked at her. She didn't remember Dawn because she was only about three or four and I never really thought she needed to know about Dawn. I never told her about Payton or any of the other girls and guys that had asked me out. I didn't really have a type or gender preference; it was just Dawn. I just wanted Dawn. Dawn and I, forever.
"I don't know, I've never really thought about it." I lied.
"Why are you telling your adorable sister lies, young man!" My mother laughed as she walked into the room.
"What do you mean Mum?" Elaine asked while tilting her head to the side in a state of confusion.
"Your brother had a first love once too." She said through a sad smile. "Her name was Dawn. She was beautiful and a magic user just like us."
"Mum.." I started but then looked at her to see her face still in a sad smile.
"She really was beautiful. She had long, black hair that Aidan would always plait. Her eyes were black as well. She was pale but a gorgeous pale. She really took your breath away."
"She sounds amazing!" Elaine breathed. "Where is she now?"
"We don't know. She left the day that Aidan gave her a necklace. It was also the day that she asked him to marry her." Elaine's eyes widened at this.
"You're engaged!?" She asked excitedly.
"Not exactly. She made me promise and then left." I sighed. "I haven't dated anyone else because of that promise and never will." I said, tears lingering in the corners of my eyes. Whenever I think of Dawn I always feel down.
'Dawn wherever you are now, I miss you so, so much. More than you'll ever know.'
"Will you ever see her again, Big Brother?"
"I don't know."
After a moment I stood up and went to the kitchen. Turning on the tap I grabbed a glass from the cupboard and put it under the tap. Just when I had finished poring the drink, the glass broke in my hands. Shards dug into my flesh, drawing blood. I just stared at the glass. How did it just break? Did I squeeze it too hard? No, I didn't squeeze it at all. Was there a reason it broke? Maybe it was just an old glass?
"Mum!" I called into the living room where she was. She got up off the couch and came towards me. When her eyes landed on the glass in my hand, she rushed over.
"What happened?" She questioned, worry lacing her voice. I couldn't really tell her because I didn't really know myself.
"I don't really know. I was standing here and it just broke." I tried to stay calm, but it didn't really work. First it was the aching panic I felt and now it's the glass. Was something about to happen? Was that why this was happening? No, it couldn't be.
"Aidan? Are you okay?" she asked, concern evident in her voice. I just nodded. I didn't need to worry Mum with my stupid ideas. That's all it was. Me being stupid.
"Why don't you lie down for a bit, and I'll clean this up? First I will clean your hand though." I stood still till mum had grabbed the first add kit. After mum had finished she sighed.
"Geez, it could have been a lot worse, so please be careful." I nodded while leaving, heading towards my room.
Once on my bed, I looked up at the ceiling holding my necklace tight in my hand. Thinking about what life would be like if Dawn was here with me. Her smile would have made me feel better. Her laugh would have made me blush and smile even wider. I would plait her hair in the most gorgeous braids. I would walk down the halls, hand in hand showing her off, letting everyone know that the most beautiful girl was mine. Kissing her under the tree in the park. Hugging her, training with her and just being with her. I'm sure Ino and Kyle would have liked her. Claire too. She would get along with Elaine, playing all sorts of games with her. She would probably help mum with the cooking and dad with the gardening. She would help me with just being there.
"I bet she's even more beautiful now…" I sighed. There was no point imaging it if it wouldn't come true.
"AIDAN WAKE UP!!" I bolted up in bed. I must have fallen asleep on top of my bed last night. I got up and got ready for school. Today was a formal assembly so I had to make sure I was following the dress code. I picked an orange and black sleeved t-shirt with black jeans and white vans. After getting ready, I headed downstairs.
"Good morning Big Brother!" Elaine smiled. I loved her smile.
"Good morning to you Elaine as well." I picked up my fork and began to eat. I loved breakfast because it was the only time all of us were home. Dad works late shifts every night and only really comes home at 11:00pm. Which if you ask me, is an ungodly hour of the night, but we need the money, so I don't complain.
"Thank you for breakfast, mum."
"You're welcome, Aidan."
"Have a great day at school, okay, Kit?" Dad said looking up from his paper.
"I will." I smiled even more. I truly loved my family. They were everything to me.
I got up from the table getting ready to leave for school.
"You're a truly amazing boy, Aidan." Mum said as I was just about to leave.
"You really think so?" I asked. I really hoped I was living up to their standards.
"Truly amazing. You remind me so much of your mother, but you look and dress like your father."
"Thanks Mum." I said while giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"I want one too!" Elaine yelled from the dining room. Laughing I walked over to her and kissed the top of her forehead.
"I'm off now! I'll see you after school." I said while walking through the door.
"You're early again!" Kyle announced as I entered the school building. I just stared at him.
"What's with everyone saying that! I'm never late to school." I sighed. Claire said the same thing this morning as well.
"It's not that you're ever late, it's just that you're never this early." Ino joined in. I laughed.
"Ever since Mum found out that I only just made it to school in time, she has woken me up earlier."
"That sounds about right." Claire stated.
"Hey Aidan!" Payton said while walking up to us.
"Hi, Payton…" I replied. I really didn't want to reject her again.
"Can I talk to you?" She asked. I really wanted to say no, but Kyle was like sure he'll talk to you and pushed me right into Payton, causing her and I to fall over. Which I can say was the worst thing to happen all day because I landed on top of her, in the middle of the hallway, while everyone and I mean EVERYONE was looking at us. I quickly got up and apologized then turned to Kyle and smacked him on the head. That was the first time I had ever hit anyone. I swear I could hear gasps from the people gathered in the hall.
"What was that for man!?" He complained.
"Think before you act. I could have hurt Payton when you pushed me." I calmly stated.
"Sorry man. I didn't mean to push you that hard…" He mumbled, guilt taking over.
"It's fine, but I do prefer not getting pushed." I stared at him and then we both laughed.
"The Assembly is about to start. I'll talk to you later, Aidan!" Payton said while walking away. I guess Kyle really wants me to get with someone because he's tired of me rejecting everyone. He's set on the fact that Payton keeps asking me out. He really believes that I belong with her. I guess that's to be expected because I haven't told any of them about Dawn. I don't plan on either.
"Why don't you just get a girlfriend or boyfriend already?" He complained. I just stared at him.
"Look man, I don't know your preference." He said while raising his hands in the air.
"It's not like that." I sighed. I guess I might as well talk about Dawn, it's not like he'll tell anyone, right?. "It's not really known to many people, so don't go around saying anything, got it?" I looked at him and he nodded.
"I'll tell you in a more private place." I said while walking towards the rugby field to sit by the bench. Nobody comes here at this time of day, so it was the best spot to talk about this sort of thing.
"You can't tell anybody, got it? Not even Claire knows." I admitted. He nodded again.
"I'm sort of engaged." Sighing I looked at him. He just stared at me.
"I'm serious."
"You're engaged!" He yelled. I put my hand on his mouth to try and shut him up.
"What part of secret do you not understand." I hissed. He sat back down while I removed my hand from his mouth.
"So, you're engaged, like for real?"
"Well, sort of. She asked me to marry her about seven years ago." I laughed. I sounded so pathic and I knew it.
"How come I've never met her?" He asked, looking away from me. Obviously, I wanted him to meet her, but I couldn't really help it. I didn't know where she was to let him meet her.
"You can't meet her because I don't know where she is…" Yep, I sounded really pathic.
"Why are you hanging on to a promise that is hollow?" He asked concerned. I didn't really know myself. Maybe it was because I loved her. I didn't want to start anything with someone I didn't love, and Dawn was the only one I loved.
"It's not empty. She's gonna come back, I just don't know when."
"That's not fair to yourself. What if she never comes back?" I looked away. I had thought that I might never see her again, but I didn't want to believe it.
"I know she'll come back."
"Well, I support you. You have your girl and I'll try and find mine." He said smiling. I was so glad that he wasn't to hurt by this. I couldn't ever imagine losing him.
"Thanks bro, but from now on, no more forcing Payton onto me, okay?" I asked, just to make sure he stops.
"You got it!"
"Anyways, we should get to the assembly, or we might get detention."
"Right." He sighed. I really couldn't blame him. Assemblies were the worst.
We meet up with Claire and Ino on our way to the gym.
"Where were you guys?" Ino questioned. I just looked at Kyle hoping he didn't say anything.
"Don't remind me." He lied. "Another hot chick asked Aidan out, which he declined. Like come on! Can't I go one day without seeing my best friend get asked out while I'm still single." Claire and Ino just laughed at Kyles pretend sulking. I felt so blessed. I had such great friends.
We sat down in the last row of seats, which was lucky for us because that way I could fall asleep during the announcements. I mean, I would have if Ino didn't keep nudging me to keep me awake. Like come on, Ino! I'm aloud my sleep.
"Good morning, everybody!" Our principles loud booming voice echoed in the microphone. Our principle was a nice old lady who had light blond hair and brown eyes. She was quite short, so she needed a stool to be seen over the lectern.
"I hope you have all had an amazing week." Smiling cheerily, she continued. "I haven't got any notices today, but instead, we will be having a talk from one of the work and safety counselors working under the government. Please be respectful and pay attention." She said while waving for the man to walk onto the stage. The man looked quite strange. He had dark hair, which I think was brown and cold silver eyes. When he turned to face the student body, I felt as if he was looking directly at me. A chill ran down my body. I turned to Claire only to see her frozen. I knew that this was something bad.
"Hello, my name is Bernard Shaw and today I will be talking to you all about the risks in not only work but in life as well." He started. I stared at him, not breaking eye contact. This really didn't feel right. I don't know why but I wasn't the only to think that. Claire could sense it as well because she hadn't moved since the man came onto the stage, the only difference was that her breathing became heavy.
"Are you okay Claire?" I turned to her, finally able to break the eye contact.
"I'm not feeling to well. Can we go to the sick bay, please?" I nodded. If Claire wasn't feeling well then, I would do anything to help her feel better. We stood up and walked over to one of the teachers on the side of the hall.
"Excuse me, Claire isn't feeling to well. Would it be okay to go to the sick bay?" I asked her. She nodded.
"If she isn't feeling to well then also ring her parents to let them know that she's not well so they can pick her up." I nodded at the teacher. We were just about to leave when the guy, Bernard Shaw said, "Is there anyone here by the name of Aidan Costello and Claire Gadsby?" He asked. I stood still. Why would he want to talk to us? The bad feeling, I had was now even worse. An eerier silence filled the hall, the echo of the breeze bounced off the walls, sending a chill down my spine.
"Oh, they're right there." Our principle said while pointing to us, confusion showing in her voice. I gulped. This wasn't right, I knew something was going on.
"Oh, sorry but as of right now, I'm taking Claire to the nurse. So, please excuse us." I said while grabbing onto Claire's hand to get her to move faster. I honestly was terrified. This man was dangerous, and we were like birds trapped in a cage. A cage whose key was held by none other than that man.
"You wouldn't want anything bad to happen to your friends, now, would you?" Claire and I both stopped. Who did this man think he was, threatening us like that?
"Who are you?" I asked venom in my voice. I turned around to see him smirking. A horrible smirk, one that you would see in your nightmares.
"Aidan! Who do you think you're talking too?" Our principle asked, shocked by my actions.
"It's alright, I'm the one who threatened him first." The man said, still smiling.
"How dear you threaten my students! If you don't apol-" Claire cut our distort principle off.
"You're from Danqulin, aren't you?" She asked, sure that she was right. If he was, then we were in deep trouble.
"That would indeed be correct, and you two, are wanted dead." He smiled at his comment. I was shocked. Why would we be wanted dead? We had nothing to do with the war.
"We have nothing to do with the war. Why are you targeting us?" I asked, annoyed that this man had interrupted the assembly and for the fact that everyone now knew that Claire and I weren't normal.
"That is correct, but I have received information that you two are incredibly strong." He smiled even more. "Claire Gadsby, age 18, lives alone and is one of the strongest water uses of her generation." I was now mad. This man had been spying on us. When we had been living normal lives, this disgusting man had been watching us from the shadows.
"Don't say another word." I threatened. I was not going to take this from a man this disgusting.
"Aidan Costello, age 18, lives with his adopted family and is his generations strongest wind and lighting user. He's also someone who can use both variants." He laughed. A cruel, evil sounding laugh. It made me want to crush his windpipe, but I knew that would not be an easy task.
"Now, show me what you have, or your friends won't last long." He shot a full blast of fire at the students in the front row. Just as it was about to hit them Claire set up a barrier of water, putting the fire out right away.
"Do you think that you two will be able to save everyone?"
"Well, we're going to have too!" I yelled. It was aimed to not only help comfort the students but also myself. I had never gone up against anyone from Danqulin. I didn't know what they were capable of.
"Claire! Call Mum and tell her the situation!" I screamed over all the noise of students yelling, crying, and screaming. I was not just about to let anyone die.
"I'll try!" She yelled back. I aimed my wind to the man. Pushing into him from all directions, making it seem as if gravity was crushing him and turning him into a ball. It was taking too much force to even keep him still let alone squish him.
"You're truly strong!" He yelled while laughing. I pushed even harder. I wanted to kill him. He was an enemy of mine. He wanted to hurt my friends and classmates. There was no way I was going to forgive him.
"I can't get through to them, Aidan!" Claire screamed at me; terror evident in her voice. That sound made my blood turn cold. Claire was scared, but what made it worse was the look she gave me. She was crying. Claire was crying. Her face was red, and tears stained her perfect checks. She was shaking. Claire was scared. My Body moved on its own. I shot electricity from the lights in the gym, aimed at one solo person. Bernard Shaw. It electrocuted him and I could hear him scream. I then pushed even harder on his body with my wind. All the turning currents ripping at his skin.
"It's no use trying to call your parents." He spoke, it was low, cruel, and terrifying. "The little girls scream was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard."
"SHUT UP!" I yelled more for myself than at him. He was lying. Elaine was at school. He wouldn't go to her school. Plus, mum and dad are extremely strong. They would never fall to the likes of him.
"Their lifeless bodies looked magnificent. They were even beautifier then art itself." He kept laughing.
"YOU'RE LYING! THEY ARE NOT DEAD!" I screamed and screamed at the man's taunts, but he kept laughing.
"They're dead, boy." He stopped laughing. "And you will be too."