Upstairs in her room, Dia had her earbuds plugged in her ears. The music blocked the argument happening downstairs. With her suitcase lying open on the bed, she grabbed and folded various articles of clothes before putting them inside. Oblivious of what was happening downstairs, the air around her brother and aunt got worse.
"Dia is special! It's in her blood, just like your mother and me!" Aunt Vicky emphasized, pointing her finger at her nephew before pointing it at herself.
"Yeah. My mom was special." Adrian's voice grew soft and sorrowful at the mention of his mother and Aunt Vicky sympathized with him. "But I know that specialness caused my parents' death. Besides, mom and dad always wanted Dia and me to live normal lives. They never wanted-"
"No. In the beginning, your parents never wanted you or your sister to hide away what you truly were. It wasn't until your mother sensed danger lurking after them did their thoughts began to change because by hiding it, you all could have a chance to stay as one big ole happy family, but you can never outrun fate." A sober tone laced Aunt Vicky's voice.
"Your mother was proud of who she was. She was confident and carefree, and yeah, maybe a little reckless." A soft laugh escaped Aunt Vicky's lips. "Your father was one the with reason and the only to talk sense into her. They wanted the best for you two. I know the true reason why you decided to turn down college and what you've been up to."
Aunt Vicky narrowed her eyes and pointed them straight at Adrian, who nervously and guiltily looked away.
"You're being a hypocrite. I know you did it for revenge, but sweetie, the 'other world' is tricky. And if you want to survive, you're going to need your sister's help. My gift is nowhere near as great as your mother's, but I sense Dia is close to awakening, and if that's to happen, it's best she be at Arcane Boarding Academy," said Aunt Vicky and her words made sense to her young nephew.
Adrian knew she was telling the truth despite how much he wanted to rebuke everything she said. When he thought about his sweet and shy little sister and their parent's death, the urge to protect burned strong.
He was the big brother! It was his duty to protect her! Adrian knew Dia's personality wasn't built for the path their aunt was trying to push her on, but if what she was saying was true, Adrian knew in his gut what needed to be done despite how much he hated it.
"Okay. I'll let her go." He reluctantly gave in.
"Good! And cheer up! It isn't like she's moving out of the city. Arcane Boarding Academy is only two hours away from Summerville." Such news did not brighten Adrian's mood as he sulked in his chair.
--
A few days later, Dia was cleaning off tables in the middle of her shift when she ran into a familiar face. Like last time, the boy wore black baggy cargo pants but with a white t-shirt this time that showed a skull printed on the front, long black sleeves covering his arms.
"What are you doing here?" Dia was surprised to see the boy appear so soon before her.
"I told you was I going to win you over," the boy said with a straight face, and Dia cursed how the corniness of it all made her heart beat fast. Glancing at the clock, she knew she had a few extra minutes to spare, and joined him at his table.
"Give me a shot. One date is all I need."
The boy's icy-blue eyes stared directly into Dia's big brown ones. She was having trouble maintaining eye contact. She would be lying if she said she didn't feel flattered but was troubled over whether or not the other sentiments directed at herself were real or not. After a couple of seconds of debating with herself, she finally opened her mouth.
"While I find your confession sweet, dating is not at the top of my list right now. School starts next week, and I'd rather keep my focus on that." Shooting the boy a quick apology, Dia quickly left the table and made her way back behind the counter.
"So, what were you two talking about?" Izzy slid next to her, eyes curious and a little envious about the conversation between Dia and the hot new guy.
"Nothing happened," Dia murmured, concentrating on loading the slices of the orange tarts into the display window.
Izzy tsked at her answer, knowing the girl was lying and got madder when she saw that the boy had his eyes glued to Dia.
"I know he said something to you. Why you gotta lie about it? Just tell me already or you is it you don't trust me? It's not like I'm going to tell anyone."
Izzy's persistence was starting to get on Dia's nerves. Today was her last day working at the shop, and she wanted to end it on a good note. Keeping to herself, Dia concentrated on her task, increasing Izzy's annoyance, who got ready to open her mouth again when the voice of their boss caused her to freeze.
"Izzy, why aren't you taking these people's orders? They have been waiting long enough, and you're talking to Dia!"
A plump lady with tan skin walked over to them, an apron tied around her waist. "Are you going to continue staring at me or get to work?" Faced with their boss, Izzy gaving up questioning Dia and rushed to the cash register to take the group's order.
"Dear, are you okay? Izzy wasn't bullying you or anything, right? You know how she can get." Mrs. Pat's concern for her well-being lightened the younger girl mood.
Dia had been working alongside Izzy for the last two months, and honestly, she didn't like the girl. Izzy was lazy, staying on her phone while on the clock, and would push her duties onto Dia to take care of.
"I'm fine. Just a little sad that today is my last day working here." Brushing aside Izzy, Dia loved her job and her boss. Since she was little, she had always loved baking. It became a stress relief whenever she was feeling sad or angry.
"I'm going to miss you too, and from the looks of it" —Mrs. Pat leaned over to whisper into her ear— "Your cute new admirer!"
"Mrs. Pat, it isn't like that!" The older woman pointed at the cute boy, who still had his eyes glued to Dia, but if one stared closely, they could see a hint of fondness in his cold icy blue eyes.
"Oh, stop being so shy, Dia, and take a chance on him! The boy is cute; every girl in the shop can't keep their eyes off him, yet his eyes are only drawn to you. Now isn't that just romantic~!" The forty-year-old woman swooned like a young schoolgirl, a huge sucker for romance novels.
"Yes, he's cute, but I'm beginning at a new school soon! I got other things to concentrate on other than cute boys!" Dia already felt anxious about attending a boarding school, surrounded by different people who would hopefully be better than those at her last school.
"While that is a good mindset? You can't let fear stop you from living your life to the fullest. Trust me when I say, live life with no regrets."
Patting Dia on the back, Mrs. Pat disappeared back into the kitchen. Thinking over the words of wisdom Mrs. Pat bestowed upon her, Dia lifted her head, only to see her hot admirer had disappeared.
'Where did he go?' She asked herself. Walking over to the spot he occupied, she saw a lone red rose lying on the table with a note that read: Until we meet again...