But what could I do? Later that day before the power sharing ritual she called my school to inform them that I wouldn't be in school the next day.
The ritual day finally came after hours of waiting. My mom took me to Aunt Simone's house, she is my mom's aunt who also was the head of Guardians of our clan and unsurprisingly the oldest. She didn't age like the rest of her kind.
"Fina, get the water ready." She ordered a follower who ran off to God knows where. "Aunt, does the ritual hurt?" I asked. I have been forever curious about the ritual and how it was performed, but now I was scared out of my wits about what to expect and Aunt Simone wasn't one of the best people to ask but as you saw I asked anyway.
She stared at me before replying, "why don't you ask your mother?" Instead of answering she asked.
"I asked her but she refuse to give me a reply." I told her, "then what makes you think I'll tell you? I won't, why don't you find out yourself?" She had a cruel smile plastered on her face. That's right Aunt Simone was one of the worst people to ever walk the earth, see why I didn't want to ask her I. in the first place. Maybe that's the reason Aunt Diane and her never got along. I kept quiet instead of answering her, I slowly and quietly awaited whatever came. Few hours passed which made me think, 'what the hell they were doing,' the thought of whatever awaits me made me shiver down every single cell and bone in my body.
Soon I heard footsteps come towards me, it was Fine and some other followers of her kind. "My lady the water is ready," she told Aunt Simone who was hell bent on watching me closely like I'd vanish into thin air if she didn't.
She stood up and held my hand guiding me to a small lake which seemed to be glowing. It wasn't hard for me to realise that the lake had been enchanted. She murmured some words as her eye glowed in a sky blue colour, and we proceeded into the lake.
Moving deep into the lake I Mysteriously met myself in front of the costume shop Damian and I always stopped by. The door opened and a woman stepped out, she had the same figure as my mother and looked like her, it took me seconds to realise who she was. "Aunt Diane!" I ran towards her and hugged her. She is my mother's twin Aunt Diane, Diane Scarlet, they didn't go by the same surname. I never fully understood by they had to go by different surnames, maybe one day I will, Aunt Diane was hardly ever around so I didn't get to see much of her.
"Ashely Jenny?" She was surprised to see me, but she hugged me back either way then she looked up to Aunt Simone, "child, you are turning thirteen today?" She asked and I nodded.
She muttered some words and Aunt Simone was nowhere to be found which was great because I hated her gut. Aunt Diane led me inside the shop, I wondered what she was doing here at this time. I wanted to ask but I realised this wasn't the best time to do so. "Do you know why you are here?" She asked as she pulled out a chair for me to sit. I nodded at her question even though I wasn't quite sure, mom never really allowed me to participate in outcast business like she was setting that I wasn't part of them which made me very confused on what I was and was not to do on this transformation ritual.
"Well, child I am not a leader," she dropped the bomb. How was I going to cope in the Willow clan if I wasn't a leader? My breath stopped then suddenly Aunt Simone appeared by my side. "My dear, you need not be frightened," Diane held my hands then again she muttered words and Aunt Simone was gone again. "As I was saying, and am neither a follower or a guardian but am still considered a leader because my features are no different from theirs only we are a bit more powerful." What she said gave me a sense of relief. I couldn't imagine what my life would be like if I was a leader, but if we weren't leaders or as she said, to what extent does our power take us? How powerful were we? just as I was lost in thoughts, annoying Aunt Simone appeared again. Why was she here? I wasn't slipping out, was I?
"Ashely Jenny it time for you to go I'll see you on the other side," her voice faded in my ears as I found myself back in the water. But I still had more questions I wanted to ask, but unfortunately I had to leave.
Finally we got out of the water only for me to see my mom waiting for me. She ran towards me and hugged me "Ash, how was it?" She asked, I nodded with my eyes hovering around to look for my aunt since her last words were 'we'll meet on the other side,' technically speaking my mom was the last person I wanted to see right now, I was still mad at her for leaving me with Aunt Simone.
"Ashley Jenny," a familiar voice called out to me, both my mom and I turned at where the voice came from. "Aunt Diana!" I rushed to her, she kept her promise of meeting me on the other side, by the way how did she get here so fast? The costume shop was quite a distance from here.
"Diana?" I heard my mom call in a questioning manner.
"Diana, the elders finally decided to give you a student, so you'll finally stay in a place," Aunt Simone said behind us and aunt Diane made a face at her.
"Is Diane her mentor?" My mom doubtfully asked and Aunt Simone nodded. "So Diane, will you be moving back to the old house, right?" Aunt Simone asked Aunt Diane as she turned to her.
"I didn't know guardians influences who an outcast meets on a transformation ritual," Leaving the Aunt Simone speechless.
"Diane stop being like that, you know very well that she only has your wellbeing at heart before asking you that question" My mom to her. "Jenny, let's go or we'll be late." She seemed uninterested in what my mom was saying. Looking at her attack on both Aunt Simone and my mom, I must say my saviour has come!
She handed my mom some light old jacket which my mom later wore me. We formed a line walking out of the arena as the trio muttered something.
"Jenny, Jenny," I heard someone calling my name and pushing me roughly, I gently opened my eyes to see who it was.
"Aunt Diane, I'm awake!" I almost shouted, jumping off the bed. That reminds me, how did I get here? I couldn't remember how I got here, well it was a good thing I got home safe.
"Get dressed and come down." Aunt Diane said and left me to myself, I cross checked myself to make sure every piece of me was complete. I went to meet my mom and aunt after I finished dressing. As I got closer to them I heard them arguing about something, but that was the list of my worries.
I bid them goodbye as I hurried off to school. "Betrayer!" I saw Damian rushing toward me as I got to school. I didn't bother to greet him, "what did I do now?" I asked.
"Why didn't you come to school yesterday?" He asked why.
"Nothing," I looked away. I wasn't ready to talk about my transformation ritual though I was happy with the outcome.
"Really?" He stared deep into my eyes to check for something only he could tell, but to my surprise I saw a pink flash in his eyes, for a second I thought someone was flashing a torch light or so but soon I realise it wasn't any of those, the guy had pink highlights in his eyes, the only people who had pink highlights in their eyes were followers. Could it be.... No what was I thinking, he can't possibly be one of them. The guy is a prince! Looking at his eyes now made me feel very uncomfortable. "Let's get to class," he walked past me.