The sun shone brightly in the morning sky, casting a golden hue over the neighborhood. Skylar stood by her bed, staring at the acceptance letter in her hands. A broad smile stretched across her face. She has been given a scholarship as a transfer student.
The day is finally here! she thought, excitement bubbling inside her.
"I still can't believe it's happening," she murmured, carefully checking her packed bags one last time. She didn't want to forget anything.
A sudden knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Lazy bones, what are you still doing in there? Mom and Dad are already waiting in the car!" came her sister Kira's exasperated voice.
Skylar's eyes widened. Oops! She had been daydreaming again. She couldn't help but facepalm herself. She grabbed her bags and rushed to the door. Before stepping out, she took one last glance at her room. With a deep breath, she opened the door. "Sorry, Kira," she said, flashing an apologetic smile.
Kira sighed, shaking her head. "What am I going to do with you? Let's go before they decide we're not leaving anymore."
Skylar nodded, and together they hurried downstairs.
At the Car
"What's taking them so long?" Mr. Swan grumbled from the driver's seat.
"Honey, relax. They'll be out soon," Mrs. Swan said, amusement in her voice. "You do realize they want to leave, right?"
Her husband crossed his arms, his frown deepening. "I still don't understand why they have to go so far away."
Mrs. Swan chuckled. "You should be happy they're taking their time. It means they're still attached to home."
Mr. Swan sighed, glancing toward the house just in time to see the girls approaching. "I just hope they change their minds."
His wife reached for his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. She understood his worries. Their daughters were leaving to somewhere far away. But she also knew this was best for them.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting!" Skylar said as she hopped into the car, her eyes twinkling with excitement while flashing a cute smile.
"I was hoping you'd oversleep and miss your flight," Mr. Swan muttered with a sigh.
"Not a chance, Dad," Kira said with a smirk. "I would've dragged her out in her PJs if I had to. There's no way we're missing our flight today."
"Look at you, so eager to leave," their mother teased.
"Of course! No more chores for me," Kira sighed blissfully.
Mrs. Swan rolled her eyes. "We'll see about that."
The sisters burst into laughter, and soon their father was driving them toward the airport. And Kira and their mother were teasing each other.
Time flew faster than they expected. The ride, filled with laughter and playful teasing, seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.
"We're here," Mr. Swan announced as he pulled up to the terminal.
"So soon?" Mrs. Swan pouted. "I thought you were going to drive slowly."
"I did drive slowly. You were just too busy having fun to notice." spoke her husband.
She sighed in defeat, and the family got out of the car. Their father unloaded the luggage. When it was time to say goodbye, emotions took over.
Skylar hugged her parents tightly. "I'm going to miss you both so much."
"My little angel," her father whispered, holding her close.
"I'll miss you too, my darling princess," her mother added, tears shimmering in her eyes.
Kira pouted. "Hey! You guys are acting like I'm invisible." She said squeezing herself into the hug, making them all laugh through their tears.
When they released each other from the hug. Mrs Swan Dipped her hand inside her purse and brought out a necklace. She stared at it for a while, Then she put it on Skylar.
Looking at it she said " My angel, don't ever take that off. okay?"
Skylar touched the necklace and asked her mother why she had given it to her. And she said " well can't I give my little angel a parting gift? Don't worry I gave Kira her's last night" she said with a smile.
" You didn't give us a gift last time though " Skylar said thoughtfully. " But I love it anyway." She beamed. " I promise not to take it off mum." Her mother smiled.
Mrs. Swan wiped her eyes. " Now you girls better behave. No trouble, okay? And always look out for each other."
"We will," they said in unison.
Mr. and Mrs. Swan watched as their daughters disappeared behind the airport doors. A few minutes later, the plane took off, carrying them toward their new journey.
Standing by their car in the parking lot, Mr. Swan sighed and said. "Do you think we made the right decision, sending them to Graystone?"
His wife looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding. "Honey, I know you're worried, but Ravenshore is the safest place for them. Graystone University is the best school they could ask for. Trust me."
He exhaled deeply. "Do you think she'll ever find out… about what we did?"
Mrs. Swan smiled mischievously. "Not a chance. I made sure of it."
Suddenly her eyes narrowed and the smile on her face vanished, and was replaced with a serious expression.
She looked at her husband and said, " Someone's watching us "
He looked around and a dangerous glint flashed across his eyes. The peaceful air around them decipated without a trace as they drove away from the airport vicinity.
**********
The plane landed in Ravenshore City, California, a breathtaking place known for its beauty and exclusivity. Skylar and Kira checked out, heading toward their arranged transportation.
"Good day, sir," Skylar greeted as an elderly man helped with their bags.
"Good day to you, young ladies," he replied with a kind smile. "I'm Mr. Charles, and I'll be your driver today."
He opened the car door for them, and soon they were on their way to Graystone University.
"Ugh, that was such a long flight," Kira groaned, stretching in her seat.
Skylar arched a brow. "It was only two hours."
"Two hours too long," Kira grumbled dramatically.
Skylar rolled her eyes. Drama queen.
As the car sped through the city, Skylar gazed out the window in awe.
"This place is beautiful," she whispered. The streets were lined with cherry blossom trees, the mountains in the distance standing tall against the sky. It felt like a paradise—one she never imagined she'd get to live in.
After a two-hour drive into the mountain coasts of Ravenshore, they arrived at the gates of Graystone University.
Skylar gasped. The gates alone were a masterpiece, an intricate design of silver and gold patterns woven together beautifully.
"It feels like we just stepped into another world," Kira breathed in amazement.
Past the gates, the university grounds stretched before them in breathtaking grandeur. Tall buildings with elegant architecture stood against a backdrop of lush greenery and beautiful flowers. It was beyond anything they had imagined.
"Welcome to Graystone University, girls," Mr. Charles said with a warm smile. "I hope you'll enjoy your stay."
They thanked him and stepped out of the car. Their took their suitcases, and left to the registration office.
After completing their registration process, they received an unexpected piece of news.
"What do you mean we're not in the same room?" Kira protested.
"I'm sorry, but it's school policy. No two students are allowed to share the same room no matter what. Not even siblings." the porter said. "However, your rooms are directly across from each other".
With a sigh, the sisters followed her to their dorms. After bringing them there she left.
At their doors, Kira turned to Skylar looking a bit worried. "Are you sure you'll be okay alone?"
Skylar smiled. "I'll be fine."
Kira hugged her tightly. "Call me if you need anything. Okay?"
"I will," Skylar reassured her.
With one last hesitant glance, Kira disappeared into her room, and Skylar entered hers.
Skylar's room was stunning. A mix of blue, white, and black, it was stylish yet cozy—perfect for her, especially since blue was her favorite color.
After unpacking, she took a hot shower, feeling exhaustion settle over her.
Later, as she stood by the window, admiring the starry night sky, she whispered to herself. "A new journey begins tomorrow. I'll be meeting new people. I hope my school year will be peaceful "
She climbed into bed and drifted off to sleep, completely unaware of the fate that awaited her here in Graystone University.
**********
Soft rays of light gentle flooded the room. The curtains swayed as the rays of light landed on the figure on the bed.
A fierce waves of knocks suddenly echoed through the room. Jolting Skylar out of sleep. Her heart pounding, skin damp with sweat. She sat up abruptly, breathless. A nightmare she had left her gasping. She tried to grasp it. A voice. A shadow. The feeling of something reaching for her. But it was gone.
Another knock came. Firm. Impatient.
She stumbled out of bed, her limbs still sluggish with sleep, and pulled the door open. Her sister, Kira stood there with her arms crossed. Her eyes flickered over Skylar's face, her expression unreadable.
"You had another nightmare," She said, not bothering with a greeting.
Sky wiped at her forehead, forcing a smirk. "Good morning to you too."
She didn't smile. "You've been having a lot of those lately."
"It's stress," Skylar muttered, turning back inside the room. "New school, new environment...it's a lot."
'Stress... Yeah way before we even got the later' Kira thought to herself. She didn't argue, but her gaze lingered. As if she knew there was more to it.
"Come on," she said finally, "let's get ready before we're late. We don't want to make a bad first impression now do we."
Skylar nodded.
Kira pressed her lips together and then said " Be ready in 30minutes okay? So we can go together"
She nodded again. Then Kira left.
Alone in the room Skylar couldn't shake off the feeling of that dream. It wasn't the first time she's had it but still she couldn't remember a single detail of it, the nightmare still clung to her in pieces. Something cold. Something reaching. A voice calling out to her. But, like always, it faded before she could hold onto it.
With a sigh she went into the bathroom to get ready for the day.