I opened my eyes, turning over to look at my alarm clock. I had already turned it off three times.
Too bad. Looks like this life of mine is not a dream. I thought to myself as I sat up, staring at the beige walls lifelessly.
I throw the covers back. My legs hang off the edge, unmoving at first–waiting for me to send the signals to my brain for them to move. The floor looks dreadfully colder than usual. I lower my feet anyway. The chill bites, a cruel reminder that I'm still here amongst the living, in the hell they call reality.
I slip on my house shoes, slowly walking to my dresser. My clothes lay exactly where I left them the night before.
I pick them up, throwing them on. After I finish getting dressed, I toss on my socks and black boots.
I walked into my bathroom, grabbing a hair-tie. I pull half my mini-twist up into a ponytail, letting some fall on the sides and in the back. A few loose strands framed my chiseled features.
I pour a small pool of lotion in my hands, warming it between my palms. I then spread it evenly onto my brown skin, watching it drink in the moisture.
Once I finished getting prepared, I walked down the hall into the living room. I came to a halt. A photo sat on the table, illuminated by the soft glow of the lamp.
A carbon copy of myself.
Beautiful, glowing brown skin, with a natural blush–rare in African-American features, but unmistakable there.
An enormous afro, cloudlike around her face. Plump lips. A sun-like smile that showed off her brilliantly white teeth. Her cheeks were round yet slim, like the rest of her–soft angles carved with care. The only difference between me and her: my cursed violet eyes. A Mark of that vile man. If you could even call him that.
"You promised…" I muttered aloud, before swiftly reaching out, picking up the photo, and placing it face down on the table. My eyes narrowed, as I turned away from the table.
"But you never were one to keep those promises, were you mom." I stated, adjusting the strap of my satchel, heading out the door.
I took my seat in the back of the classroom, as I always did. I stared out the window, lost in the oblivion that was my head. The teacher went over some books my class is going over this year. He would occasionally call on someone to read, luckily that person was never me.
Finally the school bell rang dismissing us. The last class of the day always feels the longest. I briskly packed my things and headed for the door. I stopped abruptly when I heard a familiar voice call out to me.
"Hey, Rean you coming," Asked, my best friend Tyler.
"No. I have to be home early today," I replied, coldly. My attitude may seem rude to people who don't know me, but Tyler and I have known each other since middle school. He's used to my attitude and wholeheartedly accepts me for who I am. He doesn't try to change me. It's most likely due to him being the only one who knows my past.
"Okay. talk to you later, be safe. Call me when you make it home." Tyler said, his warm smile illuminating the room. I simply nodded, turning my back to him. I left the classroom.
I walked down the street to the donut shop and stopped in front of it, taking a moment to study the building.
It was old–made of brick, sturdy and beautiful in its own quiet way. In my opinion, at least. Joshua had the bricks painted all kinds of different soft pastel shades, they blended together wonderfully. The sign above the door was framed by blue and pink ribbon-like lines, curling in a circle around his name. It read: Joshua's Donuts.
The bell on the door chimed as I walked in.
"Hey Rean, how are you?" the owner of the store, Joshua asked. Smiling brightly as ever.
"Normal." I respond, coldly. Josh is another person who has learned to accept my Attitude.
"What will it be today?" He asked, cheerfully.
"The usual. Two chocolate donuts with a caramel frappuccino," I say, looking around. Analyzing my surroundings.
"Alrighty then," He responds, walking to the counter. He tells one of the staff, Jacob to be precise, My order. Jacob and I don't get along or so I'm told. I don't know why but he always seems to have it out for me. Nonetheless, he takes his job seriously and won't mess with my orders.
I walked to one of the booth's closest to the exit. I take a seat, staring out the window. I watched as people walked by, their lives seem so mundane. Some of the children laugh and play amongst each other, while others cry on the street, throwing fits with their parents for treats and toys. Some parents buy the treats, others pick the children up and continue on their way.
School kids laugh and chat, buying snacks and clothes. A girl and boy hold hands. A boy and a boy hold hands. A girl and a girl hold hands. I'm assuming they're going on a three pair version of a double date–so a triple date.
"Order up." Josh says, jolting me out of my stupor. He sets my two donuts and coffee in front of me. He takes a seat across from me.
"So. Is there anything new you'd like to talk about, any interesting things going on in your life?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You ask me that everyday, Josh. You always get the same answer, so why keep asking?" I asked, my stoic expression unchanging, as I took a bite of my donut.
"Stop staring at me like that, it feels like you're looking at my soul." he replies, laughing nervously.
"Is there something in your soul that I shouldn't see?"
I question, coldly and uncaringly,
"That's–Let's just say, we all have a past we would rather not remember, right?"
"I can't say I do." I said, eyeing him coldly.
"That's a lie." I thought to myself. waiting for him to speak.
"That's because you're still young. Anyway, I have to get back to work," He said briskly, getting up and leaving the table.
After I finish eating my donuts and drinking my coffee, I throw my trash away and exit the donut shop. I walked down the sidewalk till I reached the crosswalk. I pushed the button, waiting for the light to say walk.
As I stood there watching the cars go by, waiting for the light to change, a little boy ran into the street, chasing after his ball. A truck was speeding down the street, headed right for the child. The little boy obliviously still ran after the ball. My instincts kicked in and without a second thought, I ran as fast as I could to the little boy.
"I'm not gonna make it, I'm not gonna make it, I'm not gonna make it." Is all i could think as i ran after the little boy. Luckily, I made it in the nick of time. I grabbed him by his arm, stopping him. I originally planned to grab him and make a run for the sidewalk. Unfortunately, there was no time left. So, I did the only thing I could think of. I pulled his back to my chest, wrapping my body around his. I used my body as a shield to absorb the blow.
I felt the impact of the truck as it rammed into my back, sending me flying with the little boy still wrapped tightly in my arms. I felt a searing pain in my back. A ringing in my ears. My head–it…it felt wet.
"I must have cracked my skull." I thought, looking up at the sky. It was unusually blue today. It hurts to breathe, that means I broke some ribs. a lot i'm assuming.
Finally, the deafening ringing passes and I hear people screaming from every direction. footsteps stomping towards me.
This little boy reminds me of myself. I was once oblivious, far too unsuspecting of people and their intentions. Naive to the darkness of the world, that hid around every corner ready to devour me. I trusted too easily. That person claimed to be my blood…..my family. Though blood is thicker than water, water goes down smoother. Keeps you afloat, when that blood pulls you down. Nonetheless, I'm glad I was able to protect him. Though no one was able to protect me.
"Can you let him go, so I can check on him? I'm a doctor." I heard the voice of a lady ask.
"Just how lucky are you, kid?" I thought to myself, slowly loosening my grip on the boy letting her take him from my arms.
"R-Rean," I hear a familiar voice call my name. It's strained and shaky.
"J-Jacob," I managed to get out, despite my protesting lungs.
"Rean," He says, placing his hand on the side of my face rubbing my cheek with his thumb.
"Rean you can't die–okay," he says, sounding a bit choked up, his voice cracking.
"Is he crying? I thought he would be throwing a parade if I died. not crying." I thought to myself. I felt something warm and wet fall onto my cheek.
"Yep, he's definitely crying." I thought to myself, listening intently to what he had to say.
"Rean–you c-can't d-die because–I...I love you" he finally managed to get out
"W-what?," I say, almost choking up blood. I haven't been this shocked in a long time, it feels weird.
"I love you, you idiot," he said, pressing a kiss to my lips.
"You know I'm g-going to die, right?" Is all i could ask, before coughing violently.
"Don't say that," he replied, his voice rising a little.
"Maybe... In another life...when y-you have the c-courage to confess to m-me before I'm o-on my d-death bed, we can be t-together." These were the last words I said, before losing consciousness. That's how I, 16 year old Rean Knight-Heart died, or so I thought.
"Get your lazy ass up," A thundering voice rang in my head causing me to jolt awake.
"W-where am i?" I look around the weird looking forest, purple trees, with pink leaves? Orange bushes?
"Where the hell am I!?" I shout, shocked.
"You're finally awake, your highness." A tall man with ebony brown skin, black hair, and dark brown eyes responded, looking me in my violet eyes.
"Y-your What!? Where the heck am I and how did I get here!?" I asked, glaring at him.
To be continued
(This is the rewrite of chapter one. I'm working on chapter two as well. I don't know when I'll post it. I have a lot of things going on in my life. My grandma just passed, my mom almost died and had to have surgery. It's not my right to tell what surgery because it didn't happen to me. I'll update as soon as I can.)