Lira:
This morning, I ate my breakfast in five minutes. A new personal record. Then again, poached eggs with some fried peanuts and a glass of fresh milk were my all-time favorite.
I put on my clothes, a black leather pants, black top and black jacket. I just loved the color black.
I walked to the garage through the door beside the kitchen; It was attached with my flat. It was where two of my most precious possessions were kept. A red Ducati Panigale V4 and a red 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS.
Today I chose the motorcycle because why wouldn't I? I put on my gloves, then my helmet, climbed onto the motorcycle, and started it. The beast roared. And that roar was my favorite music.
I opened the garage shutter with remote and took off toward the university which was just three minutes away on my motorcycle. Because, of course, I always rode fast.
Riding to me was freedom. It was the symbol of my independence. The kind earned, not given. When I rode, my mind would clear. I could solve my problems and quiet my overthinking.
Today, my mind ran through what I had left behind and what I was building for myself.
Back home, I never had to do anything. True. But living there had felt suffocating because it hadn't felt like a home in ages. How could it? My father, who raised me, who taught me my first steps, my first words, my first strike, had slowly turned into someone else entirely. There was nothing in his mind except erasing our enemies from the world. Of course, he cared about me. But I wasn't first to him. Not anymore. So, I had to get away. And I did.
I joined Quantum Science University. I did it on my own with my GPA. It was way better than relying on my father's influence or anyone's favors.
The university gave me much-needed distance. Of course, father had argued that Bernau im Schwarzwald was only thirty-five minutes from the university, but I refused to drive there every day. He tried to convince me to stay, with reasons like protection and safety, but once I decided, I never wavered. He had no choice but to concede. He just wanted to keep me at home. Worry less about me.
I rented a flat in Schönwald after that. Close to the university yet far from home.
But here, I had to cook my own food, do my own laundry, and clean the place myself. Independence wasn't comfortable, but it was the thing I was willing to do anything for.
Joining the university wasn't just about getting away from home. It was also about building the foundation. Foundation for my future endeavors. I had plans and ideas that could help my father, that could prevent others from suffering the fate I had. So, I had to stay focused, undistracted, and entirely goal-driven.
Yesterday, I had escaped that so-called tour. It was a waste of time. A superficial let's see-who-you-are exercise disguised as a faculty tour. What we needed was an in-depth look at the facilities, the interiors, everything.
Early-morning mingling to get to know each other? I didn't have time for that. This was the stage of life where futures were decided, not a moment for idle socializing. And my father's timely call had saved me. I wouldn't have picked it up otherwise, but it let me slip away.
They had stared at me as I walked back. Didn't they always? Probably their first time seeing someone so decisive, so focused.
Anger rose in me. More than usual. It was strange but it felt justified.
And today was the last hurdle before the semester began. The final orientation day. Again, it would be about mingling, getting to know people, and listening to faculty speeches. There were four years for that, for God's sake. I wasn't really interested in that.
My thoughts evaporated as I was already at the university parking lot. And as usual, the ride had done it's magic.
The parking lot was already crowded with cars, so I had to park my motorcycle in the spot reserved for faculty. They would be angry at that, sure, but it was justifiable.
Why take many students if you can't accommodate them?
The final orientation was in the assembly hall, which was located inside the White Office. But unlike the parking lot, it was large enough to accommodate everyone. I climbed off the bike and walked inside.
Everyone was here. And judging by the laughter and conversations, the so-called tours had done their job. Great.
I strode through the left corridor. Everyone in my way parted without question.
I reached the door with Assembly Hall written above it in bold letters. I stepped in through.
The hall looked exactly as I had seen years ago with my father. As a benefactor, he was always invited into this sort of programs. I always tagged along. But this year he hadn't come. Because, of course, I didn't want him to.
Nothing had changed in the hall. A wide, decorated stage ahead, with rising rows of seats like the cinemas hall. Boring white walls as usual. At least, the seats were red.
I decided to sit in the front, so, I chose a first seat in the third row. As the top student, I had to give a speech and front rows provided me better passage. Not that I had prepared for the speech. I wanted to give it impromptu.
The seats beside me were empty. And nobody dared to sit in them.
As I looked at the stage, I found it was into final preparation. So, it wouldn't take much time before everything was set up. Good, it would save time for everyone. Certainly, my time.
My phone vibrated and I pulled it out from my jacket's front pocket. My father had sent me a message. It read, "Call me daughter. If you have time for your Vater, of course."
And I was not free for him. So, no call for you, Vater.
"Everyone, please take your seats. The orientation will commence soon." A loud voice boomed through the hall. The lights dimmed a little, spotlights flooded the stage and everyone began to take their seat. It all took some time but the orientation finally began.
Mr. Thorne was the first speaker. He was the infamous department head of the first-years. He welcomed us and like many times I had heard, he began repeating the same old words. It was about how the Quantum Science University wanted the best students, the best focus, the best effort, the best result and the best everything. He went on about how everybody didn't graduate, how they failed and how recognizing that failure was success in itself. How it was a step towards the right direction. Nothing of significance for me though; I wouldn't fail.
Then it was time for Mr. Vance, the dean and so-called mastermind behind the university. And unlike Mr. Thorne's, his speech was great, actually. He spoke about this university much-needed seclusion from all the interference. How he had done all he could so that minds like ours didn't get into the wrong hands. How he'd thwarted the interests of powerful figures in the university and the students. He also spoke about how he expected us to do the same and utilize the knowledge we obtained here for the welfare of humankind.
He was speaking facts and they all believed him. I did as well because he was one of the few people my father respected. He was man of few words and his words were heavy.
Then, it was time for other faculty members to give their respective speeches. They talked about how they expected us to do better. How to live here properly. Nothing else.
Student union leader spoke as well about our rights and powers. An ordinary guy but I could see charisma in him.
And then finally, it was my time.
I rose from my seat and immediately felt everyone in the hall go silent. Like they always did.
I looked around to see everyone's faces; the dimmed light was of no problem to me. They all seemed pretty tired of listening to same kind of speeches. My eyes drifted all over them until I locked onto one particular face. His face.
Liam Salene. That was his name. I stared at his face a few moments, which was already too long for me, trying to find out the reason. He looked normal; average looking boy around here. Typical boyish look, with a surprisingly innocent expression. Common fashion sense. Nothing out of the ordinary.
But I didn't know why, the longer I looked at him, the angrier I got. Maybe he had one of those faces, that I didn't like. Some people carried a look that grated on you for no reason at all. Maybe he was that for me.
He had been there yesterday in the faculty tour. Like everybody, he was staring at me. That was nothing new. But why?
I thought I would forget about him later; would remove him from my mind. But I was dead wrong.
I had spent the entire day thinking about him, and I could not let it go. That made no sense.
Then, I felt the need to find out exactly why. How could an unknown boy provoke emotions in me so strongly?
So, I tracked him down.
Christo had invited everyone to his little gathering. I had rejected, of course. Sure, he always wanted to know everybody, have fun, laugh and waste time. He was always like that. And he had invited Liam as well, so it was easy to find him.
I rode to the Wild Glade. By then, it was already dark. The bitter anger I had carried all day had dulled, replaced by something else. A different feeling. Something I hadn't felt in years.
I sat by the fire and watched him for a long while.
He wandered around the forest while the rest of his group were drinking to unconsciousness. I felt Christo's eyes on me that time but he hadn't done or said anything about it.
I was getting restless and I couldn't wait further. But just when I was thinking of doing something drastic, he started going back to the shelter. He looked at me and I beckoned him. He hesitated at first, maybe confused, but later sat on the other side of the fire, acting like he didn't know me.
I had my hair in a ponytail, that's all. That had been the only difference. And, I was sure he had been staring at me during the faculty tour. So, he should have known me. It was very strange. Unsettling even. But I decided to play along.
He kept asking for my name, and I didn't feel the need to tell him that. No reason whatsoever. He should have known. Why had he acted like that? It was a mystery to me.
I had ridden there to find out the answers to the question I had dreaded the entire day, but at that moment, it no longer mattered. Something was wrong with me. But I was enjoying it. I felt good.
For the first time in my life, I felt unsure of myself and I hated him for it.
I didn't know what I would have done if I stayed there longer. So, I needed to get away from him.
The fire had saved me by dying. I didn't want to run away while he was looking. Running was something I wouldn't do. It was cowardly. I wouldn't compromise myself for him.
Then, I ran through the darkness. But before I did that, I wanted to feel him closely. Breathe him closely. I couldn't move without doing that. I felt the need to hug him but my pride wouldn't let me. I whispered into his ear, that I would meet him soon. Which I never would.
I stood by my motorcycle and watched him join the group. He looked confused, bewildered. But I left, though feeling like a coward.
I thought I would be ashamed of myself in the morning. I was right.
I was weakened. The strongest of my kind, stronger than vampire and werewolves, had been weakened. I had promised myself to not let go of myself, to be strong, focused, goal driven and be in control. I had done everything opposite.
I had something to do for my father, for myself. There was no time for distraction.
And as soon as I looked into his face today, I felt the same anger rise in me again. This time, it was absolutely justified. He had no right for doing what he had done to me.
I would not let him distract me like yesterday ever again. He was nothing to me. And I would make sure he knew that.
Back in the hall, I was already standing on the stage. It was time to make myself perfectly clear. Let everyone know what I felt. I grabbed the mic with my left hand and began speaking.
"Good morning, everyone." I greeted. "I'm Lira Solunari."
And as I expected, the reaction was a loud chorus of hello. They were amazed. Yes, it felt good to achieve something on my own.
But this speech was for him in particular. So, Liam Salene, listen very carefully.
"Why have you come to this university?" I asked to no one in particular. "Let me answer that for you. Some of you are here because of the scholarship." I know you are Liam. "Some of you are here because of prestige this university will bring you, some because of their ambition, for money, for fame." Those were the usual reasons for most of them. "Do you know why I am here?" Of course, they didn't know.
"I am here because I want power." I wanted control as well, but I didn't say that.
"By power, I mean the power that comes with knowing how a living being lives. The power that kept any organism alive, I want to harness that power because that..." I paused for the effect. "...is the true power."
"What would I do with that power?" I was sure they were asking that question to themselves. "Control. That's what it's all about. I want to control that power, change it, make it better, stronger."
"So, how would I achieve it? How can I get everything I wanted when I have you guys competing with me for it?" Were they the competition? They weren't. I was just saying everything for the effect.
"But no, I would always be the top here." Yes, I would.
"And finally, I may seem distant or even at time unapproachable but know this. It is all part of my future and I take that very seriously. If I have time, I will approach you all myself."
I looked at Liam's face to see if he had the effect I desired. It had. And for the first time today, I felt good.
"That's all." The speech had done its job.
I began walking down, not looking back. But I could tell, Mr. Thorne had once again reclaimed the stage.
My speech was the last one. The closing moment.
Everyone was stunned. There was no reaction for a while, then, they began clapping wildly.