Black as Night (Tales of Axalia)

I woke up on a Monday morning with a banging headache. The alarm clock read 6am. I yawned and rubbed my eyes immediately regretting the action. My eyes hurt from watching movies all day Sunday. I had complained to dad that I had a stomach ache from eating too much blueberry muffins at Cindy Parker's birthday party and he immediately decided that I stay at home and rest. Grandma did not like that. She is a devoted Christian and doesn't miss a Sunday service. She frowned at dad and said he was spoiling me too much. I don't blame dad for spoiling me.

My mother passed during childbirth leaving dad to take care of me. Thank God grandma was there to help or he would have had a breakdown and dropped me off at an orphanage or something. I stayed home that Sunday eating chicken soup that grandma says has "healing powers" and binged watched TV shows and horror flicks. Guess I should have taken a nap when dad came home to watch Sunday night football. But instead I hopped in bed and continued watching movies on my laptop until I dozed off.

Getting out of bed groggily, I stumbled my way to the bathroom and turned on the lights. Normally I hate turning off the bathroom lights in case I had to pee at night and didn't want to bump into things but dad insisted that every light in the house should be turned off during bedtime. He complained about having to pay extra light bills and buying new bulbs every month but I usually tune him out nodding my head and smiling thinking about sunny beaches and coconut drinks.

I made my way to the sink and rinsed my face. I looked up at the mirror staring at my reflection, looking at the eyebrows that grandma said are naturally shaped. While I gazed at my face, I remembered dad saying how much I reminded him of my mother. Sometimes I would sneak into the basement looking for pictures of my mother but not finding any. I would then look at pictures of me and my dad trying to see any resemblance between us but the only resemblance I had with my dad was my dark colored hair and eyes. Whenever I asked my dad about my mother and her family he would immediately change the topic.

I sighed and took my toothbrush applied toothpaste, brushed my teeth and left the bathroom. I went back into my room and made the bed and picked out clothes for the day. I slipped out of my pajamas and into my gym clothes and sneakers preparing to go jogging with dad.

My room is not your typical teen decorated room with pink everywhere. I hated the color pink, it made me queasy. I preferred the walls painted dark purple with a little dash of blue. I made that clear to the painters who painted my room - a gift from dad for my thirteenth birthday. Now I will be eighteen in June which is only a few weeks away and I still love my room the way it is with just a little touch of purple carpet and butterfly wallpaper in my closet.

I made my way down the hall to my dad's room two doors from mine to wake him up. I have always been the first to wake up in the house since I was three; going to dad's room and jumping on his bed until he gets up and prepare me for preschool.

I stood in front of his door and knocked. I put my ear against the door listening for any sign of movement. When I heard none I slowly pushed open the door and made my way inside.

The room was dark with a little lighting from the breaking day seeming through the window. I turned on the light and gazed around the room. The walls were beige coloured with a red carpet covering the floor. There was a desk with a computer system which also serves as Dad's reading and writing table. A small bookshelf lay at the corner beside the bed while a closet stood directly opposite the bed.

I made my way quietly to the bed and looked down at my father as he lay face up. His breathing was steady, his mouth slightly open and his long lashes lay on his cheek. Since it was Monday he would have to shave the stubble off his face. I could see the outline of his abs through the grey shirt he wore along with pajamas trouser. Dad made a weird sound in between a cough and snore making me giggle.

"Come on dad, it's time to wake up", I said gently shaking him.

He grumbled and stirred turning to face me still asleep. I sighed and shook him again.

"Wake up sleepyhead ", l said raising my voice a little.

He slowly opened his eyes and stared at me.

"You are the worst alarm clock ever ", he said grumbling.

I smiled and made my way to other side of the bed and sat on it. He sat up and stretched.

"You're lucky, most people don't have a living walking alarm clock ", I said as I stretched out on the bed with my feet on the floor.

Dad snorted and got up and stretched again. He went to the bathroom leaving the door open. I could see him from my position on the bed as he washed his face and brushed his teeth. When he came out to wear his gym clothes, I got up and made his bed busying myself to avoid looking at him changing.

I couldn't help but to take a little peek at him admiring his physique and slightly tanned skin that made women fall for him fast. Yes, Jefferson Black was a handsome thirty six year old man.

As far back as I could remember, dad has dated just three women but it didn't last long because they didn't want to commit to a single dad and take care of a child before having their own. After the first woman took off, I became weary of the rest not allowing myself to get close to them and wanting my father's attention all to myself. I made sure the women had the impression that I didn't like them until they eventually left.

I remember prank calling one of my Dad's girlfriend Linda telling her I was also his girlfriend after finding out that she was seeing someone while dating my dad. After she left dad asked me what I did to make her go away. I just shrugged and said I didn't like the way she smelled. Grandma supported me by saying she didn't like that Linda didn't know how to cook, all she knew was how to go to stupid diners and order take out, wasting our money. I laughed knowing that grandma never liked Linda from day one.

"Alright let's get going" dad's voice drew me out of my thoughts.

I turned around and followed him out the door.

We quietly made our way downstairs and out the front door so as not to wake grandma.

I felt the cold morning air hit my face and shivered a little.

"We have about 30 minutes to go around the block and to the park and back", Dad said glancing at his watch.

I plugged my headphones into my phone and put them in my ears. I put my phone in the pocket of my yoga pants.

"Alright I'm ready" I said as dad put on his headphones and started jogging ahead of me at a slow pace.

I closed the front door and followed him steadily listening to the sound of 'Carry on my Wayward Son' by Kansas blasting through the headphones into my ears filling me with confidence and weird sort of rage.

I increased my pace as we rounded a corner leading to another block. I was head to head with my dad. He turned his head to me and smiled. We reached the end of the block and made a left turn towards park.

As the outline of the park came closer I immediately thought of my mother. I don't know why my mind drifted to her but I didn't question it. The only thing I question was who she really was. I hardly knew anything about her because neither dad nor grandma would tell me anything about her.

I only knew her name was Adrienne and that she was from a little town called Living Bay up in Milwaukee.

Dad won't even talk about her parents, my maternal grandparents. Anytime I asked he would say they are bad people who abandoned their daughter and I shouldn't question him again. I could tell from the depths of sadness in his eyes that talking about my mother always brought him pain and terrible memories so I let it go and haven't brought up the issue again.

But still a part of me wanted to know, to make some sort of connection to the woman that birthed me. Who was she? Why did her parents abandon her? How did she meet my dad? What life did she live before dad? Those were the thoughts running through my head as we made our run back to the house.

When we got home it was 6.45am and grandma was already in the kitchen making breakfast. The smell of pancakes and oatmeal made me forget all about my headache and stomach ache and my tummy rumbled.

"Good morning Granny" I greeted her as I kissed her cheek.

She smiled, "Good morning love. Now go wash up and come down for breakfast" saying as she flipped a pancake.

Dad entered the kitchen, took a bottle of water from the refrigerator and drank the entire contents in seconds.

"Do I have to wash up too ma? " he said pouting.

Grandma turned and gave him a look.

"Ok am going" he said hands raised in surrender. I smiled and ran upstairs to my bedroom.

I quickly got out of my gym clothes and showered and put on the clothes I already picked. I didn't care much about my looks as long I have clean underwear and deodorant fresh armpits I'm good.

I stared at myself in the full length mirror next to my closet. I wore high waist black jeans and a purple crop top. I have always loved trousers of any kind, from jeans to palazzo to leggings. I feel comfortable in them rather than gowns or skirts.

I remember the first time I went to church with grandma I was five and she made me wear a pink skirt and a white blouse. I was jittery throughout the service. Half way through I couldn't stand it anymore so I jumped down from my sit, pulled the skirt and sat back down. Grandma almost had a heart attack. We were on the third pew so everyone saw it. There was no talking me back into that skirt so she had pick it up and cover my undies as she carried me outside. That was the last time I wore a skirt and the last time I stepped into any church.

As I made my way down to breakfast I wondered if my mom liked skirts or if she preferred trousers like me.

I got a plate from the dishwasher, scooped some pancakes and smeared maple syrup on it.

"Everything alright love?" Grandma asked as she poured me some juice.

I looked up from my plate and smiled, "yea I'm fine".

She narrowed her eyes at me and I quickly looked away. She always seemed to know when you are lying or something is bothering you. I finished up my pancakes and took the dish to the sink. I grabbed my school bag and jacket and placed a swift kiss on her cheek.

"Bye granny. Tell dad I've left". I raced out the front door.

As I made my twenty minutes trek to school, my thoughts drifted back to my mother. I could tell from granny's expression that she knew what I was thinking. If only she would just tell me the truth. What were they hiding? Did my mother do something terrible? Was she a criminal? What was wrong with them anyway? Did they think I can't handle the truth? I can! Right?

Ughhhh!! It's so frustrating that I didn't know anything about my mother and I have to come up with theories about a faceless person. I haven't even seen a picture of her. I just had to know who she was and what she looked like. Dad kept saying I looked like her but I'm not sure if that's true. I mean he wouldn't give details or elaborate and for all I know he could be lying. As the school building came into view, I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

That's it! I have to know. I need to know more about my mother and I will find the truth. With my mind made up I made my way into the school building.

James Bayers Middle and High School stood as tall as any two story building would. The brown coloured stone wall usually gave the school a cool atmosphere in the summer. The school was named after the founder of our small town, Bayersville, a remote place in Wisconsin.

The first floor was for middle school while the second floor was for the high school or as I liked to call them "semi-adults". I quickly made my way past the thirteen year olds trying not to make eye contact with any of them. Not that I'm shy or anything just that these preteens tend to have this idea that we in high school knew it all.

Last month all I heard was, "excuse me miss, can you help me with my calculus homework?", "excuse me, do you know where blah blah blah is?" Annoying!

As I was about to climb up the stairs leading to my hall, I caught sight of the only friend I had in this school, and also this god forsaken town making her way up the steps.

"Chloe!" I shouted and ran to catch up with her.

She halted and turned toward me, her brightly coloured red hair swishing over her shoulders. Chloe Thompson was a light skinned beauty with almond-shaped eyes the colour of a meadow, which were always shielded with her glasses. Chloe was one of the most beautiful girls in school and would have been part the popularity crew if not for one particular she-devil sprung from the pits of hell that turned everyone in school against her.

"Looks like I beat you to it this time. I expect my history assignment to be at my desk by the day's end", Chloe said offering me the sweetest smile.

"You win this round Thompson, but I'll get you next time", I answered.

At the beginning of the school year, Chloe and I made a deal; whoever gets to school first every Monday morning does the loser's assignment for that week. You see, my weak point was calculus and mathematics and I had trouble pulling through, so Chloe offered to help, tutoring me, but I just couldn't comprehend the numbers and letters and signs all smushed together, it drove me insane. Now, history I love and enjoy so I had no issue with that. Chloe on the other hand, is a straight 'A' student, a genius at math and chemistry.

Although she gets all A's, she hates history, hates reading and writing long stories about 'dead people nobody cares about'; her words not mine. How she manages to pull through during exams, I don't know. So, I came up with the whole switcheroo idea. If I came to school first, she does my math and calculus homework, if she came first I do her history homework; a win-win, everybody's happy.

We both made our way up the stairs and into our hall. Without making eye contact with anyone we hurry to our lockers.

As I reached out to open my locker, I caught a whiff of something both nauseating and sweet in the air.

I heard Chloe whose locker was next to mine, sigh, and say, "The devil in pink clothing comes"

I closed my eyes and leaned my head against my locker. Not her, anyone but her. The smell grew stronger and the sound of three pairs of heels grew louder. Please walk away, please walk away. I continued the chant in my head, even when the footsteps stopped directly behind me. My eyes flew open when I heard that voice.

The voice that made my school life a living hell. The voice that turned people against me and Chloe. The voice that drips poison laced with sugar. The voice of Mirabel Snow, the queen bee, aka, the she-devil.

"Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in"

I turned and faced her, leaning my back against my locker. Chloe stood beside me, arms crossed over her chest with a look of disgust on her face.

Mirabel had the face and body of a supermodel but she had a heart as hard as rock and cold as ice and a tongue that speaks sweet words promising mayhem and destruction. The blond hair was parted at the middle and cascaded down her shoulders. Her grey eyes were heated with hate and something else I couldn't place. Her lipstick coloured lips were twisted with a smile promising to ruin my entire week.

I took her in with my eyes. She sported a black crop top, the neckline low enough to show some cleavage. Her pink low-waist skirt stopped just above her mid-thigh with her black ankle heels matching her leather jacket. The vibe of 'I'm a bad girl, run for your life' vibrated the air.

"Isn't it too early for you to come to school? I thought you would sleep in and come in during lunch after....you know....getting wasted and piss your pants drunk at your coven meeting last night", I said with a look of boredom on my face.

Chloe chuckled and Mirabel's face laced with fury,

"You better watch your mouth Black, it could get you in serious trouble".

I took a step towards her, "Is that so? I'm intrigued".

I turned my gaze towards her pose, Rebecca Hopkins and Michelle Barker, both of them wearing similar clothes as their queen bee.

"I see you guys decided to dress alike. Instructions from your coven master?" They both hissed in anger.

Mirabel took a menacing step towards me, as she opened her mouth to answer, the bell rang. She closed mouth and stepped back.

"This isn't over", she said and walked away with her pose trailing after her.

I breathed a sigh of relief and turned towards my locker.

"That was interesting", Chloe said as she closed her locker, books in hand.

"It's going to get more interesting later, believe me", I said as I opened my locker to retrieve my books.

"Oh I know and I can't wait. Come on calculus is first", Chloe said smiling like a lunatic.

I slammed my locker shut and rolled my eyes, "yippee".

*********************************************************

Calculus was boring as usual. I always fought the urge not to fall asleep in Mr. Reed's class. Mr. Reed was a young man in his mid-twenties with an average body build. He was good looking, well in a nerdy way. He always wore this old grey sweater I'm sure his mum made for him and threatened to kill him or herself if he ever took it off.

He was currently sitting on his desk explaining about how binomial differentiation would help in World War III or something like. I felt my eyes grow heavy and slowly closing, my mind already drifting away.

I heard the door open and a feminine voice saying, "Sorry to interrupt your class Mr. Reed but can I have a quick word with you?"

"No problem, Principal Mayfair. I will be back shortly class. Please study the equations on page 23".

I slowly blinked my eyes open as I heard the door slam shut. I looked towards the door and I saw the silhouette of Mr. Reed and Principal Mayfair talking. I wondered what they were talking about. I looked at Chloe next to me who looked up from her book and at me. I raised an eyebrow and she shrugged her shoulders, apparently reading my mind. She turned back to her book in deep concentration. No use getting her to say anything now.

I stared at page 23 on my calculus textbook, the symbols and words all jumbled together, making it difficult for me to understand them. I swear they always seem to know when I'm the one trying to solve them, I can hear them laughing in my head already. Ha-ha, got to catch us first if you want that A!. Annoying little imps. I'll catch you.

I was drawn out of my crazy thoughts when I heard Mr. Reed's voice." 'Listen up class. Looks like we'll be having a new student this term. Now I know it's a bit late into the term but Principal Mayfair made it clear that it was very necessary to enroll this particular student'"

I raised my brow at that. What a weird thing for the principal to do. The school doesn't enroll new students into the last two grades and not especially when it's the middle of the term. This kid must be really special. Let's see what they look like shall we.

I finally looked up from my book. The first thing I noticed...., wow the kid (scratch that, the man) was very tall. I mean next to him Mr. Reed looked like a dwarf but I'm pretty sure he felt more like a hobbit. He was probably up to six feet tall if not more than. The next thing I noticed was how dark his hair was. It was so dark that it could blend into the night.

Then I focused on his face. Dude was handsome (scratch that, smoking hot). You know those hot guys on all those romance novels? Yea imagine if the Greek god Apollo merged with one of them and had sex with Angelina Jolie.

His lips were perfectly set with a little hint of pink. His nose was Grecian, though a little crooked like he was just in a fight. He had the brightest green eyes I had ever seen. They were so deep it felt like he was staring into my soul.

I frowned at that. Wait a minute! They were actually staring me. I focused on the 'kid'. He was looking right at me. His eyes were so focused on me and his lips parted slightly. I couldn't stop staring back. There was this hum of electricity in the air and could have sworn I saw a spark in his eyes as he continued to stare at me.

There was a loud cough followed by, "Ok class this is Alex Thorne" Mr. Reed said gesturing towards the 'kid'.

"Please tell us a little about yourself"

The kid broke the eye contact and faced Mr. Reed. I suddenly felt cold like something or someone important just left me. I frowned. That was weird. And what kind of name is Alex Thorne? It sounds so fake.

"Well, Alex we're waiting". Mr. Reed said sitting on his desk, hands folded across his chest.

Alex narrowed his eyes at him, his head tilted slightly to the side.

"My name is Alex Thorne and that's all you need to know". With that he made his way towards the only empty sit in the class (which was two sits behind me).

God!! That voice sent shivers down my spine. I felt my nipples harden. What the hell?! Why now? And why him? Sure I've had my fair share of guys over the years (cough, just one, cough) and they (he) never made me feel this way not even a goose bump.

I closed my eyes and tried to concentrate breathing in and out. The scent of musk and the woods with a hint of raw masculinity invaded my nostrils. I knew it was him without looking and I almost fainted. My heart beat became faster. For some reason I wanted that scent to envelope me and carry me away.

Someone lightly touched my arm and I opened my eyes. It was Chloe.

"Are you alright?" she asked looking at me with concern.

I couldn't open my mouth to form words so I just nodded and smiled at her.

Throughout the class I could feel a pair of eyes on me.

*I'll cross my heart and hope to die, always and forever I'll be by your side. When days are dark and clouds turn black, always and forever till the end of time*

Those were the words ringing through my head as I sat with Chloe in the school cafeteria for lunch. We were the only ones sitting at the table. Every other kid seemed to ignore us like we didn't even exist (not that I care or anything). This is just a tip of the iceberg as to what Mirabel Snow was capable of.

I looked at Chloe and saw that she ate her lunch of spaghetti and meatballs silently nor glancing up or acknowledging anyone. My heart squeezed in my chest and I almost cried for her.

This was my fault. It was me that Mirabel hated. Why? I don't know. It's because of me that she turned the whole senior year class against poor Chloe. Chloe doesn't deserve this.

I turned my head towards where Mirabel and her coven members sat. As usual she sat in the middle with her posse flanking her on both sides.

Some kids were gathered round her looking at her adorably listening with rapt attention to whatever nonsense she was saying. Probably bragging about how many pair of shoes she got for her birthday. Barf. So sickening. Can't they see past the facade? She was obviously as fake as a chameleon, trying to blend miserably into the surrounding.

When she noticed that I was looking at her, she stopped talking and gave me a smug smile that said 'look at all the friends I have. With a snap of my fingers I can get them to do whatever I want'. She glanced at Chloe then whispered something to the crowd. They all looked at her and laughed.

How dare they?!!! Chloe was an angel, innocent and oblivious to all these. If that she devil does anything to hurt Chloe I will end her! I banged my fist in anger on the table.

Chloe looked up startled. "What happened?"

I saw Mirabel smiling sweetly at me. I grinded my teeth, "Nothing".

"You sure? Cos you're giving your fork a hard time". She said nodding towards my hand.

I looked down and saw that the fork was bent well over to the other side. I frowned. I knew I was strong but come on I can't be that strong.

I was still stewing over the she devil when the sweet smell of musk and forest hit me. I closed my eyes in pleasure.

That scent. That intoxicating scent that has been in my nostrils invading my thoughts throughout the day. I knew it was him before I saw him. I opened my eyes and looked towards the door and there he was standing in all his glory. I never took notice of his outfit before but now..... Oh my.

He wore black pants and shirt that fitted his frame perfectly. The outline of his muscles could be seen even with the leather jacket he wore. I ate him up from head to toe without shame. I don't care and I can't help myself if I like to admire good things.

I looked at his feet that were covered with black combat boots. The kind of boots that soldiers wore. That's weird. He looks too young to be a veteran or even in the army. I looked up at him and saw him staring at me just like he did before with so much concentration. I raised an eyebrow at him asking what you staring at. He frowned and started walking towards me.

I gulped. What did he want with me? And why was he always looking at me? He kept coming.

"Uh oh. Biker dude at 12'o clock". Chloe whispered to me.

From the corner of my eye I saw Mirabel look at the kid (I guess I have to start calling him by his name. Although Alex doesn't sound right for someone like him. I just feel it) then at me. It wasn't a nice look. She put on her sweetest smile and approached Alex, stopping directly in his path.

Alex halted in his tracks and looked away from me. Was that regret I saw in his eyes? With him I can't tell. He seems so difficult to read, closed off to the world. Kind of reminds me of me. Alex looked at Mirabel who was still putting on that disgusting smile. I could tell he was not happy with being interrupted.

"Hi I'm Mirabel Snow. The official welcoming committee for James Bayers High. I know you're new here so I'll be happy to show you the ropes and give you a private tour if you like".

I grimaced. Desperate much? I looked at Alex to see his reaction but he wasn't looking at Mirabel neither was he paying attention to what she was saying. He was looking at me! Oh come on! Again??!

Mirabel snapped her fingers in front of his face. "Hey I'm talking to you"

He didn't even flinch. He kept his eyes on me. Those extremely green eyes seemed so unreal. I heard that same hum of electricity and felt in my blood. Strange.

Mirabel followed the line of his sight to see what captured his attention. When she saw that he was looking at me, she gave me a death glare and I gave her one back. You can't intimidate me she devil.

She turned back to Alex and grabbed hold of his hand.

"Come let me show you around"

A spark of hot rage exploded in my eyes. Don't touch what is mine! A loud voice said in my head. I don't know why I suddenly felt like murdering the she devil and dancing in her blood.

The lights in the cafeteria began to flicker and one exploded. I heard some kids scream and scramble out the way. I couldn't take my eyes off Mirabel's hand on Alex's. If eyes could shoot daggers her hand will be cut clean. I suddenly wished that were true.

Alex looked up at the flickering lights then at me. He mouthed something I couldn't understand and looked down at Mirabel's hand on his.

"Get your hands off me or you'll lose them"

Mirabel suddenly looked scared like she wanted to run and hide. She gasped and let go off his hand and ran out of the cafeteria. Her posse looking confused ran after her.

God! The truth in those words were like hot flames. Like he was actually going to do what he said. He looked at me again and I gulped inching backwards on my sit.

Just then the bell rang. He turned and walked away without another word. I breathed a sigh of relief and looked around the cafeteria. It wasn't just one bulb that exploded it was like five.

"Wow, some freak show going on here", Chloe said beside me.

"First a new kid comes in the middle of the term and he turns out to be a weirdo. I mean he practically told the she devil to f**k off. Then lights explode for no reason. Strange right? "

I had to agree with Chloe that was the strangest thing that has ever happened to me. What caused the flickering lights and explosions? And why did I feel like killing anyone who touched or even looked at Alex? Who was this ridiculously handsome boy that makes me feel sparks of electricity? Who was Alex Thorne?

**********************************************************

The rest of the school day went by like I wasn't even involved. My mind was occupied with so many thoughts, I wasn't sure how I went through my classes without a teacher yelling at me for not paying attention.

Chloe kept asking me if I was alright but I couldn't explain to her that I wasn't alright at all. She's like a sister to me and I will do anything for her but this is just different.

I don't know why anytime I think of Alex I always think of my mother which was weird because there was no connection between the two of them. I guess I just wished she was here then I could have talked to her about these feelings I have been having for the past few weeks.

I never told anyone about it not even my dad. I didn't know how to explain how I would sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and find black soot on my bed like it was just burnt. Or how I will find myself in the bathroom without any memory of how I got there.

Sometime last week some guy on the football team was making fun of Chloe's hair and I banged my fist in anger on the bonnet of his car. The metal bent and the force of the hit broke the windscreen. I was so surprised and scared of what happened that I ran.

I mean how can I explain these things to my dad when I can't explain it to myself? So many strange things started to happen from the first day of this month which was my birth month.

These thoughts went through my mind as I walked home. I was half way home when I perceived that sweet intoxicating scent. I stopped walking and looked around. There was nothing but trees on the right hand side of the road leading to the forest and a few stores surrounded by more trees on the other side of the road.

I looked towards the forest trying to catch sight of the mysterious new kid. I knew it was him. Only he has that peculiar scent. I thought I saw a flash of green eyes hidden in the trees surrounded by darkness. Now that's not normal because it was just 3.30pm and the sun was still up.

I closed my eyes and shook my head. Get it together Jade Black. You're just seeing things. I opened my eyes and saw nothing. The darkness was gone just trees and rays of sunlight. O.... K. Guess I was imagining it after all. I continued walking home.