Secrets of Arden (On Hold)

PROLOGUE

Authors Note

This is the first draft of a novel written solely by me, this is really scary putting my work out there but I think its time. Fictional characters are based on Trinidad and Tobago folklore any variations are original and a product of my imagination. I hope you enjoy my work. Im not a professional and this is my first attempt at a book. Any help is appreciated!! This book has been a very long time coming and Ive spent a lot of hours developing the plot and its complex characters. Thank you for sharing the journey of Secrets of Arden with me. I welcome feedback, constructive criticism and any corrections of grammar I really appreciate your help and support.

Author (EEEK!) LOL

The silk cotton tree draws me in every time. Her branches, they reach towards the sun like he is a long lost lover. He reaches back caressing her leaves with a beautiful light that shows off her color. I lay entangled in her roots staring up at her emerald green leaves losing myself in the embrace of her touch.

Amma says, Stay away! Yet here I am again. She is in my heart like her roots are intertwined deep in the earth that has kept her in place for centuries. She feels like family, almost like home. I whisper my secrets to her, her bosom filled to the brim with the words Im afraid to repeat to another.

She's my only friend, other than Seraphine.

Lying there recalling the day I met my best friend. Me with my curly two and Soso with her gapped teeth smile and her signature cornrows.

"Hi, my name is Tauriel, I've never met my mother." Thinking back I dont know what came over me. But those were the first words I said to her, when she moved into the house next door to me 13 years ago.

She reached out to me, arms wide and said, "All mothers aren't so great anyway." We've been close ever since.

Jumping out my thoughts to the sound of my name, Soso is standing at the edge of the forest waiting for me to make my way out. Crap Ill be late for school again.

Begrudgingly, I make my way towards her. Grabbing her hand as we meet, heading towards Blanco High.

"Amma is going to kill you, yuh know." Soso chimes in reminding me of my grandmothers' rule of not going into the forest. Ever.

I hate school. It's too far away from home and too far from my tree. Plus, people suck anyway except for Amma and Soso.

Amma is my Grams, she's been ancient since Ive known her. Wrinkly and soft, her features showing the hardships shes faced. When she smiles, she appears to be young and carefree. Just don't get on her bad side. Trust me.

Blanco High is exactly in the middle of Sombre Foreit. We're completed surrounded by the forest, a fact I love. One way in, one way out of town, a four day hike through the Western side of the forest you meet the sea. Its my second favorite place. I love my home town, even if I dont like the people in it.

Approaching the front gate, Soso pulls me back suddenly. After my initial shock I see why. Amelia De Baba speeds past in her car filled with her sidekicks, She steps out in her overtight, extra small dress and matching pumps. Flipping her pin straight, blonde hair over her shoulder, she looks at me with disgust before entering into the building.

I hear Soso whisper plastics the same time I thought it. We both bust out laughing. No wonder she my best friend. Im super lucky to have her.

The bell rings, we hurry inside for another day of torture.