My eyes snap open. I need to stop waking up like this. The memory of the all too familiar dream comes flooding back. My heart pounds through my chest. I look around the room, paranoid that I'll find him staring at me, but there's no one here.
Why do I keep seeing this dream? It feels so real. I hear footsteps approach my room. I look up. Thankfully, it's just Talia. I let go of the breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"Are you okay? I heard screams coming from your room?!" she gasps.
"It was just a dream," I breathe, more to myself than her.
"You look terrified."
"It's just that this is the second time I've had this dream. However, I remembered a bit more this time."
"Well, what more did you see?" she asks, twirling her hair between her finger.
"You know the first part. I'm in a dark room and the blonde version of myself stands in front of me. She looks terrified. These golden eyes were on me, but this time I heard a voice."
"And what did you hear?"
"He's coming for us both."
"That's something straight out of a horror film."
"I know!"
"Have you met this girl before?" She questions.
"I don't think I have met someone who looks just like me."
"Cause you know they say, the people you dream are usually people you've seen or glanced at before."
"My brain probably just made her up, or something."
"Well, do you want some breakfast?" I quickly ask, trying to change the subject of this stupid recurring dream. I can't talk about this anymore. What I need is to forget all about this dream that fills my head.
"Yea, I'll just meet you in the kitchen," she replies, thankfully not pushing me for more answers. She takes a deep breath, almost as if she's about to say something, but instead walks out of the room. I walk over to the bathroom sink and wash my face.
"I'm fine. It's just a dream," I remind myself. Maybe if I say it enough, I'll believe it. I force my legs to move and head to the kitchen.
"That smells amazing!" I shout.
"I made some pancakes," she smiles, handing me a plate topped with fruit.
"I love you, Natalia!" I tell her, through a mouthful of pancake and fruits. At least someone's in a better mood.
"Come sit down," Talia says, pointing at the chair across from her.
"Well, you know I love to eat!"
She smiles at me. "So, are you feeling any better now?" she asks, taking a bite of the pancake.
"Yea, I'm fine," I mutter.
"Don't worry Freya, we'll figure this out," she says, looking at me closely, almost as if she stares long enough she'll be able to see if really I'm okay.
"There's nothing to figure..." I begin, as I stare at a glowing blue light appear behind Talia. I rub my eyes. My eyes must be playing tricks on me! I stand up, knocking over the chair in the process.
"What are you staring at?" Talia says, but I'm unable to hear her. Unable to speak. She turns around to see what I'm staring at. The blue light suddenly turns into a person. A person! My breathing changes, my stomach twists. I want to scream, but nothing comes out of my mouth.
A woman in her late thirties stands right where the blue light once was just seconds before. Her brown curls stop just below her shoulders. Her brown eyes hide behind round glasses. How is that even possible?! I pinch myself to see if I'm awake. "Ouch. Yea, I'm awake." I mutter to myself.
"Hello! My name is Kassi and I'm here regarding your invitation to the academy," she states, looking straight at me. The corner of her eyes crinkles as she smiles. I turn around to see if anyone is behind me because there's no way she's talking to me!
"H-how did you do that? H-how are you even here?" I try to ask calmly, but my brain is all jumbled.
I look at Talia, who isn't having a breakdown, like me. "How are you this calm?!" I shout.
"I think you made a mistake, Kassi," Talia tries to explain.
"I don't make mistakes. The headmistress clearly stated to come and check on Freya. And you are Freya." she deadpans, looking at me.
"Wait, a headmistress! The academy! That's all fake, right?"
"I guarantee you, Astrea Academy is very real." Kassi states.
"I must be losing it! Yup. That's it."
"You are not losing it, Freya. I know this is a lot to take in." Talia says, trying to calm me down.
"Why are you telling me to calm down?! So you knew about this?! Why didn't you say anything about this before?!" I stammer, my hands flying to my chest.
"You need to calm down, Freya. Take some deep breaths." Talia says, worry written all over her face.
I try to take some deep breaths, but I'm unable to. The floor sways beneath me. The last thing I see before the darkness consumes is Talia's shocked face.
I slowly wake up, hearing Talia shout. My head is pounding.
"Freya!"
"Where am I?" My eyes feel heavy as I blink.
"You could've told me you were coming! Why would you just orb in front of her?" Talia nearly yells, and she's not the one to get annoyed.
Everything comes back, and my breath quickens.
"Are you okay?" Talia asks, sitting next to me on the couch as I lie.
"Well, I hate to get in the middle of all of this, but it is simply forbidden to tell humans anything magic-related. You are very clueless, as Talia stated earlier, but don't worry, you'll get caught up." She smiles at me.
I try to control my breathing. "So you're telling me that magic is real?"
"Witches, vampires, Fey, and werewolves are all very much real." Kassi states.
"Yea, I'll just stay here, on the couch."
"Here's some water," Talia says, concerned.
She hands me the cup and I drink it. "This is ridiculous. Witches. Vampires." I shake my head. "Mother would freak out if she knew about all of this!"
"Well, it would make sense why she hates my family and I?" Talia says, deep in thought.
"I'm not mentally ready to have that conversation."
"Well, back to the reason I'm here. Astrea Academy." Kassi states, her perfect posture never faltering.
"Nothing came up on google about that. Where are the cameras? This must be a joke? Where is John Quinones?" I tell her, looking around.
"I'm not here to make jokes," Kassi replies as she turns to give Talia a stern look, who is laughing at my joke.
She waits for me to reply, but I don't. I'm speechless. What am I even supposed to think about all of this? Witches, Vampires, Fey, and Werewolves are supposed to be nothing more than myths. Stories.
"Well, let me explain some things to you." Kassi continues.
"Mhm," I reply, nothing else able to come out of my mouth.
"At 18 years old, an individual's powers are fully developed. That's where Astrea Academy comes into the picture. It helps young adults like you and Talia learn more about your powers and what you'd like to do once you graduate. Think of it as a College for magical creatures."
"We don't have powers." I turn to look at Talia for confirmation, but her face says otherwise. "Natalia Hope Marshall!"
"I'm a hybrid." She quickly replies.
"You're a what?!" I shout.
"My mom's a witch and my dad's a werewolf." She nervously laughs.
I stare at her, eyes wide. I wait for her to say just kidding, but she doesn't.
"Freya, Professor Luna would not have me come to find a human." She responds, sounding a bit too sure if you ask me.
"Gather your things, girls. We should be heading to Astrea Academy soon."
"Who said I'm even coming with you!?" I shout, running to my room, slamming the door behind me.