Everyone’s heads hung low, each step heavier than the last. I adjusted my backpack strap, keeping my gaze firmly on the floor to avoid the towering football players who might slam me into the nearest locker if I didn’t. I continued walking straight ahead, taking the longer route to class just to see her. In this gloomy, broken town, she was the sun. The brightest star to shine here. She was the birds chirping in the morning, the rain after a drought, the wave of calm after a panic—she was everything. My everything. “Hi, Ethan,” she smiled. I froze. I did not expect an angel to acknowledge my existence today, nor was I prepared for it. “Hi—um…” NOT COOL ETHAN, SOUND COOL. I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans. “…Hey,” I correct. Better, now, talk to her! “How is—how is your—“ I stammer, Adrienne turned the corner, not having heard my failed attempt at words. Dammit, Ethan. I headed to biology class, the clouds once surrounding my mind slowly covering the sunshine once again.

“You’re not…from here,” she says. “Ha! Well DUH! What? Do you want me to make ‘alien noises’ WeeOooOoo~” I tease. “Wait so you’re from Canada?”

“Huh? No! Humans are so STUPID.” I grab her shoulders, “Look at my eyes. They aren’t human. They aren’t even earthly, they’re-“ “They’re beautiful…”

“I…uh…what?” “There’s purple and blue with a hint of green swirling around with golden little specks everywhere that look like stars in the sky.”

I want to snap at her, ‘That’s not pink, it’s fuchsia!’ But I can’t move. I’m frozen. I wasn’t even supposed to leave the ship, no matter what happened. Is this why? Human ‘woah-men’ with mesmerizing words will capture you and eat you alive?

She’s a scientist. She’s probably just trying to study me or get a picture. Why can’t I convince myself to leave?

“…I am not from here.” I choke out. “Here, meaning…earth.” “What are you?” She looks at my eyes then glances at the cut on my lip. “Well, whatever you are, you’re bleeding. Bleeding neon orange... Okay, let’s get you cleaned up,” she leads me to the small medical shack where I’m sure I’ll spend the next few hours of my life. With her.

Should I tell her my kind heals all wounds within an hour? Nah.

“It was meant to be for you. I only ever wanted it to be for you,” he whispers. I’m on the verge of loosing it, tears forming. “You mean to tell me that…that our song…the one you ‘wrote for me’ isn’t for me? It’s hers?” my voice cracks with disbelief. He nods silently.

That song was the last bit of sanity I had left and it wasn’t even for me. I swallow, “Okay, well does she know this? Was that song even written for me, or some other girl before?!” “Baby…” “Don’t you baby me! You lied!” I yell, shoving him. “Liar!” I shout. At this point the tears have started flowing.

His face grimaced in a painful way. “Don’t you know you are my world?” I whisper. “I think that it’s gone…and there’s nothing left,” I push him aside and stride out, ignoring words he was saying trying to make me stay.

Despite what I thought, I felt empowered walking out that door. It turns out he was a weight all along, not a safe haven and now, my shoulders are light.

They’re coming. They might actually reach me this time. I’m petrified, the only reason I can move my arms to paddle is pure adrenaline. As I paddle, I let regretful and anxious thoughts consume me. Why would I go in a lake—in a paddle boat—while they have a motored boat?! Why didn’t I accept that guy’s help? Why are they still after me after I gave them what they wanted?

I desperately paddle, but my strokes get weaker and weaker, and so does my faith in my ability to get away this time. I never had thought I’d have to run again. Up. Down. Push. Up. Down. Push. Don’t die, don’t die. Keep paddling. Just keep paddling.

I look back. The universe must’ve pitied me because something stoped them just long enough for me to reach shore and run into the woods.

Where I’m hidden…and safe.

I saw you leave, I ran to Steve, Hugged him so tight, And said “everything in the world is finally right” You can’t touch my crown, They all began to bow down, It really is the best sight, Looking around after I’ve won the fight, Now I know you can’t knock me down, So see ya, ya clown!

STORY FORM

Normally I would start this message with “I don’t have the words” but I really do. You’re leaving. I’m staying. My life won’t be ruined, you can’t touch my social status as queen bee, and my boyfriend and I are just fine.

What else is there to say? “I’ll miss you?” PFFT, NO! “You changed me?” Well I mean, I have more respect from the other students since I drove you out so, thanks for showing them who’s boss.

Sayonara WITCH,

Marvella Dawson

(P.S. don’t answer back, i’m blocking you)

“Can you grab the cards?” “One second, I can’t yet.” “You always say you can’t.” “Okay, sorry, I can now.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t find them. I got another game though!” “No! That’s not what I wanted! You never help out, can you see how that’s frustrating? How you’re frustrating?”

I nod in silence. I walk away, and you get upset because of no apology. My negative thoughts you always seem to trigger erupt.

I know that I don’t help enough. I know I’m annoying. I know I live in my head and don’t pay attention. But hearing you say it makes it so much worse.

I know my flaws, I can see them too. I can hide more than you know. I can distract myself from the truth. I can blame you, I can blame myself. I can pretend your truth is true. I can put on a fake smile, and say I am fine, and hold my tongue until the day I die.

Who would’ve imagined a princess, locked in her own kingdom’s dungeon! Worst part is, I didn’t do anything wrong. I have written this account for if I die alone here. So to whoever reads this: Welcome to the story of…my life SUCKS. I think you deserve an explanation.

I was once a happy, naïve, princess with the best brother any girl could ask for. Blaze had taught me guitar, sword fighting, and how to fight like a knight. Things I love to this day. He approved of my boyfriend Charlie, and his approval meant the world to me.

After a flash flood with dark skies and thunder echoing in the air, Blaze found me. I almost drowned but he saved me. He sacrificed himself for me, and I haven’t been the same since.

Afterwards my relationship with Charlie fell apart. We tried to make it work, but I came to a new dimension—earth—and fell in love with someone else. Milo.

After that I realized Charlie and I just weren’t meant to be…and we were both okay with that.

As soon as I thought Milo and I even stood a chance, we were stripped of it.

My cousin Summer, who lives in a nearby kingdom recently got ahold of her family’s magical amulet, and is very rambunctious with it. Lex had been trying to take it since.

But now Lex, the one who was wanted it his whole life—came for me—not the amulet…and with someone new. They wanted me. My powers.

So, now I’m in hiding and everyone is forbidden to contact me, just so Lex can’t find me. Milo is no exception.

I can’t leave and I’m sick of it. I’m a lot of things, but a coward certainly isn’t one of them. Hiding and waiting is just agonizing. I miss my friends, I miss Summer, I miss earth, and…I miss Milo.

Y’know what? I miss Milo. And I hate it here. Why haven’t I left? I should leave!

But…my parents…my kingdom. My whole LIFE is here. That’s not something you easily let go. Who am I kidding? I love it here! It’s my duty as the princess and heir to the throne to stay.

But I miss Milo. This shouldn’t be this hard! I should know! But I don’t. Who even am I?

…

Who am I?

I’m Skye Thatcher, Princess and Heir of Metis. And I follow my dreams. And if there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that Milo is my dream.