Chapter 1
1-Memory
*****Flashback*****
I'm in the school hallway making out with my boyfriend, Mike, but the sound of the school bell rings loudly, causing us to separate.
"I'll see you after class?"
"Sure, babe, I'll be here to pick you up, see ya," Mike responds while walking away.
I follow everyone into the classroom and walk to my desk.
"Okay, class, we have a birthday today, let's all wish Marisol a Happy birthday."
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" everyone yells in unison, and some follow their words with whistles.
The teacher does this for everybody's birthday, but I was hoping she wouldn't do it for me; I guess I'm not as lucky as I thought I was.
"Thank you," I respond before placing my hands over my now flaming red cheeks.
"Okay, class, it's now time to settle down.....guess what we have on the schedule today....What?...No one wants to guess?.... Okay, I'll tell you, we have a pop quiz today, yay," the teacher states with silent clapping.
Everyone groans, and I begin to feel my anxiety building up. I need to pass this test, I can't afford to fail this class, I need this credit so I can be on track for graduation.
Taking a slow and steady breath, I wipe my sweating palms on my pants as I look at the paper in front of me.
"Okay, class, you may begin," announces the teacher.
My anxiety becomes more intense with every question I answer.
I'm now halfway through the test, and my nerves are so bad that my leg is bouncing uncontrollably underneath my desk, and I keep having to wipe my hands on my legs. My deep breath technique is failing to work, and I can feel my heart matching the rhythm of my bouncing knee.
Maybe giving myself an internal pep talk can calm me, come on, Sol, you can do this...you know the stuff on the quiz...there's no need to freak out.
Okay, last question....shit...I don't know this one, I was texting Mike when this topic was discussed in class.
Suddenly, I feel lightheaded, and a wave of feeling hot and cold hits me at the same time.
What the hell is happening to me?
My hands feel as if one has frostbite while the other is burning, and when I look at them, I begin to see small blue and red colored orbs forming from my palms. To make sure I'm not going crazy, I look around to see if anyone is seeing what I'm seeing, but everyone is busy looking at their tests.
When I look back at my hands, the orbs are bigger, and the cold and heat are intensifying to the point of being painful.
I need to get the fuck out of here, I think as I stick my hands in my pockets and run out of the classroom while ignoring the teacher's demands to get back to my desk.
Sorry teach but I think I'm having a crazy ass episode right now because none of this can be real I think to myself.
I decided to run straight out of the school building and head home instead of trying to hide in the bathroom.
Oh shit, I didn't even text Mike or my friends to let them know I left...ah well they'll be fine., I'll just message them later.
Once I get to my house, I bang on the front door: "Mom...Dad, open the door. I need your help!"
As soon as they open the door, I run into the living room and throw myself on the sofa with my hands over my face, and my parents follow me with confused and worried expressions.
"What's wrong, honey? Why did you bang on the door like that? Is everyone okay?" Asks mom.
I lift my head and look at them with a tear-streaked face.
"Princess, you look like hell. What happened?" Asks Dad.
I stretch my hands out in front of me, causing the red and blue flames to appear from my palms.
"Shit, I knew this would happen" states Dad.
"You know what we have to do now, dear," replies Mom.
"What are you guys talking about?... What do you mean by you knew this would happen?.... What do we have to do?.... What is wrong with me?" I ask them feeling extremely panicked.....this is so unreal.
Dad walks away while saying he has to make a phone call.
"Honey, listen to me, you are fine, everything is going to be okay, you aren't going crazy, and we are here with you every step of the way."
"Mom, what's going on? Please just tell me what's going on."
"We will tell you everything, honey, but first let's focus on your self-control...close your eyes, take small deep breaths, and release them slowly.... That's it, keep going, focus on just your breathing, good, you're doing great, now open your eyes," Mom instructs.
When I open my eyes, I notice that the flames are gone and I feel more relaxed.
"Come here, sweetie," she states as she pulls me into a hug.
Dad walks into the room at that moment with a determined look on his face: "Okay, let's talk."
