Wrapped In Prussian Blue

Ariah Halcin spent most of her life backstage. She went to a regular school, had one or two friends she actually liked and for most of her life, she went undetected by the radar. Cynthia Brown was her closest friend. The two were inseparable since they were children but there were a few things that Cynthia didn't know about Ariah.

Ariah went to Washington High and since Christmas was coming up soon, her school was bustling with people singing carols, decorating lockers and finally-- the one event Ariah dreaded the most. Secret Santa. It was pointless to her since nobody ever knew what to get her. But this year, Secret Santa was different. She saw everyone from her class getting up to take their gifts and finally her name was called. She picked herself up and tried to look as ecstatic as possible. But when her hand reached out to the gift with her name on it, she paused. It was very tiny almost as if there was nothing inside. She sits back down and tears open the box, confused. But what was inside shocked her even more. It was a key to a car-- a specific car, the Boren S20. It was Ariah's favourite car but she never mentioned it to anyone since she didn't feel the need to. But how could someone guess her favorite car? With such accuracy as well?

She ran to the big glass windows and looked down. There it was-- the majestic beauty draped in a marvelous Prussian blue. Ariah couldn't wait to drive it home. After a few tedious classes, it was finally lunch and Ariah couldn't wait to tell Cynthia about her car. During lunch, Ariah found Cynthia sulking near the lockers. She ran to her and started telling her about her new car. "But how could someone know about my favorite car? I never really told anyone, not even you." Ariah said carrying her lunch tray to her table. "Yeah, yeah enough about your "cool" car. Guess what I got? Two tickets to the Snow Globe event in Central Park! You have to come, you know what? Let's go in your new car!" Cynthia said.

You seem pretty excited for someone who was sulking a few minutes ago." Ariah said smirking. "Well, the girl who bought me tickets wants to come with me. But I'm pretty sure I can blow her off last minute." Cynthia said. "Wow, rude." Ariah said and the two burst into laughter.

After what seemed like decades, it was finally last period. Ariah could not contain herself and wanted to drive her new car immediately. When the bell rang, she began running to her car. She unlocked it and sat on the driver's seat. But, instead of feeling satisfied, she felt an eery wave wash over her. She felt uneasy. She didn't know what it was, but she immediately wanted to get out of the car. She bust open the door and stood up. Cynthia was waiting anxiously for Ariah's review. "Well? How is it?" Cynthia asked eagerly. Ariah didn't respond. She felt queasy and had a feeling that something bad would happen.

Later that evening, before deciding to go home, Ariah asked one of her classmates to park the car somewhere since she didn't want to take it home. "Please? Just this once, I've literally never asked you for anything before." Ariah asked Calloway. "I will but, hey you've got to pay me back sometime." He said smiling. After parking the car, he gave her keys back to her.

When Ariah got home, she was tired. But what made her even more sad was the fact that her relatives were going to be staying for Christmas. Ariah didn't like any of her relatives. Most of them were old and boring. The only person that really intrigued her was her aunt Cerenova Halcin.