La Farfalla

Thea ~ 16 years of age

Why was school so early in the morning? Couldn’t they have chosen a more decent time, like 10 am? Or maybe have offered a night school? Her nose crinkled in disgust at the thought, nope, even if it was at nighttime that would not change the fact she hated school. Hate was a strong word perhaps. Thea enjoyed going to class, it was something to do other than stay home and stare at the ceiling for hours on end. However, Thea did not enjoy the endless homework or the tears she sheds during math class.

Thea huffed throwing her red hair into a messy bun, glancing into the mirror cringing at what she saw. Sure enough, there were bags under her brown eyes, there were imprints of the design of her pillow on her cheek. Her eyes looked distant as if she wasn’t all the way awake. All of this was evidence of the fact that she was up until 3 am. Fatigue gripped her urging her to forget about her classes and go back to sleep. Her phone went off as a text came in announcing her friend’s arrival. Well, that threw her plans to be a couch potato out the window. Maybe she’d be able to sleep during lunch. After all, who needed food when you could have sleep?

She took a glance at the time and winced, she had promised to go to breakfast with Nakoa before school. And her late-night tendencies made her miss it, she would need to talk to him maybe apologize, her teeth nibbled on her lips. She hoped he wouldn’t be mad, but he should know her well enough by now, right? She rushed out the door a few moments later hurriedly sending an “I’m sorry” text to him.

“You’re late.” Thea grimaced as she hopped into Zuri’s car. “Sorry, I overslept.” Zuri hummed and began to drive. Thea gave her friend a look, she was unnaturally silent. Her fingers were turning pale as she held the steering wheel in a death grip. “Nakoa said you were supposed to have breakfast with him.” Thea stared at her friend questioningly. “Yeah, sorry, I would’ve texted you about picking me up but it slipt my mind. Good thing it did though because I don’t know how I would’ve gone to school otherwise.”

Zuri seemingly ignored her sentence and focused on the road. Thea frowned “Hey, are you okay?” Zuri shifted in her seat looking a bit nervous, she nodded “Yep. Fine.” Thea shrugged and leaned against the window, her friend would speak to her when she was ready. Sometimes Zuri would just go through not talking periods, and forcing her to talk would be worse than waiting for her to say it. Yet, this time there was a weird nagging feeling in her mind that whatever has her friend on edge was something that affected her too.

They arrived at school soon after, her door remained locked as Zuri turned towards her. “You’re my friend right?” Thea looked back at her friend and snorted not understanding why she was even asking. Are they friends? As far as she knew for the past 12 years. “Yeah, last I checked. Why, changed your mind? Did I annoy you too much?” Her joke went over Zuri’s head as she hesitated and shook her head. “No, just, just nevermind. Let’s go.” Bewildered Thea watched her friend hop out of the car and head inside ahead of her, what was going on with her today?

Thea closed her locker just as the hairs on her neck stood up. Yelping as an arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her into a chest, she glared up at the offender. “I have a boyfriend you know.” The glimmer of ruby eyes, his black hair was a mess looking like he had messed with it all morning. His face had a cocky expression but his eyes held a different indecipherable emotion. “Do you now? See, I have a girlfriend who didn’t show up for breakfast this morning. Do you know where I could find her?” He brought his face down to her neck nuzzling it, he stayed there a moment as if reassuring himself that she was here. He did that occasionally, it was strange but she never questioned it. His lips traced her neck leaving a trail of heat and a flutter of something in her stomach.

Thea shivered as his lips made contact with hers, a feeling of warmth filled her. Her mind began to feel dizzy as it always did, all he had to do was touch her and it felt like her stress left. But when he kissed her it was like moving on to a different plane of pure ecstasy. He pulled away but left his lips inches away. “I’m sorry for missing breakfast, I overslept.” He chuckled and placed another kiss on her lips. “We need to talk.” He mumbled.

Her heart twisted, as she pulled further away from him. “What?” Bad words, those were bad words. But considering he just kissed her it couldn’t be the breakup ones. But what if he was? Panic as it suddenly felt a bit harder to breathe. Sensing her discomfort he took her hand and squeezed it. “Nothing like that but I have news. Important news.” She didn’t relax, nothing good came out of those two words. “Nakoa,” The speaker went off announcing that all students needed to head to the gym.

An assembly? She looked at the speakers in surprise. When had they ever? She saw the panic look that appeared on Nakoa’s face and frowned at him. “Are you okay?” Were all her friends being weird today? He gave a nod “I just really need to speak with you after this.” Oookay, Thea stared at him with a questioning glance. “Come on we should go before they start, I really don’t want to be on the receiving end of Mallory’s anger. ” Nakoa nodded but looked as if he wanted to do the opposite.

Shortly after Thea was sitting next to Nakoa on the world’s most uncomfortable seating. She shifted closer to him and leaned her head against his shoulder. He was so warm compared to the coldness of this room. His hand seemed to be gripping her waist a bit hard as if he felt like she would disappear. Their principal stood on a mini stage in front of them, checking the attendance sheet to make sure everyone was here. A projector was set up next to him, satisfied he turned to them and began to address them.

“Students, today we have an important announcement from our King. Please direct your attention to the screen” The lights went dim as the projector started. The king appeared with the queen next to him. The council of advisors were also included on the screen. All of them were sitting at a table behind King Declan and Queen Sylvia as they stood at a podium.

“People of Quartal*, we come before you to announce the existence of something hidden from you since the beginning of this world. We had no ill will while hiding this news from you, we simply wished to avoid going to war. However, it is time we stop hiding.” He looked straight into the camera and Thea felt a weird feeling come over her, this was a joke. It had to be a joke, someone made this and sent it to the principle.

“I would like to formally welcome the supernatural community into our society.”

The-

The what?!

Disbelief held onto her as snorts were heard from students around her, whispers began to rise as people talked to their friends, no one believing this made-up video for a second.

The rest of the advisors stood as the king continued to speak. ” I, Declan Bevan King of Fae and my mate Queen Silvia Bevan of the Fae; would like to present the royal council Natalia Guevara and Elliot Guevara Queen and King of vampires. Wiktor Zorander and Amayah Zorander King and Queen of werewolves. Izabela Roth and Asmar Roth Queen and King of dragons. Charlotte Miller and Oscar Rahl will be joining the royal council as advisors of human relations.”

“There will be a press conference tonight, with the royal council. The appointed councils in your local area will also hold conferences open to the public. There will be two representatives of each species at the conferences. All of them will be shown live, there will be curriculum added to schools to help encourage knowledge about these communities. That is all.”

The screen went dark as snickers arose, no one was taking it seriously. That is until two people who weren’t there before appeared on the stage. Was that, Zuri’s dad? He took a step forward and the sound of cracking was heard as he changed from a human. To a wolf.

A

Fucking

Wolf

Yelps of surprise as some people fell off the benches. Thea stared in shock what, this can’t be happening. Her friend her best friend, the one she’s known for 12 years. Is a werewolf?! this couldn’t be true, it couldn’t it.. but there it was, a wolf, a huge wolf standing where her dad was moments ago. The second person had wings appear from their back, the wings seemed to glow with a multitude of colors as the person began to rise into the air, a plant began to grow out of the floor as her hand raised.

“Thea.” She looked to Nakoa, he didn’t look surprised or shocked. But it looked like he was gauging her reaction. He looked genuinely worried. She swallowed as her heart sped up, fear sinking in as she came to the conclusion it was true. The reality was sinking in closing in on her as she connected the dots. She couldn’t deny what just happened. “Don’t be afraid,” he whispered. It hit her like a ton of bricks, Oh god. Oh god. oh my fucking- she moved away from him ignoring the hurt look on his face. “You. You, what are you?” He sighed and moved his lips so she could see his teeth. Two new teeth appeared, sharp like daggers.

“I wanted to tell you.” She stood and bolted down the steps. Her boyfriend, her boyfriend was a. She couldn’t even think about it. “Thea! Thea wait!” She ignored the shouting and ran, passing the groups of people. Friends were now accusing each other as people began shouting, the noise volume raising to new heights. People were breaking off into groups, it was very slowly becoming human vs nonhuman.

Some people were backing up their friends, others were turning against them. It felt like a war zone as the teachers attempted to gain control of the situation. As she made it outside she breathed in the air, but even this was tainted with stress and tension. She saw a group of people, standing in a circle. But the circle seemed split, Zuri on one side and Torin their other friend on the other.

As much as she wanted to run she also wanted to confront her friend. Anger filled her as she stormed over to join the group. Torin had a dark look in his eyes as he stared at Zuri with such anger it might evaporate her. Her presence was noticed almost immediately, she pushed her way through the circle and joined her two friends in the middle. Torin barely spared her a glance. “Are you one of them?” Thea narrowed her eyes, not liking what he was insinuating. “One of who?” His head snapped towards her as he let out a hiss. “Them! Non-humans!” Something within her tensed. It was a weird feeling. “I am human. So what?”

Torin scowled at Zuri. “So you lied to both of us? You bitch. Did you have fun playing human? Tired of being a hairball pest?” Zuri snarled in anger, Thea could see her hands begin to shake and she felt like she was being torn apart. “We are called werewolves.” Torin scoffed at her words. “More like freaks of nature.” Thea rounded on Torin did he just? What the hell? Zuri was their friend yes she lied but, they were friends. “Torin.” Thea hissed. “Keep your mouth shut human.” A new voice joined the mix, Nakoa now stood next to Zuri. His eyes now a dark red, they narrowed in anger towards Torin. “We outnumber you, so if anyone is a freak that would be you.”

Thea withdrew, as a lump forming in her throat. Was this the same person who just pleaded with her to not be afraid? He looked terrifying in that moment, she had never been on the receiving end of his anger but now that she was... His eyes flickered to her, and they softened as they tried to convey a message. Not you, they whispered. The hairs on her neck stood up as she forced herself to look away.

Torin snorted in disbelief. “If you outnumbered us you wouldn’t have been in hiding so long now would you? Should’ve stayed in the sewers where you belong.” Thea closed her eyes, willing this to end so they could go back. Yet, there wasn’t any way to go back. This was happening, no matter how much she wanted to dig her head into the sand she found herself unable to deny this.

Nakoa let out a noise that sounded almost like a mix of a growl and a hiss. “You know nothing, you people grow ignorant, we’ve had to rescue you, humans, more times then we can count. You’re the weaklings, the powerless. We made a mistake in letting you think you were in charge of the world.”

The way he said humans sound like a disease, as if being humans could be the worst thing possible. Her eyes misted, did he hate her? Was everything they built a lie? Her nails dug into her palm. A wave of emotion crash-landed onto her drowning her in them.

Sadness,

Anger,

Hurt,

Fear.

She took a step back, eyes wide, too much was happening. Her world felt like someone decided to turn it inside out. Weaklings, powerless, those words why did they hurt so much? Why did it feel like he had just stabbed her in the gut?

Torin’s eyes turned to slits, he looked like he was about to say something but Thea had had enough. “Stop it. Both of you just. Stop. How can you say that? Either of you? How could you attack each other?” Torin looked to her in disbelief. “Really Thea? Do you even recognize what this means? It’s now us vs them.” Thea slammed her foot into the ground in frustration. “It’s only that way if you make it that way!”

Torin took a step towards her, “Are you, siding with them?” She almost choked on air. “What? There are no sides!” “They lied to us!” “With how you’re reacting its no wonder they did! Yes, I’m angry but to make this into something more is idiotic and childish.” Torin took another step and she all of a sudden felt like she was trapped. Her heart rate seemed to increase. “So, you are siding with them.” His voice was now cold like ice, it was dripping with anger and his eyes looked at her like she was a traitor.

“I’m not siding with anyone, there are no sides.” How her voice manage to sound so well put together when she herself was about to fall apart was beyond her. “There are now, Thea. You either choose a side, or the choice will be made for you.” “Back away from her, Torin.” Nakoa was watching him as if he was a wild animal. “Or what Nakoa? I see you already made her your own personal slave, did you enjoy forcing her to-” Nakoa moved quicker then she thought possible and slammed his fist into Torin’s face. Torin was pushed off his feet and slammed into the ground.

Torin lunged at Nakoa a second later, while slower then Nakoa, Torin managed to land a few hits. Shouting came from the crowd around them, she had forgotten they were there. She looked to Zuri who was pale, they needed to stop them. Thea moved close to the fighting pair “Stop it! Stop fighting.” Her shouts were worthless as she attempted to get their attention and for them to knock it off. “Stop-” She had moved too close, the next thing she knew she was on the ground with a burning sensation on her face. A whimper left her mouth as she brought her hand to her face, a warm liquid coated her fingers. Blood.

“Thea!” Zuri kneeled next to her. “Oh my goddess, Thea, are you okay?” Zuri Looked behind her “Do you see what you did?” She snapped at the boys. Nakoa was by her side in an instant a hand gently touching her cheek. Thea winced and forced herself up. “I’m fine, I just need.” A wave of dizziness overtook her as she took a step back. Zuri helped stable her, “I need to see the nurse.” Nakoa scowled at Torin who was looking at Thea in worry, “I’m sorry Thea, I didn’t mean to-” Nakoa growled. “You have no right to speak to her.” Torin looked about ready to punch him again. “Listen you unnautral-”

“FOR GOD’s SAKE!”

Thea was about ready to stab them both, was the fistfight not enough? Was seeing her bleeding not enough to snap them out of this? “You boys enjoy your childish fighting, I am going to see the nurse. Try not to hit anyone else.” She stormed away ignoring the calling of her name.

~

Her nose was broken and her cheek would be bruised. The nurse gave her some medicine and advised her to go get it checked if there is an infection, wasn’t that so incredibly helpful. Really, where do they get these nurses? Today must be Monday, only Mondays could bring something this horrible. But at least she could go home early, Thea sighed as she stood outside the school doors attempting to contact her parents to come pick her up. But they would be in meetings back to back today, maybe she could ask Zuri and demand some answers.

A car pulled up to the front of the school and out stepped Nakoa. “Come on, I’ll drive you home.” Thea went rigid, “Absolutely not. I can get a ride with Zuri.” Nakoa had a sly grin on his face as he held up a ring of familiar keys. “You. Did you steal her keys?” He shrugged. “Stole, borrow, its a thin line. Now get in the car.” Thea narrowed her eyes and turned beginning to walk away ignoring the growing headache from the blood loss. “Thea. Please, get in the car, you are not able to walk home like that.” Thea spun around “Why? Because I’m a weakling human? Or because I need to be rescued since I’m so incompetent?”

Nakoa winced as she threw his words back at him and shook his head. “No. it’s because you’ve lost a lot of blood and you live forty minutes away by walking. You would collapse before you got there. Even now I can see you start to sway. So please, get in the car.” Thea felt her teeth grind together. “No.” She turned around and began to walk away again. His door slammed shut so loudly it made her flinch. “Thea, get in the car or I will make you.” She scowled knowing he did have the ability to force her into the car. Huffing she spun on her heel and moved towards the passenger door.

“I’m still angry at you.” She opened the door.

“I know.”

Huffing she sat down in the seat and angrily buckled herself in. He came into the car a moment later.

“I expect answers.” She muttered as she crossed her arms.

“I plan on giving them.”

She glanced over at him feeling her heart flutter, as she caught his look. He was staring at her with an indescribable mix of emotions but the most prominent one being gentleness. His hand came up and brushed the side of her cheek gently sending vibrations through her. She wanted nothing more than to cuddle up to him in that moment. Only to curse a second later, damn it. How did he always make it so hard to be mad at him? He dropped his hand a second later, he sighed and turned the key.

The car pulled out of the parking lot.

And a foreboding feeling grew within her the further they drove away.

~

To be continued.

Ignorance

Ignorance is something to fight, one must have an open mind to accept the different sides of an argument. If one can keep an open mind and acknowledge another’s point of view, they open the world to more possibilities of understanding.

Medeis - The planet they inhabit

Quartal - Kingdom of the Fae