Remembering Me

The hooded figures quietly entered the woods, gathering around a burning fire. The flames danced elegantly, swaying and flickering in the soft breeze, creating a stunning array of vibrant oranges and reds. Now and then, bright sparks shot up, illuminating the surrounding darkness. The lively crackling and popping of the fire intermittently broke the peaceful silence. The assembly of such diverse souls gathered around the fire was unexpected, bringing together people who might not have interacted otherwise. Their shared objective was to protect a young child under the guardianship of her aunt and uncle following her mother's sudden passing. The atmosphere grew tense as they delved into the tragic circumstances surrounding the child. Despite their varied backgrounds, they all shared a determination to ensure her safety and build a bright future for her. Through her lineage, she had a connection with each of them. Sage would require the collective support of all to overcome the challenges ahead. “I will bless her with more than one mate. Given Sage’s unique heritage, she will benefit from sharing a bond with several souls,” Selene offered. “Courtney did not know her heritage. How will we ensure that Sage does?” Ainar asked. "Things will happen as they are meant to. We didn't anticipate Mammon's interference or what happened to Courtney. I will always regret that, Ainar. I wish I could alter the past. Dwade never had the chance to be the father and husband he was meant to be," Selene expressed with a tinge of sadness. “I left him a note, assuring him that I loved him, but never explained why I needed to go. If I had, things could have been different,” Ainar whispered. “I think we all wish things could have been done differently,” Rowena shared. "I promise to ensure that my daughter and her husband take good care of the child and keep her safe. If necessary, I will ensure that her powers are restrained. My family will provide Sage with love, guidance, and protection, and she will receive a good upbringing," vowed Rowena. "I will watch over her, as she is my descendant, too. Considering her lineage, she will face many challenges. No one like Sage has ever walked the Earth before. Where necessary, I will modify the memories of those who witness things they shouldn't when it comes to this child," Mnemosyne declared. “When Sage reaches eighteen, her journey will commence. Until then, we must ensure her protection. Sage will be both saint and sinner, a unique blend of light and darkness. Those destined to accompany our enchanting girl will be irresistibly drawn to her once she comes of age," Mnemosyne said. Present day Sage's Point of View It was the first day of classes, and I'd transferred from the all-girls school to a smaller coed high school. Choosing an outfit instead of relying on the uniform I'd worn for three years felt strange. No more kilts and knee socks for this girl! I could even wear the shoes I wanted instead of following the dress code. My parents and friends had been supportive while I mended my broken heart during the last few weeks of summer vacation. It wasn't a bitter breakup with Alan. It was mutual, but it still hurt. I no longer had the boyfriend I loved, but I'd also lost my best friend when breaking up with him. Mom had sat down with me one day and suggested a fresh start at a new school. Being in a small town left little choice of where to attend. The options were either the local high school or the private all-girl or all-boys school. So, I am now attending Meadow Lane Secondary School as a senior student. I was fortunate to get almost all the same courses I'd selected at my previous school, except one. In its place, I was going to take a drama class. It's not something I'd been interested in before, but this was something new, and I desperately needed a fresh start. I wore blue jeans that showed off my curves, a white flowery top that was a bit low cut, Doc Martens, and a black cardigan. My hair was in a French braid, and I wore classic gold hoop earrings. The only other accessory I wore was my watch. I grabbed my book bag, lunch, and car keys. Dad gave me his old Toyota Prius. It was silver, reliable, and, for the most part, good on gas. Being the only child of overprotective parents sometimes has its perks! "Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad!" I yelled on my way out the door. Mom appeared in the front foyer of our house. "Sage, honey, drive safely and come home after school immediately. Good luck today, my beautiful girl; I hope you have a great first day at your new school." I stopped, dropped my book bag, and ran to hug my mom. She always knew what to say and when to say it. Even if I didn't realize it at the time. It was about a 20-minute drive to get to my new school. One of the benefits of living in a small town was having everything close together and not too far to travel to places. I entered the student parking lot, gathered my book bag, and entered the school. According to my timetable, I had English and Geography before lunch. Environmental Science and Drama were after lunch. I wanted to find my locker, put my cardigan in, and head immediately to my first class. It was a new school, and it would take me some time to figure out where everything was - even if it was much smaller than my previous school. I strolled in the halls as more students started to filter in, making the hallway a bit more crowded. Being in a coed school was different from what I was used to. Some of the guys were checking me out, and the girls weren't too impressed with a new girl entering their school, especially in our final year. But a fresh start was what I needed, and I was determined to give myself that. I found my English class in room 111 and quickly sat in the middle of the room. I wanted to be more relaxed by sitting in the front, and the middle section was my safest bet. I opened my book, ready to take notes as my class started. A girl came and sat next to me and quickly said hello. She asked what my name was. "Hi, I'm new here. I'm Sage, and are you...?" "I'm Willow. It's nice to meet you," she responded in a friendly voice. Willow was tall, with auburn colored hair and bright blue eyes. She wore torn jeans, a black t-shirt, and a plaid flannel shirt. Willow smiled at me and took her books and pen to take notes. I was so happy to be sitting with someone who took school seriously, too. I had decent grades and wanted to keep them that way, if not improve them this year. Better grades would give me more options with the different programs I could apply to. My parents expected me to do my best. I wasn't an A student, but they expected me to do well in school - especially since they'd given me a car. The teacher, Mr. Wright, entered and began his lesson right away. The material we'd be covering in this class looked less challenging than what I'd experienced at the private school I'd attended before, but it was interesting. I was an avid reader and excited to get started on the books listed on our course syllabus. The private school I'd gone to was in the city, so I only knew a few kids in the area. I was grateful to meet Willow today. She seemed nice, and I hoped we'd become friends. The bell rang, dismissing us, and I headed out for my next class. It was upstairs in room 222. I dashed up the stairs, hoping to make it before class began. They gave little time to get from one classroom to the next. Or at least it felt that way because I was still getting familiar with the layout of the building. I arrived in time to grab the last seat in the middle section. I sat beside a quiet girl wearing a white crop top and black overalls. Her black hair was pulled back into a ponytail with a small white scrunchie. I noticed she was wearing Doc Martens, too. She looked up, nodded hello, and continued doodling in her notebook. "Hi, I'm new here. My name is Sage. Thanks for not minding me grabbing the seat beside you; I appreciate it." The girl put her pen down, turned, and smiled at me. "No problem, Sage. It's nice to meet you. I'm Raven," she said. Our teacher, Ms. Williams, came in after that, and class went by quickly. Again, the content seemed easy compared to the intensity of what I was used to, but it was still challenging enough to keep me engaged. Ms. Williams seemed organized, pleasant, and approachable. So far, things are going well. The bell went for lunch, dismissing us from our 2nd-period class. Raven looked over at me as she gathered her books. "Do you have plans for lunch?" she asked. "Not really," I said. "I was just going to eat in the cafeteria and read a book I brought. " " You could join me at my table if you'd like," she offered. "That would be great, thank you!" I said with enthusiasm. I was so grateful to have met two friendly people so far today. We headed downstairs to the cafeteria together. I had packed a lunch for my first day because I wasn't sure what to expect. Raven grabbed a tray and headed into line to pay once she'd gotten an apple, sandwich, and soda. I waited while she paid for it and followed her to the table. I was pleasantly surprised to see Willow among a few new faces there. "Sage, welcome! How was your geography class? I'm so glad you met up with Raven. She's one of my best friends!" "Class was good; not too much work today, but I'm sure there'll be much more soon enough," I said with a grin. Willow introduced Jason, Vince, Tristan, Emily, and Claire. They all came across as pleasant and welcoming. Interestingly, Claire, Vince, and Tristan were also in my Environmental Science class, while Jason and Emily coincidentally shared my drama class. It's a bit strange but quite intriguing. I am approaching this fresh start with optimism; it feels like exactly what I've been searching for.