You see, I have always known I was different. Growing up watching your mom talk to dead people can have that sort of effect on a girl. But, that’s not what makes me different. No, I am different because I am nothing like my mom. While she can communicate with the dead and help them, I seem to only find shadows-- the dark and twisted forms that follow around its victims.
I’ve somehow managed to handle this insane gift or curse-- whatever it is. I have turned a blind eye. I have ignored them and I have held my breath until the dark shadows slithered away and out of my reach.
That was why when my mom said the town was magical, I sort of freaked out a little...
Well, maybe a lot.
For my mom, magical had a completely different meaning than it did for most people. Magical in Salem was literally, magic.
“Lizzie, are you going to stand there all day, or are you going to find your new room?” dad asked, bumping into me as he walked past me.
Spinning around, I went to protest, but just shook my head instead.
Dad was already making his way to the kitchen and he was chuckling to himself. He was always so goofy.
“Where is my room, again?” I called out, hoping someone would answer me.
I was still frozen in place where my mom had left me.
“Upstairs, second door on the right,” mom yelled, from somewhere down the hall. I assumed it was her new office. I would have to explore later.
Turning on my heel, I made my way to the large, grand staircase by the front door. Taking the steps two at a time, I walk upstairs.
A sense of familiarity strikes me as I journey upstairs. It’s been years since I have been here and so much has changed, yet so much has stayed the same.
I spot the bathroom and as I turn the corner, I see a bedroom that is partially open. Slowly opening the door, I allow a stream of sunlight to filter out into the hall. The room is large and spacious and has two windows that face the back of the property. Rolling green hills greet me as I step into the room.
My bedroom furniture is already inside. I instantly spot my white, four poster bed, plum colored comforter and sheets, and gray dresser.
Leaving Salem was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. It had been the place where my mom had uncovered her powers, my first home and where all of my family belonged. But now that my mom inherited her aunt’s farm in the small, sleepy Town of Nicholasville, Kentucky, I am finding myself moving my life.
Now, I was just a few days away from starting over at a new high school. Apparently in this town, there were only two choices: East and West Jessamine High Schools. From what my parents had told me, the two schools were rivals but came together as well. I wasn’t sure what it would be like when I made my way into East Jessamine, but I was certain it would be vastly different from the world I had left behind.
Spending the better part of my week decorating my bedroom and helping my parents unpack our kitchen items, I hadn’t really explored much of the town. The last of our belongings, including my small, Toyota Scion, had arrived late last night. With only a week before school would start, I knew I needed to get myself together.
Later that afternoon, I had decided to take a walk to clear my head. I was filled with animosity from the move and the fact that I hadn’t been given a voice in the decision. As I walked along the narrow road, I felt a crisp wisp of air curl around my shoulder-length hair. Summer heat and humidity was no joke here in Kentucky, and I was regretting allowing my hair to lay down. Using my hair tie, I quickly threw my hair up in a ponytail and sighed as the air began to cool my scorching neck. Sweat beaded on my brow as I kicked a pebble out of my way. Trees hoovered on the side of the road, their tall limbs blocking out the hazy sun. Shadows of leaves and the forest around me danced along the pavement, mesmerizing me as I walked.
This was exactly what I needed, to break free and just be alone. Just as the thought entered my head, a voice caused me to almost jump out of my skin.
“Hey,” a girl waved just up ahead.
I had been so lost in following the lines of the shadows, I hadn’t seen her approach. But now that I had a good sight of her, I noticed that she had a unique beauty about her. Her emerald green eyes seemed to sparkle against the afternoon sunlight and her pale, milky white skin seemed to have a silky appearance and was a perfect contrast against her midnight hair. She was beautiful in a timeless sort of way.
“Hi,” I replied, startled by her company.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I saw you walking and wanted to come meet our new neighbors,” she smiled. “My name is Maylee and I live just around the bend,” she said, her southern drawl strong.
“Yeah, we just moved here. I’m Elizabeth. But, everyone calls me Lizzy,” I added.
“The whole town's talking about the new family. Everyone loved your Great Aunt Morgan. Maybe tomorrow I can stop by and show you around,” she offered. Her kindness was overwhelming. I wasn’t used to such generosity, or the idea that a whole town was talking about my family. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that last part.
“That sounds great,” I stated. “I really don’t know anyone here.”
“Well, now you do,” she smiled again.
She had a calmness about her that gave me a sense of peace I had been longing for. We stood for a moment in the roadway, neither of us talking. Suddenly, a loud engine roared and I flinched as I heard it screeching down the road.
Sighing, Maylee threw her hands up in the air. “Don’t be afraid, that is just my brother, Ace. He drives like he’s in the Indy 500 or something. I swear, he’s going to get someone killed one of these days,” she said, shaking her full head of curly, dark hair.
As she talked, I couldn't help but notice a red glow in her eyes. Squinting, I had to look twice to make sure I was seeing clearly. It was strange, but I didn’t have time to question her. A loud, black Chevy Camaro came barreling around the corner. Both Maylee and I jumped back, almost tripping over fallen branches along the roadway. Slamming on the breaks, the car skidded to a stop, tires burning and filling the air with the heavy stench of burning rubber.
Slowly, the driver's side window rolled down and as I leaned over to get a look at the driver, I felt my breath falter. Staring back at me was a boy-- no, a Greek God in the form of a teenager. His black hair lay perfectly on his head and his steady blue eyes sparkled against the setting sun. In this light, his eyes almost appeared golden. A silver ring pierced his eyebrow and caught my attention. A small smirk curved his lips and a pair of pearly white teeth greeted us.
“Maylee, get in,” he demanded, not even looking my way.
Rude.
“Give me a minute,” Maylee hissed back, defiantly ignoring his command.
I liked her.
“Maylee, you need to get home. There are others watching now,” he said, his eyes briefly glancing my way, before returning back to his angry looking sister.
I watched their tension filled exchange with a horrified fascination. It was awkward, to say the least.
Rolling her eyes, Maylee offered me a small smile, before moving to the passenger side of the car. “Sorry, Lizzy. I have to go, but I will see you tomorrow,” she said, waving as she sat down.
She barely had time to close the door before Ace pushed his foot on the gas and sped away, leaving me in a thick, cloud of smoke.
That had been all too weird. Ace didn’t seem to like Maylee standing there with me, but I was new. He had no idea who or what I was. He might be strange, but I guess I couldn’t be picky on who decided to befriend me.