Finally, we left and went home, it felt like we had been there all day. It felt good to ride Luna again, it had been too long, I was lucky enough the academy gave her a free saddle, which made it so much more comfortable. I loved the view the most I think, the sun setting in the distance of the mountains, it almost looked like home, almost.
I need to call mom, I have too.
We landed and I went to my room, squeezing Luna into the window.
"You're getting bigger," I said.
"Growing is good," Luna curled up on the floor.
"I didn't say it wasn't," I smirked and grabbed my phone.
It was dead. Shit, I need to call my mom. How long have I been here now? I can't even remember...
"I'm going to... I don't know," I sighed already defeated. "... to find someone to charge this."
"Best of luck," Luna said in a drowsy voice.
I closed the door quietly and wandered down my hall. Maybe Matthew... he's really smart.
I went to his door but then hesitated, Last time he was really mad... maybe I shouldn't... I stepped back and then continued down the hall. I wandered the castle, rounding the endless corners and climbing the countless staircases. The guards never looked at me twice, they kept focused on their duties and I kept focused on my search. I need someone who knows magic... but that's most people here, right? Maybe the guards know magic? I don't know.
I made my way to the dining hall, but it was vacant and night had fallen on the castle. I guess there's no one to help me... I'll have to try tomorrow.
I ascended the stairs to my room and almost ran right into Collin as he barreled down the steps.
"Umf," I gripped the railing to keep me from falling.
"Oh...," he stopped running and looked to me surprised. "Oh, Alyson?"
I gained my balance again and finally noticed who he was, Of course, I thought dryly.
"Hey," he smiled breathlessly.
"Uh, hi," I replied.
"I... I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to run into you like that. You okay?"
"I'm fine," I stood up, letting go of the railing.
"Good."
Damn... he probably knows how to keep the battery. I haven't seen anyone else... I should just ask.
"Hey-..."
"Uhm-..."
We both had talked at the same time, he chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck, I admit in that moment he was very attractive, but that was it. It was all outer beauty.
"You go first," he grinned.
"I just need to know how to charge my battery here," I held up my cell phone.
"Oh, yeah sure." He took my phone and held it for a second, whispered a few words and handed it back. "It should stay charged."
"For how long?," I asked turning on the phone.
"Well, I used that spell a few years ago and all my stuff is still at 100%."
Oh damn, yes!
"Oh, wow. Thanks."
I heard the echoing of footsteps approaching and the high pitched giggle of a girl. I looked up the staircase as saw a shadow approaching, while the giggling got louder. Who the hell is that? I saw Collin shift on the stairs, his eyes now glued to the floor and was only when Ashley flew into view that I pieced it all together
"Ah! Too slow, I fou-...," her smile fell instantly when she saw me and her posture went from relaxed and playful to reserved and angry.
I looked between them and the pure disgust I felt was truly overwhelming. What a piece of shit... One minute you want me the next you're LITERALLY running around the castle with her... I can't this. No one was speaking and I was not going to be the first to break the silence so I just stared at Collin, who was still looking at the stairs, not meeting my gaze. My eyes flickered back to Ashley, her arms now crossed as she glared at me occasionally glancing to Collin for an explanation. This went on for too long, I realized he was going to cower away from any sort of real adult conversation. I rolled my eyes and sighed loudly and stormed up the stairs, pushing past Ashley as I did. I didn't intentionally mean to nudge her, it was a small stairwell and she definitely was not going to move. So pushing her with my shoulder was the only way, the feeling of happiness afterward was just an added perk.
The whole way back to my room I mentally bashed on Collin. What a player! GOD, why are guys so dumb! Did he think I was going to put out or something?! Is that we said that stuff? He must have thought something! Why would he... I... I hate boys! ARGGG! This is just confirming that I need to focus on my real goal, going home. I dont have time for this petty back and forth with him and Ashley. I have to stay focused... I still have to see the egg, I thought as I pushed open my door.
"It is good to see you have calmed," Luna said without moving from her curled position on the floor.
"I'm always calm," I grumbled.
"Your thoughts would suggest otherwise," she said with a tone of snarkiness.
"When did you get so sassy?," I said to myself.
I turned on my phone, the battery was now at 100% and I went to my contacts. I paused before pressing the green call button beside my mom's number. I took a deep breath, preparing myself, it was going to take the rest of my energy to fake happiness and safety at some stupid college I had no intention to attend.
I took another breath, pressed the button and raised the phone to my ear. It rang only twice before I finally was connected with my mom.
"Alyson!?"
"Mom!"
That was all it took. All I needed was to hear her voice and it was too much. I was truly, in that moment, a scared little girl who wanted just wanted their mom. I chocked on the tears, tring to hold them back, but I couldn't. I quickly pressed the mute button so she wouldn't hear me.
"Oh, thank goodness! Alyson, we've been waiting for your call! Your dad and I were so worried. How is everything going? Do you like it? Any new friends?"
Hearing the concern in her voice did not help. It only made me feel worse, like I was betraying her. How can I do this? How can I keep up this lie?! I can't do it! She is going to figure it out! I don't know anything about Maine!
"Hey there, daughter of mine!," I heard some fumbling and my dad's voice blasted into my ear. He had stolen the phone from my mom, the only viable explanation. "Is it cold? I've always heard Maine is cold."
"Is that her?!"
"Tell Alyson I'm taking her room!"
"Shush!," My mother quieted my brothers in the background. "Give me back the phone, Dan!"
More fumbling and drowned out voices, it was painful to hear but it made me feel better in a way. More connected to them then I was. It felt like home.
"Alyson, we just want to know how it's going?"
I took another deep breath, wiped my eyes and unmuted myself.
"It's going great mom," I managed to sound somewhat normal.
"Great? You really like it there?," I could hear her already worrying.
I looked around my room briefly, the furniture, artwork, and the large white dragon who was dozing peacefully in the center. How did this become my life. Just a little longer... only a little longer...
"I... I can," I lied and bit the inside of my cheek. "And it's great because I have a full scholarship."
"Don't worry about money, Alyson-.."
"I'm not. It's just a bonus. I really like it here, mom.," I tried to stress the words, to sound authentic and it seemed to work.
"Maine... it's just so far..."
"I would come to visit," I promised.
"I hate the idea of you on a plane so much, they aren't safe."
"It's safer on a plane than in a car," I chuckled.
"I don't believe that."
"Ask her if she's tried any lobster!," I heard Ajax yell.
I laughed," Tell him I haven't had the chance."
My mom relayed the message and I heard her sigh deeply.
"We miss you."
It pinched my heart to hear her say it.
"I miss you too, mom."
"Tell me about the campus."
We talked for another hour or so, most of my end was lies. I made up a story about going out to eat with my roommate and trying clams. I told her I liked the building, they were pretty. The only thing I didn't like was the wind, it got cold so quick. I was surprised at how easily the lies poured out once I got started, I tried to keep them as vague as possible, but I was extravagant at times. I knew anything I did with the fake roommate could be detailed because I got always say we stopped being friend or something so they would never meet her. It might have been just me, but it sounded lie my mom was giving in to the idea of me going to this school.
I didn't know if that was a good or bad thing. I wanted her to fight for me to come home, give me more leverage with the Queen to have a crazy mom who demanded my presence back on Earth. But another part of me was glad she was feeding in to it, it would make it simpler, who knows what could happen if the she fought this, I have no idea what the Queen would do to my family.
When we finally said our good byes, I was already curled under the covers, it was all too easily to close my eyes and fall asleep.