I walked away. Away from everyone. Into the forest.
I cried and cried for everything that happened in my life. All the memories of me as Sapphire entered my mind. My head hurts each time a memory enters my mind.
A memory of Jacen entered my mind. Jacen. I already met him when I was Sapphire.
.....
“When are we going on the trip to Ravewood, Mom?” I asked in my childish voice.
“In just two days, dear. Have a little bit of patience,” Victoria said, tickling my nose. I happily smiled. A child with no worries.
When we reached Ravewood with Peter, Victoria, Dorothy, Thomas, Cassie and I stayed in a hotel and explored the whole city. I thought I had never been to any place, but I travelled all over the cities. I went everywhere except Earth.
It happened ten years ago. Though I don’t have the full memory of it, all I know is I enjoyed it. But I forgot everything. Now it’s all coming back.
I and Cassie are playing in a playground. I don’t know why we have been so close, and she’s been so nice to me. Maybe she was acting it out. She never liked me when I was Sapphire. She supported her mother all the time, whether she’s right or wrong.
“We played here for too long. Iam hungry,” Cassie told patting her tummy.
“Iam not hungry. I still need more time here,” I replied, looking at the swing.
“Fine. You go play by yourself. Iam going to eat,” she said and left me all alone. I walked towards the swing alone.
“Hey, can you get down?” I politely asked a boy from my same age?
“No. Find another place,” he replied without looking at me.
“Please,” I added without commanding him.
“Aww. Fine. If only you could tell your name. Then the swing is all yours, baby,” he said, getting down.
“First of all, Iam not a baby. Iam Sapphire. You are also looking like a kid. What’s your name?” I spoke in a commanding tone and got seated on the swing.
“Iam Jacen. A Vampire. You should respect me even when Iam a kid,”
“Where’s the proof? Show your teeth,” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I... I don’t have any. I can show you if only I have grown up,” he stammered in the same childish tone. I stayed there for the holidays for a month. Each day I went to the park. Not to play, but to see him. He was funny, annoying. He annoyed me by playing ‘baby’ when he is nothing but a kid just like me.
“Iam going to Slateville today,” I said, standing at the edge of the bridge. I looked down at the flowing river.
“Ohh. I will return to Slateville after a mouth,” he simply said looking in the same direction Iam looking.
“Okay. It was nice meeting you. Maybe I will feel bored without your silly talks,” I said, looking at the childish, boyish face.
“Umm... I don’t know whether I will be bored without you, but you can tell me your address. Iam just asking. I will ask my parents to take me there.”
“Sorry, Iam not supposed to do that. It’s a secret...” I refused to say it. My mom told me not to tell anyone that Iam the princess of Slateville. She said it will get attention from everyone. Then we can’t enjoy the holiday and Iam doing whatever she says.
“Secret... fine with me,” he said, and I realized it’s late. This is the last day I’m spending in Ravewood.
“Time to go. Bye Jacen,” I instantly said.
“Is there any chance to meet you again in Slateville, Sapphire?” he asked after I turned away.
“Maybe or maybe not,” I left with that word. That’s the first time I saw him.
.....
Jacen’s not a stranger. I met him a long time ago. I forgot everything. He still doesn’t know whether the girl he met in his childhood is me or not. But am I going to talk to him? I ended everything we had between us. I walked away and now remember this. I never know the universe will bring us back again. I met him again, and he did both good and bad things for me. I got out of the house because of him and I lost my aunt because of his lie.
We only have one choice. I choose to escape the house, which leads to finding my parents.
If I choose to be with my aunt, then I wouldn’t have lost her.
Is there any choice to gain it all?
....
CORONATION DAY:
“Sydney, it’s time for your coronation. Open the door,” Amelia knocked on my door.
“It’s open,” she came inside and stood in the same place, looking at me.
“Sydney. Why didn’t you get ready? I mean...you spoiled all your make-up by crying. It’s already late, Sydney. Victoria is waiting for you.” Amelia walked towards me and lifted my chin. My eyes are red from crying.
How can they keep the coronation within a day after Lydia’s death? I know this is not Victoria’s fault. Because people need to know who is the real princess and need to know about Dorothy and Cassie, who escaped the Academy and didn’t return. No one knows where they are.
“Just finish the coronation, Sydney. Tomorrow we can attend your aunt Lydia’s funeral. I know you are strong.” She consulted me and walked me over to the mirror.
I know I spoiled the makeup which she has to do it again. I looked at my long royal blue gown. It doesn’t feel like me. I don’t like attention. I didn’t even get used to the name ‘Sapphire’. My friends are still calling me Sydney. I feel like Iam still Sydney Marin.
“I know I can’t understand your pain, Sydney, but just go through this single day. Then everything will be over.”
“If Lydia has a crystal just like us. Kassidy would have saved her like how she saved Leona. But we didn’t have that choice. So, try to...” Amelia said as I interrupted her.
“You are right. Kassidy...”
“Sydney, Kassidy can’t do anything about this. What’s done is done,” Amelia explained, but my mind had already gotten through some idea.
“I need to go now.” I slammed the door open and ran away.
“Sydney, come back. Where are you going?” Amelia shouted behind me. But I had already run away from the tower full of dorm rooms. Iam going to see Kassidy.
With my gown widely spread around me in the ground, I ran faster than I ever did.
“Kassidy. I need your help,” I breathlessly said, opening the door without knocking. Kassidy was sitting on the couch and reading a book. She jolted as I intruded without knocking.
“What can I do for you, your highness,” she bowed.
“No need to call me ‘highness’. Iam still not the princess. I want to know if there’s a chance to save Lydia.” I asked.
“But she already crossed the line. She’s no more. Iam sorry, princess Sapphire. I can’t help you,” she said politely. There must be a way to do it. There’s always a way to find a solution.
“There has to be away. Think of it, Kassidy. I will do it no matter how difficult it is,” I confidently said. Then both our eyes travelled towards the portrait behind us.
“I can’t risk that, princess. Please don’t force me,” she pleaded, but I have no idea what she is talking about.
“I command you to tell me. Now,”
“It’s...I can help you to get back to Lydia if you could go through one of the portraits,”
“Then send me. Iam ready to go,” I volunteered.
“You need to go to hell. That’s not as easy as it seems. You can enter, but getting back to your aunt and finding a way to return to Slateville is difficult. You need to do this for 24hours. It’s highly impossible. I didn’t even try it,” she said in a panic tone.
“Iam going. It’s decided. Send me. I will only return here with my aunt,” I positively said, ignoring all the warnings. This time Iam going to do this all alone.
“The Queen will punish me if I send you to hell. I can’t do that, princess,” she refused me again and again.
“Sydney. Here you are. What are you doing here?” I heard a voice behind me. The door is open. Noah spoke. Amelia and Jacen are standing behind him.
“My mother will only punish you if you permitted me to go to hell. What if I can go to hell by myself?” I asked and before Kassidy can understand what Iam saying, I jumped into the hell portrait. I stepped in. I heard the screaming, shouting voices of my friends.
Then it’s all disappearing. The surrounding started to disappear. I will be in hell before I could realize it.