Exile

As I walked through the forest, the leaves beneath my feet made a satisfying crunch and rustling sound with each step.

Noice!

I thought to myself as I listened to the birds singing in melodies, it felt as if they were taking part in the little party just a mile away from the waterfall. I just wished they had never celebrated all that at all.

I stopped for a split second feeling gloomy. Those shouts of joy and laughter were the ongoing celebration of the same thing that nearly killed me, emotionally.

I wanted to join so badly but I couldn't, but ill for sure stall.

As I walked, a bird soared above me, its wings beating in rhythmic harmony. It hovered gracefully overhead, showcasing its vibrant plumage and intricate feathers. Then, in an instant, it vanished into the ether, leaving me to ponder its carefree existence.

I slowed my pace, feeling a pang of longing. That bird had the liberty to fly away from its troubles, unencumbered by the weights that bound me to the earth.

It's not so bad at all. I mumbled to myself, folding my hands into my pockets as the thoughts of being invincible and treated like a non-existing character clustered up in my mind.

Lost in thought, I failed to notice the treacherous terrain beneath my feet. A careless step on a slippery rock sent me tumbling to the ground. As I winced in pain and rubbed my sore toes, I finally lifted my gaze to behold the sight I had been yearning to see. From my vantage point on the hill, I gazed down upon the warm glow of the bonfire, its crackling flames dancing high into the night air. The pack members milled about, some standing, others sitting, their faces aglow with the fire's golden light.

Wow! No night has ever looked ugly.

5 DAYS AGO

"What do you think? I'm so excited. What are you gonna wear?"

"I wonder if a human being is able to cry underwater? Does the water push back the tears or does it flow with the water?"

"Freya? What?"

"I think they mix up with the water and flow normally but____ ouch!"

A pinch on my wrist sends me jolting back in pain.

"What was that for?"

As I glance up, I find us standing in front of a storefront window. Through the glass, I saw two stunning, long red and black dresses draped on mannequins, paired with sleek heels below. I roll my eyes at the dresses, and then at Lila, who knows I'm not into fashion and that I've been reluctant to attend the party. She's trying to persuade me, but I'm not easily swayed.

"C'mon. Let's go try them on", she said, dragging me by my hands.

Ok. Great. I should have just picked one out.

"Uhmm.. I think red will look good on you" I said after playing a little game of choice in my head.

"Perfect, red makes my eyes pop!" She screamed with excitement, dragging the dress with its tail across the room, hanging it back on the closet. She swiftly turned her head towards me, and for a moment she looked at me in a pitiful way.

"What?" I asked, squeezing my face like a fork out of curiosity.

"You really don't want to come to this party? It would be a total blast. You could meet people and boysss" she said, raising her tone as she said "boysss".

"Ugh! We've been through this. I'm not going!" I retorted, folding my arms across my chest. Lyra was my best friend, she had always been my best friend right from the day she helped me find my classroom in school. I had never been comfortable talking to another guy other than her.

"Freya, why are you being so hard? Couldn't you do this for me? I'm your best friend, and you know you love me. You could get a boyfriend" she said and winked at me, "and guess where they are coming from?"

I raised my eyebrows at her, putting the look of curiosity on my face.

"The Raven's den"

I let out a sudden, awkward cough, as if I was choking on my own saliva. I wasn't prepared to sit through Lila's gushing monologue about her romantic fantasies, especially the ones involving the Raven's Den pack boys. Her infatuated sighs and dreamy expressions made me squirm, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of discomfort wash over me. These were disgusting, and truly there were.

I recall throwing it up into the school's trash can the day she thought it was right to talk about her make out with a guy.

"Excuse you? Judgy much? You really think you are going to be like that all the days of your life, well I for one, cannot wait", she said, carefully drawing a line on her lips as she smiled slyly at me.

I shrugged and dragged my stiff leg from the chair to the door. "You gon' leave just like that?"

"I'm sorry bestie. I have to go wash dishes after the party. Heard the son of a b*tch is throwing another party" I said bitterly as I felt my eyes twitching at the thought of what sick party Astrid was throwing again.

"You're so funny" Lila said whilst laughing uncontrollably. She always laughed like that whenever my eyes twitched at the thought of something or someone annoying.

"Girl. I don't know why you are laughing like a pig. See ya later", I retorted and shut the door behind me.

Lila knew how much I hated being around boys, especially Levi. Levi was an annoying guy to me, other girls always said he was funny and cool to be around, and I'm sure those girls are just blind.

We both worked together carrying assignments, running errands and making sure no one lacked any necessities in our small village.

"Hey! More plates," Levi says, dumping a bunch of my plates on my arms with my arms still inside the water. I felt a sting of pain.

"Don't you think you could drop it somewhere else!?" I looked at him, feeling a surge of anger just at him standing over there.

"Just trying to get my job done"

Ugh!

Is it me or is Levi being arrogant and also trying to act innocent all over me? And he always looked innocent with his dark hair covering most of his face.

I squeeze the sponge with anger, almost as if I was having my anger transferred to it.

"Maybe you can just ___"

"Freyaaaaaa!" I was abruptly cut short by an outburst from the door and a familiar voice screaming my name on top of her lungs.

Nice lungs.

I turned to see Lila standing with the door in her hands, her eyes widening with excitement and looking like she was about to explode any minute from now.

"Lila wh___"

"OMG bestie, what are you doing? Come on" she said, dragging me out of the room with Levi just watching, at least I was away from his annoying *ss.

"What are you doing, Lila? I asked, still being pulled aggressively by her.

"What are you doing? You're supposed to be dressed up by now", she said as I adjusted my jacket as if I had a fight to settle with it.

Couldn't today just get better?

"Dressed up for what exactly?!" I thundered, now wiping my hands on the towel she handed me.

"Ugh! Cringe. The party silly"

"Oh God. Girl, I told you I'm not attending the party.

"Isn't th___"

"It's for you!!" She said, clapping her hands in excitement, making a swirl with her gown as I watched in bewilderment, trying to understand what she said.

"Astrid choose you. Oh my gosh! Bestie, you're so lucky."

"What!!!?" I asked, choking, almost ripping the towel apart.

I felt anger. I felt a knot being tied in my stomach, and for some unexplained reason, i stared at Sasha with rage burning in my eyes. How could she be happy for me?

"I'm going to do your makeup, oh and you___"

I wasn't going to stand there with Lila and listen to her list of fantasies like I always did, I wasn't going to stand there and let her do all that make believe. I stormed out of the room, sending the doors flying and kicking.

"Freya! Where are you___ come back!"

*Ha! Did she really think I'd turn back, walk back to her and then let her dress me up like some infatuated princess?.

I walked angrily for minutes until I got to our village, feeling no atom of calm. The little pups tried to play with me, but my twisted face probably scared them off.

I only had one motive.

Astrid!