The Gem's Guardian

Denise's POV

"Denise, come on, do you want to be late?" Audrey yelled impatiently from the comfort of my living room couch.

"No, come and adjust my dress!" I hollered back, knowing Audrey's reluctance to leave his spot.

"Ew, Denise, you're sixteen and you don't know how to adjust a dress?" Audrey scoffed, still comfortably seated on the couch.

"I'm done," I finally managed to adjust my dress by myself, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

I carefully chose my outfit for the day, opting for a pink shirt with a black Barbie logo and a pair of denim jeans. To complete my look, I combed through my afro hair, which I had recently dyed pink. The vibrant color suited me and brought out the beauty of my dark complexion.

My name is Denise Lane, and I'm sixteen years old. Ever since my dad passed away when I was ten, I have been raised by my single mom. Growing up without a father has been challenging, but I've had no choice but to adapt and overcome.

Audrey McCarthy has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. We've been through thick and thin together, supporting each other in every step of our journey.

"Can you hurry up? Gen is waiting," Audrey called out, a hint of urgency in his voice.

Genevieve Parker had been his girlfriend since our freshman year, and now we were in junior year. However, I always had a feeling that Gen didn't genuinely care for Audrey. It seemed like she didn't want to be alone more than anything.

Audrey's love for Gen was evident. He had even gotten himself into detention for her sake. But sometimes, love blinds us from seeing the truth.

"Tell her to wait. You knew me before her," I retorted, my voice laced with frustration.

I slipped into a pair of black flats and grabbed my plain tote bag before making my way to the living room.

"Baby, I'm making pancakes and tea," my mom called out as she set the table.

"CJ, I'm not hungry," I lied, hoping she wouldn't notice the unease in my voice.

Ever since my dad's passing, I had distanced myself from my mom. The pain of his loss and the discovery of my mom's infidelity had left a bitter taste in my heart.

The day my father died, it was just him and me at home. I watched in horror as he began jerking uncontrollably, panic gripping my young heart. I desperately called my mom for help, but she was nowhere to be found. Despite my repeated calls, she never answered, and by the time she finally arrived, my father had already taken his last breath.

We buried my father three hours later, but the pain and confusion lingered within me. It was just a few days after his funeral when I returned home from school and discovered my mom sleeping with my dad's best friend on their matrimonial bed.

Devastated and overwhelmed by a whirlwind of emotions, I ran out of the house in tears, seeking solace in Audrey's comforting presence. Since that day, I had chosen to distance myself from my mom, unable to reconcile the betrayal and the loss of my father.

That's when I started calling my mom by her name, CJ. It was my silent rebellion, a way of expressing my hurt and disappointment without uttering a single word.

"Don't you have a boyfriend?" I heard Stephen's voice pierce through my thoughts, snapping me back to the present.

"Yes, I do, but he went to get his best friend. They'll take time before getting here. Just kiss me before they come," Gen's voice echoed in the hallway.

"Audrey, come out now, your girlfriend is cheating on you," I blurted out, unable to contain the truth any longer. The words escaped my lips before I even had a chance to process them fully.

Audrey sprang into action, his eyes filled with a mix of shock and hurt. Without a second thought, he bolted out of the living room, determined to confront Gen about her betrayal.

"Gen!" Audrey's voice boomed, carrying a tremor of anguish. Tears streamed down his face, a stark reflection of the love he had invested in their relationship.

"Audrey, I'm sorry. It was just a kiss. Stephen, tell him," Gen pleaded, her voice filled with desperation and regret.

But it was too late. The damage had been done, and Audrey's trust had been shattered. His rage and heartbreak mingled, creating a storm within him that demanded immediate action.

"Get out of my car now!" Audrey yelled, his voice laced with raw pain. Gen reluctantly stepped out, her shoulders slumped in defeat.

Unable to follow Stephen, who had left on a bicycle, she began walking toward the school, her steps heavy with remorse and the weight of her actions. She cast a longing glance back, hoping for Audrey's forgiveness, but he remained steadfast in his decision.

"How did you know Gen was about to cheat?" CJ asked me, her voice tinged with surprise and curiosity. She had witnessed the dramatic confrontation unfold before her eyes, unable to comprehend how I had foreseen Gen's betrayal.

I hesitated for a moment, grappling with the truth I had discovered about myself. Since my sixteenth birthday, strange abilities had manifested within me. It started with heightened senses—an uncanny ability to hear from miles away, smell scents from a distance, and see clearly in low light conditions.

"I just had a feeling," I lied, deciding it wasn't the right time to divulge the truth about my newfound powers.

CJ rolled her eyes, unconvinced by my response. "You're a bad liar, Denise Lane," she said, shaking her head in disbelief. Despite her frustration, there was a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes, a desire to unravel the mysteries surrounding me.

"I gotta go to school," I said, attempting to divert the conversation. Grabbing my tote bag and slinging it over my shoulder, I made my way to the front door.

"Bye, baby," CJ called out, her voice filled with a mix of concern and longing. I didn't reply; I simply closed the door behind me, leaving her with the unresolved tension between us.

Audrey's car was parked outside, waiting for me. I approached it with a mix of hesitation and determination. As I opened the door, the words I had bottled up inside me spilled out in a fit of anger.

"Stop whining like a baby, Audrey. There are other girls at school," I snapped, my frustration surfacing.

Audrey looked at me, his hurt visible in his eyes. For a moment, I tried to regret my harsh words. But I couldn't. I had built walls around my heart, protecting myself from the pain of love and vulnerability.

I have a heart of stone. I don't show love, sympathy, or pity because I despise them, since the day I watched my father die. I believe love is the beginning of weakness, and self-pity creeps in when love dies, and people start sympathizing with you. It's all connected.

"I need a drink before getting to school," Audrey said, interrupting my thoughts as he parked his car at a corner.

"What? Why?" I asked, confused.

"God, show some pity, Denise Lane. I just had my heart broken a few hours ago," Audrey yelled, hitting the brake.

"Fuck you!" I screamed angrily and got out of his car.

"Fuuuck you!" I screamed angrily, my frustration reaching its peak as I slammed the car door behind me. My heart raced, fueled by a mixture of hurt, anger, and the lingering effects of past disappointments. It was a constant battle, trying to tame the anger issues that plagued me, but I was determined to overcome them.

Audrey's voice echoed after me, pleading for forgiveness. "Denise, I'm sorry. I'm apologizing when I'm not even wrong." His words hung in the air, carrying a hint of desperation, but I couldn't bring myself to turn back. Not yet.

I walked briskly, my steps purposeful, my mind consumed by thoughts of how Auger had talked to me earlier. The weight of my anger pressed against my chest, threatening to suffocate me.

Lost in my own thoughts, I barely noticed the world around me. Until My head collided with a pole, jolting me out of my reverie. "Fuckkk!" I yelled, a surge of pain shooting through my skull. In my fury, I kicked the pole with one of my legs, hoping to alleviate some of the frustration. But all it accomplished was inflicting more pain upon myself.

"Are you okay?" a masculine voice asked from behind me, concern lacing his words.

I turned around abruptly, ready to unleash the full force of my anger on whoever had interrupted my self-imposed turmoil. But as my eyes met his, my words caught in my throat. I was left dumbfounded by his breathtaking beauty.