The List: Four

To catch up:

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3


It always goes back to the list
The one that gets lost in the mist
And watch the colored dragonfly
Becomes the innocent passer by

The topics embedded in mind
Leaves you to fall down behind
It's best to just find the real you
The broken pieces filled with glue



FOUR

"What?"  Cristi begins.  "Don't tell me you've never had a guy into you before."

"I've been homeschooled," I answer honestly with her.  "I wouldn't even know how to tell if a guy is into me.  Besides, I have other plans, and a guy is just not on my list."

"You have a list?"  She asks.  "Like a bucket list."  There's that word again.  "I thought only old people did those things."

"And very young people who have trouble focusing, and need a list to create in order to fulfill their dreams," I interject.

"Hmm, yeah.  I guess I never thought of it that way.  How long have you been making a list?"

"Since I've been homeschooled," I answer.  I really don't know how else to answer that.  I just woke up one day, and decided that a list needed to be made.

"So, then, tell me," she pauses.  "What's first on your list?"

I go to speak when she interrupts.  "Oh, my God!  That is so rude of me!  I don't know why I even asked that.  It's none of my business at all."

"It's okay.  It's not that big of a deal.  The first thing on my list is to live my life like any normal teenager would.  I want to experience the high school life.  That means dances and after school programs.  Today I'm planning on trying out for the cheerleading team."

"Oh my! That sounds so cool!  I've never thought about doing something like that before.  Do you mind if I try out with you?"

I shrug.  "Sure."  I look at my schedule.  "I have Chemistry in room two twenty-four, do you know where that is?"

"Yes," she seems sad.  "It's just three doors down, to the right.  I have to make up some algebra classes, and I believe this is where we part ways.  What period do you have lunch?"

I look at my schedule.  "Um, I am free fifth period."

"Okay then I'll see you in the cafeteria."

"Sounds good," I say.

We part ways, and just before I reach the door to the classroom, I hear someone mention the word aphrodisiac.  That's a rather strange word for someone to say.  I don't want to look to see who's talking, but I can't help myself.  I can feel someone staring at me again.  Please don't let it be Xander.

I look up, and it is him.  I wonder how much he heard me say to his sister.  Our eyes lock for a brief moment.  But in that brief moment, it feels like an eternity.  I am staring right into his blue-green eyes.  I couldn't tell this morning if they were blue or green due to it being dark out still, but they really are a blue-green color; much like the ocean.

I break our stare and I head into the classroom.  I show my schedule to the teacher.  She looks at it and smiles at me.  "Welcome to the class, Kalura.  Is there a nickname you go by?"

I guess Kalura is just so strange, people feel funny saying it.  I can't tell you how many times I've had to explain my name to people.  Who knew a name with six-letters, and three syllables, would be so confusing?

I smile back at her.  "Some call me Kallie with a K," I reply.

"Welcome to our school, Kallie.  Have a seat, and we'll begin when the bell rings."

I take my seat just as the second bell rings.  I didn't want to sit in anyone's seat, and so I waited for everyone to sit down.  I notice there's room up front, by the door.  I choose to sit there.

The teacher turns on the movie screen, and looks over at me.  "Kallie?  Would you mind turning off the lights?"

I smile and turn off the lights that's right above my head.

"Thank you."

I had no idea the first day of school is filled with random poetry, and watching films.  I was confused as to how a student already had a poem submitted for school, but then Cristi passed me a note telling me how Tawny is fifteen, and is expected to graduate from high school this year.  Apparently she spends her summers in school to earn credit.  Mr. Club liked her poetry so much, he decided to read it on the first day of school.

"How does chemistry work in your every day life?"

The voice on the screen interrupts my thoughts, and I find myself watching the documentary.  Since I have focus issues, I figure it'll be best to take out my notebook and write down some notes.  That is how I learn the best.

The documentary is comparing chemistry to people.  In some cases, while people are opposite, they tend to attract each other--and in other cases, they tend to be the polar opposites, much like magnets, or chemicals you combine.  The right chemicals will create something beautiful, and the wrong ones could possibly burst.

I don't really know that much about life, or people.  To me, this is all just the beginning.

***

DJ

The List: Three

For those interested in the previous chapters, click on the link below:

THE LIST: CHAPTER INDEX

Chapter 1
Chapter 2

Running to feel fine
Time that's racing blows my mind
A race for it all


THREE

"Oh, child," Nora says to me when I arrive back inside from my jog.  "Y'all had me worried about you."

"I'm sorry, Nora," I say.  "My hat flew off, and some boy caught my hat and started talking to me."

"Oh, a boy!  Girl, you should add that to your list."

I just love her thick, New Orleans accent.  I wish I had an accent like that, but I don't.  It's just a regular kind of speak.  There are some parts of Florida that don't have an actual accent due to people who move down here from all parts of the world and such.

I turn and walk backwards so I can see Nora's face better.  I know she wants me to be happy, but I have better plans.

"You know having a boyfriend is not on my list, nor will it ever be," I reply.  I turn back around and walk in my room where my school clothes are laid out.  Nora has a white button-down shirt and a pleated dark blue skirt waiting for me on the bed.

"You do know this is not a traditional private school I'm going to, right?"  I call out to her.

At the prestigious Calusa Fields High School, the dressing option is pretty much open.  You just have to dress in a more professional manner.  Though you are allowed to wear jeans on Fridays, it's not a very strict dress code like if you were going to a Catholic school or something.  You just can't wear any flip-flops or tank tops--clothing like that are not presentable anyway, in my opinion.

"Of course I know that, child," Nora responds as she enters the room.  She walks over to the bed, and picks up the shirt, and walks it over to me.  "These colors just go with your skin tone so well.  I just want you to make a great first impression."

I give her a warm smile.  "Thank you."  I don't argue with Nora.  I trust her judgement.  She brushes my hair with her hand, and walks out of the room so I can get dressed.

I put on the clothes, but start feeling awkward at my bare legs.  I head for my dresser to find a pair of leggings to put on underneath my skirt.  I put on a blue pair of leggings to go with my skirt.  I want to make it look like it's a part of my outfit.  I then put on white ankle-length socks, and my dark blue Converse sneakers.  I am pretty sure I am casual dressed, but I don't care.  At least I'm presentable.

A few months back, when I went to enroll for my senior year, I saw how the girls dressed.  They wear high heels and matching purses.  I've always been kind of girly, but never that kind of girl.  Even though I took ballet, I still love to watch a good hockey game on TV.  I take a deep breath, and I head out of the room.

"You look so beautiful," Nora says to me.  "But why hide your nice legs? You should really add meeting a boy to your list."

Nora wants so much for me to live the normal teenage life.  There is no such thing as normal anyway.  I do know, however, I don't want to add boyfriend to my list.

I started making a list for myself when I was about twelve years old.  Most would call it a bucket list, but I don't like that term.  A bucket list makes things in life seem so FINAL.  I'd rather call it a living list as opposed to a bucket list.  I get there was a movie called the Bucket List, but it seems it's become a rather cliche term these days.

One thing on my living list is to enroll in school.  I have that checked off.  The next one is cheerleading tryouts, which will be today after school.  I don't have time for a boyfriend, which is what I finally say to Nora.

"If you say so, child," she says with a smile.

I know that look.  She has a gift for knowing things.  Sometimes I grow a little curious as to what she knows, but I also know there is a certain balance in this world and perhaps, I'm not meant to learn what it is until later on.

I give her a hug, tell her I love her, and head out the door to my first day of school.  I walk out the door where there is a car and driver waiting for me.  This is not an unusual thing for someone like me to see.

I am just grateful that one of the perks of being in a prestigious private high school, means lots of students will have their own personal drivers.  I'm not so sure about bodyguards.  I just hope Smith is better at blending in at school than he was earlier on my jog.

I sigh as I get in the back of the car.  Smith--my bodyguard--shuts my door as I get inside.  I watch as he opens the front passenger door, gets in, and puts on his seat belt.

I pretty much say nothing, but I beg of Smith to not stay so close as I would like to make at least one friend this school year.  He nods his head, though I can't tell if he will listen to my wishes as he has not done so already.

I get into the school, and I immediately feel eyes focused on me.  Of course they would be focused on me, I am the new girl after all.

"Hey, check out the new chick," I hear a guy say, but I don't even bother to look up, and I decide to keep on walking down the hallway.  I have to head to the office to officially sign in, and get my class schedule.  But I don't even get that far.  Not even two seconds that guy mentioned something about the new chick, I feel an arm cross with my arm.

I look with wide eyes to see a girl walking with me.  "Don't mind my brother and his friends," she says to me.  I wasn't planning on it, but I say nothing of it.  "They're always interested in new people.  Well, not my brother so much, but his friends are."

"Oh," is the only thing I can manage to say.  I've not had anyone my own age to really talk to in a while with the exception of my cousin.  Everyone else I basically talk with are adults.  I guess I can be a bit timid when it comes to having conversations with others.

"You're the quiet type until they get to know you, aren't you?"  The girl asks me.  It's almost as if she can read my mind or something.

I shrug.  "I guess," I say to her.

"Oh," she exclaims.  "I can see we are going to be the best of friends.  My name is Cristi.  There's no H in my name, and it ends in an I rather than a Y.  My real name is Alexis Cristine, but everyone calls me Cristi.  I think it was because that was the first name I could say properly when I was little.  Oh, but enough about me.  What's your name?"

"Kalura," I reply.  "It's a combination of Kaleb with a K, and Laura, which are the names of my parents."

"Oh, what a wonderful name," she replies.  "I can call you Kallie for short."

I have been given a nickname.  Now I can scratch that off the list.

"So," Cristi begins.  "What's your first class?"

"Um, I don't know yet," I answer candidly.  "I have to go to the office to pick up a schedule."

"Well, let me help you, if you don't mind."

I look at her gratefully.  "I would love some help," I say.  "Thank you."

We head to the office, where Cristi seems to know everyone there.  It's like she's a very friendly and popular person.  I wish I had long, wavy blonde hair like she does.  It almost seems to bounce with every turn she makes.  My hair is short, straight, and not so blonde like hers.  My hair color is considered a dirty blonde, perhaps more of a light brown kind of a color.  Right now, my hair is all one length, and it lays about down to my shoulders.

"You ready for your first class?"  She asks, breaking me out of my reverie.  I look up at her sparkling emerald eyes.

I take a deep breath.  "I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

"Great," she smiles.  "What's your first class?"

"Um," I begin as I look down at my schedule.  "Poetry with Club."

"Oh, Mr. Club is an awesome teacher!  And it just so happens we have the same class together!  I'll walk with you."

"Alright," I say.  "Thanks."

"Maybe we can compare notes on our schedules.  I can show you what classes you need to go to after."

"I-I don't want to put you out," I stammer a bit.  "Are you sure?"

"Really," she replies.  "It's not a problem."

I express my gratitude again as we enter the classroom.  I hand Mr. Club my schedule.  He takes a look at it, and looks back at me.

"Kallie is new here," Cristi says from behind me.  "I'll be showing her around today."

Mr. Club hands me back my schedule and clears his throat.  "Please, Ms. Wise," he calls me by my last name.  "Have a seat, and welcome to poetry class."

Cristi automatically picks out a seat for me, and she sits at the desk next to me.

"Now," Mr. Club clears his throat.  He starts to recite a poem:


"He is much like a flower
"Given to rise with power
"But with war he'll cower
"Forever is the final fate
"The life of a fragile flower
"Stems from a mind of state

"Crumble and land on down
"To be stepped on in ground
"Nothing is left to be found
"But the memories from his wife
"By then she's homeward bound
"The fragility meaning of life

"And how the fires flame
"No proper place to tame
"This way we play a game
"As if this were something fun
"Insensitive to the insane
"We would prefer to run

"We fail to find the kind
"Push the button on rewind
"But our eyes we turn blind
"So upon perish we cry
"Regrets too late to fine
"Spreading wings to fly

"Regrets what should've said
"Swirling around in the head
"Lack of sleep in the bed
"Regret lies thick and strong
"Yet we still deny the dread
"Of not saying what we long

"Oh, fragile flower you'll lay
"Upon the burning lighted day
"And falling in a delicate way
"Withered into a blackish rust
"Yet no one seems to say
"Rebirth derives from the dust

"Who is truly to tell the tale
"When we turn shallow and pale
"On board the ship we set for sail
"And travel our lone merry ways
"Hearing the love's cries wail
"And remain the rest of our days"



Mr. Club pauses for dramatic effect.  This much I can tell.  He inhales and says, "Can anyone tell me what Tawny," he is pointing to a kid sitting in the front row.   "Is referring to in her poem 'The Flower'?"

He looks around, and calls upon someone raising their hand.  "Yes," he asks.

"That she's comparing flowers to humanity," the voice says.

I know I've heard that voice before, and not too long ago.  I turn and look to see it's that boy I met at the park this morning during my jog; I believe he said his name was Xander.  I start thinking about things; like how much of a coincidence it is I happen to see Xander in the same classroom as me.  Or better yet, how smart he seems to be.  He knows his poetry well, or so it seems.

"That is correct, Mr. Turner," Mr. Club says.

I quickly look at my notebook and I start to draw some doodles on the page. I brought my notebook thinking I would be taking notes or something.  Maybe in my next class.  I can't help but feel someone staring at me.  I have one of those instincts where I know if someone is staring at me or not.  I get a chilly feeling on my neck.  I look around to notice only one pair of eyes watching me.

I turn to look right at Xander staring at me.  Normally when you look at someone, they tend to look away.  This is not the situation though.  I make myself look away and go back to my scribbling.  Just as I'm trying to think of something to really draw, there are another pair of eyes on me.

I look next to me and notice it's Cristi this time staring at me.  The bell rings, and I put my notebook away in my backpack.

"Before you go," Mr. Club says.  "I want you all to turn in a piece of poetry describing your first day of your senior year.  I look forward to seeing them tomorrow."

I silently sigh on the inside.  I'm not very good at poetry.  I'm definitely not as creative as Tawny was in class with her poem.  I head out of the classroom.

"Hey wait up!"

I turn to see Cristi trying to catch up with me.  I patiently wait for her.  She starts walking close to me.  She's close enough to speak to me in a secretive manner.  I noticed my brother was staring at you!  He doesn't usually stare at girls.  I thought for sure he was into boys, but the way he was staring at you--"

"Wait," I interrupt.  "Xander is your brother?"

She gives me a big smile.  "Ah, so you met him already?"

"Briefly this morning on my jog."

"Well, he is really into you."

"Into me?" I question.  I can't imagine why!  Despite having olive-toned skin, I'm very pale.  I could possibly be passed off as a zombie or a child of the night.  If not for the foundation I wear, people would surely see the bags under my eyes and assume I have a craving for brains.

I wonder what the universe is trying to tell me.  First I meet Xander early this morning, and then at school I become friends with his sister?  I feel like I've suddenly entered into a labyrinth.  But like every labyrinth in life I've ever been through, surely I can get myself out of this one!

***

The List: Two

Here's a link to the chapter index:

CHAPTER INDEX LINK

Chapter 1

THE LIST

Left with piles of dust
Before withered rust
We look for that hope

Dust washed by rain
Killing away the pain
If you can endure it

Smile for the hope to shine

TWO

"A Mets fan?  Here in Florida?"  The boy says to me, still holding onto my hat.

"My grandma is a native New Yorker," I say.  "Which is probably why I like watching hockey as well."  I have no idea why I just added that last part.  I look down at the ground.

"A hockey fan," he questions.  I look up again to see him raising an eyebrow.  He gives me one of those smiles; the kind where I could see a future with him.  He has nice eyes though I can't tell if they're blue or green.  It's still too dark to truly see.  Either way, I think I could get lost in those eyes forever.

What am I doing? I think to myself.  You have no time for this.  I give myself a mental shake, and take my Mets hat from him.

"I'm a Lightning fan," I find myself say as I turn away.

"Can I at least get your name?"

I stop and turn to see him.  "Kalura," I say.

"Xander," he says.

"Nice to meet you," I curtsy.  I turn to finish my jog. I roll my eyes at myself.  Who in the world curtsies anymore?

You are selling your soul to the devil, Kalura, I think to myself.  If you think for one moment, you have a chance at that kind of happiness.

One of the reasons why I made a list is because it helps to keep me focused.  If I get involved with a boy, I know for sure I'll lose that focus, and the things I want to do most on the list won't matter.  When I set my mind on goals, it's important for me to finish them.  My parents have goals.  That's why they're never around.

They're scientists, and right now, they're somewhere on the African continent trying to find cures for viral diseases, as well as cures for cancer.  They honestly feel bad for being on the other side of the world, which is why they feel the need to be overprotective of me.  That is why I have Smith for protection, and Nora, my nanny.

Yes, I still have a nanny.  I can't imagine a world without Nora in it.  She's been like a second mother to me, and I honestly don't know what I'd do if I didn't have her.  She is the reason why I've made a list.  The list I make helps me to be more goal-oriented.  It makes me want to live my life as normal as possible.

Okay, so there's no such thing as normal.  I've never been normal, just like my name will never be normal.  And I am okay with those things.  I just want to experience milestones, and experience new things like getting a tattoo, or skydiving.  This is only going to be for my senior year, and it's not like anyone will remember me after that.  I hear that people tend to go their separate ways after high school.

Eventually I will fade from memory, but I will always have my memories.  They will be in my journals, and every time I complete a task from my list, it will be jotted down in the book.  For the time being, I just want to focus on one day at a time.  Today, I need to get ready for my first day of school.

Normally when I go jogging, my nerves calm down a bit.  I guess I'm just extra nervous, but I have a few plans in mind today, so I will try to focus on that.  I will try to do what I can to make it through the day.  For now, I need to focus and slow my breath down as I am almost home.

I slow down from a jog, to a very brisk walk.  I finally make it inside my house where I stretch and find Nora waiting for me.



Written 3/7/16 by ©Diana Jillian

The Empath Chapter Links

THE EMPATH CHAPTER LINKS:

The links will be included in this blog....I have the links posted below...


~~DJ

Chapter 1                                              Chapter 2

Chapter 3                                              Chapter 4

Chapter 5                                              Chapter 6

Chapter 7                                              Chapter 8

Chapter 9                                              Chapter 10

Chapter 11                                            Chapter 12 

Chapter 13                                           Chapter 14

Chapter 15

The Empath: 15

As the ballerinas are dancing
Through the havens of snow
You'll see the tattooed symbols
And see cherry blossoms glow

As birds flock to the rhythm
To go with the ebb and flow
The rain washes the tears dry
With the wind blow by blow

1/10/16 ©Diana Jillian



Saturday, February 17, 2007

For Mary, the sentient being she is, she knew she couldn't strip away Chartreuse's powers.  It didn't matter how evil someone was, no one deserves to have something that belongs to someone taken away in Mary's mind.  We aren't born evil, she thinks.  There's always an event of some sort, something so traumatic, it takes the mind into a different place.

Some know how to channel that anger and let it go, and some know how to let it consume them completely.  Chartreuse did not know how to manage her feelings.  Did that make her malevolent?  Who knows?

All Mary had was the element of surprise.  When they created the potion in that manifestation realm, Jeremiah and Mallory suggested for her to use it on Chartreuse, but Mary had a different idea in mind.

She figured if she was in a manifestation realm, she could enter into the world of her choosing.  She manifested a window for Mallory to get back to, which led her straight into the closet of her room.  Mallory questioned her daughter's motives, but Mary gave a look that said, "Trust me," and that was all her mother needed.

They hugged and parted ways.  Then Mary manifested a door that would lead her back to the house moments before Chartreuse and Brave would arrive.  Once arriving, they entered back into their former selves from moments before.  Jeremiah was downstairs, and Mary had a brush in her hand.

She worried for a moment the potion she created was gone, but when she looked down at the table as she was placing the brush down, she noticed the bottle was right there.

Perfect timing, she thought.

Mary and Jeremiah headed down to the basement just in time to see Char and Brave poof in.  But it wasn't just Charlene and Brave.  Chartreuse, Charlene's twin sister was also in the basement.

She must have cloaked herself before I arrived, Mary thought to herself.  In either case, Mary knew what she had to do.  She was prepared for this moment.  Charlene forewarned her back in nineteen-eighty-seven.

Before Chartreuse could take a look around, Mary threw the bottle at her, and it made a sound, followed by a pink smoke.

"Ew," Chartreuse exclaimed.  "What did you do?  I'll get you for that!"  She went to use her powers on Mary, but suddenly they didn't work.

"You took away my powers?"  She cried.

"No," Mary answered.  "I only took away your bad powers."

Chartreuse shook her head.  "What do you mean 'bad' powers?"

"You're a very powerful witch," Mary answered.  "And you're also family.  With powers like yours, you could do a lot of good in the world.  You will no longer be allowed to use your powers for evil.  You can only use them to help out others."

Chartreuse looked sullen.  "Why would you try to save me?  After all I've put you through."

Mary could feel her sincerity.  Perhaps it was the potion; taking away all the bad power from her.  She knew the anger was still there, and there would be a lot of healing on Char's behalf.

"Like I said," Mary spoke.  "We're family.  And it would be wrong of me to strip you away from your powers all together.  Hopefully, this will give you a chance to use your powers for good."

Chartreuse didn't say anything else.  She just poofed herself out of the house.  Charlene looks over at Mary and walks up to her.  "Thank you," she replied.  "I knew you wouldn't let me down."

"Glad I could help," was Mary's only reply.

"I better go and check on her," Charlene said.  "She's going to need some help adjusting."

With that, she was gone.

Mary looked over at Brave.  "Does this mean I call you grandpa?"

Brave chuckles.  "I suppose."

"How did you stay so young?"

"The same way your aunts did. A preservation spell."

"Well, I guess we won't be terrorized by Char again," Mary said.

"There is one more thing I would like you to do for me, if you don't mind," Brave said.

He asked Mary if she could send him back in time so he could be with Penny.  Mary remembered her mother keeping a spell book in the room where Mary lives in now.  She went upstairs to get the book, and with a few simple words, Brave was gone.

She was left alone with Jeremiah.

*

She feels awkward being around him right now.  She never realized she had such strong feelings for him, considering what little time they've spent together.  Never in a million years did Mary think it was ever possible to fall for someone so quickly.

She wants to say something to Jeremiah, but she doesn't know what.  Within an instant, she notices the lights are flickering on and off a bit.  She goes outside and notices a haven of snow.  She stands for a moment in third position, like a dancer posing would, with her hand out, feeling the snow.

She looks at the inside of her wrist, and pays attention to the tattoo she got on her wrist when she was fifteen years old.  It's a cherry blossom flower tattoo.  It's there to remind her that life is short, but with every death, grows renewal; life.

"Your mission as an empath has only just begun," Jeremiah says.

She turns to look at him.  "Will you be with me on my journeys?"

"As long as you want me to be."

He leans in for a kiss, but she shrinks away, and throws a snowball at him.  He chases her as they continue their little snowball fight.

***

Written by ©Diana Jillian