Atlas pov
All of the first year students gathered in the main hall. There was excitement throughout the hall. Even someone that is not a mermaid could feel it. Several mermaids had to leave because they were not able to push out the emotions. Mr Henderson stood in front of the group and said " Today is a very important day in your lives. Today is going to shape your future here at Vycreek. You will be getting your Grimoires. There are a few rules that I must go over before we begin. Do not touch a book that does not call for you. Do not touch someone else's book before the ceremony is over. And last of all do not engrave spells into your book until the ceremony is over. Now that all of that is out of the way let's get going."
We followed Mr. Henderson through the hallways right into the grand library. He pulled a switch that moved a bookshelf revealing an even larger room with books in it. They were all shapes and colors, none of them had any words on them. Students began moving around the room. Some of them hesitantly reached out a hand to touch a book. I looked up to see that there was no ceiling, it was just books as far as I could see. I was about to ask what a student was supposed to do if their book was all the way at the top. But my question was answered for me. A solid blue book came flying down and floated in front of me. I grabbed it and the room changed before my eyes.
'Shit' I thought 'did I touch someone's book by mistake' when the room stopped moving I was in a hospital room. I was looking at myself a few years older. I was holding the hand of someone telling them that it would be okay. When I looked at who it was I nearly dropped the book. It was Olivia clearly pregnant. I should not be happy at the sight of this but for some reason I feel proud to have a child about to come into the world. The older me looked up and said " Things are going to get better between the two of you. Just ride out the trama."
Olivia looked up at me and asked " Who are you talking to?"
" Past me." He replied
" Can you tell the younger me that she can rely on people. What happened in her past does not have to shape how she sees the future."
The scene changed once again. I was on my knees holding someone in my arms. It was Trey , he had a hole in his chest. There was dirt and grime all over us. I looked around to see a battle going on around us.
" What is going on?" I asked, " What are you trying to show me?"
Trey took his last breath in my arms. I felt tears slide down my face. I have not cried in years. Not after dad had found me crying over my pet hamster dying. He beat me almost to death telling me that strong people don't cry. a ghost form of Trey appeared before me. He touched his hand to my cheek and said " You will know more when the time is right. Keep an eye on Ryan, he is going to be the link you need."
The library came back into view. Noah and Trey gave me a look as I wiped tears from my eyes.
" Are you okay?" Noah whispered to me.
" Yeah I am fine." I whispered back.
I scanned the room for Olivia. She was just about to touch her book when a white light emitted from it. Her eyes glazed over as she touched it. She stayed standing but her eyes closed. Brenda was about to reach out to her when Mr. Henderson shook his head. Once everyone had gotten a book he said " That concludes the ceremony. Please do not try to add any spells in your book until tomorrow's class with me."
We all filed out of the room. Oliva was still standing there with a blank look on her face. Brenda wanted to stay but Ryan ushered her out whispering something to her. Trey and Noah instantly started to grill me about what happened.
" I have not seen you cry like that for a long time." Noah said
" Yeah. I was just really happy to get my grimoire." I lied
I spent the rest of the day trying to sort out my thoughts. Dad sent me a single text telling me to come home for the weekend. I knew what was coming but if I avoided it for too long it would be worse the next time I saw him. A little after ten o'clock Olivia came into the dorm. She headed straight for the shower. I wanted to say something to her. After seeing her in the hospital with my child, something stirred in me. I did not have any romantic feelings for her. I just felt sorry for her. I have no plans on falling for her. I was not going to let that be my future. After about thirty minutes she came out of the shower. She did not bother putting on her usual long sleeves. She wore a tank top and shorts. Her legs were also covered in the scars. She crawled into bed and started to cry. I left her to cry. I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow. I would be seeing dad in person for the first time since I applied here.
Being home felt like a breath of fresh air. That is until I walked through the door. Father was standing by the stairs with an angry look. He motioned me to follow him to his office. After sitting down he asked " Do you know why I am so upset with you?"
"I have let you down." I said
" That is correct. Do you know how hard I worked to get where I am?"
" Yes sir"
" Then tell me why you are failing. I had high hopes that you would one day take my place." He said
" I am sorry sir." I replied not knowing what to say.
He slapped me across the face and yelled " To make matters worse you are losing to a girl. Is she bribing you? Or do you like her and let her win?"
" No, I am not letting her win." I shouted back " I have no feelings for her either. I am doing my best, she just keeps beating me."
The moment his eyes changed color I knew I messed up. The only thing that I could do in the moment was take the beating he was about to give me. It was an eternity before he was done. I laid there for a while breathing through the pain. Since I got this out of the way I am feeling very confident that this was going to be the last time this was going to happen. I finally made it back to my room. After two days I was finally able to move. Noah and Trey text me asking me to go out with them. I decided that it would help things to just forget about school and home. I mean I should be happy that I got a grimoire and I am passing. Even though I am not in first place I am in second. The music was so loud that it was hard for me to hear anything. We were three drinks in when Brenda appeared in front of us.
" What are you doing here" Trey asked
" I am celebrating," She said, clearly drunk, " I wanted to invite you to join us."
" I don't know about that." I said hesitantly
" Oh come one" She said " We are not at school, we are not competing for first place here. I just want to have a better drinking partner."
" I am a good drinking partner." Oliva said, walking up behind her.
" I prefer to stay sober to keep an eye on you." She said
" Let them join us." Brenda pleaded, turning to look at her.
Sighing Olivia said " Fine. If you would like to join us you can."
Brenda grabbed Trey's arm and said " Come one." and then giggled.
Olivia gently removed her hand and said " let them decide. No, let's get you sat down."
The others looked at me and shrugged. " Fine." I said, " Let's have some fun."
We followed the girl up a set of stairs to an office. Olivia sat Brenda down and said " Make yourself at home."
" What is this place?" Noah asked
" This is my office." she simply replied as she handed us a menu. " Order what you want. Its all on me."
" Do you plan on drinking?" I asked
" No, I don't drink." She replied.
" Are you scared to?" Trey asked
" No, she is a fuddy duddy." Brenda answered.
" I am a what?" Olivia asked.
" You heard me." She giggled " Prove me wrong, have a drink with us."
Olivia sighed, pulled out her phone and sent a text, and then grabbed the drink from Brenda. She held it up and said " Anything that happens tonight is because I was called a fuddy duddy." She proceeded to finish the drink.
That gave us the motivation to drink. I drank so much that I forgot most of the night. All I know is that I was nice and warm in bed. I heard a groan beside me. I rolled over to see Olivia sprawled out beside me. She was naked from the top up. I looked around the room and some things came together. I just had a drunken one night stand. The rest of the school year was going to be awkward. The scars that I noticed on her back and arms were all over her front. There was a magical circle right over her heart. It was glowing a dull red. She groaned in pain again. Her eyes flew open as her hand shot up to cover the mark. She did not say a word as she got up and gathered her clothes.