Black Roses....

I pulled off my boots and slipped into the water. The icy liquid rippled through my toes. My body trembled in protest. I held it back. I wasn’t cold. I breathed out, and saw the vague puffs of clouds in front of my nose. I imagined being a cloud. Imagined just floating in the sky watching the days appear and disappear.
"Wynter! I heard the voice on the wind. I wanted to block it out…make it shut up. "Wynter!" The voice was harsher now. I crawled up the muddy bank, dragging my boots along. I decided not to put them back on, so I took off through the wet grasses, letting my bare feet savor the cool earth. I felt like a wild mare, free in the mountains of nowhere. It was wonderful. But the feeling was short lived when I saw my aunt’s crinkly skinned face, cigarette dangling from her chapped lips. She brushed back her thin blond hair angrily. "Get in! Why do you go running off for no reason before we go somewhere? It’s just stupid." She slid into the van seat and gripped the wheel, the irritation evident on her face. "Do you have your bag?" She asked as I got in. "Yeah." I muttered. She took off down the road. I stared into the mist…it looked like a giant wave, in a sea of sky. I leaned back against the torn leather seat and sighed. My aunt shot me a look. I ignored it. Maybe she would accidentally swallow her cig and choke on it. I snickered at the thought. Then she’d swerve off the road and fall out the window on her big butt. I’d grab the wheel and drive away to China or something. She’d be left out by the side of the road, shivering. I giggled again. "What is so funny?" She demanded. I met her acid grey eyes. "Nothing." I replied. The rest of the trip was driven in silence, except for the rumbling hum of the old van’s engine.

"We’re here." My aunt muttered. I looked, bewildered around. There was a tall grey apartment-like building…in the middle of nowhere. It was dingy and the dim yellow lights gaze it a spooky glow. I felt a tingle go down my spine. I pulled my jacket tighter around my arms. My bag sat securely on my lap. "Well, here’s the apartment number. Somewhere on the top floor…" Aunt muttered. I fought the urge to slap her. Instead, I snatched the paper away. She sneered. "Have fun." I forced a fake smile. I was sure it looked fake too. "I will." I added. I hopped out of the car and into the dank air. My Aunt threw out one last cigarette and took off…I was left in the dust of her wake. Feeling alone, I looked toward the building. Hopefully, my brother was home…or even Candy, his new wife. I could imagine what would happen if I had to wait outside. I took one look at the number, 313…I began toward the building.

"Hey, Wynter!" I was wrapped in my brother’s strong 21 year old arms. I pulled back to look at him. He looked different. Older maybe? I grinned.
"Good to see you too, Alec!" I could hear Candy and his baby howling in the background.

"Is Wynter here?!" I heard an excited voice in the back, approaching.

Candy pushed past Alec and pulled me into a crushing hug. "I’m so glad to see you! It’s been so long!" I nodded and hugged her back.
She finally pulled away and smiled her famous big grin. "You’ve lost weight! And you’re taller! Oh my! Girl, we are going to have a blast together! Here. Come on inside!"

She pulled me in, barely giving me time to grab my small bag. Alec and she led me through the living room. I followed, glancing at the old antiques and things Candy had gathered. She had strange party items, like hats and big flowers mixed in. I came to the conclusion that she wasn’t born to decorate.

"This is your room." Alec said as he flipped on the switch. I gasped and immediately grinned. "Wow…who did this?" Candy giggled. "Me…well…Alec helped a little."

Alec slapped her arm playfully. "More than she’d like to admit!"

I gazed at the Victorian styled room with a beautiful red canopy and black carpet. There were roses blooming from a pot in the corner and an old table with paper stacked up. The bedspread was black with crimson designs…and lace trimmed the window shades. I looked back at them and grinned.
"Thanks guys…I love it! You both did an awesome job in my opinion!" They smiled back. I heard the baby cry from the crib. Candy grabbed Alec’s arm.

"Let’s leave her to get situated. Oh, and anything you need Wynter, feel free to ask!" They went out and closed the door behind them.

I looked around the room once more and tossed my bag on the bouncy bed. There was a tall standing mirror in the corner. I stood in front of it and studied my reflection. A girl with long black hair, green eyes, and pale iridescent skin looked back at me. I wanted to smear the image away. I sighed and ruffled my bangs absentmindedly. It was a weird habit…I noticed. I looked around the room once more and grinned to myself. This was going to be fun!

It was my first day of college classes in my brother’s town. I was scared stiff. I quickly pulled my deep purple sweater over my head and straightened it nervously. I wondered how many students went there….if the teachers were nice…and if I’d like it there. The questions were endless. I picked up my backpack-purse and headed out the door just as Alec called my name from the front door.

"Miss Anderson? Can you please answer the question?" I looked up, immediately feeling eyes on me. I stared at the balding teacher.
"Do you know the answer?" The teacher asked again. I felt my face begin to burn. "Uh…um…it’s…" I felt like an idiot.

Immediately, a voice shouted in my head. I felt like something had slapped me. "T-Cells!" The voice screamed. "T-Cells!" I blurted out. The teacher nodded in approval. I immediately felt relieved. I looked around the classroom at the many faces. There were two girls sitting next to me…the voice in my head sounded male. But how was it possible? "Who are you? Was that me?" I asked in my mind. I heard a chuckle and a voice inside answer back. "You’ll know soon enough." I wanted to run out of the room, screaming. I mentally glued myself to the chair and focused on the teacher. I didn’t know what was going on…but maybe it was better if I didn’t know.

I slipped through the crowds of students. It was the end of the 3rd class of the day. I planned to get some diet coke to wake me up. As I was walking a large girl turned the corner and brutally bumped into my hip. My books slipped out of my hands and spread out on the floor. I was next. My legs sprawled out and I fell to my rear end on the linoleum floor. I groaned as my back cracked. I could feel the pain inch up my spine. Nobody helped; I just heard a few giggles and saw people still walking past. I wanted to cry in embarrassment. Suddenly, I felt a strong hand grip my upper arm and pull me up like a lightweight. I felt my books in my arms again.

"Are you ok?" A smooth male voice asked.

I looked up, feeling a blush rise in my cheeks. He was gorgeous…inhumanly beautiful. His eyes were a sparkling aquamarine blue, his face, finely chiseled, with lovely full lips. His hair was dark with a strange tint, and hung to the nape of his neck, slightly unruly. I gasped. He smiled with perfect white teeth. "Err…yeah…" I muttered.

My eyes moved to his strong, muscular arms and his black shirt. I fantasized what it would be like to be wrapped in them…his warmth against mine. No one could feel insecure with him…I tried to stand straighter and stumbled forward. His hand grabbed my shoulder. "Are you sure?" He asked. I nodded. Maybe I was drunk…"Ok." He finally looked pleased. "Well, watch where you’re going. Some of these people can be like animals." He chuckled. I nodded numbly. I wondered what my hair looked like. "Ok…" I breathed. "Oh, and good job in class." He added. He winked and disappeared into the crowd of students. I blinked, finally coming down to earth. That was random. I gripped my books and pushed through the crowd, pulling my cell phone out. Hopefully, Alec was already out front. Meanwhile, his beautiful image was seared in my mind…Little did I know what was about to come....