Chapter 1

Tanya’s POV

On a warm August day, he sat across from me on the picnic blanket, talking about his latest job at the local diner. I was completely zoned out, all I could think about was how his toned muscles flexed every time he raised his hand while explaining each event, a habit he doesn't seem to know how to stop.

My boyfriend was the most beautiful man in town. He had this gorgeous blonde hair that reached his shoulders with the most captivating green eyes. I always got bullied by other girls for not being up to his standards, I'm defined as your average girl by most.

“Are you listening?” Orion asked, startling me back into the present. I quickly smiled at him and nodded my head.

“Then what are you so quiet for?” Orion questioned further. “Did something happen at home? You've been quiet today,” he stated, looking at me with furrowed eyebrows. He started deep into my soul awaiting an answer. I knew I had to answer him or he wouldn't let it go.

Well, here goes nothing…. “There's something I want to talk about…. I got admitted to the university.” I said sighing, Orion brightened up, and he quickly tackled me to the ground with a rib-crushing hug. Happily, he kissed me all over, on the cheeks, nose, lips, neck… even on my temples.

“You should have said so earlier, we could have gone somewhere else to celebrate…..” his expression quickly changed when he noticed I wasn't as bubbly and happy as he was.

“What's wrong Tanya? Are you sad because you'll be busy now? We could always meet during the weekends, plus it's just a 30-minute bus drive from Fayette to the University of Kentucky. It's a trip we can make in a day, don't be sad, love.” Orion said trying to make me feel better.

“That’s the thing, babe, it's not the UK. It's Mystique University, a school in shadowclaw. It's out of town and a 6-hour drive.” I told Orion, sounding all sad and deflated.

“What do you mean ShadowClaw? What is even that? Why there? What happened to the UK? You can't just move somewhere far away just for school? You should reject the admission, and stay at home another year.” he said matter of factly, leaving no room for argument.

He looked so angry right now, I had never seen Orion this angry before. I almost cried as I said, “The UK denied me admission, again. Mystique University was the only school to offer me one. I tried convincing my parents for me to stay home an extra year but they didn't take it lightly. I'm already 20 years old, Orion. I'm getting older, the world won't wait for me”.

Orion looked at me with disgust in his eyes, he was so red with anger that you could almost see the fumes coming out of his ears. After seconds of sitting there staring at me in utter disgust, he sighed. It seemed he concluded…. “You have to choose between me or this school in some unknown state,” he said with so much seriousness that I was left speechless.

“You can't possibly be expecting me to choose,” I said all flustered and shocked. “I am sure you heard me correctly Tanya, do not make me repeat myself.” and there it was, Orion was serious.

I stared at him without saying anything, thinking if I stared at him long enough he'd realize how stupid his statement was. But what Orion said next drove me to the point of tears… “If you decide to go to Mystique University, consider this relationship over”.

I gasped, “You can't be serious Orion, you want to break up with me because I finally decided to pursue a degree? The one dream you've been claiming to be so supportive of?” I accused in a shocked voice.

“Oh please, stop trying to blow things out of proportion. Make your choice and let's get this over with”, I started crying at his words. He didn't even flinch once at my reaction. Orion has become ice cold, he's staring at me like I'm dirt under his shoes, not someone he claims to love.

I made up my mind… “I choose my dreams Orion”, this decision broke me but I had to do what was best for me whether he liked it or not.

Orion stood up, gathered his things, and spat beside my feet. “Filthy whore, I should have never dated you. Go to this ShadowClaw place, have the time of your life and never contact me again”. And that was it, he left me there speechless and crying. People walked by staring at me with sad looks in their eyes. It was obvious that I had just been dumped. If the two half-empty plates of food and glasses of juice were not enough of an indication, then the loud manner in which Orion shouted his insults must have been proof enough.

I sat there on the blanket for one more hour, crying ugly fat tears. After an hour, I stood up and began walking around the park aimlessly. This went on for 2 more hours, then I found myself in front of the lake. I decided to drown myself. After all, the one person I loved with all my heart doesn't want me anymore. I should stop living. I walked into the lake, going further and further until my head was under the water. I let go and allowed myself to drift into the unknown. Suddenly, I felt a hand wrap around me and pull me out. I started coughing profusely as I struggled to get some air back into my lungs.

“Are you crazy? Why would you do that? Tanya Lexie Reynolds, is this what we taught you? You decide to die horribly and leave your mother and me feeling like failures?” my dad said, sounding angry, hurt, and confused at the same time.

I started crying uncontrollably, letting my tears stream down my face in a rush… “I’m sorry Dad, I don't know what came over me… I'm so sorry”.

“Oh, baby girl. Shhhh, it's okay. Daddy’s here now. It's all going to be fine. Don't cry, Daddy's got you” my dad whispered to me as he hugged me tightly. We sat there by the bank of the lake, while my dad rocked me in his embrace back and forth.

We sat there for 10 minutes before Dad pulled back and stared at me… “would you tell me what happened Tanya? This isn't you.” Dad said, looking at me skeptically.

“Orion broke up with me,” I said in a quiet and timid voice. I was shivering, I hadn't even realized how cold I was until Dad wrapped me up in his jacket.

“That piece of shit!! He isn't worth it Tanya, one day you'll find someone who loves you and you'll realize how much of a douche this Orion boy is”, Dad said in a firm but reassuring tone… “for now, let's take you back home and keep this little mishap from mom…. Wouldn't want her catching a fright, would we?” I shook my head no and stood up with Dad as he led me back to his car.

We drove back home in silence. My head was filled with loads of crumbling memories from my relationship with Orion. I didn't even notice we were home until Dad parked the car in the garage.