Inevitable // Chapter 1
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Haille Calista

Some may know the story of a young woman named Haille Calista who was forced to meet her inevitable fate as the balancing force of good and evil. The story truly begin as the morning sunbeams reflected brightly off the clear jewel that hangs around her slim neck. Her eyes snap open dancing frantically around as she surveils her surroundings. In a soft echo, assuming just the lingering effect of her dream, she hears her name being called repeatedly like a broken record. Slowly, she comes to a realization that it is her adoptive mother's, Cara Devine, soft voice that is calling her from downstairs.

Haille groans, roll over and bury her face in her pillow hoping to somehow fall back asleep. The futile attempt proved to be useless as Cara's voice still rang throughout their tiny house. Haille could have sworn that Cara was standing in her doorway by how loud her voice sounds in her ears.

***

A thick breath pushes itself past my lips as I swing my legs out of bed. It was the last of my senior days in high school and I want to do nothing more than to just sleep the day away. Luckily for me, Mom insisted that I attend school one last time before I have to face the world and all the responsibilities that awaits as my newly acquired adulthood.

Walking over to my bathroom, I catch my reflection in the mirror. For a second it almosts looks like someone else staring back at me. I run my hand over my face and lazily start my morning routine for school. By the time I finished showering, dressing, and fixing my hair I was surprised to see that I completed everything in less than twenty minutes.

"New record," I whispered to myself, grabbing my phone and bag, and walking out of my room and down the stairs only to find Mom running around the kitchen preparing whatever she's making. Whatever it was, it smelt delicious.

I walk into the kitchen, silently taking a seat at the island being careful not to disturb her. She turns around and jumps, clutching her heart when she sees me. Despite the fact that my presence caught her a bit off guard that still didn't stop her from rushing around the countertop and pulling me into her arms, capturing me in her motherly embrace.

It never ceases to amaze me just how strong this woman is, both mentally and physically, despite her age. She pulls away for a second, just enough to tell me "Happy 18th birthday, Haille." Before crushing me back into her small body.

It's a wonder how she always remembers my birthday, yet I can barely keep up with what day it is.

"Thanks, mom" I say, hugging her back.

She holds me at arms length, hands rested on my shoulders as her eyes run over my face. A proud look settles over her soft features as she stares up at me.

Mom was a bit shorter than me with her standing at 5'2 and I at 5'8. She wears shoulder length chocolate brown hair that matches her large round brown eyes. Her milky skin still smooth and soft. She is unmistakably beautiful for being in her forties.

Unlike Mom, my skin was more of a sun-tanned color, my hair was a wavy midnight black and my eyes were a blue golden-brown color. Not to brag or anything but I happen to be more curvaceous than my mother.

Once, I asked mom where did I get my looks from. I instantly regretted asking as a result of the pained look that splintered across her face. Still, she revealed that I inherited my mother's looks and my father's strong personality. Both who were involved in a fatal accident that claimed their lives. I was tempted to find out if I had any other family members around, but I managed to hold my curiosity at bay. Having Cara in my life was enough.

"Oh, I almost forgot." She rushes back over to the stove returning a few seconds later with a plate in each hand. "I made your favorite." She sings setting down the first plate in front of me which was, surely enough stacked with my favorite, chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream on top. I heard her chuckle before placing the second plate which held varieties of fruits.

Did I mention how much I love my Mom?

"Mom," I smile widely, picking up the golden fork and taking in all this wonderful breakfast she bestowed upon me. "Thank you so much." I give her a kiss on the cheek as she takes a seat next to me, making her face spilt into a toothy grin. We fall into small conversation. When I finish eating, I grab my bag and bid mom a farewell, heading to school.

I slip in my earplugs and shuffle through my playlist. Despite the music playing, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being followed. I casually glance behind me every now and then, only catching a shadow of someone turning a corner or stepping behind something.

The school finally came into sight, the same time my adrenaline spiked as I heard something crunch behind me. I make a bold sprint towards the school but whoever's following obviously saw what was coming because soon enough I felt a body weighing down on my back.

I was honestly surprised how I didn't fall with how heavy the person was. I merely just stumbled forward by a few steps and was seconds from fighting back with whoever was attacking me before they let out a humorous laugh.

I recognize the weird laugh immediately, "Zoe?" I ask as I push her off of me.

"That would be correct." She says, laughing once again. "Your faces were priceless when you kept looking behind you. You were like..." She began making a plethora of weird faces that were supposedly how she thought I looked.

I glare at her, mumbling "I hate you." She hears and burst into a loud obnoxious laugh, swinging an arm over my shoulders.

"I love you too." She counters. I shake my head pretending to be disappointed in her.

I open my locker, gathering the last of my belongings. Zoe gasp from behind me, I turn my attention towards her raising an eyebrow in question.

"I totally forgot!" She says, raising her hands in surrender before digging into her backpack and pulling out a small box, handing it to me.

"Zoe, what is this?" I ask, even though I already have a feeling as to what is for.

Instead of answering my question she shouts "Happy 18th Birthday Haille!" In consequence, making a few head turn towards me. I couldn't even feel the slightest bit embarrassed that people are staring because this is my obnoxiously loud best friend and I love everything about her. I pull her into a hug mumbling thanks before eagerly opening the box.

Inside lies a bracelet with a fist and the letters BF engraved on it. When I glance up Zoe shakes her wrist where a similar bracelet hangs.

I laugh when she puts the bracelets together. Together the two fists were giving a fist bump with the letters 'BFFs' engraved on it.

As cheesy as it was, I can't help but love it. I slip my hand through the bracelet and pull Zoe into another hug. "You're so cheesy Zoe." I voice as I pull away. She shrugs nonchalantly.

"That's because I love cheesy clichés. I mean I can practically see it now." She lifts her hands to her face and stares upwards dreamily. "When my mate finally finds me I will just be heading to bed when he starts to throws little pebbles at my window waking me in the process. I open my window, peer down and there he is. Standing there with a bouquet of flowers and a small orchestra behind him playing music and...." She trails and sighs getting lost in her own daydream.

"Okay, that's never going to happen, one." I comment making her glare at me. "and mate?"

Her eyes widen. "W-what?" She asks as her face slightly pales.

"You said when your mate finally finds you..." I trail waiting for her to explain.

"No, I didn't." She laughs nervously, hitting my arm a little too forcefully. "I said I can't wait until my..fate finally finds me. You know the saying fate brings us together. And when fate finds me then my future boyfriend and I would be together. I totally didn't say mate. That's not even a word, well maybe it is...but I wouldn't know because I didn't say mate-"

"Zoe!" I yell catching her attention. "Shut up."

She nods, looking down at her feet as she tucks her hair behind her ear. I watch her curiously because if it's one thing I'm sure about is that she said mate. I'm not stupid neither am I naïve, whatever this mate thing is, she's obviously hiding something about it

I decide not to focus too much on it. Instead, I grab her arm and haul us away to our class.