August 15.

I estimated that I only got about five hours of sleep the previous night. My alarm was set for six-thirty a.m., but I was so uneasy that I woke up twenty minutes before. School didn't start until eight-thirty. I sat up and took a deep breath. Even after opening my blackout curtains, my room was still dim. The house was completely silent as I walked into the bathroom.

Cold water dripped down my face as I stared closely at my reflection. My hands gripped the edge of the marble countertop. I wondered how people would react to my mismatched eyes, if at all. The outfit that I'd set out for today was simple and perfectly understated. Loose white t-shirt, cuffed denim shorts, black sneakers, and a touch of jewelry. The last month and a half seemed like it literally rushed by. I mean, sure, there was the whole thing with Emiarhia. But after that sort of settled down and I got into the swing of things, the rest of summer was a breeze. All my time was either spent there or on my bed at home.

I was relieved at how awake I was today – probably because I was sleeping for ten hours every night. I had to start going to bed early again. To go hand-in-hand with my clothes, I kept my hair down and makeup simple. I finished assembling all my supplies into my backpack before heading downstairs.

When I walked into the kitchen, Mom was already up and fully dressed, her hair tied into a neat chignon. "Good morning! Have you got everything ready for school?

"Everything but breakfast and lunch." I began searching the fridge and cupboards for things to pack.

"I'd like your opinion on one of my designs," she said. She leaned over the kitchen table with several sketches laid out in front of her. I walked over. She held up a drawing of a beautiful, long-sleeved wedding gown. "I just can't decide on what shade to make the fabric. Should it be pearl? Or perhaps eggshell? Or even blush..."

I tossed a container of Greek salad into my lunch bag. "Aren't those all just shades of white?"

"Well, yes," Mom tapped her pencil against her lips. "But I just can't decide which would be most flattering."

"Do whatever feels right."

"Helpful as always, Chloe." She chuckled and gathered the sketches, dropping them into her tote bag. "Oh, right, will you be okay walking to school? Are you sure you wouldn't prefer being driven there?"

I nodded. "It'll be fine. It's a pretty short walk. I'm just glad I don't take a bus anymore."

"All right then, if you say so. I should be going now. Don't forget to say goodbye to Dad when you leave, he's in the living room." Mom kissed me lightly on the forehead, her rosy lipstick leaving the tiniest bit of residue.

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I glanced down at my phone before turning the block. I'd made sure to screenshot the shortest route to school off of Google Maps. It must've been around seventy-five degrees outside. I was just getting a little too hot when I approached Oceanside High. Buses were pulling into the vast parking lot and students were strolling about. I checked my phone. There was still time before the first period began. Upon entering, I was greeted by a rush of cool air.

My nerves seemed to calm down a bit during my walk. After dropping off some things into my locker, I headed towards my first class. It was a while before the bell rang, but I wanted to be early rather than late. As I walked through the halls, I received a few long glances every so often, but nothing I wasn't expecting. Oceanside was a big school, so I didn't think anybody would notice if I sort of slipped in amongst the regulars. I strolled around for a bit while trying to familiarize myself with the building.

"Hi, is this grade twelve English?" I asked, stepping into a classroom.

The teacher nodded from behind her computer. "Yes, welcome. What's your name?"

"Chloe Harlington," I answered quietly, even though we were the only ones in the room.

"Ah, right," she said. "I'm Mrs. Flynn. Go ahead and take a seat wherever you'd like. Class begins shortly."

I settled into a desk in the second-last row and plopped my bag beside me. My knees brushed against the underside of the desk, but I was used to keeping them outstretched. At least the chair wasn't super small.

Steadily, more people entered the room. I was pretending to be absorbed in my phone so I wouldn't start twiddling my thumbs. The class began soon enough, and Mrs. Flynn went over the course expectations. She was in the middle of writing on the chalkboard when someone tapped my shoulder. I immediately tensed. I turned slightly in my seat to face a student wearing a blank expression. His eyes widened slightly. I knew that look all too well - the one where someone I just met noticed my heterochromia.

“Can I help you?” I whispered, mildly annoyed.

“Hey. Could you maybe duck down a bit? I can’t see the board. Your head’s in the way.”

I grumbled an apology and huddled back over my desk. Off to a great start.

By the time lunch rolled around, anxiety began to set in. I didn't know where I was going to sit. I walked around to the back entrance of the cafeteria and took a spot at an empty table. It was in a small, secluded corner, against a wall, so it was semi-difficult to be noticed. It was like that seat was made for me. I started eating in silence while I scrolled through the Oceanside website.

The rest of my day went smoothly, surprisingly enough. The cliché is that something super humiliating is supposed to happen on your first day at a new school. That arguably might be bullshit, but I still wasn't about to let my guard down for at least a few weeks. Just in case.

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"You are not hungry?" Lilwen questioned with a hint of concern.

I smiled up at her. "Not much, no." In truth, I'd already eaten a snack when I came home from school before I had to go straight to the Academy. I was hoping this dual education thing wouldn't take too harsh of a toll on me. I didn't want to be doing exclusively homework and training in my spare time.

"Are you feeling unwell?" Lilwen asked again, frowning.

I shook my head. "I'm fine."

"You must just be tired," Shaye said from beside me. She gave a very subtle wink in my direction.

"I know exactly how that is," Miseris piped up. "Sleep is a luxury these days."

We shared a laugh. I'd gradually become pretty close to them over the last couple of months, especially Shaye and me. Training was going really great, too. Even Kadia said I was showing signs of increasing agility and speed. My body (at least on Emiarhia) was getting progressively leaner as well.

On the downside, word had spread around the Academy about me. It wasn't long after enrolling that people began to have suspicions. Different rumours floated around for a while until someone must've heard that I was actually a saviour. Not everybody knew about the prophecy in the first place, and those who were familiar with it didn't completely understand it. And while Shaye and Ashkan were regarded as heroes, I was hated only because I was from Earth. Despite Earth playing a fairly large role in Emiarhia's ancestry and culture, and vice-versa, it was regarded as inferior and even dirty. Personally, I didn't understand why. I was just thankful that Shaye and Ashkan were as accepting about it as they were. Lilwen was uneasy, but very respectful when I later explained everything. Miseris was angered at first, but she warmed up eventually. Granted, not everybody in the Academy felt so negative towards me, but it was enough to make me feel almost constantly uncomfortable. I'd even had full-grown adults call me out on the street before.

Although, I don't want to seem all 'woe is me'. There were some people who didn't believe in the prophecy whatsoever, and the reality was that all three of us were targets. Others were against the idea of Shaye and me fighting for Emiarhia just because we were girls. It was a shock.

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"Brielle? Are you still there?" Shaye asked.

I snapped out of it. "Sorry, I was just...thinking."

She brushed a few scarlet locks over her shoulder. "Ignore them, they're gits."

I realized that my gaze had drifted towards the other corner of the room, where a large mass of boys sat. One would occasionally shoot me a glance before turning back and snickering. I shrugged and rested my chin in my palm.

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After our last class, Shaye and I went to her place for a bit. Neither of us had any homework, and we hadn't hung out alone for weeks. She was really enjoying listening to my stories about Earth - although I kept my private details secret - and I liked learning new stuff about Emiarhia from her. She was so easy to get along with. We'd often spend hours just talking. Shaye was also really interested in fashion and beauty, and was always working on something.

"Whoa, that's gorgeous!" I exclaimed as I entered her bedroom. Sprawled out on a large table in the corner, amongst a plethora of various sketches and materials, was a high-waisted blue skirt. I carefully held it in the air. The sun reflected off of the flowing tulle.

"Oh, you like it? I've been experimenting with sewing tiny, little jewels into clothing," Shaye said.

"So revolutionary!" I grinned, laying it back down on the desk. "You're quite talented."

She smiled. "That's very kind of you to say."

"I mean it. You're going to have to make me something sometime."

"Well, of course! I'm not allowing you to wear just any gown to the Nyvar Festival." She looked and the ground, and then back up at me, before knitting her eyebrows together. "Say, could I ask a favour of you?"

I nodded. "Anything."

She walked over to her wardrobe and pulled out an off-shoulder, charcoal gown. It was fitted at the waist and flared out into asymmetrical layers. She tilted the dress towards me before turning back, then frowned. "I cannot seem to tailor the hem correctly, and the neckline needs adjusting."

"You want me to help?"

"Please, I need you to model this while I make corrections. If the garment is being worn, I can fix my mistakes more efficiently."

She guided me behind a large dressing screen and then stepped away so I could change. I dropped my school uniform on the floor beside me and slipped into the gown. The fabric was comfortable and silky against my skin.

"Here, let me lace you up," Shaye ordered, spinning me around. She neatly and expertly wove the long ribbons through the grommets on the back of the dress, creating a snug fit.

I couldn't help but smile. Normally, I hated wearing dresses or anything frilly, but this was an exception because I was helping out my friend. "Does it look okay?"

"Okay? Better than okay, in the least. Charcoal compliments your hair and skin tone beautifully," she gushed.

I thanked her as she went to go get some tools. Stepping up onto a short stool, I gazed out of the bedroom window at the snow outside. I took a moment to dwell on the matter. It was like I felt almost lucky to be there. Emiarhia had begun to be more comfortable, like an escape. Everything in that moment was tranquil.

Shaye came bustling back into the room with various objects in hand. "Perfect! This is just what needed to be done."

I was trying my hardest to stay completely still while she sewed, measured and cut.

"I have been meaning to tell you," she said suddenly, "you are improving significantly with your training. I'm impressed."

"Thanks; I've been working really hard. I have to catch up to you and Ashkan."

Shaye nodded and plucked a pin from a nearby box. "Your determination is apparent. Even Ashkan has noticed. He's mentioned this to me."

"He has?" I repeated, my tone incredulous.

"Yes, why do you appear so...flummoxed?"

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Well, over the entirety of the time I've known him, I think he's only spoken to me maybe...eight times? I didn't think he really liked me at all, I thought I maybe did something..." I trailed off.

"I know." She sighed quietly. "Please don't interpret his actions personally. I have just known him for much longer, that's all. He... He has trouble opening up to new people. There is a perfectly logical explanation for this, however."

"Then what is it?" I asked. "For the past few months, I assumed he just didn't like me."

She stood up to take measurements of my shoulder but remained silent. I decided against pressing the subject.

It was minutes before she spoke. "All right, I suppose I could tell you. The topic is very sensitive, and it would perhaps be better if he told you himself, but that may never happen. I think you deserve to know. Just...never mention what I'm about to tell you, to him or anyone else. Understood?"

"Understood," I echoed.

She nodded solemnly. Her eyes glistened in the late afternoon light. I could tell she was getting slightly emotional. My heartbeat quickened. Is it really that bad?

"Ashkan..." she began, so quietly I could barely hear. "He wasn't always like this. Emotionless, some might say. When we were children, he was affectionate and very curious. He may seem like he acts normally around me, but he's still not quite the same as he once was. I wish I could help him. I've...been trying..."

Shaye had stopped moving completely and was staring at the floor. Her eyes were red. I gently took the sewing needle out of her hand and set it aside with everything else. We both sat down on the floor.

She took a deep breath, held it, and then exhaled slowly. "It happened when he was fourteen...we were fourteen. Roughly three years ago. I still remember that day. It was an unusually cold morning; very dark. The moment he knocked on my door, I could tell something was wrong. I had never seen him so distraught. He was in so much pain..." She sniffled before continuing. "I waited patiently and comforted him. He told me that his mother had left for the stars the previous night. She... She died."

My heart dropped to my stomach. This explained everything. I was finally starting to understand. It was probably the last thing I expected, but it was an answer. All that time, I was just being narrow-minded. Prejudiced, even. Ashkan was still getting over the death of his mother. I failed to sympathize, even slightly, as to why he was so guarded. I couldn’t imagine what he must’ve gone through...what he was still going through. I felt terrible.

"They were very close, him and his mother," she resumed. "I believe that is why his grief was so severe. She had been battling a life-threatening illness for months. Her condition was beginning to improve before it plummeted worse than ever. I can't say that her loss was completely unforeseen, but it was devastating nevertheless. Afterwards, within a little over a year’s time, I noticed him seemingly start to return to his old self. I was doing everything I could to help him heal. Alas, it did not last long... When the prophecy's matters became even more intrusive to our lives, Ashkan fell quiet again. It was as if the person I’d known for so long had just...shut down. When I eventually got around to asking him why he was so muted all the time, I could tell it was difficult for him to answer. But he did. With so much at stake and with so many eyes upon him, he felt... He feels it necessary to remain impossibly stoic and to bear all burdens in silence. I tried to convince him that this was not healthy, that his mindset has caused him to stop outwardly expressing his thoughts and feelings. He told me to not worry and that he was completely fine. I wanted to believe him, but, I could see on his face that he understood my concern." She sighed and looked up at me.

I pulled her into a hug. I was incredibly thankful to have a friend who trusted me with something so serious. The way she spoke about him... She cared so deeply. I felt relieved that I could stop wondering if I was the problem - if I was the reason why Ashkan distanced himself from me.

"Thank you for telling me this," I said, my hands still resting on Shaye's shoulders.

"You deserve to know. I want you to understand Ashkan more as a person. He is utterly wonderful, but he has simply endured a tragic loss that has impacted him. He's still recovering and has already made significant progress. I promise, things between you and him will improve; it just takes time."

Sitting cross-legged, I fumbled with the gown. "Do you think...I should talk to him?"

"Well, not about...this," Shaye contemplated, “but perhaps you could strike up a casual conversation every so often. Take the initiative. Be nice, but avoid going completely out of your way for now. All friendships have to start from nothing.”

"Thanks for the advice," I said. “I just can’t help feeling sorry for him. It’s such a terrible thing.”

She shook her head. “I am fully aware. But please do not mention it to him. As I said before, Ashkan prefers to avoid discussing it.”

"Right," I muttered.

The two of us shortly stood back up and continued working. My perspective had shifted entirely. I decided to heed Shaye’s advice to the best of my ability, even though I knew a whole new road of challenges had just unfolded. The new knowledge that I held was heavy and made my thoughts run rampant. I knew I couldn’t avoid speaking to Ashkan. But at least now I could understand that he was going through something very personal, and that he probably just didn't know how to let anyone in. That was why he seemed so emotionally distant, so removed, so closed off. It was hard to make him smile; to get him to express anything, really. His life had been tough. Maybe there was a way to show him I was on his side, that he was free to trust me and confide in me if he wanted. But it was still so complicated...