"Jewel? I'm . . . I'm sor—"
I didn't let her finish, rushing from the room and heading for the door.
"Fuck, Jewel!" Logan called out to me, but I didn't want to be with anyone.
I couldn't be around anyone right now because I'd hurt them with the magic that felt my pain and agony. It sympathized with me and would do anything to protect my heart from getting hurt.
I snapped my fingers and the room disappeared. I materialized in a cemetery.
I didn't delay, my legs already moving on their own as I headed to the two tombstones at the top of the hill.
I wasn't in the proper attire to be paying my respects or to withstand the chilly breeze that fluttered past, but I needed to say something.
To cry out my sorrows to the people I wished were still in my life.
I reached the two large marble graves, one for Father and the other for Gabriel.
I knelt, fixing my tank top and running my hands through my hair to look somewhat decent for them.
"Evening, Dad. Hey, Gab. Weird for me to randomly be here today without any flowers for you," I choked, using my hands to wipe away the tears that continued to roll down my cheeks.
"I made Mom cry today. I didn't mean to. Well . . . at the time I did. I wanted her to understand. Why can't she see me? I have your eyes, Father. I do have some similarities to you, Gabriel, but isn't it obvious that I'm a girl and you were a boy? Why don't we have magic that can cure her? Why do I have to continue living in the shadows of Gab, Father? Why aren't you both still here? Gabriel, you said you'd always be here for Mother and me. Well, I need you. Can't you come back just this once? Can't you just come and tell Mom I'm Jewel and not you? Please? If you can't, I understand . . . but can I at least get a hug? One last hug from my older brother that I miss so much. Can't I listen to your deep voice, Father, and have you lift me up one last time? Just once . . . one . . . more time?"
I sobbed loudly, wanting so badly to feel their love again.
It took me years before I was able to accept both of their deaths, yet here I was, crying over their graves, the pain still fresh like the day of their funerals.
Something soft brushed against my hand, and I opened my eyes to see Alice in her fox form.
A flower for Father and Brother was on each of their graves, and she had one in her mouth for me. She lowered it to the ground and walked into my lap, lifting her two front paws up in a gesture to show that she wanted a hug.
I whimpered, wrapping my arms around my familiar. Her sadness vibrated through me, making me cry harder. We didn't deserve this.
The action of one person who thought it would be fun to bully my brother left me broken over and over again.
Something warm fell onto my shoulders, and arms encircled us both. The strong scent of caramel made me cry harder into Logan's chest as I held Alice, who whimpered softly.
"It's okay to be sad, Jewel. I'll just hold you and you can cry as long as you want," Logan comforted.
I didn't deserve such a wonderful man in my life.
I felt horrible for screaming and storming out.
Maybe I'd finally burned out, exhausted after years of taking care of my mother while trying to balance the life I wished to live with the harsh reality I had to deal with, whether it was from school or gatherings.
I just wanted to belong without the worry that someone would find out about my sad past.
To live and enjoy friends, school, and being able to use my magic not out of spite, but to make a positive change.
For one moment, I wished that my mistaken identity could be used to my own benefit to do things I'd never had the chance to enjoy and experience.
Maybe it was time I took a break and focused only on me.
Maybe this opportunity would give me just that.
PREPARING FOR BRIGHTEN MAGIC ACADEMY
"Ican't believe I'm doing this," I grumbled, feeling exhausted.