The Divinity Saga: Part I

The bright sun peeked through my window and shined through my tired eyelids. I tossed and turned around on my damp pillow remembering my nightmare from the night before. How could it be that the woman whose birthday is today, I just witnessed die last night? I knew it was just a nightmare, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of the relevance. My mother was gone, and my grandmother wasn’t getting any younger. I had to face the fact that one day I will exist without her. I will be alone. There will be no one left here to tell my childhood stories, no one around who witnessed me growing up. No one to share those memories with. I knew I had to make today special but making more memories would only bring more sadness. One that I couldn’t dwell on because I was already facing the inevitable. I peeled back my grey curtains and a ray of sun beamed into my room onto the wooden floor. Despite the sun, the snow was still stuck to the ground. I released the curtain and stood to my feet. I wasted no time finding what I wanted to wear. I pulled my damp hair from its loose ponytail and brushed the knots loose. “Rayleigh.” Nana’s voice traveled up the staircase. “Coming.” I dropped the brush and rushed out the door. “Good morning.” She greeted me warmly. “How is it that you always wake up before me even on your birthday?” I met her at the bottom of the stairs. “It’s a gift.” She invited me in for a hug. “Happy birthday beautiful.” I squeezed her tight. “I made all of your favorites.” A proud smile appeared across her face as we walked into the dining room. “It all looks wonderful, but you shouldn’t have to lift a finger today.” I reminded her. “And you shouldn’t have to endure such terrible nightmares.” She defended me. “We’re even.” “How did-” “So now that the season is over you can finally focus on your studies, right?” She asked skeptically as she cut into her food. “Right.” I nodded. An awkward silence filled the room as I searched for more things to talk about. Although I knew Nana didn’t mind the silence, I didn’t need any more time to relive her death in my head. I needed to fill the space. “So, what are you going to do while I’m at school?” I finally found a question worth asking. “Go into town and visit Vicky and Tom down at the bookstore and collect my shares from the stock house.” She sipped her tea swiftly. “That’s it?” I frowned. “What else is there to do?” She shrugged. “You could call up one of your book club friends and go see a movie.” I suggested hopefully. “I’m too fidgety for movie theatres, you know that.” She smiled. “Well, you have to do something fun.” I sighed. I watched the puzzled look on her face as she thought of the small possibilities. “Spending time with you when you get home sounds fun.” She nodded. “Okay so, go run your errands and when I get home, we’ll have some real fun. How does that sound?” I stood to my feet to collect the empty plates. “Sounds perfect.” I could hear the smile in her voice. “And don't worry, if you find something better to do with your day. Don't feel bad for canceling on me. I won’t be upset.” I dried my hands and headed for the door. “Happy birthday again.”I said before closing it behind myself. As soon as the air hit my body, I felt a cool chill down my spine. I ran to my car feeling the color fade quickly from my face. I jammed the keys in the ignition and switched the heater on. By the sounds of my engine, I had no choice but to drive to school freezing. I walked through the crowds of people as I entered the school. Returning friendly gestures and ignoring rude ones. As I turned down the hall towards my locker Ava was skipping towards me. Her long curly hair bounced around teasing her face playfully. As she got closer, I quickly hid my face in my locker intentionally avoiding her conversation. “Hey.” She called to me. “Oh, Hey Ava.” I stood there awkwardly. “Look, I know you much rather stay home and read biographies on boring old people but-” She quickly saw the offense in my facial expression and urgently tried to bandage the wound. “Don’t worry it works for you.” She smiled. “But you should really come to this party. It's Star's welcome back party.” She handed me a pink flyer with sparkles all over it. “Yeah. I’ll try.” I smiled as I slipped the stiff paper into my locker. “You’d better.” She skipped off towards a big crowd of people. Ava was right. Parties were not my scene, and everyone knew that. My popularity level pulled short because I didn’t attend parties; not as if I cared to anyways. Popularity meant nothing to me, unlike my peers. I didn’t need people to like or follow me. I wasn’t interested in anyone, so therefore I had no one to impress. I pulled my chemistry book from my locker and slammed it shut. As I turned to walk away the fire alarm began blaring throughout the halls. Just as I pulled out my phone to call Chrissy, her name appeared across my screen. "Hey, some jock pulled the alarm to get out of finals. I’m waiting by your car. Let’s go before someone catches us.” She exclaimed. “Coming.” I rushed out of the double doors. We pulled out of the busy parking lot and headed down the highway. I looked out the window and down at the snow that covered the ground like a blanket. “I almost forgot to tell you I got invited to a party.” I pulled the pink flyer out of my backpack. She looked down at the flyer quickly and then back up at the road nonchalantly. “Aren’t you going to ask whose it is?” I questioned her. “It’s Stars’ coming back party.” She shrugged. “Wait. Who invited you?” She asked as we pulled into my driveway. “Ava-” “Of course. She’s such a party groupie.” She scoffed. “I thought you liked her?” I smirked. “Of course, I like her. Everybody likes her. I just know her social status and she's definitely a party groupie.” She explained as we entered my house. "Wow. I don’t even wanna know what my status is.” I murmured as I dropped my bag to the floor. “Don’t worry, you’re a basic neutral.” She said over her shoulder as she entered the kitchen. “Meaning what exactly?” I followed her. “Relax. It just means that you’re neither popular nor unpopular. Sure, everyone likes you and you’d be drop dead gorgeous if you applied yourself but the fact that you don’t attend parties or any social events bumps you down to neutral, basically.” She stuffed her face with leftovers. “Gee, thanks.” I said sarcastically. “Anytime.” She smiled wide. “So, have you thought about what you’re going to wear yet?” “Should I be?” I frowned. “Definitely.” She nodded. “I had my outfit planned to compliment anything in your closet the second you showed me the flyer.” She said proudly. The next few hours flew by. As we got ready for the night we reminised about all of our previous party fails we've attended in the past. Chrissy had everything picked out from her accessories to the toe-polish before we could even get upstairs. We were fully dressed and ready to go with an hour to spare which was excellent timing for Chrissy. The sound of a car door closing sent Chrissy rushing outside to greet the birthday queen. Chrissy and Nana have been close ever since I could remember. Chrissy’s mom was rarely ever home, she was always gone on business trips. So, besides the weekly maid and nagging tutor Chrissy was usually alone which helped ease her into drugs and early aged drinking. I waited eagerly for their return. I couldn’t wait to see Nana. I couldn’t wait to hear about her day. I wanted nothing more than to see her at her happiest, but I couldn’t help but feel like it was more of a reminder of time rather than a celebration. “Rayleigh.” Nana called out as she walked through the door. “Finally.” I sped to greet her. She was standing at the door with dozens of balloons and gifts filling both her arms and Chrissy’s. “I guess the people at the stock house did remember it was today. They took me out to dinner and to see the new exhibit on Frost St.” She continued. “Ironically, I think there’s a balloon for every year.” She chuckled as I grabbed the bags from her arms. “You can put those down in the living room. Thank you, girls.” She directed softly. We quickly followed instructions as she found a place for the balloons. “So, what are you girls doing tonight?” Nana joined us in the living room. “A party.” Chrissy bragged. “That sounds like a great time.” She smiled over at me. “I know what you’re thinking.” I sighed. "That you’re going to come home early like you always do?” She held back her giggle. “Not this time Nana.” Chrissy defended me. “I won’t let her.” “Can we go before I end up changing my mind?” I rolled my eyes playfully. “Have a good time girls.” She kissed our cheeks as she walked us out. “I love you!” She shouted after us. “Happy Birthday Nana!” We shouted simultaneously before climbing in the car. I’m sure Nana stood on the porch watching us drive away until she was certain that we were really gone. Her beautiful heart was designed specifically to love and I truly embraced it all. She was the reason I was alive, the reason I even have the will to accomplish my dreams. She spent her whole life raising me since my mother died, showing me the utmost compassion. She pushed me through all stages of my life when I wanted to quit. She was the reason I could look over at my best friend right now and feel nothing but love and excitement and no negative emotions from my past. I spent all day worrying about Nana leaving me and how bad it would hurt, but the truth is, I would be leaving her first. I’m going to graduate, find relationships, go to college and as proud as she would be, it will be her that is left alone. She poured all her love into me and I was going to break her heart either way.