I got dressed in a v-neck, cream colored sweater, black jeans and some trail shoes, knowing I wasn't here to look attractive, but to work. I then washed my face, put on minimal makeup and brushed my hair.

I looked at myself in the mirror, and I jumped back in fear. I swear, for a second, the girl looking back at me wasn't me. She looked like me, but she had glowing eyes, sharper features and longer hair, and she wasn't wearing what I was. I didn't have time to notice all the differences, because as soon as I blinked, my own image replaced hers. I ran my fingers through my thick, honey blonde hair reached down to the end of my shoulder blades. My green eyes, one with a pizza slice of brown in it, stared straight back at me, despite the fact they were a glowing green just seconds ago.

I am going to go crazy here, I thought to myself, trying to shake off the jitters from just moments before. I hurry downstairs to meet Bébinn, who was cooking some eggs. I hated eggs with all my being, I'm not sure why, but even the egg shells bother me. I was the only one in my family like this, and everyone but one girl I know thinks I'm out of my mind.

I quietly made some tea and sat down at the breakfast table, and cheerily say, "Good mornin'!"

"And a top of the mornin' to ya, come, have some breakfast." She says in reply and I wander over towards her, and just grab two pieces of toast and some jam.

She seems to notice this, and offers me some eggs. I refuse and she looks at me oddly. I truly didn't mean to be rude, but I just aggressively hate eggs.

We sit facing each other at the old wooden table in silence for a few moments before she begins talking again. "Today, we have one house call, but I don't think the girl will have the baby just yet, but she's worried it's coming so close to Beltaine."

I pause and look at her slowly, "What's Beltaine? I haven't ever heard of that in any of my studies of the body..."

She laughs at my obvious ignorance, "No, Beltaine a big festival around here, to celibate half way between the spring and summer solstice. In some places, it's called May day. It's an old town here, and while everyone goes to church on Sunday, people are very superstitious."

I nodded as if this explained everything, but part of me was still confused, Why would a mother be worried about giving birth to her baby during this festival? But I dismissed this thought. Maybe it's just like some mothers don't want their babies to be born on Christmas day...

"Oh by the way, Muirgen is comin' over, she'll show you around the town, I think she's about your age, maybe a wee bit older. You can come when the baby is born, but today she'll show you around" She says, and looks at me oddly again, "How old are you?"

The way she was asking questions bothered me a bit, it was a little odd, but I quickly answered with ease, "I'm 16. I turned 16 February 4th."

She nodded to herself, "You were born on a full moon, that's good."

I found this comment odd, and slightly unsettling, but mostly I was excited about seeing the village. And maybe making a friend. I really loved being able to aid her and learn some midwifery skills, but it would be a rather dull summer if nothing exciting happened or I didn't make any friends. I doubted anything crazy would happen because, It is a small village, not even a town, but I was extremely excited nonetheless.

As if right on que, a knock rattled against the door, and without hesitation, Bébinn opened the door. A girl who seemed about my age with flowing red hair and piercing blue eyes walks in. She was wearing a jacket, jeans and a pair of black boots. She was undeniably one of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen in my life.

She looks me up and down, just like Bébinn did, with that same look of interest on her face. I guess people around here don't get newcomers very often.

I smile and offer her my hand, "Hi I'm Sophie."

She returns the smile and offers her hand to me. For a second, they look odd... but I can't put my finger on why. They were extremely soft as they gripped my hand.

"I'm Muirgen, is Sophie short for anything?" Her voice sounds beautiful, like nothing is ever heard before. Her accent is much more subdued than Bébinn's.

"It's not short for anything," I say firmly, maybe too firmly. I mean... technically it's not short for anything.

Muirgen watches my face for a moment trying to assess something. Before she can speak another word, Bébinn grabs her wool poncho looking thing, and her bag and quickly walks to her car, driving away. I watched her slowly, reliving the one person who I knew anything about even the little I did know, had left me.

"I'll show you the village, come on," She says and motions me to follow her down the gravel and mud road, worn down by many wheels of all sorts.

It doesn't take long to arrive at the village, and for the most part it's not very busy. This village was certainly not a tourist attraction. People were bustling about, getting on with their jobs and daily life, but the streets were almost completely empty of cars. There were more loose sheep in the road than cars.

Muirgen points out various stores and notes quick things about them, the bell-less church, the grocery, pharmacy, maybe 10 different pubs and clothing stores. She also pointed to the tiny port and water visible from the village, but not extremely close to it.

I nodded and followed her around before I wondered something, "Where's the school? I don't really see that many children around..."

"For the most part, children our age go to boarding schools in the city, but there's a little school up on that hill over there-" She says pointing, somewhat in the direction of Bébinn's house, "and the older children will come home soon, for the festival and then for the summer." I can tell she realizes that leaves herself out of the equation, because she hesitates, looking at me, but decides to not say anything.

Awkwardly, my stomach decides that right then was an appropriate moment to growl loudly. Muirgen notices and laughs.

"Hey, lets go get a drink and sambo, I know just the place!" She says smugly, but the way she says it seems kind. We walk to a run down looking pub, on the edge of the small town. It has in beautiful, wiry letters, "The Hawthorn" written over the door.

how are we feeling about this? I know Sophie seems quiet now, but trust me, soon she'll never shut up.