Waking up to a loud thud that came from the kitchen, I groaned as the pain in my feet has returned. Groaning, I looked in the direction of kitchen & then at the clock. Shoot. I fell asleep around 5 & I've been asleep for 10 hours. It's 3 in the afternoon.

Grabbing my phone, there were 20 text messages from Maddy & Jason. Opening the text messages, sadness took over me. I don't despise tests but still sudden tests saddens me. We weren't informed till yesterday about the tests starting from Monday. I've got one day to prepare for it.

I'll be spending a whole week in misery but the next text message made me smile. Homecoming. How can I forget about it. It's September & Homecoming will be on 25th of it as Maddy said, the same date as my birthday.

Thank You, Sweetie. I took a day off today because of my feet. Will tell you when we meet. I texted Maddison

Oh You Better! By the way, we'll be meeting soon. I'm heading to your place. She replied

Why? I mean yes of course you can come. But what's with this sudden meet up? I texted back

Actually, the day after tomorrow starts our tests & you've missed today. & you're not the type who'd just take a day off without any reason. So I thought why not study together. She replied

Yeah. That's a wonderful idea then. See you. Xoxo 👋

After replying her back, I went to my room & changed the bandage on my feet. As soon as I came downstairs, Maddy & Jason were there sitting in our lounge.

"Hey" I greeted

"O.M.G what happened to your feet?" Maddy said with worry on her face.

"Nothing. Just stepped on a piece of glass" I laughed & made a fool out of myself.

"And yet you're laughing like an idiot. You're hurt & you didn't even tell me or Maddy" Jason said with eyes focused on his book.

"Fine. I won't laugh. Let's just start studying & get over with it"

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After our tests, we were separated in groups & thankfully Mrs. Sandra our science teacher chose Jason & Maddy for me as my project partners. We were given science projects. Ours were of hydroelectric power. And my feet is prefectly fine now.

"Guys, PAY SOME ATTENTION ! Will you?" I let out an exasperated sigh

I'm literally done with these two!!

"We have two days to complete this project & you know how difficult science is for me. I was glad when Mrs. Sandra picked you & Maddy as my partners but now I'm mad at her" I frowned at both of them

They're not even paying attention to what I'm saying. Maybe it isn't important for the two of them but it is for me.

Ughh !! Actually , I just found out that they've been dating for 8 months now! While I was in New Orleans , they fell in love , got mad at each other , fought but then they realized that they can't stay away from each other.

Yes , I JUST FOUND OUT & THEY'RE MY BEST FRIENDS. They didn't even tell me. I still wouldn't have known about it if I didn't go to Maddy's house last week to get my notes back which I needed to prepare a test from.

I smacked Jason in the head to get him out of his sweet little staring contest with Maddy. He let out a groan.

"What was that for?" He hissed

"You know 'What was that for'!"

"Fine!" He huffed

"Let's get it over with"

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After a week , the result was announced & we scored more than most of the groups in the class. We'll be having Homecoming on exactly the same day as my birthday, after one week on 25 of September.

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I don't know why but I'm being apprehensive again. It's like something's wrong. Maybe I'm being over dramatic but last time when I felt like that, Mom & Dad died. I don't know what's going to happen this time.

Anyways , today's Homecoming & my birthday. I've been waiting for Jason & Maddy to pick me up for like 2 hours. It's getting late & I wouldn't wanna miss Homecoming , now would I? Maddy told me that we'll celebrate my birthday on 25 of the next month & I agreed.

"Aunt Chelsea, I'll go by myself. You don't have to worry about us. Alex will be staying at Tatum's house & I'll be late on my way back home" I said loudly so that she'll hear me. I informed her because she would've cancelled her dinner if Alex was going to be alone at home. She should enjoy her life too. She has the right to go out for dinner with her friends.

She's worried about us all the time & takes care of us. I love her & the least we can do for her is to let her live her life the way she wants.

Finishing my makeup by applying a light shade of lipgloss on my lips, I made my way downstairs.

Wearing the dress my Aunt had given me made me smile 'She'll absolutely love it' . Aunt Chelsea had no idea that I had decided to wear the dress she gifted me. The dress is very simple yet elegant. It's a full-length dress & grey in colour. The fabric of the skirt is very smooth . It's a light grey tulle with applique top & spaghetti straps. The dress is close fitting & comfortable & looks perfect with the sandals that I'm wearing. I had my hair put in a loose curly updo. As for accessories , I had put on chain cuff ear rings & a delicate necklace with few rings on my fingers. I'm not really fond of heavy accessory.

As soon as I came down, I heard my Aunt gasp in awe. My head shot up with a smile etched on my face. Looking at my Aunt's face made me laugh. I giggled at the sight. She looked cute with the look of amazement on her face. She looked as if I've grown wings or something

"You look ravishing. You look just like your mom" With that she burst into tears

"I know" I whispered . Tears started to form but I won't let it fall. I bit my lower lip as my eyes welled up with tears.

"Shhhh. Don't you cry! You'll mess your make up. Come on , you're getting late. It's already 5 PM" My Aunt informed me & I realized that It's getting late.

As I was about to get inside my car , I heard a continuous horn & I instantly knew who it was. Anger started to bubble up inside of me. I rushed towards their car & both of them were standing in front of the door of my house.

"Guys! Seriously" I yelled

They looked towards me & were slack-jawed when they saw me but I was in no mood for compliments.

"Where the hell were you guys?" I asked folding my arms over my chest

"Do you have any idea that we're late? We were supposed to be there around 5 & it's 5:30 now!!" I frowned

"Ughh. Something came up so let's hop in" Jason said "By the way you look astonishing" He complimented by emphasizing on the word 'Astonishing'

I wanted to laugh because the face Maddy made after Jason's compliment made me want to laugh out loud. She was jealous & she looked so cute that I wanted to pinch her cheeks.

"Fine , I'll forgive you guys this time. But no second chances!" I said with my index finger pointed towards them.

"Come on" Maddy opened the door , grinning "You look hot" She winked & I got in & mouthed a "Thank You" for her gesture & compliment.

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Homecoming was fun. I was announced the "Queen Of The Evening". I thought Maddy would be the " Queen" but turned out she & Jason had planned everything beforehand.

Feeling suffocated inside, I went outside for a walk. I noticed it was getting dark & was almost 8 PM. Walking through the trees , I saw a bright light coming from the right side. Making my way towards it, I noticed that it was the same light that I saw in Paris, when that mysterious guy came through a portal. It was getting clear as I got closer & it was exactly the same portal & the same mysterious guy. He was talking to someone.

"It's not here" The mysterious guy spoke into his watch

"It's okay. Come back before it's too late. We'll do the location spell again" A voice spoke out of his watch. The voice sounded like my mother.

"But I HAVE to break this curse. How the hell I end up in different places when you're doing the same spell again & again?" The mysterious guy spatted angrily

"Come back , Seth. We'll find another locater spell & we WILL get that journal" The same voice spoke again

Looks like the guy's name is Seth.

"Fine ! I'll come back" The mysterious guy 'Seth' spoke to the voice coming out of his wrist watch

With that he pressed something on his wrist watch & the light that was coming out of his watch vanished. He took a deep breath & muttered something under his breath & went inside the portal. The voice that started to come out of portal was irritating. I took few steps to get closer, to take a look at the portal . As they say curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back so I had to move closer to see the portal because my curiotsity wouldn't allow me not going closer to it.

I pushed the twigs that were in my way but as I got closer to the portal my foot got stuck in the tree branch, I tried to get rid of the branch. As soon as I set my foot free, I fell on my butt closer to the portal & the pull of the portal was so strong that I was pulled inside of it.

Just like that , I disappeared & knocked out.

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A/N

Hey Lovelies!
Here's the chapter as promised.
I hope you'll like the chapter. If you do, comment, vote & follow!! ❤
I'll probably write long chapters from now on because I don't think my chapters are long enough.
Take care
Xoxo
- Kainat