The Thousand Year Curse (The Curse Books)

by Taylor Lavati

  "Goodnight." I say to them both, before pulling the covers over my head. I don't want them to watch me snore and drool. I have to admit I'm a heavy, unattractive sleeper. I don't care though, I just want to pass out.

  I wake up and immediately know that I am in a dream. It's weird that I am starting to understand this kind of stuff. I can tell the edges are a little blurred and my vision is darker than normal. If this had been my first dream I wouldn't have guessed but now I know what to look for. I am becoming a dream pro.

  I take in my surroundings and see that I am in a dorm room. I can't tell if it is mine or not but I am guessing that it is. Why else would I be here?

  I look around and see some pictures on the right side wall and my laptop on my desk. Definitely my room. There's a picture of dad and me at a Giants game on my desk. I've never seen the frame before but the picture is an oldie. I look to the bed and see myself fast asleep.

  I don't look any different than I do right now which means it must be coming soon, or it's from the past. I'm snoring a little. My legs are wrapped in the sheets and my arms are flailing around. I wake up with a scream, as my body shoots straight up in bed, staring into air.

  I see a look of pure terror on my face. I don't know what wakes me up but I know I am scared shitless. I rush over to the bedside only to realize that I can't do anything. She can't see me here. I am just a bystander in this dream.

  Just then a knock hits the door and it opens and closes silently. It's pitch black so I can't see much but a figure walks in.

  This person isn't very large. He has a cloak and hood on so it covers his face. I can't make out who it is at all. Since they can't see me I figure I will walk over and try to decipher who it is. It isn't Ollie or Ari—they are much taller and have big muscles. This person is only about two inches taller than me and is slim.

  He walks slowly over to the bed and puts his hand on mine. My dream self, not me. I walk over to my side and look at this cloaked person. I see the bottom part of her face. I know it is a 'her' now because of the lips. Her lips are plump and painted red. Her face is rounded, very woman-like.

  She isn't smiling but there is a hint of joy some where inside her face. Her skin is perfect, devoid of any blemishes. The only thing I can see is a faint line of freckles over her nose similar to the way I get in the summer. I try to bend down to see her eyes but I can't, she is too covered up by the hood.

  "Darling. Stop looking for me." My mother. I'm not sure how I know or if I am even right. I feel the connection with her voice like I remember it somehow. I'm not sure if that would even be possible since I only knew her for like three days out of my whole life. Deep down somewhere, I know that is my mom.

  "I want to know you." My dream self says, crying as she stumbles over her words. She is just staring at my mom with wide eyes. She's trying to get her to stay. I want her to stay, too.

  "You can't. Not now." She says and then she drops my hand. "It's too dangerous. I'm wanted." My dream self starts to sob. I start crying myself from the coldness in her voice, by the rejection. My dream self is bawling at this point unable to even form a sentence. The woman, my mother leaves without even looking back. Not even a freaking glance.

  I look to my dream self and my heart breaks for her. She is visibly shaking and I can't do anything to help her. I feel her pain like it's my own. I hate that woman! How can she keep leaving me?

  Just then I know that I am going to change that vision. I'm not going to let her leave. Now I have the upper hand. I am going to make her stay. I am going to look into her eyes and give her a piece of my mind. She can't just come to see me then vanish. No. I am going to make her pay for leaving me.

  I can't shake the rejection my dream self and I feel. I keep sobbing holding my dream self. She can't feel me but I feel her. I want to make this okay for us both. I am taken from the dream just then. The familiar blackness returning.

  "Eury, wake up please. It's okay." I open my eyes and see big green circles staring at me. Ari holds me in his arms as a constant trickle of tears trails down my cheeks. I look up into Ari's eyes and feel a calmness wash over me. "It's okay." He says again now rocking me. His arms envelop me and I feel the hum.

  "I know." I relent, leaning into his chest. I start to drift asleep in his arms when I am jolted awake. The room is dark so I can't see what is happening but I can tell it is no good.

  "What do you think your doing?" Ollie questions us pulling Ari up by the front of his shirt. I get knocked around since I was laying on him and end up sprawled across the floor.

  "She was crying!" Ari yells back, defending himself while plucking Ollie's hand off of his shirt. Ollie stumbles as Ari pushes his chest back and comes back towards him.

  "We agreed. She has to choose." Ollie states shoving him in the chest.

  "What was I supposed to do, let her cry alone?" Ari hoots back. I just sit down here, waiting for them to shut up.

  "Exactly!" Ollie screams back.

  "Excuse me." I try to cut in so someone can help me up or notice me. This is ridiculous.

  "No way. You're crazy dude." Ari remarks, backing up towards the window.

  "You steal her every time." Ollie says back, advancing on him with rapid speed.

  "Excuse me!" I cut in again, this time screaming. I muster up all the strength I have left and get up from the floor.

  "What." They both say turning to face me from their spots.

  "You agreed to something?" I ask. They look at each other, trying to feel out what they will say and who will say what. "Just tell me." I urge them. I am so freaking tired of this. I am exhausted. I sit on the bed, placing my hands on my lap as I wait for someone with balls to just answer me.

  "In the Underworld we agreed neither of us would be with you until you chose." Ari says but not happily. He scowls at Ollie and then faces me with open eyes.

  "You didn't think to consult me?" I ask them, feeling pissed. They're now making peace treaties behind my back?

  "We just figured you might need time." Ollie states his voice soothing and relaxed.

  "You figured right. I'm not going to be with either of you!" I declare stubbornly.

  Oh no. What did I just do?

  "What?" Again, they respond in unison. Their eyes are now wide open and their mouths form an 'o' in shock.

  "That's right. You two are acting crazy. I'd rather be single anyway." I further dig my hole, regretting what I say.

  "Are you kidding me?" Ollie asks bemused.

  "Not at all." I respond. Both of their jaws are basically on the ground by this point. Eventually I will have to choose who I want to be with. I have never felt such connections with anyone else. Plus, we still have the curse to deal with which says I should be with Ollie, I think.

  It's annoying to me that fate is at play here. I don't want to be forced to make a decision. I also don't want to make a decision while under some curse. I feel like my free will is being messed with.

  So now I am going to take fate in my own hands. I am choosing what I want and I can guarantee that's never happened before. I am being alone. Of course, they will be around but for now I want to focus on myself.

  Finding my mom and learning about myself are one and two on my priority list. Love is falling to spot number three.

  CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

  homeward bound

  We all make it home in one piece surprisingly enough. It's relatively quiet which is expected after the big fight last night. I fell asleep alone after the boys ditched me and went their separate ways.

  I wake up alone while Ari gets the tickets and Ollie checks us out. I think the boys definitely got my message loud and clear.

  Almost a little too clear. They are barely paying any attention to me. I am actually feeling left out. Neither one is holding my hand or sneaking peeks at me. They are acting like I don't exist at all. I guess it's my fault, though. I told them I didn't want to be with them last night. I deserve this.

  Ari's car is at La Guardia so we
all cram in. Instead of Ollie offering me the front seat, he hops in shafting me to the back. I must have a shocked look on my face because Ari snickers a little to himself. At least he gives me a reaction. I pout and slam the door as I get in the back.

  It's then that I realize this must be another one of their games. I decide to play it right back. My car is the first stop. It's been at school all weekend so we have to get it so I can drive myself home. Ari pulls up in front and I don't wait for anyone to say goodbye. I jump out, get my luggage which is only one bag and walk to my door.

  I am so tempted to look back and see if they are watching me but I resist the urge hoping they suffer like me. I open the door and slam it behind me. The drive home is quick and when I finally pull in, I let out a huge sigh of relief. I kick off my shoes and hang my coat up the second I get in the front door.

  "Welcome home!" Dad exclaims, jumping up from his spot on the couch and enveloping me in a big hug. He kisses the top of my head and then goes back to his spot on the couch. "Go put your bags upstairs and watch with me." He commands, shooing me away.

  I know how dad is. Monday night football is the highlight of his week. It's really the only thing he does for himself. Sunday and Monday football, classic guy. I know his invitation for me to watch with him is his way of bonding.

  I'm not sure what I should say to him anyway. He thinks I was on the ski trip and I don't even know the first thing about skiing.

  I go into the fridge, grab a carton of ice cream and plop down next to dad after dropping my bag upstairs. He puts his arm over my shoulders and we watch the game together. It is Patriots versus Texans so he is highly engulfed in the game—we are from New England after all.

  Around ten o'clock, the game ends and dad is ready to pass out. He turns the TV off and we clean up the living room together, mostly keeping the conversation on the game. We both make our way up the stairs next to each other. My door is first so when I get there I pause.

  "I love you sweetie." He kisses my cheek and then walks down to his bedroom.

  I get ready for sleep and then finally sit down on my bed, letting out a sigh of relief that I'm finally alone. So much has happened in the past three days. Three days—that's it. It feels so much longer like I was gone for weeks on end. It's good but bad at the same time.

  I grab my diary from my hiding spot and write an entry. It basically just describes the weekend. I read back what I wrote letting the thoughts wash over me again and shut the book. After that I grab my laptop and hop back into bed. I lean against the head board pulling the covers over my lap. There's nothing better than being in your own bed.

  I turn the lights off and bring up pages on my MacBook. I start typing away wanting to get my plan in action as fast as possible. Thanksgiving and Christmas break are coming up and I need to get ready to leave. To be honest, I'm actually excited to go. On the other hand, I'm extremely nervous.

  When I'm satisfied with my letter, I print it out before shutting my laptop off. I just shove it next to me and fall asleep.

  I don't dream which is a let down but I'm okay with it. I don't think I can handle waking up crying again. It's nice to just get a good nights sleep. My body certainly needs it.

  "Why the hell didn't you tell me you were back!?" Junior asks me in government the next day.

  "I got back last night. I knew I'd see you today." I tell him as he looks at me with a disappointed face.

  He has so many questions that I can barely process them all to answer. Instead of answering them individually, I just give him a play by play of the whole weekend, telling him everything except for the whole kissing Ari thing. He is close to Ollie so I know he won't appreciate that.

  I have to say that when I am done with the story, I let out a huge breath. It feels so good to get it all out. It's nice to tell someone about it, too. I am interested to see what he has to say. It is the first time Junior's ever been speechless. The kid can talk. That's for damn sure.

  "Wow." He gets out, grabbing me by the shoulders and pulling me into his chest. "I'm so glad you're okay." He says, holding onto me as if I might slip away at any moment. We pull back after the teacher scolds us but talk in whispers all class long.

  The rest of the day is torture. In lunch it is back to just Junior and me. Ollie used to skip and come sit in the student center but not today. Apparently he is still into the whole ignore me thing which I totally get, don't get me wrong. It just sucks because my head is so jumbled up.

  In class Ollie ignores me, too. He still sits behind me which is distracting but I don't think he's there for me. More like to protect me. Becca is unusually bitchy today, sending me glares when Ollie isn't looking or mouthing nasty things over to me.

  The same thing happens in my last class of the day with Ari. He sits literally on the opposite side of the classroom. The class is full so he must have asked someone to switch which makes it that much better. I'm sure a rumor will be spread by morning that I'm a leper.

  I go to the library to tutor Ollie but after fifteen minutes of him not showing, I bail. I will just take my car home and veg out alone. Plus today I am going through with my plan for school.

  I ask Mary for an envelope and she gives me one gladly. After asking what's wrong, I explain I feel sick so she sends me off, telling me to feel better.

  When I get in my car, I grab the fake acceptance letter out of my backpack and stick it in the envelope. I write down our address on it and put a stamp on it. I was going to put a fake one on it but decided against it, not wanting to cut corners.

  When I get home, I stick it in the mailbox. Thankfully the mail from the day is still in there which means dad isn't home and he'll get the mail. This has to go perfectly. I can't screw this up or else it will all be ruined. Dad needs to think I got accepted.

  An hour later, I hear a car pull into the driveway and the car door shut. Listening as hard as I can, I recognize the front door opening and shutting and dad's loud footsteps through the house.

  I wait a couple minutes and am not sure what he is doing down there. He usually calls up when I have mail. A second after my thought, he yells for me. Thank God—so far, so good.

  I look in the mirror and take a deep breath pausing to compose myself. I have to put on the best acting of my life. I have to pretend I am so excited to be accepted, on a full scholarship I might add. My dad is great but I know he won't look into the letter. He won't even look into the school. He has enough on his plate right now at work. On top of that, he trusts me. He should be happy for me and buy the whole act.

  "You got some mail here." He says, handing me the envelope and my monthly subscription to People magazine. I got the subscription last year for Christmas—best present my dad ever got me. I love reading about celebrities sucky lives. It makes myself feel better I guess.

  I open the envelope and hold my breath while I read it, at least I pretend to. Then I put on my little play. Here goes nothing...

  "Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god!" I start squealing while jumping up and down. I start to wave the letter around in the air. "I got in. I really got in!" I scream again gaining dads full attention as he looks at me as if I have three heads.

  "Got in where?" He asks me, snatching the letter from my hands. I keep jumping and celebrating while he reads the letter. He reads it a couple more times and then looks at me with wide eyes, almost in disbelief.

  "Spring semester? As in like three months away?" He asks me.

  "Yeah, so soon! I can't wait!" I exclaim flinging myself towards him and wrapping my arms around him in a tight hug.

  "Honey, I didn't even know you applied." He states, still grasping the situation. His voice is quiet and I can tell he's shocked.

  "I honestly didn't think I would get in. But a full scholarship. This can't be real!" I scream. I keep celebrating and I can see him thinking hard. He reads the paper another time and then a smile spreads over his face.

  "This calls for celebration! Let's go out to eat this weekend!" He joins in ce
lebrating with me for a couple more minutes. "I'm so proud of you."

  I smile the biggest smile ever at him. A pang of guilt creeps into my head but I push it aside. This is a big moment even if it is partially fake. I still should be able to feel like this is a big deal. I want to tell him everything. I really do. But I can't risk loosing my dad.

  i told my dad about school. were good. when do i leave?

  I text Ari making the it very business-like. I text Junior next telling him went over okay. I sell it well.

  CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

  time goes by

  Sept 27

  This sucks—nobody will talk to me.

  I dug my own grave.

  Junior is picking sides—obviously with Ollie.

  Ari ignores me unless I bring up something about Nephilim school.

  My powers are becoming unbearable.

  I break everything, I can barely walk without sprinting.

  I hate where my life is going.

  I deserve this though.

  September 30

  I've been researching the Gods.

  Ollie and Ari aren't making progress on my mom so I'm taking it into my own hands.

  I want to learn about her more and more each day.

  I want to understand why she left.

  My powers strengthen each day.

  I still have no friends.

  Oct 1

  Becca literally shoved me down a set of stairs.

  Nobody else was around.

  I left school and am now grounded since they called my dad.

  My anger is getting bad—

  I'm taking it out on everyone.

  Junior can barely look at me anymore.

  Oct 20

  Things are better

  Ollie has clues on my mom