But then came the night before Nia's eighteenth birthday. They had their annual sleepover and that's when their worries really began.
At midnight Rhea was awakened by a shaking Nia, she was clearly convulsing and twitching. Rhea tried desperately to wake her but got no response. Violent shudders racked Nia's body hard as her eyes rolled in the back of her head. Rhea touched her again trying a bit more forcefully to wake her up and recoiled at the fiery temperature of her skin.
She tried to snap her out of it but she wouldn't open her eyes. She began to really panic as the seizure made its rapid progression. She would have taken her to the hospital if she didn't already know that Nia was somehow different. It's a good thing she didn't too. Her body calmed and Rhea froze as Nia sat up eerily slow and opened her eyes turning slowly towards her. Where there was once hazel eyes with flecks of green they glowed a molten honey, like lava. She wore a vacant expression when she spoke, eyes still glowing bright.
"A glamour is broken, a life to trade,
History shall be remade.
To right the wrong and switch the face.
Replace the toil with elegant grace.
The path that's broken will soon be repaved,
The rightful one, no longer enslaved.
The time is now and fate has seen.
Now there will be no in-between.
Do not fear, he will come for you.
Your destiny has been made new."
Nia's body slumped to the bed as Rhea looked on slack-jawed with a hand over her mouth. When Nia came into consciousness she blinked, shook her head and stretched sitting up slowly as if nothing had happened. Then she caught sight of a very frozen in shock, Rhea with tears streaming down her face.
"What!?” was the first thing to come out of Nia's mouth.
Rhea took a minute to compose herself then she told her all about her eerie words accompanied by eyes of fire and burning, hot to the touch skin. The seizure would have been disturbing all on its own but add in everything else and it was just another secret Rhea would have to keep. Nia was shocked and at first she just didn't think it really happened. All it took was remembering the fear and shock on Rhea's face when she woke up and that was all the confirmation she needed.
The girls spent most of the night trying to decode the words that still haunt them to this day. They were on their way to sleep when Nia made Rhea swear not to tell a soul. They fell asleep with locked pinkies sealing their promise. Rhea made Nia promise that they would find out all they could after their year of "play" was over. As long as there was no repeats of that night.
When Nia's nineteenth birthday came around the girls were dreading what might happen. They set up a video camera, that way if something did happen Nia could see it for herself. But nineteen came without mysterious words from beyond or fiery eyes. So the girls went on like nothing was wrong. Everything was going as planned. It was almost time for the visit they were both excited about and dreading.
The only person who even came to. Nia's mind to ask about it all was Crazy Great Aunt Amarie. Now you would have to know her to know why they call her "Crazy" Aunt Amarie. She talks of elemental magicks, glamours and a different world inside of our own. It all sounds like insanity to most people. Everyone thinks she's certifiably insane. Everyone that is, but Nia, her sisters and their mom.
They have always listened to Aunt Amarie's stories with wonder and curiosity. Margie has always told the girls that all they are is really, really vivid stories. Nia almost knew better, she couldn't have been the ONLY one that felt the hairs on her neck stand on end listening to Aunt Amarie. Rhea thinks she's absolutely nuts but she is willing to go see her up north. That's part of the reason for their trip to the Great Lakes. She would do absolutely anything for Nia for some reason and she always insisted on calling her princess.
They will see the Great Lakes. They even have plans to visit Chicago and New York. Then it's on to Canada across Lake Huron to see Aunt Amarie. They're keeping their fingers crossed that she will be able to shed some sort of light on the strange things that have happened to Nia. She is sure one of two things will happen she will either come away with hope that it's mental and can be controlled or fixed. Or her world will be forever changed. Either way she is glad they'll have the road trip from Houston to Canada to have fun before everything changes for better or worse. No matter what she was sure they'd have each other.
Chapter 1
Nia hid behind a long sheet of dark brown hair that you would have sworn was black. Her hazel eyes that were bright golden amber with a touch of vivid green, peeked over the top of her book. She gazed into the masses every now and then, keeping an eye out for her sisters. Nia’s not big on shopping to say the least. She has her favorite comfortable clothes and that is enough for her. Nia knows she could have whatever she wanted. She could stay home all day and still be pretty spoiled. But then she would be just like the droves of plastic people she can't stand. The fact that she is genuine and a hard worker gives her some peace. She used to hate having money. Her parents reminded her of where they came from and that they're grateful for everything they have.
Her oldest sister, Amarie Nadine is named after their great aunt. Then there's her little sister Magdalena "Lena" Celeste who is the smartest thirteen year old evil mastermind there ever was. They are so close, Amarie and Lena, even though the age gap is rather large, Amarie being twenty one. All Nia can figure is that their love of shopping and all things chocolate gives them a bond she will never understand. But she loves them both just the same.
Not that Nia's name is any easier on the tongue. Epifania Marguerite De La Garza is her full name but she never uses it. When she was quite young she started insisting everyone just call her Nia. She was glad they got the hang of it, she knew that it was a family name and it was just different. No one ever pronounced it right and it was frustrating because she loved the uniqueness of it.
When Nia and her sisters go to the mall it's always the same, she takes a book to get lost in while her sisters shop till they drop. Or window shop if they don't really need anything. The mall they go to the most isn't huge but it's packed with all the necessary stores to not make it lame. She sighs in relief that her sisters are still preoccupied with their clothing filled endeavors. It gives her a chance to keep reading the book she's into today.
Although it's wasn’t long before her stomach reminded her that she’d skipped breakfast this morning. If she doesn't eat something soon she'll be fighting nausea for the rest of the day. She zeroes in on the smell of Chinese food while her stomach growls again. Chan's is her favorite here, it's nestled in the corner of the courtyard. It has its own dining area so she eats here more often than not. She orders the pork fried rice and a large Coke absentmindedly while checking her phone. She has a bad habit of missing texts from her mom so she checks it often.
There's a text from Rhea, her best friend. It's a reminder about their road trip next week and their need for cooler weather clothes shopping. She cringes at the fact that she'll have to actually shop sooner rather than later. Nia texts her back quickly while she hands over the ten dollars she had ready and takes her receipt and change. Preoccupied with correcting her auto correct fiasco, formerly known as a text, she slams hard into what she's certain is a body.
Her messenger bag hits the linoleum with a crack! She's hoping beyond hope that it wasn't her MP3 player. Nia stifles a groan as she digs in her bag as a hand comes into her vision and a decidedly male voice says, "I am so sorry, please, let me help you up."
Nia hadn't even really look at who she ran into, but was sure to have pink cheeks. She spends so much time in her head, she doesn't ever notice much around her. She stood speechless, staring at the lightest blue eyes she has ever seen igniting her blood like it was on fire. The tips of her fingers tingled from his touch and her heart felt like it was running on rocket fuel. She couldn't shake the shuddering warm butterflies from infiltrating her insides.
"Oh, no, it's my fault. I.....I wasn't lookin
g where I was going.” Nia replied shyly. 'Who was this shy girl!?' She internally chided herself.
Was she the only one feeling this hum of energy? It's an almost tangible feeling, but by the odd look on his face of familiarity mixed with wonder. 'Maybe he feels it too', she thought.
His radiant smile made a dimple in his cheek, causing her breath catch in her throat.
"Nah, it’s okay, really.” he simply replied.
She gave a small smile biting the inside of her cheek and took that moment to look him over. He's not too short and not too tall, if she had to guess he was five, nine or five, ten. His short hair was dark as night and she noticed black scrolling filigree peeking out of his barely rolled up sleeve's on his light olive skin. His comfortable attire was almost her favorite part. She was utterly embarrassed to be caught enjoying the view. But she knew she had indeed been caught. She could tell by the confident look on his face, almost approving her ogling. 'Snap out of it Nia!’ she shook herself mentally.
Barely coaxing herself to speak, for fear of seeming like a total creeper staring at him. 'Say something!’ she commanded herself as she fumbled a question out, "Well... maybe... I mean if you're not here with someone or, umm… Do you wanna have lunch with me?” Nia asked wanting to kick herself. 'That was smooth, real smooth. Ugh!’
He held out his hand for the second time and his dimple ignited fully, causing Nia to gape like an absolute fool, "Name's Aaron Pierce and I would absolutely love to."
"Epifania De La Garza. But you can call me Nia.” she responded with an easy smile.
The conversation came surprisingly easy for them. They ate and talked for over an hour about anything and everything. School and the upcoming road trip, her college break plan and his business. He started a company with his best friend Leo Vermucci in their senior year at MIT.
Friends since high school, he and Leo had been housemates too. Their sophomore year at college Leo's dad passed away and left everything to his only son. So it was a cinch to have the startup capital for their business. Solar Conversions Intl. was a new to Texas Company and so were Aaron and Leo. A month ago they made the move because apparently, "Texas is very interested in 'A Brighter Future Today." That's their slogan anyway.
They talked about her job at her dad's company and her best friend Rhea and how they were closer to each other than she was to her than her own sisters.
Family facts like her sisters and parents, his nine year old twin sisters, Alice and Ava who are his world. He loves those girls like they are his own. It was one of the most painful decisions of his life, coming to Texas from Michigan.
His mom, Miranda had complications when the twins were born. She only had three days with her new baby girls before her ailing heart gave out. Ever since then Aaron helped with everything. He did everything and anything to make them smile. He didn't mind taking care of them one bit. It helped him with his own grief. All business, Aaron’s dad hired a nanny whom he later married.
It didn't happen like most "Nanny Takeovers" though, Anna was great and taking on newborn twins wasn't an easy task. Aaron was thirteen when he lost his mom and Anna understood that he needed his space. She let him help out as much as he wanted to. He learned to change diapers and make bottles. He felt connected to his mom when he was with the twins and Anna told him often how proud she would be of him.
After five years and birthdays and what seemed like a normal family life for all of them including Anna, who had moved in when the twins were two months old. It was Aaron who suggested that his dad, Thomas ask Anna out for a night away from the kids. Aaron was seventeen going on eighteen and confident he could handle the twins on his own for a night. He had been suggesting this for a while and dropping match maker hints. Anna was beautiful with her honey skin and raven black hair, she admired his father and he could see the adoration there in her chocolate brown eyes when she looked at him. He was happy when they started spending more time together.
When he got the news that Thomas had asked Anna to marry him he was ecstatic. He knew then he wouldn't have to worry so much about his dad. He wasn't a bad father, he handled his mom's death the only way he knew how.
Aaron wasn't quite sure why he felt comfortable practically baring his soul to Nia. He was sure that he'd never been more comfortable around another human being in all his life. He was intrigued to say the least and he had to figure out a way to not let this end here today.
Time flew or at least it seemed like it to Nia and all too soon she saw Lena and Amarie coming her way. She waved them over with their bag clad arms.
"Aaron, these are my sisters, Amarie and Magdalena."
Lena shot out her hand immediately. "Please! Call me Lena!" she exclaimed a little too eagerly and batting her lashes at him.
"Okay Lena." Aaron responded with a snicker.
"It's nice to meet you Aaron and please don't mind her." Amarie says quickly interjecting, cutting Lena a glare. "I may have gotten her an iced Mocha she apparently didn't need."
He shook Amarie's hand "Oh, its fine. I happen to have two sisters myself, I've pretty much seen it all." he replied with a wink for Amarie and a bright smile for Lena causing her cheeks to heat.
"We should get going, it's almost time for me to go to work. Mom texted and I have inventory tonight." Amarie sighed with a huff and snagged Lena by the hand shouting over her shoulder, "We'll meet you by the car!" already well on her way towards the door.
It was just the two of them again and the silence and smiles started to get awkward quickly when Aaron blurted, "Nia? Would you mind if I called you sometime or texted?”
Rubbing a hand behind his neck nervously he stammered an excuse that would make him seem less desperate than he felt. “I am new here and I would love to see where the locals hang.” He bit his lip sending shivers through Nia again.
"Of course!" she responded immediately, too quickly probably. "I mean, sure," she said turning an odd shade of crimson.
They exchanged phones and put in their numbers. Nia was the first to break the stare that commenced when they returned phones and inadvertently brushed fingers. Causing a heat wave to spread throughout her entire body.
Unable to contain the grin Nia glanced at his blue eyes again, "Well I guess I have to go then. It really was nice bumping into you.”
"I’m very glad we bumped into each other too." Was his answer as he grabbed her hand to shake it or kiss it she wasn’t sure but the moment they touched she felt dizzy and his eyes glassed over. Nia let go of his hand needing to regain sanity and balance.
Softly locking eyes almost searching he said, "Bye, Nia." So low she strained to hear.
As he whispered his breath brushed her neck and she shivered as her butterflies went absolutely mad.
"Bye."
It took every ounce of fortitude she possessed but she turned and walked away.
Going off in opposite directions, both smiling and wondering if anything will come of their chance meeting, pretty certain there was more to it. The connection was too odd to think otherwise.
Nia wasn’t sure why but she'd been certain something odd had happened back there but what was that? The low hum and dreamy weirdness. She walked to the car in a daze, wondering if he felt what she did when their eyes met and when they touched. By the time she made it outside Amarie was waiting in her Red Volkswagen Jetta, Nia got in and was silent with the goofiest smile smeared on her face.
Absentmindedly staring out the window Nia sighed.
"So...” Lena started. "Did you just, just meet Aaron because I haven't heard you talk about him before?"
Jeez... 'Here we go', Nia thought.
"I sort of bumped into him.”
"Oooh...” Lena said and then started making kissy faces.
"Cut it out Lena!” Amarie interrupted while Nia rolled her eyes.
"Well, are you going to see him again?” Amarie asked angling her head towards Nia.
Mid giggle Nia finally answered, "I don't know but I sure hope so! He jus
t moved here and wants to know where the 'locals' hang out. I got his number and gave him mine."
Amarie smiled now too. "Well I think he's nice... and nice to look at!" Now they were all laughing together.
They had a ways to go to drive home, they exchanged the afternoon's stories and cranked the radio. Nia found her mind drifting to Aaron though. She wondered if and when she'd see him again.
Pulling up to their house was always an awesome sight. It was hard to get used to the enormity of it. They had bought the property in Manvel, Texas two years ago and had built a house from the ground up.
Manvel was close enough that they could drive into Houston and it not be too far. They finally moved in a few months ago and were just getting settled. White brick and pillars in beautiful plantation style. The large windows were one of Nia’s many favorite features to the gorgeous home.
The wrap around porch was Nia's favorite part of it especially the back side that was screened in. It had the most comfortable chair on the entire property! You could sit at least two people in the hammock style "cloud" as Nia affectionately called it. She could read or listen to music in it for hours at a time. Especially on days like this when the sky was so blue against the contrast of the rich green of the grass. It was hard to even go inside now.
True Fate Page 2