Chapter 1 -- Day

November 25, the day of my life’s turbulence. Sometimes, people are perfect but yet they don’t keep that perfection when they make mistakes. My dad passed away when I was 6. I don’t know how, why and what caused it because my mom just told me I wouldn’t see him for a while, a long while. Thank God, Mom was stronger than Reilly, my older sister. She cried for weeks and on my shoulder!
November 25 wasn’t the day my dad died or when something life-threatening happened. That Monday was the first day of Winter break and that same day I saw him, Lucas…
Back in the 5th grade, he told me his secret, he has extraordinary powers which he used for good, pranks or whatever tempted him. Lucas was my best friend until he changed his “image”, two months before graduation. After his “image alteration”, he only told me important things like he has speed, flight and strength. Then a week later, he told me that he’d be home-schooled.
“Home-schooled?” I asked. “Hard to explain, need to be away from other kids right now. I’m going through something…” “Other kids? What about me, I’m your best friend? What is this something anyway?” I replied tearing up. “Don’t cry, Regal, please. I’ll call you whenever I can and yes, you’re my best and only friend who trusted and believed in me. Actually, I’ve put you in my heart and mind, never wanting to give up in front of you but right now, for now, I am. I’m sorry.” By Lucas saying that I felt him putting me into his heart and mind, I realized that he loves me.
I stopped the crying and before he turned away,
“Lucas, ditto.” I kissed him on the cheek. Right then, his whole body raced toward the sky as he smiled.
The part about it is that we know we won’t see each other in a long time… That was 5th grade, and now we’re in 7th, I hope he’s kept me in his heart. When he glanced over at me sitting by the curb, he reached for his pocket and dialed a number on his phone. Ring! Ring! Ring! I answered and when he saw me answer, he hung up his phone and fell to the ground. Thug! I ran to where Lucas fell and dropped on my knees beside him, put my hand on his and squeezed it tight.
“Regal?” He said still a little zoned out. “Lucas!” I replied hugging him.
Then I felt his arms on my back hugging me tighter. His head rushed to my shoulder, crying but tears didn’t come out. “Luke, what’s wrong?” I questioned, digging his head out from my shoulder. “You’ve changed a lot and I have a,” he paused for a short while, thinking of what to say, “I’ve changed a lot like I’m getting more power, knowledge and I have,” he paused again and looked for something in his backpack, “something for you.” In the palm of his hand was a hand-made necklace, “I made it for you that next day after our last meeting in 5th grade. Everywhere I went I had it with me, even when I slept I have it on my nightstand.” Carefully, Lucas put the necklace on me. “Beautiful.” I whispered taking the pendant for a closer look at the wonderful artistry.
I looked at the pendant for a short while but when his emerald eyes met my hazel ones, he smiled, “Do you want to go out with me tonight?” “Sure, at around 5:30?” I replied shyly, he nodded and added that I had to wear jeans and or leggings. Time goes by fast when I pick out clothes to wear. Ding, dong! Ding, dong! My older sister, Reilly, answered the door, even she hasn’t seen him in a long while. “Is Regal home?” “Lucas! What a surprise finding you here after all these years… Let me get Regal.” She gestured me to get downstairs and kindly let the door close with Luke already inside. “Regal, Lucas is dressed in dark navy jeans, polo button-down shirt with under tee, where are you going?” “Out with him, Mom said it was okay. Bye.” I explained. Don’t forget your curfew, her eyes told me. You’re 15, give me a break, sis! I thought. “Regal, you look great.” He exclaimed. “So do you, where are we going anyway?” I replied. We kept on walking out further from my house, “Secret.” Lucas said while gesturing me through the park. He knew I hated him keeping things from me. A few minutes up a hill and he stopped, “We’re here.”
The view was spectacular but who knew Lucas would know where this place was. “The next day after I met you that last day in 5th grade I came hear and thought about life.” “What specifically about life?” I asked. “What do you think love is?” I guess he seriously wanted my answer, with his emerald eyes looking into mine… “Love is when you look into that person’s eyes and feel a difference in your heart. There’s no real definition for love, the definition depends on that person.” “That’s very interesting and yet true.” Lucas’ words faded out on the word ‘true’. Before I knew it, he was looking and smiling at me with his emerald-hazel eyes again, “Do you know the person closest to my heart?” I asked. Who? His eyes gestured. “That person is you.” I answered, leaning my head on his shoulder. “Regal, ditto.” He said and then his lips touched mine, for the first time. In that moment, he closed his eyes and knew that was something was wrong and put his hands on my shoulders, shivery.
“Regal…” he murmured, “I sense that someone’s coming for you…” For me, I thought. At that moment, I knew who was coming, “That someone is coming for us. Not only me,” I paused and took a small breath, “but for you, too. His name is Nathaniel, remember him?” Lucas nodded as his eyes turned to me protectively. Nathaniel was my friend, and also my enemy. He has a huge protective side for me; our moms are best friends so we see each other a lot. Nathaniel doesn’t like me hanging out with Lucas and he knows about Lucas’ powers. “He can’t find us here; I think he’s going to my house…” I whispered. “I’m not bringing you home yet. It’s only been 15 min. since we got here.” He answered. “You used your super-speed, didn’t you?” I questioned crossing my arms. “Yeah, I wanted this night to last.” He said with his eyes fluttering. Hehehehehe, very funny, I thought sarcastically, “I have to get home by 10:30, it’s my curfew.” Don’t you think I know that? His eyes said. “4 hours and 45 minutes to go…” Lucas said trying not to make me angry. “Yes, okay, what else do you have planned tonight?” I asked politely. “I want to take you for a flight and I would like to compliment your outfit; black jacket, white polo, electric blue skinny jeans and black Chuck Taylor’s.” Lucas said.
“That was impressive.” A voice murmured. “Nathaniel!” I said surprised. “It’s so nice to see you, Regal.” He said sarcastically, “I’m not Nathaniel right now …” he said forcefully shoving Lucas into the big tree behind us, “So Lucas, now you know how it feels when your life’s in jeopardy!” his hand about to choke Lucas, “I didn’t mean to hurt you, just please don’t hurt Lucas!” I said tearing up, “Let go of him now!” Nathaniel let go of Lucas forcefully on the ground and sat down with me, “I’m sorry, I’m a bit over-protective. I have powers, too, super-speed so when I get too angry, I release all that super strength. I don’t like Lucas with you. He is intelligent, witty and has power stronger than me.” I dropped to my knees and picked up Lucas and held him against my chest. “I’ll never let him hurt you again.” He murmured, trying to get up. “Hurt me? What about you?” I replied tearing up. I’m fine, His hopeful eyes exclaimed.
“I’ll help you up, I guess Regal really cares ‘bout you.” Nathaniel held a hand out to Luke and really helped him up. “Are we friends?” Lucas asked while putting a hand on his shoulder. “We’re friends; I’ll do it for Regal.” Nathaniel said grinning. “I got to go, um… see you next weekend, Regal!” Nathaniel winked then raced off. “Are you ready for a flight?” Lucas asked as I nodded as he smiled picked me up and put me on his back. “Are you ready?” I asked him and he grinned… “Are you shivering?” I questioned as we were 3 minutes into our departure. “A little cold but I got you…” he said as he smiled and held me tighter, “we’re almost over the city.” I saw lights and skyscrapers up ahead, then I looked down and there was Lucas’ emerald eyes looking at me, smiling and quickly turned away from me. “Luke?” I whispered as his head turned and raised one eyebrow, “Are we going down?” He nodded. Surprisingly, we landed in the park close to my house. He sat us down on one of the old mahogany benches in the park. “Do you love me?” Lucas asked. I was shocked by his question that I turned away with a nervous face. He asked again pulling my face toward his, lifting up my chin, staring straight into my eyes and asking, “Yes or no?” His eyes were so terrified for the answer, he was about to cry… “Don’t cry, Luke, please. Let me think for a sec.” I said straight into his emerald eyes. In a shivering way, he bent his head down and murmured, “I’m an idiot.” What?! My eyes exclaimed, “I’m a freaking idiot, Regal! I asked you the stupidest question!” he stopped, fell to ground, knocked his head on the grass and murmured. “Lucas, you are not an idiot, remember to control your temper, I do love you. I thought you knew that.” I said in a comforting way.
“I didn’t know and even you know I have an uncontrollable temper.” He murmured again. I propped him up and with his head still down, I tried to raise it with one finger on his chin, it worked… “Don’t be so over-dramatic, Lucas. You know you love me.” I explained. Then, he took me in his arms and held me very close to his chest and embraced me tight, “I’m sorry. I know all those things and I shouldn’t be so temper-mental. I just never want to let you go again.” After the word ‘again’, he held me tighter. “You’re shivering again, Lucas…” I whispered. I have you, remember? His emerald eyes gestured. “That’s right.” I whispered. He let me go but still had a hand on me. “4 hours ‘til curfew, Regal…” He said as my head lied down on his shoulder. Don’t you think I know that? I thought while looking in his eyes. “That’s right…” He exclaimed and smiled. I sighed happily.