This is work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
* * *
Copyright© Yumoyori Wilson, 2018
* * *
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
The publisher is not responsible for website (or their content) that are not own by the publisher.
This eBook/Paperback is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook/Paperback may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.
* * *
Cover Design by Crimson Phoenix Creations
* * *
Editing by
Ms. Correct All's Editing and Proofreading Services
* * *
Format: Gina Wynn
Contents
Acknowledgement
Blurb
1. Beginning Of A New Cycle
2. Nightmares And Reconnection
3. Hidden Misery
4. Alone Time With A Hint Of Advice
5. Sense Of Danger
6. Date And Troubled Truth
7. Kindness And Tenderness
8. Braxton's Insecurities And Winning Bet
9. Grow Up And Fix It
10. Loneliness And Make Things Right
11. Try Again And Fever
12. Untolerable Bullies And Showdown
13. Key And Hope Isn't Lost
14. Nixon's Past
15. Double Comfort
16. Challenge As A Team
17. I Love You And Brighten Elite
Coming in October: Reflections of Us
One Thousand & One Lies Sneak Peek
One Thousand & One Lies Blurb
Prologue
About Yumoyori Wilson
Books by Yumoyori Wilson
Acknowledgement
Thank you for purchasing REFLECTIONS OF ME.
Thank you to all my amazing supporters for being awesome and encouraging me to write every day.
* * *
Special thanks to my friend who was my sprinting buddy during the production of this book. You know who you are, and I couldn’t be more grateful for your continuous love and support <3~
* * *
Special thanks to my amazing Alpha Team. You continue to work marvellously together, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have you on my publishing team.
* * *
Thank you to my amazing BETA team for so being so epic and lively. You make this journey A LOT easier and I’m grateful to have all of you in my life.
* * *
Thank you to my amazing editor who made this one of the smoothest releases I’ve had in my career so far. Your hard work and determination helped keep me on tract <3
* * *
Special thanks to my amazing Mom for blessing me with the gift to write and supporting me in all aspects. I pray to continue making you proud as I strive towards success.
* * *
Finally, I thank God for giving me the strength to achieve my goals. Without Him, I would be nothing.
Blurb
Surviving my first semester at Brighten Magic Academy wasn't as simple as I thought it would be.
* * *
Being a male was HARD, especially for a girl like me, but who would have thought I'd enjoy the pleasures of being a male, such as learning how to aim my weenie correctly in less than a week?
As adventurous as it all sounds, it led me down a path full of trials and a near-death incident I'd never want to experience again.
* * *
After four weeks, two of which I was unconscious and recovering from my wounds, I struggled to regain what I'd forgotten, which left a strain in my friendships; or should I say relationships?
With bullies from Maximus’ past returning for round two, Braxton dealing with personal issues he'd rather fight alone, Kage being followed by a mysterious person, and Nixon experiencing nightmares nightly, I had my hands full.
* * *
Logan tried his best to keep us from tearing at one another's throats, but with the tension of the next set of classes and with expectations rising higher with each passing day, his attempts only acted to add fuel to the fire. It was Zane's turn to prove himself and help bring us back together.
* * *
But with crazy mage competitions, intense familiar battles, and haunting silver eyes that continued to watch my every move, would we even last long enough to find the real culprit of this game?
* * *
Or would we die trying?
"Daddy!" I exclaimed, running into Father's arms. He laughed with glee before he lifted me up, a wide smile on his face as I pulled back to stare into his red eyes.
"Were you good while I was away, Princess Jewel?" he asked.
"YES! I was very good, and I've been trying to read Daddy spells!" I exclaimed happily, feeling proud of myself. Father grinned, but I noticed a glint of worry in his eyes.
I tilted my head as I frowned. "Was I not supposed to?"
"No, no. I love that my Jewel is working so hard." Father soothed me with his words and pressed a kiss on my forehead.
"YEAH!!! I want to be a Mage warrior like Daddy! I'm going to save people and then eat ice cream."
Father grinned as he nodded in agreement, but I still didn't feel reassured that he was proud of me.
I pressed my little hands on his cheeks; his identical eyes held confusion at my gesture. "Daddy, don't worry. I won't say anything about the secret,” I reassured him, my voice barely a whisper.
He gave me a sad smile, pressing his forehead against mine and spoke in a hushed voice. "I'm sorry Jewel. I know you want to tell Mommy and Gabriel, but this has to stay between us. We have to protect special ones like us."
"Are we weird?" I asked with a sad expression.
"No, sweetheart. We're just so rare, not everyone wants us to be living," Father murmured.
I wrapped my arms around his neck to hug him, and he stroked my head comfortably.
"I want to live, Daddy," I confessed.
"Me too, Jewel. Me too." Father held me for a long time, continuing the comforting strokes that helped ease my sadness.
I knew we were different, but I didn't want to leave Mommy and Gabriel over it. We were good. Why did we have to hide something that could help many people?
"When you're older, I'll explain everything to you. There'll be people who will protect us, and you won't need to hide what we are from anyone anymore."
I leaned back to meet his proud gaze. "I'll be able to tell Gabriel and Mommy?"
"Yes. You'll even be able to tell your Prince." Father chuckled, rubbing his nose against mine.
"Logan!" I giggled. He smirked as he lifted his hand to brush my cheek.
"I'll protect you, Jewel. Even when all hope is lost," Father whispered. I stared into his eyes and smiled.
"Okay, Daddy. I'll protect you too."
No one will hurt us for what we truly are.
"We gather here today to discuss a serious topic that seems to have been ignored over the years at Brighten Magic Academy. The same issues from the past were forgotten or ignored by both students and professors alike. Today, that HAS to stop!" Ms. Landsford exclaimed.
I tried to remain calm as I sat in the front row. I was unsure if this was a good idea, but I knew awareness had to be raised about the bullying issue at Brighten.
I sat in my mal
e form, Logan to my right while Nixon sat to my left. I was grateful for the dark auditorium because I had trouble keeping my nerves at bay until Logan and Nixon held my hands.
The first semester was over and done with and the second semester started with this mandatory meeting and award ceremony.
Four weeks had gone by, two of them spent with me being unconscious and the remaining two was my recovery period. My recovery was generally comprised of strict bed rest and Logan and Nixon arguing every day over who'd feed me the daily soup special at my house.
Though I wasn't back to my usual self, and I was still at risk of seizures, I'd insisted on taking part in the ceremony. I needed to make a point to the student body, professors, and to myself, that I'd ended the cycle. Or at least initiated the end of something that had been going on even after my brother's senseless death.
"You all may have heard of the incident that occurred a month ago. A group of students decided it would be fun to attempt to fly off the tower as proof of strength, or whatever their motives were. Thanks to some brave students who didn't turn a blind eye to the events that were brewing, a catastrophe that had once plagued the school years ago was avoided. However, a few students were still injured as a result, and this entire incident could have become a lot worse." Ms. Lansford’s gaze swept the room as she explained
I glanced to my left, noticing Braxton and Kage leaned forward to check on me. I grinned, giving them a reassuring nod before they leaned back in their seats to pay attention to what Ms. Landsford was saying.
Off to my right, I saw Maximus shoot me a confident grin as he winked at me, and the girl side of me wished to giggle at his effort to lightened the mood. My gold eyes couldn't help but glance at the boy next to Maximus. The guy I was having difficulty remembering.
Zane Park. He was Braxton's and Kage's younger brother. He'd been a part of the fiasco that occurred on the tower, and I'd originally known who he was. It had been two weeks since I woke up and I'd yet to regain those memories of him.
It made me feel like he was more of a stranger or just the "brother of my current boyfriends." The thought made me feel bad, but that was literally how I felt.
None of the guys had brought the topic up yet, but I knew it was going to be a discussion in the near future. I returned my eyes to the stage, tuning back into what Ms. Landsford had to say in the auditorium full of students who survived their first term classes and professors.
"As of today, any forms of bullying and violence will NOT be tolerated. We are in the process of updating our surveillance methods on and off campus, as well as implementing more security measures on weekends. Everyone is still welcome to train on campus during the weekends, but certain areas will now be off limits. The tower has been shut down until flight lessons are in session and there must be four professors within the premises at the time of those classes."
A few sighs and whispers circulated through the crowd, but Ms. Landsford continued. "I do not care if any of you disagree with our new methods. I've already discussed these precautions with the headmaster, and she approves. Maybe to some of you such increase in safety is a hindrance, but I wonder if you'd say the same if your friend or family member is killed because a group of students decided they deserved it?"
The room went quiet and I looked away, biting the side of my lip at her words. Since the last dream I had of Gabriel, I'd yet to see him in my dreams again. It was as if he'd finally moved on, and though I was happy that he was at peace, my heart was sad.
I'd gotten so used to the dreams that sometimes led to me screaming at night, that now that they were gone, I wished to see his face once more. He was truly like a guardian. Now that we'd stopped Lark's brother from attempting to do the same as he had done years ago, he could finally rest without the lingering fear.
Maybe people will dislike these measures, but it's for the best. I'd never wish someone to watch their friend or family member’s death with their own eyes.
"Jinn."
I glanced at Logan. He was studying me with a worried look on his face, and he gently squeezed my hand. I gave him a small smile and realized that my eyes were getting blurry with tears. Quickly composing myself, I swallowed the lump in my throat.
Nixon's eyes were on me, but I didn't say anything as I tried to keep up with Ms. Landsford's speech.
"I encourage you all to think carefully of your actions this semester. Brighten Magic Academy holds its level of honor and rank because of our strictness. However, it seems like many of you have forgotten that this school is a PRIVILEGE. It does not matter if you are from the richest household in this town or if you have a family member who helped you get in. To be able to wear the uniform you all are wearing at this moment is NOT a right. Just as it's not your right to graduate from this school and become a Mage warrior."
The silence lingered, everyone taking in Ms. Landsford's words and she nodded in understanding. "Jinn J. Starfire, please come to the stage."
I almost flinched at my name. My eyes met Ms. Landsford’s as she graced me with a reassuring smile. I swallowed and squeezed Logan and Nixon’s hands a final time before I rose to my feet and took a calming breath. Confidence, Jewel.
"You can do it, Jewel. I'm here if you need me." Alice’s soft voice flowed into my mind. I wouldn't deny how her little reassuring statement helped settle my racing heart and gave me the confidence to walk towards the side stairs to the stage.
Once I reached the platform, I turned to face the large crowd. I didn't focus on the number of students before me; my eyes lingered on the front row where my men stared at me with pride.
"Many of you may know Jinn. Some of you may see him in the halls while others have fought him in class sessions. Even though Jinn comes from a strong family background, he has to work like every one of you."
Ms. Landsford took a deep breath, and her expression darkened as she continued. "On the Sunday of the incident that occurred on the tower, Jinn and his fellow comrades had stopped another bullying attempt. However, the fall out led to Jinn being knocked off the tower to plummet to his death."
Multiple gasps could be heard, and I noticed a few angry expressions. I knew their anger and rage wasn't directed at me, but at the fact that I'd almost been killed.
My brother's death happened years ago, but people didn't forget what the Starfire family had gone through. Even with my cousin disguise, I could see a few sympathetic looks and pained expressions from many of the professors who'd once worked with Charlotte, my Mother.
"Thanks to his comrades and their quick thinking, Jinn survived. However, watching a student almost perish a second time made me realize how serious this issue has become," Ms. Landsford stated, clearly struggling as she blinked her eyes.
I had to mask my emotions, but I knew she was referring to Gabriel's death. She quickly composed herself before her confident expression returned.
"Today, Brighten Magic Academy will be rewarding Jinn J. Starfire the highest award given to a first year. It's called the Bravery Award of Excellence."
My eyes widened, and I glanced at Ms. Landsford in shock as several people gasped and even more cheered.
"What?" I whispered. Ms. Landsford smiled at me before she turned her attention back to the crowd.
"For those who don't know, the Bravery Award of Excellence is an achievement that's normally been unlocked during a student's final year. The requirements of such honor usually involve the student maintaining perfect scores as well as displaying an act of bravery worthy of a mage warrior. Jinn has shown perfection in both his studies and his demonstration of skills in combat. His actions in saving the victims in this incident have earned our recognition as well as consideration to join the Mage Warrior Organization."
Ms. Landsford looked to her left, and two other professors came on the stage. One professor held an open box with a medal in the colors of the Brighten Magic Academy symbol, and the other professor held a glass trophy with "Bravery Award of Excellence" on the clear crystal design.
> Ms. Landsford nodded to her co-workers before she picked up the medal and walked over to where I stood. I tried to ignore my clammy hands as I turned to face her, still stunned to have been chosen.
She smiled, her purple eyes glossy. They held as much pride as if she were my parent instead of my professor.
"Lower your head, Jinn." I did as instructed, and Ms. Landsford took a deep breath.
"I, Rosette Landsford of Brighten Magic Academy, honor Jinn. J. Starfire with the Bravery Award of Excellence. Let this medal be proof to his fellow peers and future comrades of his courageous actions. He has proven he could honorably handle what a Mage Warrior would be challenged with. Jinn will continue his studies at Brighten but will be accepted as a Mage Warrior upon graduation. May we all be witnesses today, and may this moment inspire others to confront the wrong going on and praise the right."
I expected the room to remain silent, but cheers of encouragement roared through the air as many of my peers stood and clapped.
Reflections of Me Page 1
