d in hot sweat. Vigorously, she swung her legs over the side of

a hoarse voice, rummaging through the sheets

ashed in her mind, transporting her back to the moment her phone slip

to herself, still unable to r

larming her that it was 6:00 am. The date on its screen read: Friday, J

other day devoid of fanfare and celebration. They never made a big deal out of it, except f

lt was replaced with an unknown feeling of elation, the anxiety replaced with

de into her bathroom to prepare for school,

her reflection in the mirror and she became baffle

here the bloody claw marks had been on her body just hours ago. But not her n

eces of memories burst into her mind as she felt herself back in the woods, the viv

n a dream," she thought, but her intuition said otherwise. She shifted her

rror, feeling uncomfortable and irritated by her own appearance. She was dresse

," she muttered, her brow

rummaging through her closet, while tossing out he

beat. Despite her past insecurities about wearing bodycon dresses, Kimberly

t with a sheer hose that highlighted her slender, long legs, and c

r heart-shaped lips, and spritzed on a sexy cologne. The effortless transformatio

dmiration at herself. Then she grabbed her school bag and head

Y PRINCESS!" and all eyes fell on her. All of their faces were lit up with

nts on the table, "Are those birthday prese

first birthday cake from her mother. She too was gleaming. "I love the new look. I t

was unprecedented. It was as if she woke up in a parallel universe wh

night?" She queried, igno

d across his face. The fact that it was a lie encouraged Kimberly not to push the iss

ughter. "Happy 18th birthday, Kimberly. You should know that today mark

s that even mean?" She asked, gaz

open it?" Rebecca ask

when she's back from school. Or

l, Clark. And you know it." She turned to face Kimberly, "You c

than spend one more awkward minute with her family. "I'm going to school, Mot

Rebecc

r stranded the day before. His bizarre reason being "Major traffic and dead phone inconvenie

dug through her school bag for her glasses, but when she put them on, her vision only grew bl

ses again and her vision clouded once

ses?" Arnold asked, confusion etched

anymore," Kimberly

queried, his brows

tone brooking no further discussion. She

e, starting the engine instead. The car pulled awa

elephia High School's parking lot. That was when

t that?" He asked, his eyes fixed intently on the bite mark,

at escalate as she came up with a quick lie."

. Unable to stand his intense scrutiny Kimberly hastily exited the car. "I'll

the car door to leave but Arnold's hoarse voice stopped her. "

ust your birthday," Arnold said in a low, serious tone.

am the door o

the windows and pulled away from the

, her voice laced with sarcasm. She shrugged off the tens

the parking lot and walked into the school, her head held high, eager