Black Sun Academy: The Next Generation (book 1)
Chapter 2

Blaise

Well, I wish I could say that as the sun broke over the horizon that I woke up feeling powerful, different, or magical even, but I didn’t. Nope, instead I wake up with a groan. My neck is stiff as though I slept in one position the entire night and I wince as I try to turn my head. “Ugh, wonderful!” I mutter to myself as I maneuver out of my queen size bed.

Bending over, I grab my light-grey cotton comforter and shake it out before tucking it around the bed giving it the semblance of being made. After that task has been completed, I go to my closet and grab some clean clothes before scurrying across the plush tan carpet of my bedroom floor and into my bathroom.

Hopping into the shower I scrub clean, lather my hair in shampoo twice rinsing and repeat routine and then apply a generous amount of conditioner to my wild mane of red hair (the reason why my grandfather calls me his ’lil’ firecracker!). After I’m dried off, I don a satin white tank top and a not quite mini jean skirt before going back into my closet and grabbing cream colored wedge sandals. Just as I begin to descend the stairs I hear G-Ma Lisa shout out from the kitchen to see if I’m ready to go yet. I laugh to myself as I come to the last step and make my way towards the kitchen where I know I will replace her and grandpa sitting at the table sipping mugs of coffee.

“I swear grandma, you always know exactly when I’m ready to go...” and then it dawns on me. “Do you have visions? Can you see the future or something?”

Lisa laughs heartily, her white blonde (more white than blonde these days) bob bouncing around her ears as she shakes her head no. “I’ve known you for eighteen years Blaise, do you honestly think I wouldn’t know when you’re ready to go somewhere?” This statement has a grin splitting across my face and causes a twinkle to shine in her eyes. “But we do need to be leaving. I’m sure everyone is there and waiting for us by now.

By everyone my grandmother means my uncle Devon (my dad’s younger brother) and his wife aunt Ella, and their two-year-old daughter, Elena (a play on my mom’s name). Plus, our extended family Uncle Chris, and his wife Rifqa. They aren’t related by blood, but Chris was one of my dad’s best friends and is still Uncle Devon’s friend.

I, myself am super excited to see everyone because it’s been nearly fourteen years since we’ve been gathered together in the same place though I do face time Dev and El all the time it’s just not the same as being able to talk to them in person. My grandparents and I had moved out of the state shortly after my parents passed away because they thought a fresh start would do me good.

Upon entering the Chicken Shaq, I spot Uncle Devon, Aunt El, and my cutie pa-tootie little cousin clutched in her arms. They wave me over and I scoop Elena up into my arms and tickle her belly causing her to squeal like only a two-year-old can. As she wiggles out of my arms, they both stand from their seats so they can give me hugs and wish me a happy birthday. Once they are done, I go to take a seat only to see Uncle Riley (the other non-blood relative or best friend of my dad and Devon) come striding up to me. I’m beyond shocked to see him.

“Oh. My. Gosh!” I squeak in delight as he wraps me in a hug.

“You didn’t really think I’d miss my niece’s 18th birthday my green-eyed little pixie now did you?” Putting me to arm’s length he grins down at me.

I roll my eyes at him. “You know just because I’m only 5’4 doesn’t mean you have to refer to me a pixie!” I shove him in the arm playfully and stomp my foot like I’m upset.

This only causes him to laugh but before I can say anything further, I hear Devon ask Riley where his wife is. “Oh, Raegan is stuck at work. She sends her love and her apologies though.” Riley says as he takes the seat across from me. Everyone but Chris and Rifqa are here, and I push my bottom lip out in a little pout.

Ella bounces Elena on her knee and catches my eye. “Don’t worry, they’re just running a few minutes late, but they’ll be here.” I nod my head and as I go to say okay the doors to the restaurant swing open and they walk in. Now that everyone is here, I feel whole. Family and being surrounded by love.

After they hug me, they go to take their own seats, but Chris stops and swipes two more chairs from an unused table. Arching an eyebrow, I give him a questioning look as he settles into his seat. “The boys are going to join us for once.” It takes me a moment to remember who he is referring to.

“You mean your sons are finally making an appearance?” Grandpa says with a wide grin. “I haven’t seen them since their second birthday. You probably don’t remember the twins Blaise. They are exactly one year and two days to the day older than you are which means we can celebrate their birthday today as well!”

“I can honestly say I do not remember meeting any twins but then again, I hadn’t turned one myself, right.”

Grandpa chuckles and says, “right, right.” and then he leans closer to me and says; “they are attending the academy and will be sophomores this year.” I turned surprised eyes up to him. I guess if my parents and grandparents are magical beings, it would only make sense that their friends and family would be as well.

“That’s cool.” I guess... I’m not sure how I really feel about that bit of info. It’s not like we grew up together or anything, but I guess it would be nice to see some familiar faces. At that moment the waitress stops by to get our drink order. After I ask for a glass of water I stand and make my way to the bathroom.

Weaving through the crowded place I make my way back to our table well barring one small incident that is. Along the way I accidentally bumped into someone hard enough to draw an oomph from my lips. Glancing up I immediately say in a rush of words, “oh my I’m so sor-”. The rest of my apology gets stuck in my throat as I stare into the most amazing honey-colored eyes I’ve ever seen.

The stranger smiles reaching out at the same time placing his hand on the side of my shoulder to make sure I’m steady on my feet. A warm tingling sensation courses between our flesh. He towers over me by a good foot or so but the grin he’s sporting is what draws me towards him. “No worries. Are you okay?” he asks with a slight Bostonian accent in his voice.

Offering a timid smile, I say that I’m fine and finish my apology before turning away from him to go back to my family only to my surprise, I come face to face with the stranger’s mirror image! With a gasp my head bounces back and forth between the two for a second before understanding hits me. These are Uncle Chris’ twin sons.

Quickly I sidestep the second guy and hurriedly make my way back over to the table. Just as I take my seat they come over and say hello to everyone seated before hugging Chris and Rifqa. Chris gets my attention before he starts to say, “Blaise, I’d like you to meet my sons, Braeden and Carden.” I’ve never been happier than at this moment to know that Uncle Chris isn’t blood related to me because for as hard as I try, I can’t keep my eyes from sneaking peeks at the devilishly handsome twins cattycorner from me.

A shyness takes hold of me, and I become enthralled by the food that has been placed in front of me. I feel awkward and unsure of myself which is a feeling I’m not used to in the slightest. Granted, I’ve never had such an instantaneous attraction to someone I’ve just met before let alone two someone’s!

I’ve dated guys while I was in high school and even lost my virginity because I thought I was in love but as all things do, it came to an end. After that boyfriend though I decided to focus fully on myself and getting good grades so I could graduate and get into a good college.

Thankfully everyone finishes eating and we all stand to say our goodbyes. When it’s my turn to say goodbye, my heart flips over and begins to pound hard against my ribcage. Each of them takes my hand to shake it farewell and a tingling sensation flows between us. I am shocked that it has happened again but times two and I look at the guys quizzically to see if they have experienced the same thing.

Unfortunately, I can’t tell the two apart yet but one of them flares his nostrils and seems to suddenly breathe a little harder. The other’s eyes have grown wide, and I heard him take a sharp inhale. Before I’m able to question either of them about the odd experience though, my grandparents are ushering me out the door.