Ayira the Princess “Wake up! Hey!” #2
“With the four schools that you are carefully selected for, I too, hope you find your place. Don’t let what your family has told you…Whatever path they’ve predetermined for you to walk on…shape who you are.”
I felt another set of chills go down my spine as I looked at the faint hairs on my arms rise to the familiar words.
“You are to become whatever you want to be, go wherever you want to go, reach heights and push the boundaries of your destiny, and make this life you’re in…
the here and now,” she pointed to the ground.
“Designated for you, by you, and live it to the absolute fullest. So again,” stepping forward as the iron gates began to rattle.
“Allow me to introduce myself not as a daughter of the First Family. Not as the one with the white hair…Not as the one who shall not be named or woman of the moon… My name is Maggie Grey, Vice President of Beta Nu Pi–––”
The tribal screams and whistles caused me to duck, expecting something to fly across our heads as the iron gates began rattling again and the trees that lined the pathway shook with anticipation. There was so much open magic here, I could feel it.
“Secretary of Student Affairs. Honor student with an anticipated spot at the top 2% of my class, Legacy babe, and absolutely the coolest woman you’ll ever have the pleasure of knowing here at the…”
The ground began rumbling as I looked around, grabbing the woman while Maggie raised her hand to the night sky.
“DREW!” She shouted. “COLLINS! UNIVERSITY! Home of the Ancestral Mythical and Magical! Welcome first years, find your place, and create your path!”
Everyone cheered as the crowd began to move. The woman grabbed my arm just as Maggie quickly walked up to us while everyone pushed past to get through the gates.
“Danielle?!” Maggie shrieked in awe. “I can’t believe you made it! You’re actually here!”
My mouth fell open. Feeling the cold aura surrounding her until another woman came to her side with a twisted agitated face while another with wide marble black eyes and pointed ears hung over her other shoulder.
“I…am…” I started to say, wondering if I could mask my accent.
“You remember me? I came to your house that day. God, look at your hair…the beads…How in the hell did you do this and where are your clothes? We have to get you in uniform,” Maggie said. “Y'all this is the girl who I said I had to pick her up. Danielle Jackson, right?”
“This isn’t her, Maggie,” the witch in the black dress said with a sly smile at me. “Right? You are not her.”
“Okay so who the fuck is she?” The agitated one barked.
“Yes, it is. I met with her. Same face…pretty skin…” Maggie let out before shaking her head. “You’re probably exhausted; this can be a lot on the first night. Trust me.”
“That is my sister,” I said, voice still a little hoarse. “Danielle is my sister. I am–––”
“Danielle?!”
The voice coming out of nowhere caused us all to turn back to see the same tall yellow man with dark hair and brows walk towards me with a few other men behind him like his own personal court.
“Baby, what are you doing here?” He asked with his hand immediately coming to my arm. I backed away with a shake of my head, stunned. My sister was claimed by a man?!
“I am not her,” I said. “I do not know who you are–––”
“What?” He exclaimed while his friend’s eyes grew big in shock. “Why are you talking like that and why didn’t you tell me you knew about this place? The Underground? You’re supposed to be back home–––”
“She said she doesn’t know you, my guy,” one of the girls said as she stepped in front of me. Her protective energy reminded me of Minka. It couldn’t be helped. “What’s the problem?”
“I am not her. That is my sister,” I said with not so much confidence.
“You’re who?!” He shouted before looking around. “Danielle?! Hellooo? We’re engaged! Remember? We are planning a wedding, your mother just died!?”
“My mother is still living,” I said, feeling the sharp sting of pain.
“She said she doesn’t know you, move around,” the woman said as she stepped closer to him.
“Xavier Martin!?” He went on with his hand against his chest. “Xavier of the Southern Five! I bet you heard of that! You’ve been playing this whole time?! You’ve been playing in my fucking face this whole time?!”
“I am not playing anything…Please,” I pleaded just as the woman with the black dress now stepped in front of me. I started to defend myself when Maggie stepped in.
“Okay so you gotta calm down. She said she doesn’t know you–––”
“She’s lying!”
“And you’re yelling,” Maggie added with a smile. “School hasn’t even started yet. There is some confusion because I know exactly who you’re talking about, but this is apparently her sister. Clearly, they’re twins…identical…” looking back at me, “twins that had no idea about each other, right?”
“Yes,” I nodded.
The man only known as Xavier Martin stared at me, bewilderment in his eyes while his friends tried to convince him to move around. They dragged and pulled at his arm as he stared at me with such rage, I could only imagine it was deeper than simply finding out she had a sister.
“I know I’m not fucking crazy,” I heard him say.
“Let’s go X, just keep moving. Come on. Let her be for now.”
“Yeah, you’ll catch her alone.”
Chills went down my arms as they dragged him forward towards the school.
I found myself turning back around to face the four curious pairs of eyes staring at me.
The one with the wide marble black eyes smiled as her two tiny sharp teeth were exposed like little claws.
The one with the beautiful locs crossed her arms over her chest, projecting her attitude over curiosity.
“Drew Collins never makes mistakes,” the one with the black dress said in a delicate tone. “She is exactly where she’s meant to be and it’s not a coincidence that you met her first, Maggie.”
“Only Maggie didn’t!” The one with the locs argued. “This isn’t the same girl.”
“No but… let me see your letter,” Maggie asked as she held her hand out.
I gave her the piece of paper that was found in my hand the moment I woke up on the train. The four of them bunched together, attaching shoulder to shoulder to read while I stood waiting for my final judgement. The one with the black marble eyes and tiny claws for teeth grinned.
“My name is Isis. I’m an elemental student. That’s Asha,” pointing to the one with the locs. “She’s from New York and a mythical student–––”
I gasped in awe before covering my mouth with my hands. New York!
“This is Souxie, our southern darling, and a spiritual student,” Isis went on. “Of course this is Maggie Grey, pretty much the main character.”
“For now,” Souxie muttered with a sly grin towards me.
“Come on, let’s get you settled and figure out where you’re staying,” Isis said. “Welcome to Drew Collins. Stick with us and you’ll be fine.””
“Yeah, welcome,” Maggie added while Asha threw her hand in the air with exasperation. “Try and keep up. It can get a little crazy here.”
The sudden rush of excitement was felt as I tried to keep up with the chaotic bustle of everyone being everywhere. I’ve never been to an actual school and although we have one, it was nothing like this!
“Legends of Black Myths! Sign up form here!” Someone shouted as they stood on top of a table. “We are a cultural club of investigators chasing myths and folklore of African Americans!”
“If you’re interested in being a social media influencer for Drew Collins, sign up here with me! We are looking for content creators for the Underground press! Must be personable!”