Zenora
1. The Ring

A/n: At the moment I’m rereading this book, as it is my first one and still has some flaws. Don’t worry, I won’t change any information, only words. Thank you guys so much for all your support, and keep smashing that like button! 💛💚💙

My uncle, Dennis, was so nice to make me my lunch and made sure to always have breakfast ready before I came downstairs. So, I just had to pour the milk into the cereal already in my bowl and drank a big glass of freshly pressed orange juice. Afterwards, I packed my bag with the pre-made lunch and a pile of books for today’s classes.

I was running late for school, because my dogs kept me from leaving the house, to play fetch and get some attention while I forgot the time. And unfortunately, to add to my tardiness, they jumped into a lamp which fell over and broke into pieces. I glanced a bit angry at them and pointed towards their big cushions, for them to walk over there. Luckily, without a bark, they followed my silent command. So, after cleaning up the broken lamp, I tossed the bag with glass in the container and drug my schoolbag on my back to leave.

On my way to school, while sitting at the back of the bus, I read the chapters that were required for my anatomy exams, again. I knew all the facts already and I only got straight A’s on all my tests, but still, I wanted to be sure that I hadn’t skipped anything. With my love for animals, I had made my decision to become a vet, who specialized in both small and big animals. And because I made that decision myself, and not because I was expected to by anyone, I was dedicated to doing everything I could to keep getting the maximum scores on tests and exams. I know I might be exaggerating but it’s beyond my understanding why others are happy enough with anything less than the maximum result, and just slack through their years of uni, partying their asses off while they should be studying.

Maybe I was like that because of Dennis, as he always was a strict person in life, almost obsessive I might add. Everything in our house was nice and clean with no speck of dust to be found. He knew where everything in our house was and made sure that when I used anything, I put it back in the same place that I found it at first. Of course, as a young girl, I always struggled with it and even gave him a hard time by hiding things on purpose, but over the years I’ve grown used to it, so now I do pretty much everything the same as he does. Besides, it is very handy if everything has the same spot, and by now I didn’t want to disrespect him anymore, as he had taken care of me all this time.

Dennis has raised me from when I was a few days old, as my parents passed away during a car accident. I had survived the accident, being strapped tight in a child seat, and he took over the care for me as he is the last living relative that I have. So, I never knew my parents and thus don’t actually miss them in person, but I do miss the fact that I don’t have parents at all. I often wonder how my life would have been with a mom and a dad, instead of an uncle. Don’t get me wrong, I love Dennis and he raised me to be the strong person I am today, but sometimes I just needed a woman’s touch in my life. Like when I got my first period or when I found out that my boyfriend cheated on me.

I knew Dennis wasn’t used to having a child to take care of, raising me in a way that most parents won’t. But he was very patient and very protective of me, so ever since I turned eighteen, Dennis had been training me in hand-to-hand combat, fighting in different styles and the use of weapons. This was a result of me being attacked in an alley once when I went to the movies with my best friend Anna. Two big men assaulted us and robbed us with a gun against our heads. I felt at a total loss when that happened, I was so helpless and terrified so that’s the reason Dennis decided to train me and I was glad he did because now I had at least a way to defend myself.

But as it turned out, I quickly learned everything he threw at me, mastering every skill he wanted to teach me and I grew attached to being strong and agile. I felt especially attached to the bow. Ever since Dennis gave me one, I liked the feel of holding it, making me feel powerful and in full control. And the fact that it’s such a precise weapon, I liked it even more. You have to have a tight focus, to even land an arrow in the close perimeter of the target. And after releasing that first shot, Dennis was astonished, as I had been able to shoot it straight in the middle of the target almost twenty yards away from me.

At first, I thought that it was a lucky shot because I never shot a bow before. But after shooting six more arrows, dead centre, Dennis chuckled. So, now after a few years of training, I’m actually pretty much advanced in combat, if I say so myself. Luckily, I had never had to use it against any danger so I don’t know for real if I’m good at it when the situation would get tense, but at least I feel fit and strong and had a better chance of coming out of danger unscathed.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I noticed that the bus I was in, was halfway across town already and we were nearing the edge of it soon.

There it was, the campus was showing in the far distance. A running track circled the football field, an inside swimming pool was behind that and the academy with huge classrooms was situated beside it. It was a huge three-story building with brown bricks on the front; tall white window frames with clear glass in them; a big, green logo of the university on the front and big, white letters with the name of the institute adorned the wall underneath the logo.

Behind the academy, there were all the apartments for the students and separate houses for the fraternities and sororities that you could join. But I didn’t live on campus though, nor did I join any sorority. Dennis found it more pleasant to keep me inside our house, close to school rather than me having to sleep and live in an apartment, filled with students partying all night.

At first, I thought it was a bit strange and insisted to get a room in one of those apartments. But as Dennis wouldn’t have it and me trusting his judgment I decided to live by his rule. And now I’m used to travelling by bus and found it actually nice to have quiet nights at home.

Stepping off the bus I was immediately greeted by Anna.

“Milly!” She screamed and I lifted my head towards her. While my name is Emily, I was used to Milly now and I liked it. Anna is the only real friend I got so she was privileged to call me whatever she wants. And even if I would’ve wanted her to call me otherwise, she wouldn’t budge anyway. Her strong but happy character just would not give in to strict rules.

Now, I’m thinking about it, I don’t think she ever follows any rules… Not even her bright red hair is following any direction as it hung beautifully around her face in wild curls. Anna is a good-looking girl, much more than I am, I always thought. Her stunning light brown eyes, orange even, accentuated her hair and when the sun shone upon her face they looked even brighter. And her tanned body is adorned with clothing of light fabrics that loosely hang around her, flowing around all the curves that are in the right places.

In contradiction to her, I have shoulder length, ash-blond hair, put up in a ponytail and blue eyes. And as a result of all the exercise every weekend, due to Dennis’ training, I have some muscles which I always try to hide a bit under my clothes. I never really care about my appearance, but still, my muscles don’t look ladylike.

But so different as Anna was to me, so well she matched me as a friend. She always backs me up in annoying situations when some bitching girls made their way to me, and she’ll always try to loosen me up in normal daily activities as apparently, I can’t ever get rid of my strict composure. I could never understand why she chose me as a friend but I was content with her, being just that.

And when it came to boys, they always seem to be more attracted to her, than to me, and I couldn’t care any less. Anna was always the playful one, and I’m always the study kind of girl.

I did have a boyfriend once, three years ago. But I never felt the real buzzing love, so I decided to save my body for the real guy. Of course, we had been feeling around each other, but never worked up, to do the actual ‘thing’. And I’m happy that I didn’t follow his wishes since it turned out he was an asshole and cheated on me with another girl.

Ever since that ended, I haven’t found the right guy yet.

“I got you something, Milly.” I looked up into her bright orange eyes, wondering what the reason could be for getting me a present, but for the likes of me, I could not figure it out.

“Really, Mills? I can tell you don’t have a clue as to why I have this, right?” Another name she gave me, and indeed I did not have a clue...

“You’re such an idiot! It’s your birthday tomorrow!” She exclaimed laughing which was followed by jumping in joy, to see how I would react to the gift.

I forgot all about my twenty-first birthday since I was studying all week for several exams. In a few weeks, I was about to graduate and I would do so with honours. I didn’t want to fail these last few exams now so I hadn’t focused on anything else besides my graduation. I even wrote a speech to use at the ceremony because I was asked to do.

But still, Anna had gotten me a gift and she gave me the small package. I took the wrapper off and a small white box appeared. I opened the lid and was stunned at the beauty inside. There was a simple elegant golden ring with little white gold filigree and a blue sapphire in between the swirls. It was looking so refined and regal that I almost didn’t feel worthy enough to wear it.

“This must have cost a fortune!” I said to Anna, with a surprised face.

“Of course, you can only think about that! Just say thank you and be happy with what you got Milly!” Anna said while crossing her arms and tapping her foot on the concrete sidewalk.

“Yes! Yes, I’m definitely happy with the ring Anna. It’s so beautiful that I don’t want to scratch it while wearing it!” I said fully appreciative.

Anna began to smile happily at what I said but still encouraged me to put it on. I stared at the blue sapphire and it almost looked like there was water inside, that was moving just beneath the surface. Focusing on the beautiful shine of it, it gave me a feeling I was a bit more relaxed and calmer in my mind, which was strange, right? Besides, the ring felt warm to the touch and it didn’t bother me wearing it, even though I had never worn a ring before.

I glanced at Anna, wondering how she would have found this precious gift that would be so feeling… me? But when she tugged me along the sidewalk, as we were already late, I forgot to ask her more questions. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

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