You Call This a Gift? Read online

  Contents

  COPYRIGHT © Sabrina Dugan 2019

  YOU CALL THIS A GIFT?

  To all those who never let me give up, thank you!

  CHAPTER 1: Annalisia’s Mom

  Chapter 2: Annalisia

  Chapter 3: Anna’s Mom

  Chapter 4: Annalisia

  Chapter 5: Kenna

  Chapter 6: Annalisia

  Chapter 7: Anna’s Mom

  Chapter 8: Annalisia

  Chapter 9: Annalisia

  CHAPTER 10: Annalisia

  CHAPTER 11: Annalisia

  Chapter 12: Annalisia

  Chapter 13: Annalisia

  CHAPTER 14: Annalisia

  Chapter 15: Kenna

  Chapter 16: Annalisia

  Chapter 17: Annalisia

  Chapter 18: Kenna

  Chapter 19: Annalisia

  Chapter 20: Jonah

  Chapter 21: Annalisia

  Chapter 22: Jonah

  Chapter 23: Annalisia

  Chapter 24: Jonah

  Chapter 25: Annalisia

  Chapter 26: Jonah

  Chapter 27: Annalisia

  About the Author

  COPYRIGHT © Sabrina Dugan 2019

  All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Sabrina Dugan.

  Annalisia’s life completely takes a turn when she’s thrust into an unknown world of shapeshifters, sirens, mind readers, chameleons, and much more. She’s quickly sent to a camp for weirdos like her. She’s leaving behind her school, her crush, and her family to embark on a journey of self-discovery and perhaps love. Will she be accepting of her unique gift or will she want to throw it away and what’s up with the hunk she ran into. Why’s he so different. What is his gift? He’s her cabin mates brother so he’s officially off limits… but something keeps drawing her to him. There’s endless possibilities for her here in this new world and it’s up to her to grab them.

  YOU CALL THIS A GIFT?

  To all those who never let me give up, thank you!

  CHAPTER 1: Annalisia’s Mom

  I awoke with excitement and fear in my eyes. I sat up, pushing my arms towards the ceiling as far as they would go while glancing around the room, peering into the mirror that sat across from me. My long, thick, curly, black hair was all twisted and knotted from the restless sleep I had that night. My blue eyes were sparkling with anticipation. I rolled out of bed, jumped up, and threw on my pale blue silk robe and slid into my favorite fur slippers.

  Today, Wednesday, March 12th was my daughter, Annalisia’s 16th birthday. The day she would receive her powers and prepare for the supernatural world. However, Anna is unaware of all of this; it is, of course, against the rules to tell her anything about the “supernatural”. One must come to the realization of their gift on their own before we are allowed to share any knowledge of the intriguing world we are accustomed to. Anna must accept the fact that she has a gift and be a willing participant or her power will never fully come through. I just hope she figures it out quickly and accepts it.

  I threw some flour, sugar, and an assortment of other ingredients into a bowl creating my grandmother's famous pancake batter and poured it onto the griddle in the shape of a heart. While waiting to flip the pancake, I placed a pan of maple sausage links into the oven and grabbed some raspberries, strawberries, peaches, and pears and made up a colorful fruit salad. It would be delicious on its own or great if used as a pancake topper. Anna loved fruit on her pancakes. I placed the fruit salad on the dining room table. The bright yellow daisy tablecloth really brought out the color in the fruits. The smell of pancakes lingered in the air.

  Chapter 2: Annalisia

  Yawns came tumbling out of my mouth as I forced my eyes open and stretched. I rolled over and stared at the ceiling, which was painted in light pink; this was a poor choice I made while young. Pink has got to be my least favorite color. I glanced at the smiley-face clock that sat on my nightstand, which read “6:39 am.” I let out an aggravated sigh and began talking myself through getting up. “Okay, Annalisia, get up, you’re 16 today, hooray!”

  Why did this bring me no excitement? Aren’t most people thrilled to be 16 because, finally, they are able to drive, get a car, and allowed a later curfew. Not one of these things interested me in the least. I don’t want to be sixteen, I don’t want to get out of bed, I don’t want to go to school. I groaned as I sat up and put my head in my hands. My black wavy hair spilled over my face. I pushed my hair back and swung my legs off the bed in an attempt to force myself out of it. Then, I climbed up and stumbled over to my vanity which had a beautiful false marble top and was overfilling with makeup and hair products. I looked down at all of the beauty supplies asking myself why I ever bought them when I never make use of them. I shrugged and glanced into the mirror. My green eyes were puffed up with dark circles from hardly sleeping.

  “How could I sleep with the nightmares I was having?” I thought to myself. Before I could even turn all the way around, my little sister, Marina, came stumbling into my room shouting, “Get up! Get up! Get up! It’s your birthday! Get up!!” I held my head in agony, as it was throbbing. This has got to be the worst headache, the worst morning, and soon to be the worst day. “Please leave so I can get ready, Marina,” I asked her politely.

  I strolled out to the kitchen at about 6:45. I had about 20 minutes before I had to start walking to school. My mom grabbed me and forced me into a hug. “Good morning, babygirl! Awe, my baby is all grown up; let me look at you,” she said while her eyes began tearing up. I stepped back and started looking down at myself. I was wearing my favorite Bon Jovi T-shirt, which was tucked into a pair of my favorite skinny blue jeans. I turned my toes together as I looked down at my black mid-calf boots. Yes, it was March and warm out, but, man, I loved these boots.

  I noticed her peering at my hair, which was pulled back in a French braid. She didn’t like when I put my hair up; she prefers it dangling all over the place blinding me. I also had a tiny bit of makeup on just some eyeliner and lip gloss. I could tell by her facial expression that she didn’t approve of it, but she just tilted her head to the left ever so slightly, the way she does when annoyed, and smiled and again repeating happy birthday.

  She moved towards the dining room and summoned me into a seat. Then, she placed a massive breakfast in front of me. I stared down at the mountain of food with anxiety. “Am I expected to eat all of this?” I asked myself. Then, I took the fork and pushed around some berries, ate a sausage link, took a bite of the pancakes, and realized what time it was. “Sorry, Mom, it's 7:10; I’m going to be late for school if I don’t leave now,” I said as I grabbed my bag and made my way out the door.

  Chapter 3: Anna’s Mom

  I cleaned up from breakfast packing away the leftover batter and fruit, and washing the few dishes that were left in the sink. Then, I sat at the table saddened from this morning’s encounter. She hardly touched her breakfast and she was wearing makeup for heaven’s sake. Now that she would have her powers, she can’t be fooling around with makeup. She will be off to training camp as soon as she receives her powers and makeup is strictly prohibited. Training camp is a very important place for young “gifted” people. A place to learn the full range of your powers, how to control your powers, when and where to use them, and, well, the rest we won’t think about right now. I hope she ends up with a wonderful guardian. My guardian was not extremely helpful in the way a guardian should be. A guardian is someone assigned to a new supernatural for the first six months they have their power. Their job is to teach you what your power is, how to use it, when to use it, and,
especially, when not to use it. One must never use their power in front of an ungifted human unless it is a life-or-death situation. A guardian is also there to teach you the rules and inform you of all other supernatural abilities that they may come in contact with.

  Chapter 4: Annalisia

  I clutched my bag as I made my way down the hall to my locker. Teens ran past chasing each other and being childish. I opened my locker reaching for my science book as I felt someone grab me in a hug from behind shouting “happy birthday” in my ears. I swung around dropping my books. “Jeez, Makenna, you nearly gave me a heart attack,” I grumbled.

  “Sorry, it seems like birthday girl is in a mood today.” She giggled.

  I replied, “I slept horribly, and had nightmares that wouldn’t just go away.”

  “I’m sorry, you’re my best friend and I love you and just wanted to surprise you with a ‘happy birthday’,” she said sadly.

  I told her it was fine. I glanced at Kenna, jealous of her pin straight blonde hair and perfect Disney blue eyes. She was in a spring colored floral dress, white flats, pink lipstick, and had her hair part up, part down. “Aren’t you cold, Kenna, it’s only March?” I asked her.

  “It’s never too cold for a cute dress.” She giggled. Kenna was rambling about something when I noticed Davis Pruitt walking down the hall. I have had a crush on Davis since second grade when he shared his cookie with me. We had been best friends from then until we got to high school where he ran off with all the popular kids and forgot I ever existed. To this day, I still had the biggest crush on him, and when I saw him coming down the hall, everything turned slow motion and I could feel my heart beating out of my chest. I watched as he casually opened his locker and grabbed some of his books. He turned, and his beautiful brown hair swept to the side, his perfectly chocolate eyes stared into mine for a split second and I felt my heart stop. I watched him walk away in awe. I heard Kenna repeating “hello, are you listening to me?!” over and over.

  As soon as Davis moved out of site, I shook my head and looked back at Kenna replying, “Yes, I heard you, something about your mom buying you a new bag.”

  “No,” she replied, “I said my mom won’t let me come over tonight; gosh, would it kill you to listen to me?”

  “I am listening, I promise,” I half-heartedly said.

  I made my way through most of my classes, with only English and art left. I walked through my English class noticing my seat in the back had been filled with Fredrick Parkinson. Fred was Kenna’s boyfriend last year, but she found him making out with another girl named Susan Fields on the tennis court. She cried for weeks over him. I personally always despised Fred from the beginning. I had seen him go through girl after girl. Kenna ignored my advice and got in a relationship with him anyway. He had stayed with her longer than most of the previous girls. Just when I thought maybe he had changed, I found Kenna in the bathroom sobbing over him.

  I darted him a look of extreme hatred and watched him sink lower in his seat. I looked around and found the only available seat directly in the front of the room. I sighed ever so dramatically and weaved over to the open chair. We were reading “Of Mice and Men,” which was one of my favorites. English was my favorite class, and Mrs. Humai was, in my opinion, the best teacher I have ever had. She spoke to anyone in need with the utmost respect and kindness regardless of who they were. Her big green eyes were just filled with wisdom, kindness, love, courage, and hope. She could cheer you up on the worst day. She’s a fabulous teacher.

  I am a big Literature nerd. Reading is quite possibly my biggest passion. Escaping this world and entering a world of drama, passion, romance, mystery, fantasy, and happy endings. What could possibly be better? Some days I wished my life was a book.

  After a while, Mrs. Humai called out, “So how did Lenny die in our chapter readings last night?” My hand swung straight up into the air, as everyone laughed and called out “nerd.” I sighed and said, “Lenny was brought into the woods by his brother who felt it was his job to help him by taking him out of this world peacefully so he wouldn’t have to suffer under the hands of angry people who didn’t understand Lenny’s struggles.”

  Mrs. Humai’s eyes widened and she looked deeply into mine replying, “Good answer, Anna; very deep contemplation.” I slid down lower into my seat as everyone looked upon me with judgment. We continued discussing and analyzing the story, and I continued answering questions and feeling ashamed until the bell rang. Everyone took off running out of the class; I almost got knocked over a few times. I had almost made it out the door when Mrs. Humai summoned me over to her desk.

  Mrs. Humai began by handing me a list of my current grades. I peered down at the solid row of 100%s. I looked up with confusion asking, “Am I in trouble for something, Mrs. H?”

  “No, no, no! of course not! Quite the opposite, actually,” she said excitedly. She followed with, “Anna, I am very proud of you. You are one of my best students. The school is requesting that I transfer you to honors English with Mrs. Pence. I was just looking to get your opinion.”

  I began picking at my nails while picturing being in a class without Mrs. Humai. I would hate that! Losing the only teacher I appreciated. I quickly asked, “Must I go? Or do I have a choice in this?”

  Mrs. Humai replied, “Anna darling, of course, you have a choice in this, and that is why I’m asking you. You do not have to transfer over, but by the looks of your grades and your current standing in this class, I cannot help but think I’m not offering you enough here. Maybe you would do better in an advanced class. I feel as if you’re not learning anything here with me; you’ve already mastered my class. I am just considering that maybe, just maybe, if you were given more of a challenge, your mind would be opened to so many more learning opportunities.”

  I scrunched my face at what she had just said. Does she really think I’m not learning here? I love her literature choices, and the discussions we have. What if the other class is too hard and my grades start to drop? “Mrs. H, can I please have some time to think this over before I come to an appropriate answer?” I asked her politely.

  “Of course, you may. They just need your decision by Friday the 14th. I apologize for the short amount of time they have presented you with,” she replied. We finished our discussion and I made my way back to my locker to put away my things.

  I sat in art class running my fingers through the clay that we were supposed to be sculpting into our view of the human body. All I could think about was if I should transfer to advanced English or not. I found my project to be looking more of a snowman than a human. Mrs. Adams shot me a look of authority in an attempt to get me to focus. I looked down at the blobs of clay beneath my hands and started transforming it into a body. By the end of class, I was left with a decent body, until I realized I had given her no head. I looked it over and decided I would go with, “My view of the human body is the body itself not including the mind/head for sometimes our mind distracts our hands from truly creating a beautiful work.” I nodded in approval of my decision deciding that would be good enough.

  I met Kenna outside the school and thanked her for the earlier birthday wishes and gave her a hug. She stretched her arms out to reveal the box she had lying in her hands. “Happy birthday, love!” she exclaimed once more and then proceeded to run off to her bus before saying another word.

  I looked down at the rectangular shaped box I had been given. It had been wrapped beautifully with the most gorgeous golden wrapping paper and a perfectly tied blue ribbon. From the ribbon hung a note revealing the words, “Happy birthday, Anna! Do not under any circumstances open this until you have truly discovered yourself. If you don’t understand what that means, you are not ready to open it yet. Please wait! Love, your best friend - Kenna.”

  “What?” I asked myself shaking my head in confusion. I looked around and saw that Kenna’s bus had left. I held the gift in my hands wondering what on earth could be in here that was so secretive. I convinced myself to follow her
request and wait, however long that might take.

  Chapter 5: Kenna

  I watched as Anna walked towards her bus and got on. I hoped she would like her gift and open it soon. The gift I chose had special meaning to it and I knew there was no way she wouldn’t love it. I used my power to get it for her. “My power? That sounded so weird to say,” I thought grinning to myself. I can’t believe I have a power and it’s an awesome one. I can go back in time and forward. I stood thinking of all the adventures I’d be able to have. I frowned remembering what my mom told me about using my power and that it was dangerous and to not do it often. Moving through time can affect the whole world. One must not change or alter anything or everything could be ruined. I was very careful when I got her gift. I made sure not to mess with anything that could cause a reaction.

  I glanced down at my watch and realized I had to get home so I could watch my brother while my mom and dad went on their date night. I stood for a few more seconds watching as the buses began to close their doors and started to pull away from the school spitting pebbles from beneath their wheels. I checked my watch one more time and stated walking home.

  Chapter 6: Annalisia

  I fumbled to get my key into the door and pushed it open. I stood and gazed into a dark empty feeling house that I called home. I walked through dropping my bag on the dining room table, grabbing an apple and calling out, “Mom, I’m home”. I got no reply and saw the note on the fridge that read, “Hey, honey, I’m going to be out for most of the day; I’m picking your sister up from school and taking her to gymnastics and then will be home for dinner. Have a good night, Love you lots – Mom.”