Destined

By Anivarya Kumar

In a parallel universe, they decide.
Your love. Your life. Your destiny.
Amber and Caleb have been both cursed and blessed to see visions of each other since the day they were born. They’ve never loved before. They’ve never met before. They don’t even know if they exist. But until they find each other, they won’t stop looking.

The parallel universe had its own way – make them fall in love only to tear them apart. It had succeeded in creating star-crossed lovers, but was its force strong enough to separate the two? Were Amber and Caleb destined to meet or destined to die? Or maybe, the dying itself was their way of meeting forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anivarya Kumar
• Release date: Feb 16, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310946158

Anivarya Kumar

Anivarya Kumar was first inspired to put pen to paper as a young child. Since the first grade, she has received awards - the first step to her future desire. She is twelve years old who takes pride in her academic skills, especially in math and science. In her spare time, Anivarya enjoys playing her musical instruments, dancing, swimming, and taking part in community services. As of right now, she is trilingual and continues to advance. She was born in California and is now a resident of Arizona.

Book preview

Sometimes, I think of the sun and moon as lovers who rarely meet, always chase, and almost always miss one another. But once in a while, they do catch up, and they kiss, and the world stares in awe of their eclipse.

–Anonymous

Chapter 1

Obsidian

Black. The midnight sky is invaded with an army of opaque clouds hovering above the atmosphere. Black. The hum of silence penetrates through the ear assuring that nothing is here. Black. The reeks of cruel tears from the mysterious puffs of grey arise reminding of the splattered dirt and concrete. Black. The thunder bolt strikes with fierce blows lurking past the trees as if hiding in fear. Birds shiver in the ice frosted nests. Wind rustles with speed enough to unravel the world’s entirety into one flat sheet. Breath and heartbeat stolen, it seems like death has finally arrived. But it was at this same time that two babies were born. It was not death that had arrived, it was birth. As these two families willowed with fear caused by the cries of Mother Nature outside, they were rejoiced with the first gold sun drop of fire from within. The moon stood hidden and the sun stayed covered, but even so, the imprint of the spheres remained in the sky as the auburn beat of light revealed itself and shot out a sign of hope. A sign of birth. A sign of fate. As the glowing beam intensified and sent an increasing number of sparks to the now tattered rooftops of the hospital’s nursery, the two newborn babies gazed up in awe at their first sight. The infants were so alone but completely together. They were so afraid yet so thrilled. There were only the two of them and they were better off that way. As their eyes met and lifted back up towards the sky, something was erupting inside them. The volcano in their bodies mirrored the molten ardor beyond the horizon of the shattered window panes. And while the distraught parents raced about to find their beloved little ones, the shaft of luminescence emitted directly on the first layer of their skin and marked them forever. As the mother and father picked up their respective children, the young ones watched each other part for what would seem like eternity. Little did they know, it was their destiny to meet someday.

Part One

Amber

Chapter 2

There’s Always A First

Amber? Would you stop zoning out on me?! Sienna’s voice buzzed through me like an irritating mosquito that is impossible to swat. I could hear her but I didn’t want to so I tuned her out and went back to my dozy thoughts.

Amber? Okay I’m leaving if you’re gonna keep ignoring me.

She grabbed her books with a deep sigh and walked away with an eye roll. I pretended like I didn’t hear or see her, but really my brain was sending signals to my body screaming Yes, yes, yes!

No hurt feelings. That’s just how I was. Sienna – ocean blue eyes, perfectly matching outfit, a smile too joyful, and blonde (which would explain everything). Still, she was my best friend for life or whatever you call that nonsense. Our personalities were like night and day; Sienna was covered in books and assignments at home but was the craziest party rocker outdoors and I was just myself no matter where and when. I was just an average girl – not too ordinary but not too extraordinary either.

I looked over to my left as soon as I heard the maddening click-clack of heels on the girls with the most triumph. The fashionistas walked past every girl and boy who stopped their life to focus on these fake Barbie dolls across the hallway. I stuff down the last of my golden-brown meat that’s supposed to be chicken and help it down my stomach with huge gulps of orange pulp known to be juice. Yeah, lunch was a real killer here (in literal terms). A vivid assortment of fruit too mushy, pizza too greasy, tacos too dry, snacks too junky, and drinks too pulpy. Something I definitely look forward to. As the bell tinkles to my ears and pierces through everyone else’s we all cluster into the doors and try our best to find a way out of the most complicated maze known to man today. Pushing and shoving, (a gentle gesture) we make it to class before the next pair of bells chime indicating time for another hour of people, work, and more people.

I hated school just as much as I loved it. I mean the whole thing about ‘learning’ and ‘knowledge’ was great, but the people were just so…not real. It’s like everyone here at Manhattan High wraps themselves into a package of what would please others. Yes, people pleasers. They didn’t know it, but they had it in them. I on the other hand, am actually not that different. So maybe I try to be myself, but I’ve gotta admit, Manhattan is one influential city and if there’s one thing I’ve learned from it, it’s to fit in – don’t be so creative.

Hey Amber! Sienna and I are going to the summer party right now at Jen’s house, you coming? Kennedy yells to me across the hallway as soon as school ends.

It’s like all my friends are deliberately trying to pester me as soon as I have something good on mind. I mean, where are they when I’m dead bored and numb sick?

Amber? she continues walking towards me like she doesn’t understand body language.

When she is nearly a millimeter away from my personal bubble I realize it’s the last day of school. So that’s why everyone was screaming at the top of their lungs and hooting for their life.

I smile, Sure, why not.

We plop into our fancy corvettes and royal limousines on our way to the swim bash.

The three of us dive into the aqua blue of transparent glimmer and let the cool touch of H2O sink in on our skin. The sun is still shining bright beyond the horizon and reflecting its heat onto our bodies. There’s always something strange about that sun because every time I look up at it, adrenaline starts rushing through me. It’s just this anxious feeling that makes me shiver and gives me almost a flashback of a scene I’ve never been in. Maybe I have, but it’s probably just my teenage mind that has me jabbering about this. Amber, I’ll race you. First one there gets a ride back home. Sienna said with a chuckle that made her seem drunk.

I twist my lips sideways and bite it as if to hold back the world’s best known comeback and end it with a simple, I’m gonna kick your butt.

We burst out in a series of laughter from one joke to the next. Kennedy gave the ‘go’ signal and we rocketed through the clear blue, sun beating down on us. Yes, the sun. I was losing my thoughts. The race didn’t matter anymore. What mattered was the intense heat that I knew only I could feel. It was beating