Book I: Children of the Light

By Aiyana Bey

16-year-old Brianna Moore doesn't think she will ever outshine her prettier, smarter, and more popular sister Danni. Danni seems to have it all until an embarrassing act of betrayal casts her into the shadows of Kenndale High infamy. Devastated by her new social status, Danni finds solace in her new friends Sam and Simon, the gorgeous twins who have moved in across the street.

But Brianna doesn't take too kindly to the strangers, or Simon's growing influence on her sister. And there are some unexplainable accidents happening to Danni's enemies. The twins are hiding a dark secret, one that could threaten to change the course of Brianna and Danni's lives forever. Will Brianna be able to save her sister before it's too late? Or will she lose herself in the process?

Book I: Children of the Light is a fast paced thriller that introduces readers to the sacred Order of the Light, and its realms hidden within reality. Follow the journey of Brianna Moore as she delves deeper into the magic behind the soul, spirituality, and knowledge of self. This enlightening drama is about the paths we take in life and how they reveal to us who we inevitably are.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aiyana Bey
• Release date: Apr 7, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311864222

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Published by Aiyana Bey at Smashwords

Copyright © 2016 Aiyana Bey

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13: 978-1311864222

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my Suns who inspire me to be free every day. And to the Divine within that guides my life. May our hearts always be light.

-Aiyana Bey

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thank you to Fiona Jayde at fionajaydemedia.com for my cover art. You really helped bring my vision to life!

CHAPTER ONE

It was almost 7:30 a.m. I was sure my sister Danni would be honking the horn anytime now, especially on a Friday. The Kenndale High football game was tonight and cheerleading practice was mandatory for the pep rally.

I knew we needed to leave for school, but not before I finished this routine of mine. Extensive self-examination. I looked at my dark brown eyes, so dark they were almost black. My curved eyebrows, not too thick, not too narrow. The face looking back at me was blank of expression. I smoothed the edge of my ponytail, blinked twice, and stared at my reflection.

Turning sixteen was supposed to be some kind of landmark. The age where you start to test out real life and discover your independence. I could finally get a license, drive a car, get a job, and buy my own stuff without begging mom. I could reinvent myself, be a new person. My sister’s friends were always teasing me about how bland I was. Jeff called me Straight Edge. He would say that, I laughed to myself. He isn’t straight anything.

Jeff was the most flamboyant boy I knew at Kenndale, maybe at all. He wore his skinny jeans tight with tiny tees in bright, bold colors and kept a collection of shiny lip balms. I would swear Jeff was wearing eyeliner, but I couldn’t prove it. His circle was Danni’s circle, the cheerleading squad, of which he was a male spotter. Just another interesting character in the group.

My circle consisted of Sarah Perkins, an academic overachiever and the future valedictorian of my class. We had bonded over an English project on Wuthering Heights, both having a jones for dramatic fiction. She was a sweet girl, ordinary, but nice all the same. She’d had the same blunt style bangs and waist length straight hair long before the Nicki Minaj era.

Like me, Sarah spent a lot of her time with her head in a book, or in the clouds. I liked her a lot. She was my best friend by default of being my only friend, but that still counted. I just didn’t consider hours of Sudoku and an anime obsession that interesting.

I looked down at my cheap Chuck Taylor knock-offs, tattered jeans and no brand gray tee-shirt. I wasn’t that interesting either. I was happy just to be comfortable, and that had always been enough for me…but now not so much. I just thought there should be some sort of transition, that I’d have a niche by now.

I’d play the guitar or dye my hair blue. I’d go to summer concerts and parties, and there would be dancing…and I’d dance too. That’s what normal kids my age do right? And here I was on the brink of opportunity with little to anticipate. Just a collection of tattered novels on my bookshelf and funny posters from Tootsie's Novelty store.

HONK HONK

Bri get your butt out here! I’m going to be late for practice! Danni hollered from outside.

Releasing a loud sigh, I turned off the bathroom light and made my way downstairs.

I’m coming jerkface! I yelled back.

Danni rolled her eyes as I got in the car.

What takes you so long? It’s the same thing every morning.

I just like to take my time, it’s not easy being beautiful, I smirked

You’re my sister, so obviously, you have great genetics. But you don’t need an extra fifteen minutes to look like… she made a sweeping gesture with her hand in my direction while making a face. Like this! Gosh Brianna, are you going to wear that same ponytail ‘till graduation?

I cut my eyes at her, annoyed and jealous at the view I took in. Danni was far from bland, far from ordinary. Jeff dubbed her a Special features girl. Funny label, but pretty accurate. On top of the high cheek bones, creamy caramel skin, and exotically slanted eyes framed by thick lashes, she had developed other special features by freshman year.

I looked down at my chest and acknowledged I’d probably never catch up.

And of course, there was more. Danni was the easygoing one that people loved to be around. The girl with lots of friends and admirers. She wasn’t a snob either and being approachable made her one of the most popular girls in school.

She made varsity squad Junior year, Cheer Captain Senior year, and stayed in the spotlight of Kenndale High. Plus she had a car and a part-time job at Crafts N’ More. National Honor Society inductee, a stellar GPA…the list went on and on. She was already getting her applications ready for Berkley, Stanford, and Spelman. The goal was to be anywhere but here, and I was sure she would end up somewhere fabulous.

I, Brianna Moore, little sister in her wake was simply here. I couldn’t even be the smart one, we both laid claim to academic achievements. I think I took French just to spite her consistent A in Spanish.

Danni turned on the radio where some pop star was singing about love…or sex…or sex confused as love. These days you could never be sure. I reached out to change the station and felt a sharp slap on my hand.

Owww! I yelped.

Don’t touch my radio.

Next year it’ll be MY radio.

True. But today this is my radio, my car, and my rules. You’ll just have to wait your turn. She winked at me, put the car in gear, and took off down the street.

I rolled my eyes and stared out the window. Then I remembered something.

You’re right. Graduation’s around the corner, and you owe me driving lessons.

I owe you?

Ummm yeah, I covered for you last weekend when you stayed over at London’s party.

London Brewer, another it girl in Danni’s circle, would throw ridiculous parties after every football game. It was easy for my sister to sneak off since there was never anyone home to notice. My mom worked graveyard shift at the chemical plants near a place Kenndale residents called ‘the docks.’ It was a strip of land on the other side of town surrounded by water that spilled out into the Gulf, carrying with it many of the toxic chemicals. Nice for a beach run, but not a place to go fishing.

The job was dangerous, but it paid well. I tried not to notice how the long hours were affecting my mom. Her once vibrant glowing brown skin had become drab and drawn back. She looked tired all the time, and there were only two modes of life: rushing or sleeping. Not to mention all the doubles and overtime she’d picked up to start saving for Danni’s graduation and college expenses. It was a lot for a single mom to carry.

Don’t you need a permit first? Danni answered, pulling me from my thoughts.

Sure, we can get it Monday, I smiled sweetly. I was the picture of innocence, the loving, sweet angelic little sister that never was.

Ugh Bri, you know I have a lot going on. Varsity squad, SATS, my job…

Brendan Lewis, I sucked my teeth turning back towards the window.

Danni gave me a sharp look, annoyed.

What do you know about Brendan Lewis? Besides, he’s just a friend.

Mmmhmm I thought. The quarterback for the Kenndale Tors, Brendan was always at London’s parties. I had noticed him hanging around after school waiting on Danni. I’d stand next to the car while he made flirty small talk and my sister giggled, tilting her head till her side bang swung back from her eyes. I didn’t trust that guy as far as I could throw him. I didn’t care how cute he was or how much he worked out. Enough stories were going around to know he was no Prince Charming.

Right. The same guy that chases all the pretty girls at school. Your friend.

Awww you think I’m pretty? Aren‘t you sweet. Danni grinned.

I’m serious Danni. You should’ve seen what a mess Katy Phillips was after he was through with her. She missed school for a week.

Katy Phillips is a silly freshman that bit off more than she could chew. She was way too young to be at that party and she should never have gotten that drunk. She made an ass of herself.

And yet your little boyfriend invited her so he and his buddies could make fun of her. There were pictures of her puking all over the internet.

So it’s his fault now? Boys will be boys, we have to be ladies. Besides, what does any of this have to do with your drivers permit? Her voice had become stiff and I could see her knuckles hardening as she gripped the steering wheel. I must’ve struck a nerve.

Nothing…I just really don’t like that guy. So can you take me Monday or not?

I pouted my lips making a sad face as I waited for her to break.

"Fine! Monday right after school,

" Danni sighed.

Thank you, thank you thank you Danniah! I squealed with excitement.

Don’t lay it on too thick, she shot back.

We pulled into the parking lot at school and got out. Like clockwork, Jeff and London ran to the car to collect their Queen Bee.

Danni over here! I waited up for you. London had a smile that stretched ear to ear like a sneaky Cheshire cat.

I muttered under my breath then checked myself. I couldn’t say that I liked London too much either. There was just something about her that was off. I always got the feeling that she was only around because she wanted to rub elbows with all the popular kids in school, not that she actually liked Danni. She swung her wavy blonde hair to the side and adjusted her backpack. As if all the theatrics had a purpose.

Hey hun, I had to hurry because Missy here is always late. Danni nodded her head in my direction.

Jeff walked up next to them, tall and lean with a pretty boy face and mischievous grin. His bright purple shirt matched his belt that hung low to his narrow waist. His jeans looked extremely skinny today.

Hey straight edge, you partying tonight?

If I did I wouldn’t be straight edge, I smirked.

C’mon guys we gotta go. Danni interrupted. She turned to me.

I’m staying after to get ready for the game. You cool to walk?

That’s why I have two legs. Go on I’ll see you later.

Later. And off they went royalty among few.

I walked through the double doors of E wing where fellow sophomores were filling the halls, chatting and horsing around before the first period.

I feel like an alien; A social anomaly. I don’t seem to fit anywhere…even Sarah had a small group of academic decathlon buddies. Part of me knew it was okay because I wasn’t supposed to fit here. My thoughts were elsewhere, away from Kenndale. I wanted to be something else somewhere different, to see someone new when I looked in the mirror. I still had no clue what I was going to do with my life, I just didn’t want to be here…

Until I figured it out, there would always be a place for me at home with my worn down mom and picture perfect sister. Somebody had to be average, I thought to myself. Maybe I should just embrace it. I looked around at the sea of students migrating around me; talking, laughing, living in the moment. I sighed to myself, I guess this is it.

I snuck off after early dismissal for the pep rally. There wasn’t an ounce of school spirit in me, so I figured I could enjoy the extra hour by myself. I took the back street behind the school, keeping a looking out for campus police.

The lot was empty so I kept walking. There were rows of abandoned buildings leading up to the main intersection near my house. I looked around, taking in the quiet afternoon, the brightness of the sun nearly blinding. Heat beat down on the back of my neck with the comfortable warmth of autumn in the South. The sky was clear turquoise, not a cloud was in sight. Sparrows and blue jays fluttered in the trees chirping and fighting over bits of food and territory. How easy it must be for them. They never felt the nothingness of just existing. You’re jealous of nature now, I thought to myself. I shook my head and laughed, removing the thought from my mind.

A Stop n’ Shop corner store lay ahead at the edge of the street. As I turned toward the parking lot, a pair of golden flecked eyes caught my attention.