from here onward || self para
The letter had been folded many times; its creases were ridges, risen from the formerly pristine print; in her apprehension, Hana had reached for it many times, wrenching it out of her pocket at a moment's notice, unfolding it, reading it again, steeling herself, refolding it and shoving it back. She had made the right decision. This was the right decision.
Its edges were soft, dog-eared, stained slightly with a rich brown. In her haste to open it - the seal was unmistakable - the paper with edges sharp and bitter drew blood from her delicate skin. That was days ago now, as evidenced by the dried and darkened mark on the paper. A day to consider, to contemplate; another to pack, to plan, to ponder. And today, she had travelled, miles and miles to reach her destination.
And there it stood before her, an imposing figure that practically thrummed with possibilities that had been so very impossible just a week before. The Morgana Academy in all its glory.
Hana had never been away from her family before. So used was she to the familial support, she found herself floundering in the face of this new challenge. But she was determined to see it through: she was here now, she had made her decision.
She had run away from home, effectively.
Her thoughts were a flurry of uncertainties, doubts she tried to push down, and dreams, a hope she'd never had before, for something she'd never felt. For we’re all the same under our skin, aren’t we? We’re all wanting things we don’t understand. Things we can’t even name. The yearning so deep, like pinions over our hearts.
Since discovering her power, Hana had been missing a part of her. Ironic, since her abilities allowed her to do just that. Leaving her body behind, it was as though she was flying amongst the stars, free to do as she pleased; weightless were the responsibilities and family ties that kept her pinned down everyday of her life. It was an illusion, that freedom, for no matter how hard she tried, she remained very much down to earth.
Since that time, her parents were unable to accept her fully. It was apparent that their so called 'unconditional' love came with restrictions. A lack of understanding tends to breed fear in the majority of people, and Hana's parents were no different. It was that fear that saw them denying it was ever true, that had them running halfway across the world as if they could escape this part of their daughter. The fear that Hana witnessed burning away those first two letters and her hope for a real future along with them.
Try as she might, Hana could not resent them for what they had done. They had tried to veil the panic behind their eyes, at least they had tried. And so, despite knowing that this was her chance to be happy with who she was, and even meet other people who understood this part of her, she felt terribly guilty.
And with that, Hana Lee joined Morgana Academy.
