Sorcery & Sirens

by Iris Woodbury

  "It would help if your room wasn't such a pigsty." Crystal's mom started picking up dirty clothes off the floor and tossed them into a laundry basket hidden inside her closet. "It's just as easy to drop them in here instead of out there on the floor."

  Crystal rolled her eyes. Are you really going to do this now? "I always get around to it, Mom. Don't be such a nag."

  Her mom ignored her completely and started to fold some clean laundry which she then arranged neatly in a drawer. "Look, you asked for my help and I'm giving it. But it would be nice to have a clean spot to work in."

  Crystal didn't answer. Her mom was always so uptight these days - had been in fact, since the divorce. Crystal got it, after all, she wasn't a complete jerk. Life sucked for them all since her dad left. Just sometimes....

  "What do you think of this shade of lipstick?"

  Her mom closed the drawer and looked over Crystal's shoulder into the mirror. "Pretty. You could even go a shade darker. Red suits you."

  "You mean like a sluttier red?"

  Crystal's mom frowned. "Don't use that language in my house, Missy, or you won't be going out at all!"

  "Sorry, Mom."

  Her mom's expression softened, and she grinned. "Yes, I mean a sluttier red. It works with your skin." She leaned forward over Crystal and sorted through the lipsticks on a tray on the dresser. "This one's my favorite on you."

  Crystal wiped off the first with a tissue and applied the more risqué color. Her mom was right. It did look nicer.

  "Plus, it will pop more with the colors in your dress."

  Crystal turned back quizzically.

  "Well who do you think you got your design sense, from? Your father?"

  Crystal smiled. Her dad worked in construction and couldn't tell denim from corduroy. "Thanks, Mom."

  After applying the lipstick carefully, Crystal's mom set about fixing up her hair. She might know a lot about design, but she knew nada about hairstyling. Ella had always helped her with her hair for this sort of thing. She was talented like that, and always knew how to get it just right. Try as she might, her mom didn't even come close to fixing it the same way. She lowered her eyes in case her mom read her thoughts. Too late.

  "You know, Ella always did such a lovely job with your hair. I miss seeing her around here. How long has it been now?"

  "A while."

  "Are you ever going to tell me what happened with you two?"

  "Nothing happened. She just stopped being my friend."

  "You mean something bugged you and you stopped talking to her."

  "What? Don't put this on me. I didn't do anything."

  Her mom snorted. "Yes, and I know you, Crystal Baliski. You're as stubborn as a mule when you want to be. Just like your father. He was forever creating monsters out of nothing. You're just like him at times, I swear it."

  "Like how?"

  "Well," said her mom, thoughtfully. "Neither of you live in the real world most of the time. He always had his head in the clouds. Thought life should be one big fantasy fairytale. Sometimes you're just the same - making up demons in your head that just don't exist. Yes. You're just like him."

  Crystal leaned forward and rearranged her mop. Anything rather than listen to her mom go on about her dad like this. Really, he was never all that bad - at least - not to her. She wished, just once, her mom would say something nice about him. "Maybe I should just wear it down?

  "If you like."

  Her mom took a step back, and when Crystal was done brushing, she stood up and retrieved the dress currently draped across her bed. She slipped it off the hanger which she dropped on the comforter. There was a mirror hanging on the back of her bedroom door. She stood in front of it, and after Crystal climbed into the dress, her mom pulled up the zipper.

  "Oh my word, you're as cute as a button!" her mom said. She grasped Crystal's shoulders with glee. "You did such a good job making this dress. My talented daughter! You could go into business yourself one day, if you wanted to. I swear it."

  "Yah, yah, stop gushing," Crystal said, a little embarrassed by her mom's rare and unusual outburst of affection. She didn't know which was worse - the dad-hating mom or the mushy mom. "You'll crush it!"

  "There's your dad again. You never did know how to take a compliment."

  "Can we stop talking about dad, please? Just for one night."

  The smile left her mom's face and she backed away. "Come and get me when you're finished getting ready, I'll be downstairs with Jade."

  Hmmm. Sometimes Crystal wondered if her mom really liked her at all. She definitely had more time for her kid sister. She stared back at her reflection in the mirror. Still, she did look nice. Maybe Jake would finally notice her, she had made a pretty dress. But then she looked at her hair and thought of Ella, and a little of her happiness flew out the window.

  Crystal sat on a bench outside the gym, munching on a packet of trail mix, while she waited for Nic to show.

  Crystal watched with horror as Nic walked down the corridor towards her. Nic loved her food, and the horizontal lines of her dress made her look hefty. But here she was, and it was too late for her to change it now.

  As she approached, Nic beamed and took a walking twirl. "How do I look?"

  "You look, um, great. I like the shade of yellow on you." The last part was true at least

  "Thanks. My mom didn't like it but what does she know, right?"

  "Err. Right."

  "You look nice Crystal. Very purple."

  Crystal ran her hands down the soft velvety front of her dress. It fit snuggly and then flared at the hip into a lace net toile that stopped just shy of her knees.

  "You think so?"

  "Course. The dress is beautiful Crystal. Why didn't you tie up your hair?"

  Because Ella wasn't there to do it for me? "Gawd, I don't know why. It just never occurs to me. You think I should've?"

  "Sure. It would've finished off the look. But you look good enough to eat, anyway. Let's go on in. John texted me. He and Stu are already inside."

  "Okies."

  Every year the dance was held in the gym room. The lights had been lowered to soften the mood and a hired band played on the makeshift stage. Crystal winced as the singer crucified a PrettyMuch song. Few were dancing, most of their friends stood in pockets of three of four, sipping sodas and chatting. John and Stu stood alone, chatting away to themselves.

  "Call them over to us," Crystal said. "I don't fancy getting close to that noise."

  "Me neither. Anyway, I'm getting a drink first," Nic said. "Wanna coke?"

  "Sure."

  Small tables were lined up in rows from the center of the gym to the back wall. There were jackets and bags draped on the seats, so the tables looked occupied. Crystal meandered through to the rear of the hall and found an empty table at the very back. As she sat down, she spotted Ella at a table by herself on the other side of the hall. For a second their eyes locked, but then both girls turned away in embarrassment.

  Shoot. Crystal flushed pink and wished she had a drink in her hands already. It would've been something to focus on. Instead she turned toward the stage and pretended to be absorbed in the riveting performance. Inside she ached to turn her head back towards Ella to see if she was still glaring her way.

  Crystal thought about Nic's comment on her hair. A week or so ago, Ella would've fixed it up for her. She's always been good at stuff like that. Crystal suddenly felt sick and wished things were just as they'd been before - but then she reminded herself, she wasn't the stubborn one - that was Ella.

  Still, she was relieved to see Nic heading her way with two cans of soda and the two boys walking along with her. Thank God they're back, she thought. There was safety in numbers.

  "You look nice" said Stu, as he sat down beside Crystal. "From the waist up anyway. So, can we see the rest of it?"

  Conscious that Ella might be watching, Crystal shook her head. "No. I'm not parading myself like a prize cow."

  Stu shrugged and si
pped on his ginger ale.

  "This place sucks," John said. "Who found this group? They're awful – I can do better."

  "Should have brought your guitar then, shouldn't ya," Nic said. "I like the way you play. At least you would play something we could dance to."

  "They wanted a band, not a lone guitarist."

  "Then why don't you form one?" Nic asked. "You talk about it often enough."

  "Sure, one day, maybe," John replied. "When I can find musicians who like the same kinda stuff."

  "I like your stuff," Nic said.

  "Thanks."

  "You shouldn't be afraid of putting yourself out there," Nic continued, "You're really good."

  John rolled his eyes and sipped on his soda. "I'm not afraid.

  "Looks like it from where I'm sitting."

  "You think you'll go professional one day?" Stu asked.

  John lowered his eyes. "I dunno. My Dad wants me to become an architect, like him. We'll see. Maybe I will." There wasn't much conviction in his voice.

  "I reckon Crystal's gonna be a fashion designer," Nic said. "She's got the prettiest dress here, she made it herself."

  "What do you wanna be, Nic?" Crystal asked, eager to steer the subject away from clothes.

  "Oh, I dunno. Something foody. A chef maybe. When I close my eyes, I see me in my own restaurant, doing all the reality TV shows and such. It's a bit daft really."

  John looked straight into Nic's eyes. "You can do it if you wanna do it. Don't be afraid of giving yourself a chance."

  A cheeky grin crossed Nic's face. "I won't if you won't."

  "What about you, Stu?" Crystal asked.

  Stu smirked. "Seeing as we're sharing fantasies, I think I'm gonna have a harem where the women worship me, and I can have a different one for every night of the week."

  John laughed, and the two girls shook their heads.

  "Get real," Crystal said.

  "Well, why not?" Stu said. "It's my fantasy. If we had to live in your fantasy, we could play by your rules. In mine, all the girls will adore me and will fall at my feet. Maybe I'll let you, Nic and Ella give me a back rub or something."

  Without thinking, Crystal looked across to where Ella still sat alone. Ella had chosen a simple bottle-green dress that perfectly complimented her skin tone. She was totally gorgeous and knew how to bring out her best features. She'd always had a good eye for color, Crystal thought. Ella was busy texting away but looked up just at the wrong moment and caught Crystal gazing at her. Annoyed at being caught a second time, Crystal went on the defensive. She leaned across to Nic, conspiratorially.

  "Nic, don't look now, but in a second, tell me if Ella is looking this way."

  For a few seconds the girls watched resolutely as the band fumbled through another song. Then Nic raised her head and looked across Crystal's shoulder.

  "Watch out!" she whispered. "Ella's looking their way!" Nic lowered her head quickly and huddled in close to Crystal.

  "Oh?" Crystal was desperate to look but she didn't. "What's she doing?"

  "Yes, she's still looking over," Nic whispered. "And texting."

  "Right."

  "What are you two girls whispering about?" Stu asked.

  "Oh nothing," they both replied together.

  At that moment, in the corner of her eye, Crystal saw Jake saunter across the dance area and sit down beside Ella. He'd brought her a drink and the two were quickly engrossed in a head to head conversation. Every now and again she saw them look her way, and Crystal stiffened as the green-eyed monster stirred deep within. Are they talking about me?

  I'm getting a drink. Anyone else want one?" she said.

  "I'll take one," Stu said, putting down his empty soda can. "I'll try some of the punch. With a bit of luck, someone will have spiked it."

  Crystal rose and checked her dress hadn't squashed when she sat down. Reassured it was as puffy as she liked it, she moved deliberately down the center of the hall so Jake could see her all dressed up. She imagined the couple were following her every move so held her head high and pretended to ignore them both entirely.

  Nic's mom was one of the volunteers and stood behind the refreshment stand.

  "Hello Crystal," she shouted over the music. "Beautiful dress. Is it one of yours?"

  "Yes, made it especially for tonight. So, you like it?"

  ”Yes, very flattering. You've just the figure for that sort of thing." She looked over to where Nic still sat at the table and shook her head sadly. "Heavens knows what my Nic was thinking when she picked hers. Do me a favor, next time she goes shopping, go along with her."

  "Um, okay."

  "So, what can I get you?" Nic's mom said.

  "I'd like a coke and I'll take a cup of punch, please."

  While the older woman disappeared to get the drinks, Crystal idly played with the long string of black beads at her throat. She turned to watch the brave souls who risked their reputations on the dance floor, but almost tripped over her own high heels when she saw Ella walking straight toward her. That familiar feeling of paralysis consumed her, and she was suddenly clumsy and awkward. She pretended not to see Ella coming.

  Ella came up right beside her.

  "Can I get some punch, please?" she asked Nic's mom.

  "Sure. Oops, out of cups. Be right back."

  While she waited, Ella turned to watch the dancers.

  "I like your dress," shouted Ella over the music. "I would die for a dress like that."

  Nice try at being friendly. Crystal nodded stiffly and braced herself for the inevitable stinger.

  "One of your own designs?" Ella asked.

  Crystal nodded awkwardly. It felt like she'd borrowed someone else's head.

  "Nic looks nice too," Ella continued.

  That had to be sarcasm. Crystal wasn't going to rise to the bait. "Thank you, I shall tell her," Crystal said, finally finding her voice. "Oh, my drinks are here. Have a nice night."

  Taking both drinks tightly in her hands, Crystal prayed she wouldn't spill any as she walked self-consciously back to her table.

  "Seeya," Ella said behind her.

  Crystal couldn't get back to the others fast enough. She plopped Stu's plastic cup of punch in front of him then huddled in close to Nic who had an expectant look on her face.

  "Well, what did she say?" Nic asked, motioning toward Belle who was heading back to her seat.

  "Oh, nothing really," Crystal replied. It wasn't something she wanted to talk about. She was rescued by Stu's timely interjection.

  ”Um, we were just wondering if you two wanna hang out this weekend?"

  "Where?" Crystal asked. "Did you have somewhere in particular in mind?"

  ”Well, the weather's supposed to be good, so we were thinking about going to the renaissance festival, wondered if you both wanted to come along?"

  "Never been to one. Are they any good?"

  A naughty smile spread across Stu's face. Crystal may not have actually visited one, but she'd heard a lot about them.

  "I think so," Stu said. "Especially the buxom costumes worn by some of the wenches."

  "Tsk! Men! Oh sure, why not? Might be fun. What time?"

  ”Well, it opens at ten," Stu said. "Parking can get a bit rough if we get there late so I'll pick everyone up around nine."

  "I'm game," Nic said. "What should I wear?”

  ”Oh, just your normal stuff will be fine," John said. He looked round Nic's seat to the striped lines across her backside. "Plain jeans and stuff, ya know."

  "Sounds good to me."

  Their conversation was interrupted when the music came to a sudden stop. An overly-excited school principal leapt onto the stage and took the microphone from the singer.

  "Welcome seniors. As part of our Homecoming celebrations I'd like to welcome this year's Homecoming King and Queen onto the floor for a spotlight dance."

  "Groovy," John snickered.

  "Shush," Nic said.

  Crystal watched intently as Jake rose from his seat
and escorted Ella to the dance floor. Her eyes were riveted to every move he made; from the gracious way he let Ella lead, to the way he took her round the waist, to the way their bodies moved together on the floor. They looked so right, and once again Crystal felt the bile rise in her gut. She wanted to scream out, You should be dancing with me. Yet she said nothing. As the green-eyed-monster poisoned her thoughts, she kept her lips tight shut, afraid she might say something she'd regret later.

  When at last the dance ended, the principal took the microphone again. "Let's hear it one more time for our King and Queen!"

  Crystal winced as Jake took Ella's hand and to tumultuous applause, he led her off the floor and back to their table. They were soon reabsorbed in some deep conversation. Not once had he so much as glanced in Crystal's direction. So much for the hours she'd put into this dress.

  "Homecoming sucks," Crystal spat. "It's a stupid tradition."

  "You'll get no argument from me," Stu agreed. "So, about tomorrow..."

  And for the rest of the night, the four friends refused to dance but talked about their plans for the following day. Only Crystal felt a sadness, and every now again she would catch Ella out of the corner of her eye, and when she did, her conversation became more animated, as she tried to convince herself she didn't care.

  Through The Curtains

  The next morning Crystal woke up with a pressing urge to eat something sweet. Before anyone else stirred she turned on the oven and grabbed a roll of pumpkin-iced cinnamon rolls from the refrigerator. Crystal didn't breathe as she pulled out a small metal pan from the drawer at the bottom of the oven, desperate not to make a sound.

  With everything ready at the kitchen island, she sprayed the pan with butter, and then prized open the dough cylinder. She carefully placed the round disks into the pan and then shoved the lot into the oven. Satisfied, she filled up the coffee pot with fresh ground coffee and topped up the water reservoir to start the brew. The aroma of fresh brewing coffee must have woken her mother, for she soon appeared at the kitchen door.