by Holly Hood
“Tell me about yourself,” Audrey said, she caught the end of her straw between her glossy lips, her eyes pinned on me. “I want to know every juicy detail.”
“Not much to tell,” I shrugged, cutting into my pancakes, so I didn’t have to look at her. She was so chipper, and I was not.
“Well then, let’s start with me. I’m the youngest of my siblings. I have two older brothers, one sister. And I come from a very powerful family.” She tilted her head to one side. “A family that likes to welcome new members when they join us, even if they weren’t the ones offering the invitation,” she said, she fixed her attention on the waitress walking past us, waving a hand so subtly it looked as if she was popping a bubble. A loud crash sounded behind me, and I jumped. I didn’t have to turn to know she dropped her order on the floor.
“Fun isn’t it,” Audrey asked, a smile pinned to her lips. “What else do you want to see?”
“Nothing,” I said immediately. She found this amusing, toying with others without any of them knowing. Even so, it didn’t matter what I said, she pointed toward the kitchen. Two cooks worked busily on flipping pancakes and laying bacon. With another flick of the wrist, a blazing inferno shot up on the griddle. A chorus of screams rang out, along with her giggle.
I shoved my hair away from my shoulder uncomfortable. “Just tell me the rules.”
“Ahh... I see now I have your attention. Don’t worry I wouldn’t burn this place down. I really like their pancakes.” She dropped her hands down on the table making my heart slow to a suitable beat. But the twinkle in her eyes made me nervous. She was different, with just a little magic her entire aura changed, and I felt like I was staring at evil head on. Her soft blue eyes were dark. Her sweet smile was now a straight line.
She leaned in, gazing intently at me. “I want to know all about you.”
“I told you, there isn’t much to know.” I looked away. I wasn’t the girl to open up to strangers.
She offered me her hand. I stared at her palm confused. My fingers inched toward her and seconds later her fingers were wrapped around my hand. She shut her eyes.
“What are you doing?” I whispered, staring at the passing staff as she sat unmoving with my hand in hers. I was sure we looked as odd as I felt. Finally, after several agonizing minutes she opened her eyes and leaned back against the leather booth.
“My mother left my father too.” Her eyes shifted nervously, but only for a split second. I shook my head in disbelief. She nodded that all I was thinking was true. “You don’t talk to her anymore do you?”
“That’s none of your business,” I snapped. I collected my iPod from the table and got up. A thick anger coursing through my veins as I shoved the café door open and escaped into the sunlight, I stared down at my hand.
“I saw a lot,” Audrey said quickly catching up with me. “I even saw your first kiss. You’re so innocent, how did you get tangled up with Slade?”
This girl was grating on my nerves. It was one thing to have magical capabilities, but to barge in on other people’s privacy that was going too far. She officially rubbed me the wrong way. I spun around and glared at her. “Wouldn’t you know that already? Seeing you seem to think you know everything else about me now?”
“We haven’t talked about the rules.”
I shrugged. “I don’t care. I no longer care for the rules. I don’t want to hear the rules from some nosy girl with boundary issues. Slade can tell me the rules.” There I told her.
I headed down the boardwalk to my house. I shoved my ear buds back in my ears and turned my iPod up to the highest volume. Blocking out my frustration for Audrey as I walked home, suddenly I was falling forward before I knew what the cause could be. I threw my hands out to take the brunt of the impact, my knees scraping across the concrete.
She yanked my ear buds from my ears with one swift pull and returned her hands to her hips.
My mind was reeling with a million insults. I stared down at my bleeding knees, the pain continuous.
“You’re a part of a coven now. It would do you good to treat your equals with more respect. You’re not a girl anymore. You're a witch. And no matter how you came to be one you now are responsible for acting like one.”
“Did you get the memo, because you’re acting more like a bitch.” I glared at her, understanding that I just hurled a big insult at the catty wench. She had skills that I could only dream to possess one day. I made pudding cups. She set fires and saw people’s lives—even the parts they kept hidden. I now regretted the insult.
“Sticks and stones, Hope.”
***
I tied my hair up in a messy bun, exhausted with having to deal with Audrey for the majority of the afternoon.
“Did any of that make sense?” She snapped.
I leaned back on my porch steps. “Respect. I am to respect all the members of the coven. Always have their backs and respect the powers I have.”
“Right,” Audrey said with a nod. “You never talk about the coven with anyone either.”
“Kind of like fight club?” I asked, smirking. “First rule of fight club, never talk about fight club?”
Her baffled expression told me she had no idea what I was talking about. “You never want the outsiders knowing who you are. Nobody will understand and this always ends causing major problems for all of us.”
“Outsiders,” I repeated. She talked as if we were aliens from another planet. I was still Hope.
“Yes. Outsiders, people unlike us, you're different. You’re not like everyone else anymore. You should be happy about that.” She shot me a look. “I saw your life it was pathetic.”
I opened my mouth to hurl an insult in her direction, but was stopped by Slade as he took a seat between the two of us.
“She gets your rules, Audrey. So get out of here and leave her alone,” he said, he wasn’t beating around the bush with Audrey. It was nice to see someone not backing down to her. I got the feeling she was used to getting her way.
“She needs to know these things. A lot is at stake if your girlfriend gossips around town about what she is.” Audrey glared at me, even more bitterly then before now that Slade was here.
“Hope isn’t an idiot. She will keep her mouth shut. She’ll act like none of this ever happened. She isn’t looking to be part of this.” Slade informed her.
However, I was part of this. I had no choice. What was Slade saying?
“She is part of this. Just like you, Oz, Kidd, Lucy, Erica and that bum Lucy runs around with.” Audrey stood up. “Everybody doesn’t live in denial about what they are like you, Slade.”
Slade smirked amused. I looked between the two of them listening intently. She thought he was in denial.
“I don’t let the power go to my head. If you’re upset about that, take it up with someone who cares. Your father knows where I stand. He knows I am grateful for his help. If not for your father I would be dead,” Slade said, standing firm with his refusal to give in to Audrey.
She turned her nose up, walking down the porch steps. “My father isn’t always going to be so patient with you.”
“Your father and I are none of your business. So daddy told you to run down to Cherry and pick on the new girl. You’re forgetting one important thing. The new girl is my problem.”
I raised an eyebrow. Problem? I was a problem. My feelings were hurt. I crossed my arms and let out a sigh. Audrey finally was gone and now an uncomfortable silence was all around us.
Slade turned to me. He stroked my cheek with his hand and sighed. “I don’t think you’re a problem.”
As if that was supposed to make me feel better. “Good to know. Nevertheless, those were your words.”
His fingers slipped into my hair. He stroked the back of my head with his hand. His eye's dark, his lip ring glowing in the sunlight. He licked his lips, moving in and stealing a kiss from my lips.
My stomach flipped with excitement. I was glad to be thinking about something else rather than Audrey. He bit my lip,
our kiss intensifying to a dizzying level. I gripped his shirt, the sexual tension making my body ache. His tongue slipped past my teeth dancing with mine.
“Do you still think I think you’re a problem?” He pressed his forehead against mine, breathing heavy. He too was just as turned on by our kiss. I squeezed his fingers, shaking my head no.
BONFIRE
I cut the shower off, grabbing the towel from the rack and stepped out. I dried myself off and threw on my shorts and purple t-shirt. I swiped the mirror to clear the haze, suddenly I felt compelled to try magic. If I ever was going to feel less small around Audrey or anyone with powers I would have to learn how to control my own powers.
I shook my hands, turning my head from side to side, whatever witches did before they cast a spell, I wasn’t sure. For me, there weren't any spells involved. I thought about what it was I wanted to do, and sometimes it happened.
I took a deep breath, and exhaled, envisioning the mirror clear. I gave it a look and was saddened to see the condensation still clinging.
“Okay, clear the mirror,” I said. I squinted my eyes, as if that was supposed to throw magic all over the bathroom, s nothing. “Clear the mirror.” This time I said it loud and with a lot of enthusiasm. The mirror shattered, spilling shards of glass all over the place.
I shook my head, irritated. There was a knock on the door.
“I’m fine,” I told whoever was on the other side.
“Shattered glass is never fine,” Karsen said from the other side.
I unlocked the door. She stepped inside staring at the mess. She dramatically whistled. “Your dad is going to kill you.”
I ignored her assumption heading to the kitchen for a broom and dustpan.
“Well, now that I know you weren’t in there wreaking havoc, are you going to the bonfire?” She asked. She took an apple from the fruit basket on the counter. Dad never liked fruit, it was just another indication that Lynette was still around. I pushed that aside and dealt with the now.
“I didn’t know about any bonfire.” I started down the hall. Was I out of the loop about everything happening anymore?
“They are having a bonfire on the beach. Even Erica is going to be there.” Karsen told me. “Although, I am not sure about Lucy, did I tell you I like her. She’s a really great lady.”
I nodded, agreeing with her. I used to enjoy Lucy too. But, now I didn’t see her since Slade was hanging solo in the tour bus. This was another thing I wanted to talk to him about as soon as we had a moment alone—without our lips connected together.
“Lucy is great.” I admitted. “Did Kidd say anyone else was going to be there?”
Karsen raised an eyebrow confused. “Such as who…Slade?”
I shook my head. “Audrey.”
“Audrey…that doesn’t ring a bell, who is that?” Karsen grabbed the dustpan, holding her apple in her free hand, helping me gather the glass. “Is this the reason you’re in such a foul mood?”
I glared at her. “Why do you say that?” Why did she always assume I was in a bad mood? I reminded myself I was glaring at her and realized it was easy for her to assume.
Karsen concentrated on the glass trying to avoid talking about it anymore. “I didn’t say anything. You seem different is all.”
“I just broke the mirror. I am hearing from you about a bonfire that my so-called boyfriend didn’t tell me about. What should I act like?” I frowned.
Karsen left, walking the dustpan to the trash can in the kitchen. Seconds later I heard the rattle of glass falling into the trash can.
She returned. “Is there something you want to talk to me about? Is there anything on your mind?” Karsen rested the dustpan on the sink giving me her full attention. “You don’t seem yourself.”
If you only knew. When Karsen left, and my life took a turn for the fatal I never told her what happened that night. Nobody knew besides Slade, and his family knew what actually happened. And I wanted to keep it that way. I didn’t want Karsen scared of me or anything, for that matter. So the secret of who I was would stay just that—a secret.
I gave my trademark Hope smile. “I’m fine, probably just about to start my period or something.” I laughed, and that was enough to make Karsen forget my mood.
“Do you think I should wear a dress tonight?” Karsen said, wagging her eyebrows wildly. “Kidd loves me in a dress.”
I swept the last of the glass up. “How are things with you and Kidd?” She was my best friend. I still cared about her love life even if mine sucked.
A dreamy smile swept across her face. Proving things were just as great as she was about to tell me. “He’s the greatest guy I ever met. And I’m not being sarcastic.”
I leaned against the counter. “I believe you. I can tell.”
Karsen grabbed my hand pulling me into my bedroom. “I don’t think a break is going to be long enough. I’m thinking of transferring schools, so we can see each other all the time.”
I held back the twinge of annoyance, annoyance because some random guy could bring my best friend all the way across the United States, but never did she consider doing this for me.
“That’s great, Karsen. I’m really happy for the two of you.” I hugged her tightly. She squealed excitedly. Those squeals she always let loose whenever she was stoked about something.
She let me go and studied me closely. “How are things with Slade?”
I shrugged. “Good, I suppose.” I really didn’t know. Our time together consisted of glorious make out sessions, and that was about it. “If hot sex is anything to compare it to, then it’s phenomenal. However, I hate to think that is all our relationship consists of.” I took a seat on my bed.
“Sex is important. Even so, you have to be able to connect on another level. I can talk to Kidd about nothing and everything. We are good together. He is good, but when we are together he is so much better than that.” Her sweet smiled made me envious, even when her words made no sense.
Karsen and Kidd were on a whole different level then Slade and I. Ours was physical. I hardly counted endless talk about music and sexual teasing on the phone for months a connection.
“Kidd understands me.” Karsen quickly slipped on a yellow sundress. “I can be me when I am with him, he likes me just the way that I am.”
I plucked a stray string from my comforter. “Slade doesn’t even know who I am.”
Karsen bit her lip. She sat down beside me on the bed and wrapped an arm around me. “Sometimes these things take time.”
I sighed. “I was away for an entire school year. He never came and visited. What do we really have in common? What does he even like about me?” Not that I would know because he never said much when it came to my inner beauty.
We both jumped as Slade snaked through my window ending our discussion about him.
“Slade, so nice to see you again,” Karsen said going on the defensive like usual. Slade nodded and looked at me.
“Do you have something to drink?” He asked without a hello.
I nodded. He left the room.
“Men are like nuts. Some have a hard outer shell that takes a few good whacks to break through,” Karsen told me as if she was a professional relationship guru now.
“Whacks? What does that help?” I asked her. She rifled through her gym bag snagging a pair of lacy panties, she wagged her eyebrows at me and hid them behind her back when Slade reappeared.
“What happened in there?” he asked holding up a large shard of glass. He tossed it in my wastebasket.
Karsen sucked in a sharp breath struck with an idea. “Hope was angry.”
I shot Karsen an aggravated look. What was she trying to prove?
Slade took a seat beside me on the bed a tall glass of water in his hand. “Angry huh?”
We both nodded. I wasn’t sure why I was nodding.
“About the bonfire you never told her about.” Karsen rambled. And coming from Karsen you would never know if it were the truth or a lie.
Slade sighed. “Kidd told me on the way home. I didn’t think it was anything that couldn’t wait until right now.”
Karsen zipped her bag and slid it into my closet. “I’ll leave the two of you alone.” She quickly left me with the mess she created.
“That’s fine,” I said trying to blow it off. I didn’t want Slade thinking I was some loose cannon that shattered mirrors because I wasn’t invited to a dumb bonfire.
He lifted my hands, studying them closely.
“What are you doing?” I asked, pulling away.
“Checking for cuts,” he said, taking my hands back. He placed a soft kiss on my knuckles making my heart flutter. “Seeing you broke the mirror in your violent rage.”
I dropped my gaze embarrassed to look at him. “She was lying.”
“Why?” He stroked my hand waiting for me to answer. “Why would she say something like that?”
“You know. I don’t really know. But I did shatter the mirror just not out of anger, with magic."
Slade scratched his chin perplexed. “Why are you shattering mirrors?”
“It was accidental. I was trying to clear the fog. I had just showered.” I threw my hand up dismissing my stupidity.
“I told you to be careful with that,” Slade said sternly. “I told you a long time ago we didn't just run around casting spells. And before you say I did with the ink and the bathing suits and underwear, I want to remind you that I know what I am doing, and you don’t.”
“What fun is it if you don’t use it?” I joked, trying to lighten the mood. Except the look on his face told me he didn’t think it was funny.
“If you don’t believe me talk to Lucy sometime. We don’t abuse our power because our power comes from somewhere dark. And when you understand that you will see why you should steer clear of it.” Slade stood up. “I came here to invite you to the bonfire.”
I pursed my lips. So much for an invite, it was more a statement. “Okay, invite me.”
He crossed his arms, standing in the doorway. “That’s what I just did.”
“No, you said you came here to invite me. But, you never invited me.” I smirked.