A Witch Like No Other

by Makala Thomas

  Wondering why Pandora was being so cold, Cindy turned and left.

  Alice watched her sashay back to James, thoughtful.

  “She’s Cindy?” she whispered. “She’s really pretty.”

  “She’s a flea in a short skirt,” Pandora answered, and Alice burst out laughing. Marlon struggled to keep a straight face for Cindy’s sake, but even James was biting his lip to stop himself from laughing.

  Cindy glared at Pandora, taking James’s hand.

  “I thought you’d be glad to see me again, Pandora!”

  “I’m glad to see you’ve grown a centimetre,” Pandora answered flatly, and James burst out laughing with Marlon, who said “Cindy, don’t worry- she’s not in a good mood or something. What happened, Pandora? Did a guy try and get your number?”

  Pandora glared at him, Marlon apologising quickly.

  “James, I’m gone. I’ll see you later, Cindy.”

  “Bye,” Cindy answered, James casually saying “Bye Alice, Pandora.”

  “Bye,” they answered, Pandora’s eyes resting on his for a moment before she turned and walked away, Marlon following her with Alice behind. Cindy watched them go, then she looked down at herself.

  “Oh! She hates pink, I forgot! Pandora!” she called, and Pandora glanced over her shoulder at her as she walked, not even stopping. “I forgot about the pink, I’ll wear blue next time! Is that ok?”

  Pandora hadn’t even acknowledged the colour until she mentioned it.

  “Wear what you want, I’m not bothered.”

  “Well, I know you don’t like pink and…” Cindy swung on James’s arm as she spoke, holding tighter when James tried to pull away. Pandora stopped walking, watching the Barbie doll speak. “And I remember that time Janice came to school in pink, and you didn’t speak to her for like… the whole day until she got home and took it off… how is she, anyway?”

  Pandora’s green eyes seemed to darken as she stared at her, Cindy’s smile fading as James blurted “It’s not what it looks like- I swear, it isn’t-”

  “What’s not what it looks like?” Cindy said, looking up at him. “Pink?”

  “Yes,” he said quickly. “Pandora, pink is just a light form of red.”

  Pandora looked at him, pretending to be puzzled.

  “Cindy, do you know what your man is talking about?”

  “No,” Cindy answered, then she reached up and tweaked his nose. “Stop being so silly, Jamie! Let’s go and get something to eat.”

  James stared down at her. He couldn’t remember why he had even dated the annoying little-

  “Come on, Jamie! Jamie? James!” said Cindy, as he roughly detangled himself from her tiny body. “Be gentle with me!”

  Pandora almost laughed: she barely came up to his chest.

  Cindy saw her smirk, saying “We was once the same height, but then he just shot up like a tree- Jamie, what’s the matter?”

  “I’ve got to go,” James answered, pushing her away from him and running down the corridor, past Pandora. “See ya!”

  “Jamie, come back right now!” screeched Cindy, but James ignored her.

  “See you later,” Pandora said, amused. “Alice, I- Alice?”

  She stared down the empty corridor, surprised. She thought Alice and Marlon stopped with her, but they were gone.

  Pandora grimaced as she carried on walking, by herself. She didn’t want to think about what those two were getting up to.

  James waited impatiently, leaning against the wall. As soon as Pandora exited the Sports Building he grabbed her arm, saying “Do you always walk so slow? I mean, it looks good, but not when I’m freezing in the-”

  Pandora silenced him with a soft kiss, surprising him.

  “The next time I see Cindy on your arm, a dirty look wont be all she receives from me,” she said quietly, making James smile.

  “Aaah, was my Pandora jealous?”

  “I wouldn’t call it that,” Pandora said thoughtfully, “Because I’ve seen you with loads of girls and I don’t give a toss about them-”

  “But Cindy’s my ex,” James said smugly. “So obviously you’d be upset.”

  “I’m not upset.”

  “But you was.”

  “I was not,” Pandora said flatly, and he burst out laughing.

  “If you say so. Come here.”

  * * *

  “Marlon, the cameras!” gasped Alice, but Marlon ignored her.

  “You kept away from me on purpose, didn’t you Alice?”

  “I didn’t keep-”

  His mouth was on hers again. When he released her, it took all of her willpower to push him away.

  “We have to go back, Marlon- we left Pandora in there.”

  “She knows her way home-”

  “Not home to Dreamer’s!”

  Marlon closed his mouth. Alice folded her arms, saying “Let’s go.”

  Marlon pouted, then Alice smiled.

  “After you kiss me again.”

  * * *

  They walked the long way around the building, Alice ahead of Marlon.

  “Alice, wait up!” he called, but Alice ignored him as she head a soft laugh. She just about recognised the laugh. Just about. Pandora hardly smiled, let alone laugh like she was doing now.

  Alice’s frown deepened. Laugh so softly like she was doing now?

  She turned the corner, then she gasped.

  It was Pandora all right, with her arms around James’s neck as he lowered his mouth to hers.

  “Alice, wait!”

  “Pandora!” hissed Alice, but Pandora ignored her. “Marlon’s coming!”

  Right now, Pandora didn’t care. Neither did James.

  “James, stop! Let go of her!”

  James ignored her as well.

  Swearing, Alice dashed back inside the corridor, pushing Marlon in the chest. Marlon stumbled, surprised.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Pandora’s gone home,” lied Alice. “She just called, um… she’s gone.”

  “She doesn’t even know the way!” said Marlon, outraged as he started to walk through the door, but Alice pushed him back. “Alice, what-”

  “Let’s go and look down the building again.”

  “We’ve looked already!” Marlon said, but she wouldn’t let him pass. “Alice, stop being so silly- we’ve got to go home. I want to see Julian.”

  She contemplated his calm tone, then she heard James chuckle softly.

  “How did you feel, Marlon?” she said quickly, and Marlon frowned.

  “How did I feel about what?”

  “About your baby brother.”

  “Alice, we’ll talk about this another time-”

  “Don’t go out there!” she said, trying to pull him back, but he was too strong. “I mean it, Marlon! If you go out there you’ll regret leaving Pandora on her own!”

  Pandora smirked as Marlon asked what the hell she was talking about.

  “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

  Alice heard their footsteps pounding before she released a breath.

  “Go on then,” she said, ushering him forwards. “Go out.”

  Marlon stepped outside, looking around. There was no one there.

  “Alice, you’re really weird sometimes,” he said as he looked at her. “I’ll regret leaving ‘Dora on her own if I come out- and see zilch?”

  Alice smiled, shrugging.

  “I was just seeing if you’re one of those weedy guys who do everything their girls tell them to.” Her smile grew. “I’m glad you aren’t.”

  “Mmm. Come on, let’s go before more classes end. I don’t want the bus to be packed.”

  “I’d better go,” Alice said, surprising him.

  “Where’re you going?”

  “My father’s picking me up,” she said apologetically. “He’ll be waiting in the car park like he always does.”

  Marlon pouted. “Why isn’t he at the clinic?”

  Alice kissed him before saying “Daddy owns the c
linic, Marlon, so he can leave whenever he wants to.”

  “Uh- huh. Well, should I walk you to the-”

  “No,” said Alice quickly. “I don’t know how he’ll take me seeing you.”

  “Ok, I’ll see you on Monday,” Marlon said, kissing her on the cheek. “I’ll call you later on.”

  “Make sure you put Julian on the phone,” Alice said, as Pandora flounced towards them. Alice’s jaw dropped, Marlon immediately stepping away from his sister’s friend.

  “I know already,” Pandora said tonelessly. “I was going to get the bus, camel mouth, but then James drove by. I forgot he had a car, didn’t you?”

  “Yeah, I did!” Then Marlon frowned. “Wasn’t he with his girl?”

  Pandora smirked. “He was with his girl, up until… two seconds ago?” Alice smiled, shaking her head as she continued “But she’s gone to get some friends of his, see if they want a lift home.”

  “Oh,” said Marlon, not clocking on. “Well, come on then, let’s see if he’s got room to fit us in. Alice-”

  “See you on Monday,” Alice said, amused. “See you, Pandora.”

  “Bye Alice.”

  * * *

  James took care not to speak to Pandora too much, simply asking about her course and how her lessons were today. Pandora made sure her answers were as deadpan as they would have been if James was still unfamiliar to her, like the day he asked how she was and she ran up to her bedroom.

  Pandora smiled, thinking those days are long gone.

  To Marlon, everything was normal. To James and Pandora, it felt weird and uncomfortable being so close yet so far apart.

  “So uh... where now?” asked James, looking at Marlon. “We’re here.”

  Marlon looked around, even though there was no point. He didn’t even know the name of the town let alone the road Dreamer lived on.

  “I’d better call Mum and ask.”

  * * *

  Baby Julian bit his teddy’s paw happily, sitting on Dreamer’s lap.

  “Are you sure that’s all you want to eat?” Barbara asked anxiously as she looked from Dreamer to Ted and back, then she glanced down at their plates. “You’ve hardly touched anything.”

  “We’ll be going out to dinner at seven,” Ted said, smiling at her. “So…”

  “Oh, why didn’t you tell me?” said Barbara, pleased. “Romantic dinner?”

  “Family dinner,” Ted replied, flashing her a smile. “The whole family.”

  “Well, that’s still lovely. I… you don’t mean Agnes and Paul will be-”

  “No,” Dreamer said, smiling a little. “They wont be coming, Barbara. Papa would give everybody a heart attack, ditto Mama.”

  Barbara smiled back, Ted saying “What does Hugh do for a living?”

  “He’s a mechanic,” Barbara said proudly. “He loves cars.”

  “Mummy, can I peas have cook-cook?”

  “Not now, sweetie.”

  “Cook-cook?” Barbara asked, perplexed. “What’s that?”

  “Cookies,” Dreamer explained, and the baby giggled. “He loves them.”

  As Barbara started to say she had plenty in her biscuit tin Dreamer’s mobile went off, making her close her mouth.

  “Dreamer speaking.”

  “Hi Mum!” said Marlon brightly. “We’re lost!”

  Dreamer rubbed her the back of her neck, Ted recognising the sign of a migraine coming on.

  “I forgot you haven’t been before- are you in town right now?”

  “Yep.”

  “What road are you on?”

  “Uh… Middleheart Road.”

  “That’s real far, Marlon- how did you end up all the way there?”

  “Um…” Dreamer waited. “We got a lift.”

  Dreamer sighed. “A lift.”

  “Well… we didn’t know where we was going, so I thought we’d be better off in a car than a bus, because buses cant turn back round and stuff-”

  “Stay where you are, honey. I’m coming to get you.”

  * * *

  “She’s coming to get us,” said Marlon, smiling back at his sister. “Cool.”

  “Why don’t you stand outside the car and wait for her?” James said. “If she’s teleporting, it’ll be easier for her to see you.”

  “Ok,” Marlon said. “Come on, ‘Dora.”

  “You go,” Pandora answered flatly. “Wake me up when she gets here.”

  Marlon shook his head at her and got out of the car, James murmuring “You’re not really going to sleep, are you?”

  “No, but he doesn’t need to know that,” Pandora answered. “And when my Mum gets here, you’re going to apologise to her.”

  James nodded determinedly. “Don’t worry, I will.”

  * * *

  Dreamer walked slowly, spotting James’s car easily. Marlon straightened up, opening the car door swiftly.

  “‘Dora, Mum’s-”

  Pandora and James broke apart pronto, but it was too late.

  Further down the road, Dreamer sighed. She wasn’t in the mood for drama.

  Marlon stared at his sister as if he was only seeing her for the first time. Pandora didn’t know what to say. Neither did James.

  “You and him?” said Marlon, heat rising. “My best mate?”

  Pandora spoke uneasily. “Marlon, listen-”

  Marlon slammed the door shut, Pandora grabbing her rucksack and getting out of the car as he stormed away.

  “Marlon, wait!”

  “Go to Hell, Pandora!”

  “I’m sorry ok?”

  “Yeah right! Trying to mess with my flipping head, acting like the crystal ball was lying to me, and- and- lying flat out in my face!” he spat, wheeling round as James left the car too. “He was with his girl two seconds ago or whatever the hell you said- I knew it, I flipping knew it!”

  “Bro, calm down!” said James, diverting Marlon’s attention. “It’s not-”

  Marlon’s fist collided with his face before he could finish, James knocked off his feet.

  “Marlon, don’t!” cried Pandora, as James held his nose in pain. “Stop!”

  “Get the hell back, Pandora!” spat Marlon as he kicked out, James doubling over, winded. “What was you thinking?”

  “Marlon, don’t hurt him!”

  “He wont hurt after he’s unconscious-”

  “Enough,” said Dreamer smoothly, her voice magically magnified as she walked towards them. “Get away from him, Marlon. You too, Pandora.”

  Marlon lashed out one more time before doing as he was told, Pandora making sure she was far away from her brother.

  Dreamer held a hand out to James, James taking it quickly. With amazing strength for such a delicate woman, Dreamer pulled him to his feet.

  “Are you all right, James?”

  “Don’t talk to him,” Marlon said angrily, but Dreamer ignored him.

  “I’m fine,” James said weakly, holding his side. “I- Dreamer, I’m sorry for running off when Paul came. I should’ve stood my ground.”

  “Everybody’s afraid of my father,” Dreamer answered, smiling at him. “I wasn’t surprised- in fact, I wasn’t thinking of you at the time.”

  “Good,” James said, a hand still over his nose. “And- and my mother-”

  “It’s fine, honey. Don’t worry about it.”

  James hesitated, Dreamer repeating herself.

  “Don’t worry.” Turning to her children, she held her hands out. Pandora and Marlon took one each, closing their eyes as Dreamer teleported.

  * * *

  “Where Mummy?” asked Baby Julian, perplexed as he looked up at Ted. Miriam picked him up lovingly, saying “She’ll be home soon.”

  Dreamer appeared in a flash of white light, Pandora and Marlon with her.

  “What’s she doing here?” spat Marlon, Pandora as well.

  Dreamer’s face mirrored theirs as she said “Sit down.”

  “But-”

  “Now,” she said coldly, and all three of her
children recoiled. Remembering the baby, Dreamer took a deep breath before saying “Miriam, take Baby Julian upstairs please.”

  Miriam nodded, getting up with the baby. As she expected, he started struggling in her arms, eyes filling as he said “I want Mummy!”

  “Mummy’s right here baby,” Dreamer said, rubbing her neck as she smiled at him. “Let Miriam read you a story while I talk to Marlon and ‘Dora, ok sweetie?”

  Baby Julian hadn’t even acknowledged the presence of his siblings until Mummy said their names. He shook his tiny head, face crumpling as he wailed “I want Mummy now!”

  Ted’s eyes averted to the carpet. He knew he should say something, but he didn’t know what. Dreamer’s head was starting to hurt as Miriam said “Let’s show Mummy we can be brave, love. Are you a brave boy?”

  Baby Julian nodded, eyes on Dreamer.

  “Then let’s go upstairs and show her we can be brave, ok?”

  “Ok,” he wept, Dreamer exhaling with relief.