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Author's Note: Here's nineteen, I wrote this a lot faster than 18 that's for sure. Not a lot really happens in this chapter but things will definitely pick up in the the next one. I'd like to thank djkauf and Indy for the magical editing and everyone for enjoying this universe :)

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NINETEEN:

“He took you to the comic book shop for your second date?”

Misty was sitting across from us at the table, staring at me like I had a hole in my head. I guess I couldn’t blame her; after all going to a comic book shop probably wasn’t the average date. At least it wasn’t a date that most girls would want to go on but I really liked it.

“He picked me up yesterday afternoon, drove me out there and we spent an hour shopping. Afterwards we went to this little bistro to have lunch and back to my place for a bit to read our new purchases.”

“I think it’s kind of sweet,” said Maggie.

Misty laughed. “I think you’re both dweebs.”

Maggie and I both stuck our tongues out at her, which got all three of us laughing.

Yesterday was well worth it, definitely because it helped me get over the night before. What happened in the bathroom was still fresh in my mind. The first thing I did yesterday morning was tell my grandmother everything. I left out the Sophie saving me part though; I didn’t want her to get in trouble for having a gun in a public place. Instead, I told her some girls came into the bathroom and the vampire stopped. Wisteria stopped. Yes, I know had a name to go with the face. It didn’t take me long to find out about her either. After telling my grandmother, I went straight to Melissa’s. I told her what happened as well and asked if she had any books that told me about the Unseen in town. She was a little reluctant to oblige my request but she brought me some kind of ledger. It listed all the powerhouses and I spent the afternoon engrossed in it----well up until my date anyway.

Misty sighed heavily. “Well I gotta go. Coach Cross wants to see me.”

“You in trouble?” I asked teasingly.

She sighed. “I wish. She’s been impressed with my athletic prowess and wants me to try out for girls’ volleyball team.”

I could see that actually. Misty looked like a volleyball player, she was both tall and fit. She could definitely tear up the court.

“Weren’t those try outs in September?”

Misty shrugged. “One of the girls got hurt, Coach wants me to replace her.”

“Good luck” I said.

She smiled. “Thanks, but I think I’ve got this one in the bag.”

Maggie rolled her eyes as Misty took her empty tray and left.

Maggie looked around quickly; making sure no one was in earshot before she asked. “So what did you find out about the bitch from Saturday?”

“Her name is Wisteria.”

Maggie let out a slow intake of breath. “Shit, it had to be that one.”

I was surprised. “You know her?”

“Only rumors but what I’ve heard is not good. She’s the head vampire here; all her girls are over at that sorority Delta Beta Zeta. She’s really bad news; it’s a good thing your friend showed up when she did.”

I nodded. “Sophie is like my Knight in Shining Leather.”

We both laughed at that.

It was the truth though. Sophie always seemed to be there when I needed her most. It was just a shame that I couldn’t always count on her. Sure, I’d love to fill her in on everything but she was a Norm and I knew the rules. It sucked but what could I do about it. So for now I would just have to be her friend and hoped that was enough. She was cool to hang with too. After my comic book shop date and some much needed “me time”, I called her up. She was busy but she promised to get together with me tonight. The two of us were going to hit Mario’s after my lessons with Melissa, maybe even do some shopping. It was strange really but Sophie was like the big sis Jess should be. Well the big sis I wanted Jess to be.

“She and I are going to hang tonight, you want to tag along?”

Maggie frowned. “I wish I could but I’ve got stuff I have to do. My grandparents want me home tonight, I think that incident with you and Wisteria kind of spooked them.”

I couldn’t blame them; it scared the hell out of me.

It definitely pissed my grandmother off. After I told her about it yesterday morning, she stormed out of the house so fast that I thought I heard thunder. I’m not sure what she said or did but when she came home later that night, she told me that “She’s not going to be a bother again”. I guess the moral of the story was not to mess with a Crawford.

The rest of the lunch period, Maggie and I tried to talk about non-trivial things. She was trying to catch me up on all the local gossip. Well school gossip anyway. The biggest topic was the messy breakup between Dana and Clara. I didn’t even know the two of them were dating but apparently, it had been pretty big news around school. Dana was the school sweetheart, the one that every guy seemed to have a crush on. It was quite the crushing blow when at the beginning of last month; she made it known that not only was she a lesbian but that she’d also been in a four month relationship with Clara Saunders. A relationship---according to Maggie---that hit the rocks when Clara wasn’t ready for all the backlash that came with it. A lot of guys didn’t take too kindly to their sweetheart being gay and harassed the hell out of Clara. Clara got fed up with it and finally broke it off with Dana sometime Saturday night.

It’s amazing what happens when you don’t know it.

Lunch ended quickly enough. As we were leaving the lunchroom, Jack was coming in. I was a little concerned by his absence but happy to see he was alive and well. The two of us exchanged smiles before I somehow found myself giving him a hug. I would have given him a quick kiss, too but the school frowned upon public displays of affection.

“I’m off to class,” said Maggie as she slipped away.

“I was worried about you,” I said, expressing my concern.

He smirked. “It’s stupid really. My hand started to hurt during class last period and the teacher insisted I go to the nurse. “

I looked at the bandage on his hand. I cursed the stupid thing that burned him.

I took his hand and kissed the bandage. I know it was pathetic but it made me feel better. He laughed so I think it made him feel better too.

“Hey, I’ve got this favor to ask.”

“Anything.”

“Well the Club was supposed to meet at the Drake’s this weekend but Charlie’s sister is entertaining some friends. We’re going to hold it at my house and I was wondering if you’d like to come too.”

I frowned. I’d only been to that one Dud Club meeting and it hadn’t turned out so well. It was partly Jack’s fault and it was partly the fact that Charlie didn’t really want me there. I don’t think I was ever going to see eye-to-eye with the boy genius.

“I’m not a Dud,” I said, hoping it was enough.

“I know but I really want you there. I want to show you something.”

“You want to show off?”

He shrugged. “Maybe.”

I sighed. “I’m supposed to meet with Melissa on Saturday but I think I can squeeze in some time for my boyfriend.”

Wow, boyfriend, did I just say that.

Jack smiled real big. I think he liked that idea, too.

“So I can tell them that you’ll be there?”

I sighed. “Just as long as this isn’t some demented attempt to make me do cheap tricks then yes I’ll be there.”

“Good” he said, wrapping his arm around my waist. “Now my lady, your Knight must escort you to your next class.”

“This lady accepts graciously.”

“I think that looks great on you,” said Sophie as I stood admiring myself in the mirror.

We were in the Teen Scene; Sophie had roped me into trying on several different skirts. The current one was a short jean skirt, if you could even call it that. It was so short and small it barely covered my butt. I had half a mind to berate Darcy for even carrying something like this. Ok so it did look really good, it hugged my butt real nice actually but it was definitely not my style.

I shook my head. “Not a snowball’s chance in hell.”

Her reflection frowned. “You need to break out of that shell, girl.”

Sophie was bound and determined to make me see myself as she saw me. Her words not mine. She and I met at the beginning of Main Street after my lesson with Melissa. She was waiting excitedly for me. I’m not sure, but I think she liked the idea of shopping with me. Last night on the phone, she even called me the sister that she never had. It felt kind of nice actually. Not that I had anything against my own sister of course but there was no way Jess would ever do anything like this with me. Jess was a homebody when not in school. She did shopping but she was never really obsessed with it like other girls. She liked what she liked and never experimented with different things except at my benefit of course.

I was still never going to forgive her for that unfortunate hair fiasco.

Sophie on the other hand was a polar opposite of my sister. She was fun and free, definitely more outgoing and she was not afraid of what others might think. For starters, today she was wearing her leather pants and these boots with a wicked heel; it had to be at least three inches. She was also wearing the tightest top I’d ever seen, the fabric barely containing her boobs. Every time I looked at her, I couldn’t help but hold my breath, waiting for them to bust out. I wasn’t the only one to notice either. A few minutes ago, there was this group of frat guys who took careful notice as well. One of them almost got hit by a car because he was paying attention to Sophie and not where he was going.

“So” said Sophie with a wicked smile. “Tell me about your beau?”

I sighed. “There’s not much to tell. We go to school together. He was a real pest at first and I wasn’t really interested but he kept on bugging me.”

“And you caved” she said, laughing.

“Is that bad?”

She shook her head. “I think it’s sweet actually. It sounds like you might have been interested all along.” I blushed and she smiled. She lowered her voice a bit. “You’re really good at passing, but I’ve got to ask you something. In that skirt, where do you hide your well….”

I panicked. Thankfully, I was saved by the interruption.

“How are guys doing?” asked Crystal as she popped around the corner. “Need anything?”

“We’re good,” I said

“Actually” said Sophie, holding up a pink top. “Do you have this in a normal color like blue or green?”

“Let me go check” said Crystal, taking the top before disappearing.

“How did I become the Barbie Doll?”

While Crystal was gone, Sophie wandered off to find more outfits to stick me into. Me, I continued to look at myself in the mirror. I found myself staring at my neck or rather more importantly at the silver chain currently hanging from it. I looked around then reached into my shirt, pulling out the pendant hanging from it. It was my Dad’s good luck charm, the one he gave me the night I got onto the plane with Felix. I’d completely forgotten all about it until now. I actually wore it the whole time on the plane but once I got to Ravencrest, I took it off and put it in a drawer for safekeeping. I didn’t actually find it until yesterday when I was looking for more room to put stuff. There it was---the tiny silver shield on a chain---just waiting for me.

I put it on immediately.

I couldn’t help deny the fact that it was my father’s good luck charm and hoped that it might just bring me some luck of my own.

“What’s that?” asked Sophie as she came back with an armful of clothes.

I stuffed the necklace back where it belonged---out of sight. “Just something my Dad gave me.”

“That’s cool,” she said and then softly. “I wish I had something of my Dad’s.”

“Did something happen to him?”

She nodded, rubbing her arm. “He died, Mom too.”

“I’m sorry” I said and found myself hugging her. “That’s horrible. So are you all alone? I mean do you have any siblings?”

She sighed, shaking her head. “I had a little…”

“Hey, I found the top” said Crystal, interrupting.

She was holding a top that looked just like the pink one from before but it was gray.

“I couldn’t find it in green or blue but will this do?”

“Perfect” said Sophie, brightening up. She took the top from Crystal and tossed it at me. “You need to definitely try this one on.”

I groaned and slowly went back into the changing room.

In the changing room, I stripped off my shirt as quick as I could. I stopped before I put on the new one though. I found myself staring at the plain white bra I was wearing and wondering. It seemed so strange to be here in this moment, wearing a bra and being a normal girl. I felt nothing wrong with it of course but I just never thought that this was going to be my life. Only a few months ago I was this quiet, introverted boy with no friends to speak of and only his computer to keep him company. Now I had more friends than I could count, I was a Witch in training and I’d barely touched a computer since coming here. It was definitely strange how things could change in only such a short period of time.

Sophie knocked on the door. “You done yet?”

I groaned and pulled the new shirt over my head. As soon as I saw myself in the mirror, I groaned further. It was a baby tee, one that barely covered me. In fact, it was so tight that when I moved, I actually had trouble breathing. There was no way in hell I was going anywhere like this. What with the skirt and now this shirt, I looked like a slut.

“I don’t think this is such a good idea,” I said.

“Why not” asked her voice from the other side of the door.

“I look like a cheap slut.”

Sophie laughed. “Well duh, how else are we going to have a good time?”

Now I was confused.

“A good time where?”

She opened the door, giving me a once over. She didn’t say anything; instead, she pulled me out of the changing room. I felt like a rag doll as she spun me to face the mirror.

“You and I girl are going clubbing tonight.”

“Clubbing?” I squeaked then quickly shook my head. “Sophie it’s Monday, as in tomorrow is Tuesday, a day on which I have school.”

She frowned then groaned. “Damn, I keep on forgetting you’re only a sophomore. You look a lot older than kids your age you know.” She wrapped her arms around me in a sloppy hug. “Well we can always just hang out somewhere.”

I looked at my watch and sighed. “It’s probably going to have to wait until tomorrow because it’s almost six now, I have to get home for dinner.”

“Wow, real life sucks.”

I laughed. “You have no idea.”

“Do we at least have time for some shoes?”

I laughed and sighed. “If there’s some way I can buy the first pair I try on.”

She shook her head. “Guess we’ll have to wait on that one then.”

I fell back into the changing room, taking off my current outfit. As I was redressing, Sophie asked me to stick the clothes under the door. I’m not sure but I think she rushed off to purchase them. As soon as I was redressed and feeling normal, I found her at the register. She was chatting up Crystal, more than one bag in her hands. I couldn’t help but groan at that. I understood that she was excited about this whole shopping thing but I couldn’t help but feel a bit strong armed by it all.

Outside the shop, Sophie called me a cab.

“I’d give you a ride but…”

“Too many bags for the bike” I said, finishing for her.

She smiled then gave me a hug.”So I’ll give you a call later this week?”

I nodded. Hanging out with Sophie was definitely going to be an adventure.

“This the place?” asked the driver as he stopped the taxi.

“Yep” I said, reaching into my pocket and taking out a twenty. “Keep the change.”

He smiled big as I opened the door and got out of the car. I unloaded my bags from the backseat and waved as he drove off. Hey just because he’s a cabbie that doesn’t mean I can’t be polite to him. They were people too, after all. I waited until the cab was around the corner before I started toward the house. I rushed a bit up the walk, afraid that I might get chewed out for being a tad bit late. Ok so it was only a few minutes but my grandmother was a stickler for those kinds of things. I opened the door quickly when I got there, slipping inside.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” I said, walking into the living room.

No one was there.

I sighed heavily, carrying my bags into the kitchen as I did so. I didn’t find anyone in there either. Instead I found a note at my usually place. It was written by my grandmother. I set the bags on the table and read it quickly. Apparently, Mary was out to dinner at the Lockes and she was in the basement. I bit my lip, looking at the door in the far corner. I knew that the basement was kind of off limits but that was back when I was regular boy Kelly. Now I was a witch, I think that meant I was allowed. I took a deep breath and decided, leaving my bags behind as I walked slowly toward the door. I hesitated only for a second before grabbing the knob and slowly opening the door.

The last time I was down here was at the beginning of my stay, back when it felt dangerous to creep down the stairs. A part of me wished that I never let Mary talk me into going down there. If I hadn’t I still would have been a boy and none of this mess would have happened. The rest of me though---the happier part---was glad I did. I was a girl now, a witch and I was the happiest I’d ever been. One of these days, I knew I was going to have to thank Mary.
Not today, though.

I started down the stair, slowly taking them one step at a time. They creaked as I stepped on them and try as I might there was no way I could stop them from doing so. At the bottom, I found myself in the familiar looking basement once again. My eyes were drawn quickly across the room to the bookshelf on the far wall. I went straight to it, slowly scanning the books by memory. I found the one I was looking for and didn’t skip a beat as I gave it a slow pull. There was a familiar grinding sound and the bookshelf moved away just like before. Also just like before I found myself in the musty room with the stone walls and creepy feeling.

This time though the room wasn’t empty. My grandmother was standing over by her potted herbs, looking at me as I walked in.

“I see Mary has been sharing secrets,” she said as I slowly made my way toward her.

“We came down here the night she turned me into this,” I said, waving my arms over my body.

My grandmother frowned. “Is that a complaint?”

I shook my head quickly. “I’ve never been happier, actually.”

She smiled. “I remember the first time your mother came down here. She had this look of awe on her face. I think I mirrored it as well. Her being my eldest and all. I was nervous more than anything though.”

“Nervous?”

She laughed. “I’d never been a teacher before. I was scared I might say or do something that might screw things up. Your mother hung on my every, word though. I could have told her the sky was falling down and I think she would have been just as happy.”

I smiled. “Mom is still like that you know.”

She sighed. “Losing touch with your mother is something I’m going to regret for the rest of my life. After Molly died, I just lost…”

She didn’t finish but she didn’t need too I knew how much it hurt her. I never met my Aunt Molly or Uncle Dave---Mary’s parents----well if I did, I was too young to remember. My mother always spoke well of them though. Molly was the baby of the family. My mother always used to have these wild stories about her and my Aunt Grace, how the two of them used to play horrible pranks on poor Molly. I guess it was kind of poetic justice that her daughter grew up to play such nasty ones on me.

I couldn’t help but smile thinking about it, actually. I couldn’t help but smile at the happiness in my grandmother’s face when she mentioned Molly, too. Here was a woman who I thought was so cold and bitter and truth be told she was just in a lot of pain. I didn’t blame her either. Shortly before I was born, the Black Cross killed my Grandpa Nick. I didn’t really know all the details, only that he was hunting them and they got the drop on him. My grandmother had apparently been heartbroken. Then of course, a few years later, Molly and Dave died in that car accident. It was just one tragedy after another, hardening my grandmother into the woman she was today.

It was strange how I never really noticed any of that until now.

My grandmother finally came back into the present. “You didn’t come down here to listen to me mope,” she said, hardening again.

I shook my head. “I just got back from shopping; I wanted to see what you were up to down here.”

“Doing some research.”

“Research?”

She nodded. “Nothing to concern yourself with.”

There she goes again, shutting me out.

I think she saw the disappointed look on my face because she sighed heavily and said. “There was an incident a couple of months ago and the person involved in it seems to be having a hard time now. I’m trying to find ways to help her.”

“Can I help?”

She smiled but shook her head. “There’s not a lot to be done I’m afraid. Sadly, I think I’m out of my league on this one. I’m going to have to call the Main Archive in London and see what they have.”

“What’s that?”

She looked puzzled for a moment. “Your mother never mentioned it?” I shook my head, she sighed. “Have you ever heard of the High Coven?”

I nodded. “It’s the big witch Coven in Europe right? The one that all Covens answer to?”

“Something like that” she said with a laugh. “Well the High Coven has an Archive of knowledge in London. The scholars there are some of the best we have.”

I had a fleeting thought. “You think they might have information on Mortimer Crowley?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Why so interested in him all of the sudden?”

I shrugged. “I’ve been reading a lot of books lately, more than I’ve ever read in a long while, actually. There’s a lot of info about the town and witches in them. Most of the stuff in there though, talks a great deal about Ravencrest but there’s nothing about Crowley. I just find that really strange.”

My grandmother walked over to me and put a hand on my shoulder. I couldn’t remember the last time she touched me like that. “It was a difficult time back then. Your grandfather and Mortimer were barely speaking anymore. Then Mortimer got terribly sick and your grandfather became very withdrawn.”

“You make it sound like you were there.”

She smiled. “If I had been that would make me very old indeed.”

The truth was in the smile. I wasn’t sure what shocked me more. The fact that she nonchalantly admitted she’d been alive when Ravencrest had been or that she was actually being this nice to me. I’d like to say it was the former but all I cared about was the latter. I wanted to cry but instead I merely nodded my head. She smiled and then did something I never thought she would ever do, she pulled me into a hug. I found myself returning the hug, even tearing up a bit. I’m not sure how long we stood like that but when we pulled away, I turned quickly so she wouldn’t see my tears.

“Well how about you and I go upstairs and see if we can’t find something to eat.”

I nodded numbly.

My grandmother went first and I slowly followed after.

I couldn’t help but think of our relationship. Months ago, I was that “boy” who she barely even looked at and now here, she was opening up to me and giving me warm hugs. I’m not sure what had come over her but I had to say that I was really beginning to like the change. I didn’t know if it was going to last but I was going to take advantage of it as much as I could. It almost felt like she was proud of me now and I hoped that nothing got in the way of that.

Author’s note: As I’m sure all of you know, comments are life blood to an author. I’m not begging or demanding, but I certainly would appreciate anything you have to say (or ask). It doesn’t have to be long and involved, just give me your reaction to the story. Thanks in advance...EOF