Wild Magic 50

Back to school. I’ve never really minded going back, to tell you the truth. Okay, that first day after my change was hard, but the usual back to school stuff? No problem. I get to see friends I haven’t seen in months. I meet my new teachers, see who I’ll be in class with, that kind of thing. In a way, it’s the restart of my social life. This year, though, is different.

Senior year. My last year of high school, in some cases, the last time I’ll see the people I’ve gone to school with since kindergarten, although they don’t really know that. They’ve only known Emily since the end of our sophomore year.

It’s also the first year since my change that Tim won’t be here every day. When I first pulled into the parking lot, I admit, I looked for his Trans Am, and that’s when it hit me, Tim’s not here this year. He starts classes tomorrow at Elmtree State, which is only on the other side of town, so it won’t change anything about our relationship, but it’s still going to be strange that he isn’t here.

“Missing him already?” Debbie asked.

“A little, I guess, but considering we went out last night and we’ll probably go down to the beach this afternoon after school, I guess I can deal with it.” I didn’t say that I still missed his strong presence.

“I was just thinking about Larry, too.” Debbie said. “I hate that he’s down at Western Michigan. At least he got that football scholarship, and we aren’t so far apart that we can’t go out.”

“It’s just not the same, is it?”

Debbie had a sad look on her face. “No, it’s not. I’ll live with it, though.”

“Wait, is that the sound of...commitment? Have you two become serious?”

“Well, he hasn’t proposed...yet. I don’t think it’ll be too much longer, though.”

I smiled, happy for her, but... “Have you told him yet?”

“I’m so afraid, Emily. What if he can’t handle it?” She leaned on me, and her teary eyes surprised me.

“Can you imagine what would happen if you don’t tell him you’re a witch? Especially when he learns the truth, and knows you didn’t trust him? You have to be honest, Debbie.”

“I love him so much! If he can’t handle it...”

“Then everything you have is a lie, hon, and lies aren’t love.”

“I...I know it, Emily, but if he can’t deal with the truth, then I’m afraid of what I would do if I lost him.”

Damn it. I know how she feels, but she HAS to tell him.

“Okay, what if Tim and I went down to Western with you? We could try to help Larry see that you are still the girl he’s in love with. It might help if he heard it from Tim; they’ve been good friends for a long time. We’ll go down and have some pizza together, okay?”

Debbie smiled. “Thanks, Em. I hope this works.”

“Talk to Larry, let’s figure out a good time to get together, we’ll work this out, okay?”

It turned out that Tim was already planning a trip down to Western to visit Larry, and he thought the pizza idea was a good one. We had to work around Larry’s practice schedule, but Thursday evening found us southbound in Tim’s car. We met Larry at the school, and then he and Deb followed us to Steve’s Pizza.

We had a good time, but Debbie was very nervous, and Larry picked up on it quickly. I finally had to step in. Debbie was too afraid to say anything, and Larry thought she was breaking up with him.

“Larry, one of the reasons we came to visit is that we have to talk about a rather personal issue that Debbie is very afraid to talk to you about. Is there a place that we can all get together in private?”

He thought for a minute, and we realized the best place was right there behind Steve’s.
There was a small park by the river, well lit with good benches to sit down. We walked to the park, and Tim and I had a quick telepathic strategy session.

“Larry, you’re going to be let in on a very big secret. I need you to see that you can never say anything, to anyone. It could not only hurt Debbie, but Emily and I as well.”

Larry looked hurt. “I could never hurt Debbie or you guys.” He turned to Debbie. “I love you, honey. No matter what.”

Debbie was close to tears. “I love you too, but I’ve been so afraid to tell you about this. I’m so afraid of losing you, and I need you. I love you so much.”

That was what Larry needed. “I’m ready, honey. I don’t care what you tell me, we can handle it together, I promise, and I’ll never say anything that could hurt you.”

She curled up to him, still nervous, but determined. “Larry, this may be very hard for you to believe, but it’s all true.

A very long time ago, 5 kids saw a falling star, a meteorite, hit the ground near their village. They decided to investigate, even though some of them worried that it might be bad luck. The oldest was a 16 year old man, and the rest were girls, the youngest was only seven years old. They found a stone like they had never seen before. The 16 year old bravely picked it up, and he fell unconscious.

One of the girls finally picked up the stone, but nothing happened when she did. She handed the stone to one of the others, and then she ran to get help. The other girls stayed with the boy, and while they wanted, they all passed the strange stone around, but no one felt anything different.

When help arrived, one of the men took a heavy cloth and threw the stone out to sea, believing it was cursed, and the stone wasn’t seen again.

The young man soon recovered, but he was changed. As hard as it is to believe, he became a girl. At that time in history, females were considered to be much less than males, so the villagers were less than pleased. As the 5 children began to demonstrate strange abilities, they were cast out from their village, even the 7 year old.

Eventually they found new homes, and they did their best to hide their abilities. People heard of the things they had done, and the stories about them became exaggerated by superstitious people.

Over the years, although few people knew who the girls were, the stories grew, and they were called witches.

Larry, the story is true. Emily and I are descended from those girls. We have some abilities, but we are nothing like the stories. I am not evil, or cruel. I’m a witch, and I love you very much. I hope that you can accept me.”

He looked at her, and he looked at me. “You’re kidding!” Debbie sadly shook her head and was about to leave, when Larry took her in his arms. “This is all you were worried about? You scared me!”

Debbie looked at him strangely. He put her down, and then got to one knee. He opened a small box. “I don’t care about any of that. I love you, and I’m asking you to marry me, please?” He held out a ring and slipped it on her finger.

Debbie almost exploded in joy. “YES, of course I will! I love you so much!” She leapt in to his arms, and they kissed each other happily. She held him and then she came over and hugged me, showing me the ring.

Tim reached over and gave her a kiss on a tear covered cheek. “Congratulations, Deb!” He shook Larry’s hand. “Very cool, bud.” Larry’s smile was amazing. “Thanks!”

Debbie ran back and jumped into his arms. They laughed, and we walked back to the cars. Larry asked Tim and I if we minded that he took Debbie home. “We’ve got a lot to talk about.”

“No problem. Just drive carefully, all right?” Tim said. “I know you are very happy, but be safe, Larry.”

“Oh, definitely!” He held Debbie’s hand. “We’ll see you guys later, okay?”

*I’ll see you in the morning, I love you!* Debbie told me telepathically.

I smiled and waved, and they climbed into Larry’s mini truck.

Tim hugged me. “It looks like we’ve been abandoned. Any ideas?”

“Yeah, there’s an orchard I know of where we can get some fresh cider and caramel apples, and that sounds really yummy to me. Do you wanna go?”

“Yeah, that sounds great. Do they sell the girl caramel apples?”

“Girl apples?”

“Yeah, the ones with no nuts.”

Groan...