Page 2 of Returning to Everton

I remembered that. I saw my sister Maddy getting picked on at school and vowed that it wouldn’t be me. So, when everyone was sleeping, I would practice different ways to use my magic to defend myself. By the time I started school, I was a pro at transforming things. I could turn just about anything into something else. From turning hair into wet spaghetti to turning backpacks into frogs. If anyone messed with me, they were gonna live to regret it. But it turned out I wasn’t the one that needed defending. Quinn was new in town, and you know some kids always pick on the new kid. So I used my mastered spells to defend her and any other kid that needed it. Quinn and I have been thick as thieves ever since that day.

“Yes, well, let’s hope Violet doesn’t have any problems like you did. She’s a little too sweet to turn someone’s face into a cat’s,” I laugh as I think about seeing Britney like that. Man, I really hope she’s either moved or grown-up.

“This is true. I’m sure she’ll be fine though. She’s so sweet, and everyone can’t help but love her.”

She was right, of course. Everywhere she goes, Violet makes friends. That girl has never met a stranger. I’m sure she won’t have any problems making lasting friendships when we get there. I just hope there are no mean girls. Though I know, I shouldn’t hold my breath. Mean girls are everywhere.

“Alright, well...I guess I’m coming home! Wanna help me find a house and a job?” I can’t help but laugh. I know it will be a lot of work, but I’m really excited to go home.

“Are you kidding?! Of course, I’ll help! Oh,” she gasps. “I saw this gorgeous Victorian house just down the street with a sign out front. I can check it out for you. But the best part is you’ll be within walking distance of your favorite person! You can come over anytime you want!” she tells me eagerly.

“Wow, that sounds amazing! You know I love Victorian houses. Definitely check on it for me tomorrow. I’m thinking I just wanna rent for now. Let’s see how things go, ya know?”

“Great, I’ll call them first thing in the morning. Man, I can’t believe you’re really coming home!” she squeals in excitement.

“Me either, Q. It’s been a long time coming,” I sigh.

“So… what are you going to do when you see the guys again?” I should have known it wouldn’t take long for her to bring them up.

I sigh—the guys. We used to be so close before Harris. I always hoped we would be more than just friends, but it never happened. Probably for the best. I loved all four of them, and I could never choose between them. God, whatamI going to do when I see them? I can’t just avoid them forever. But I feel so awful about the way I left. I just stopped talking to them. No warning, no explanation. I haven’t seen or talked to them in ten years. What must they think of me?

“I don’t know, Quinn. I mean, it’s a small town, so it’s not like I can avoid them forever,” I whine.

“But do you even want to avoid them? I mean, they are the hottest guys in town. No woman in her right mind would want to avoid them!”

“OH MY GOD, Quinn! Please, you know we were never like that. Besides, I’m sure none of them ever thought of me like that.” I mean, surely I would have known, right?

“Okay, Rowe. You keep telling yourself that. I just wonder how long you’ll continue living in denial once you see them all again.”

I shake my head at her insistence that there’s something more between the five of us. “Come on, Quinn, I’m not looking for a relationship right now. You know that. I just want the comfort home offers,” I continue denying the guys even play into me wanting to move back. “Besides, after the way I treated them, I’ll be lucky if they want anything to do with me.”

“MOMMY! Can we make my cookies now? My dolls are getting really hungry. You said if I left you alone so you could talk to Aunt Quinn, we could bake them cookies.”

“And that’s my cue to go.” We both laugh at my little girl’s antics. But she has a point. I did promise.

“Alright, Quinn, I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Now it’s time to make cookies with my favorite girl.”

“Hey, I thought I was your favorite girl!” Quinn tries to sound outraged, she really does. But I know she can’t keep a straight face when she says that.

“Yeah, well, you were replaced about five years ago,” I manage to get out while laughing.

“Yeah, yeah. Give my favorite girl kisses from her Aunt Q. I’ll let you know about the house. Love you.”

“Love you too, Quinn.”

It didn’t escape my notice that she’s claiming my sweet girl is her favorite too. It’s no secret once Violet was born, we both got knocked down a peg. I hang up the phone then turn to see my angel sitting on her favorite barstool at the kitchen island waiting for me.

“Alright, baby girl. Did you decide what kind of cookies you wanna make tonight?”

“Yes! I wanna make unicorn poop cookies!”

I should have known. Those are her favorite, after all. “Of course you do.” I chuckle. “Well, what are you waiting for? Get the ingredients out.”

I swear this is her favorite part about baking. I love watching her light up when she uses her magic to get all the ingredients out and fly them to the counter. I stand back as the sugar, vanilla, salt, and flour go flying around the kitchen. I look over and see she already had the butter and cream cheese sitting out to soften while I was on the phone. She clearly had this planned. Once she sets all of that down gently, this girl has had tons of practice moving things through the air, she gets out the rest of the ingredients. The sprinkles, food coloring, and gel pastes come next. All that’s left is the eggs since we very conveniently have a bag of Kisses in the candy bowl. Chocolate is a staple in this house. The whole time, Violet is just sitting there with the biggest smile on her face as she makes the ingredients twirl around the kitchen.

“Alright, Bug, enough playing. Let’s get to mixin’. You know this recipe takes a lot of time. If you wanna get it done and have one before bed, you gotta get a move on.”

“I know, I just don’t know if I want to use my magic to mix it or not,” she pouts.

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