Page 86 of Our Little Moments

Thump. Thump. Thump.

I inhale, shaking.Focus.I’ve been here before. I can control this.

I sit at the edge of the cliff, the rocks beneath me steadying my body. I close my eyes, letting the sensations of the earth below calm me. The wind pulls at my hair, but I ground myself. I know this place. I know it.

I picture the spot I’ve come to on so many early mornings in the last week clearly in my mind: the rocky ground, the ocean stretching far beneath, the towering trees behind me, the early morning sunrise.

I breathe in deeply, focusing on the air moving around me, my racing heart starting to slow. I feel the magic thrumming in my body.

Exhale.

I feel a gentle flutter against my shoulder. A butterfly. I smile.You’re getting back control for the first time, Stella Brookstone!

I inhale again, remembering Hazel’s grounding technique and the safety I felt with Adrian’s arms wrapped around me.

Five things you would see if your magic wasn’t twisting your reality: the ocean, trees, rocks, cliff and a sunrise.

“You’re safe now. Let it out.”

I exhale roughly, feeling small gushes of wind around me. My signature glowing green butterflies surround me. It’s working!

Four things you could touch if your magic wasn’t out of your control: rocks, dirt, trees and leaves.

I run my fingers along the rocks beneath me. Yes. It’s all coming back to me.

Three things you could hear: birds chirping, the leaves rustling, and the waves crashing below you.

I smile as I take a deep breath. I can feel the warmth of the ocean air around me, the refreshing scent of the forest behind me. I’m taking back control. It feels like a new beginning, a stronger version of myself.

Two things you could smell: the saltiness of the ocean and the fresh scent of the forest.

One thing you could taste: the lingering sweetness of whatever I ate last night.

I open my eyes again. The sun is breaking through the clouds, and I’m blinded by its brilliance. Tears well up in my eyes. I did it. I really did it.

I can’t help the wide grin spreading across my face as I look around to find our spot back to its enchanting charm. The huge forest is behind me again, the ocean is coming back to life below me, and the place that brought me so much peace is back to its beauty.

I laugh, pure joy surging through my veins. I can feel my magic everywhere, coming back to life.I feel like me again.

Not only did I get my magic back, but I got back control over it when I never could before. I’m stronger than I ever was. My eyes get teary.

Everything feels right again.

Footsteps approach behind me, and I turn to find Adrian standing there, a soft smile on his face.

I grin, my heart warming. “Hi, Adrian.”

He sits beside me, looking out over the ocean as the waves crash below. “Hey, Stella.”

I’m at ease around him, the high from the emotions I felt minutes ago finally fading away. Adrian seems to notice because he scoots closer to my side and makes me lean my body against his side with my head on his shoulder. I smile as my eyes flutter closed.

He’s my favorite place to go to when my mind searches for peace.

My heartbeat slowly settles into a peaceful pace, and my body stops shaking from the adrenaline I felt earlier.

“Do you want to talk about what happened?” Adrian asks softly.

I sigh, letting out the last of the tension. “Back home, I would often have these weird nightmares. I’d wake up with my magic acting up, twisting the world around me, changing it into whatever my dream was. I’d spend the day locked away in my apartment, trying to get it back under control. I never succeeded.”

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