Page 48 of Elmwood Inclusive Magic Academy
“That’s ok, I can wait,” she says.
“Until what? Don’t put yourself out on my account, you must be exhausted.”
She looks a little disappointed. “Oh…”
I turn away from her to take off the sweater, although I’m not sure why. She’s seen everything at this point. I get an intrusive flashback of last night, me running naked through the woods after my robe burned away. I cringe inwardly.How am I going to live this down?
Rae rises from her seat on the floor. The sight of her, and knowing that she kept watch over me all night, eases my anxiety.
“You can keep the sweater,” she says.
My heart flutters. “I’ll bring it back in a bit, I promise. You get some sleep, and I’ll come back at sundown so that you know I’m ok.”
“You don’t have to,” she says.
My stomach drops. Of course she doesn’t care if I’m all right, why would I assume that she did?
She reads my expression with distress. “Oh no, I mean, I’ll come find you when I get up. I’ll know where you are, and I’ll know if you’re all right.”
My brow furrows. “How would you know that?”
“I mean, uh…I have good instincts like that.”
“Sure. You get some sleep, ok? And…come find me later?”
“Of course.”
She smiles, her dark eyes warm and soft. There’s something about her that I can’t fully describe. For the first time since Timothy and I broke up (maybe for the first time ever), I feel this pleasant, warm lightness. Like everything is going to be all right.
“Did you know that they used to burn witches because they thought that was the only way their souls would be completely destroyed, so they couldn’t join Satan and continue to haunt the townspeople?”
“Thanks Orion, I don’t know if I need to hear that today,” I sigh.
He chuckles to himself. “I thought you’d like a fun witch fact for All Hallows Eve! Especially since your harrowing, heroic escape from June-the-Bitchiest-Witch-of-Them-All.”
“Well I’m glad that’s how you saw it…my mom kept blaming the robe. Said it hadn’t been adequatelysaged.”
“She’s a real June apologist,” notes Gwen, gazing off towards the forest.
After I found my mom and assured her that I’m still in one piece, I joined the mer-siblings hanging out by the lake. I’m dreading going back to class and facing the other students, but luckily we have the rest of the week off for Samhain.
The last few rays of sun disappear beyond the horizon. Suddenly, I feel an unnatural whoosh of air, and Hallie appears beside me.
“Maggie!” she says, overwhelming me with a tight hug.
“Hallie!” I gasp. “Where did you come from?”
“I’m a super-fast vampire, Maggie.” Hallie holds me at arm’s length. “Wow, your mom’s really incredible at healing spells. No wonder where you get it from.”
“Yeah, I sort of wish she was better at protection magic though. Where’s Astrid when I’m being bullied? If she was here, June would have been turned into a micro-pig by now.”
“Wearing a little tiny raincoat, I hope?” Hallie giggles. “Still, I’m glad to see you’re all right. It really sucked to have to stay in my coffin all night, I was super worried about you. Your roommate was very protective when I came by your room.”
“I’m fine, you didn’t need to worry about me.”
She looks at me through her square-rimmed glasses. “But I do! You’re my best friend, Maggie.”
A warm feeling washes over me. “Thanks, Hallie. You’re my best friend, too.”
