Magic and Witchcraft

by Willow Rose

  Barely had I finished the first episode before the door to my room opened, and Adrian burst in, startling me.

  "Hey! How about knocking?" I asked.

  He didn't hear me. He approached me, looking angry. "She won't return my calls or texts; why isn't she returning my texts?"

  I took off my headphones. "Jazmine?"

  "Duh. Who else?"

  "Well, given the fact that you stood her up yesterday…I don't find it that strange."

  He made a grimace. "Shoot. We were supposed to do something?"

  "You were supposed to meet at the diner. Did you forget?" I asked.

  He looked at me from behind his bangs. "I totally forgot. I was out with the boys…"

  "So I heard. Mom was pretty pissed. Where were you anyway?"

  He grinned. "None of your beeswax. Now tell me, how do I get her to answer me?"

  "How am I supposed to know?" I asked.

  "She's your friend."

  "She's your girlfriend. Maybe you should just apologize."

  He thought about it for a second, then stood up, almost floating. "I can't really apologize as long as she won’t answer my texts, now can I, doofus?"

  I shrugged. "Suit yourself."

  He walked to the door, then stopped. "By the way, I ran into Dan, one of Logan's good friends. He told me Jayden is in trouble at home because he was seeing some girl he wasn't supposed to. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"

  I swallowed, hard. "N-no. Why would I?"

  He shrugged. "Not for nothin'."

  I stared at the door as it was slammed shut and long after Adrian was gone. Had they found out about us? If Jayden's parents knew we had been seeing each other, would they keep it to themselves? Or would they tell mine?

  Chapter Forty-One

  “Jazmine!"

  The sound of her mother's voice made her blood freeze. Jazmine was sitting in her bedroom, staring at a picture of her dad, when she heard her mother yell her name.

  Now what? What does she want?

  Jazmine stared at the door. She wasn't moving; she hardly dared to. She had avoided her mother as much as she possibly could the past few days. She was extremely scared of her.

  "JAZMINE!"

  Jazmine rose from her seat and hurried to the door, her legs shaking beneath her. There was no need to anger her mother further, so she rushed down the stairs, where her mother was waiting, smoke emerging from the top of her black hair.

  Uh-oh.

  Her mother threw out her arms, annoyed. "There you are. Why don't you come when I call?"

  "I…I didn't hear it…I’m sorry. I was…in the bathroom."

  Her mother made a face. "That's a little more than I needed to know. Anyway, someone's here to see you."

  Jazmine turned and spotted Logan, Jayden's older brother, standing in the doorway.

  Did he hear the part about me being in the bathroom?

  Jazmine blushed at the thought. She looked at her nails that had turned slightly purple as they did when she was worried about something. It seemed they had been that color a lot lately. That or red. But that was when she was scared. Right now, she was mostly embarrassed, and that made them glow with a mixture of red and purple.

  She hid them behind her back.

  "He's really handsome, so go for it," her mother whispered, then walked away with a: "A lot better than that pale and moody Adrian guy."

  Jazmine smiled. "Logan? W-what brings you here?"

  He rubbed his forehead. "I was just…well, Jayden mentioned that you might like to…I mean would you like to go out…sometime…like tomorrow night?"

  Jazmine nodded. She had been ignoring Adrian all day. Every text and phone call. That's what he got for standing her up. A date with Logan would definitely make him jealous. Then maybe he'd appreciate her more from now on and not stand her up again. She didn't really know if she was that into Logan, but he was devilishly handsome and had that raw look in his eyes like he could eat her alive.

  "Sure. That sounds like it could be fun."

  "Great. I'll pick you up at eight."

  "Okay."

  He walked to the door and was about to leave when she stopped him. "Wait. Where are we going?"

  He turned with a grin. "It's a surprise."

  Chapter Forty-Two

  The piece about grandma and her circus was aired as part of the newscast on Saturday at noon. It was the time of day when the least people would be watching, but I didn't mind. I watched it with my mother and father, feeling proud of having been a part of it.

  "Very good," my dad said when it was done.

  I looked at my mom. "Did you like it?"

  She didn't speak. She forced a smile. "It was…interesting." Then she got up and left, her high heels clicking across the tiles. I exhaled, disappointed, then felt my dad's hand in mine.

  "She's just finding it very hard to watch her own mother in a clown costume, living in a van. I think she finds it a little degrading, a little embarrassing. And between you and me, I think seeing her mother again these last few days has made her a little emotional and maybe a little angry…you know, for being left as a child. It's ripped up some old, but very deep wounds. That's all. The piece was great."

  I smiled. It made me feel better. I was proud of what I had been a part of and because I had liked it. I liked the way things worked at the TV station. It was fun to be a part of. I knew now for certain that this was what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be a reporter.

  I felt so relieved and, as an old habit, I thought that I couldn't wait to tell Jayden tonight when we met. Then I remembered. I wasn't going to see him. I wasn't going to be talking to him about it at all. I wasn't going to be talking to him about my future anymore, about our future anymore. Because we didn't have one. Not a mutual one.

  Did us breaking up mean that he had decided to follow his parent's wishes and become a wolf? I looked at my dad and realized it didn't matter for me. I wasn't going to be a vampire no matter what. There was no way. I hated everything about it.

  My cousins and brother were goofing around upstairs, and I could hear them giggling and yelling. They were probably hanging out in Adrian's room, playing some dumb video game. I wondered about Jazmine and whether she had forgiven my brother. Part of me wished she wouldn't. I didn't like them dating. Then I thought about what he had told me in my room the night before. That Jayden had gotten himself in trouble because of a girl. Had Logan finally told on him? He had seen us that night in Jayden's room? I wouldn't be surprised. I wondered if it would mean any consequences for me and wished I could just call him and ask.

  "So, you're going out with Duncan tonight?" my dad asked.

  I nodded. "Yes."

  "You'll miss game night," he said. "Your mom will be sad about that."

  "I know."

  "But I’m sure she'll forgive you since you’re going out with him. I take it it's going well between the two of you?"

  I looked into my dad's eyes, feeling so fed up with my love-life I wanted just to let it all out. Just tell him how heartbroken I was because Jayden didn't want to be with me anymore, even though I was hopelessly in love with him. I wanted to tell him that Duncan was the cause of that and therefore I was so angry I could rip his head off.

  Of course, I didn't. Instead, I nodded and smiled.

  "Yes, it's going great, thanks."

  He leaned back and grabbed the paper from the coffee table. "That's good, honey. That's very good to hear."

  Chapter Forty-Three

  He picked me up at eight as promised. I had dressed in jeans and a pink shirt, not making too much out of it, but still looking good. My mom thought I was being disrespectful and that I should wear a dress, but I didn't listen to her. Not even when she told me I needed a dress to cover those hippo-hips. I wore make-up but not much. I didn't want him to think I was trying to impress him. I spotted the limo drive up then stayed in my room as I could hear Duncan downstairs. My mom called my name three times be
fore I finally came out.

  "Duncan is here!" she said when she spotted me.

  I walked down the stairs. "That was tonight? I almost forgot."

  My mom exhaled. "I'm sorry, Duncan. I don't know what's gotten into her lately. I hope you know she doesn’t mean to be disrespectful dressing like…that."

  Duncan smiled. "It's fine, Mrs. Jones. I happen to think she looks great."

  I walked past him, not saying a word, and he followed me outside. He held the door to the limo for me, and I got in. He sat next to me, but I turned my head away. The limo drove off.

  "So, is that how it's gonna be all night?" he asked.

  I didn't say anything. Duncan exhaled. "Come on, Robyn. I already said I was sorry."

  I looked at him. "No, you didn't. You said you weren't sorry."

  He nodded. "Is that so bad? Is it so terrible that I would do anything to be with you?"

  "Yes, Duncan, it is. You hurt Jayden. You hurt me. And now it's over."

  "That can't just have been because of what I said, because of the kiss, Robyn. From the way I see it, it sounds like he has thought about it for a while, and hearing about the kiss was what pushed him over the edge."

  I stared at Duncan, my nostrils flaring. I was angry, but mainly because I knew he was right. I had thought about it all day. It was like Jayden didn't even want to talk to me about it. He didn't even give me a chance to explain properly. He had already made the decision beforehand.

  Duncan kissed the top of my hand, and I pulled it away. "Don't," I said.

  "So, now we're back to where we started?" he asked.

  I sighed. So much for keeping quiet and ignoring him. Guess I wasn't very good at playing games and being manipulative.

  "I don't know where we are, Duncan, and, frankly, right now I don't care. I just want to see my grandmother doing her show."

  The limo stopped, and the driver held the door open for us. I walked out and up toward the entrance, Duncan following closely behind me. There was a line to get in, and we waited patiently in the back. I was beginning to think it was a mistake for me to be there. I was still too angry at Duncan to hang out with him. I blamed him for my breakup with Jayden, even though I knew he wasn't the only reason. It felt good to have someone to blame.

  "Robyn?"

  I turned around and there he was. Standing right behind us in the line was Jayden. Standing next to him, holding his hand, was Ruelle.

  I gaped. "What are you doing here?" I asked.

  "Going to the circus."

  Jayden spotted Duncan, and I swear I could see fire spread in his eyes. Duncan turned around too, and a low hiss emerged from the back of his throat as his eyes landed on Jayden. I couldn't stop looking at Ruelle. She was just too gorgeous to be real.

  "Well, so are we," I said, then grabbed Duncan's hand in mine and pulled him away from Jayden. Seconds later, we got to the entrance and Duncan showed our tickets. We rushed in and found our seats. Much to my regret, Jayden and Ruelle ended up sitting in the seats right in front of us.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  He drove up into her driveway and got out. Jazmine watched Logan from her window as he rang the doorbell. A couple of stray dogs started to bark at him. Jazmine rushed down the stairs, glanced at her own reflection, and noticed that her eyes had turned green. She was happy. Excited and happy.

  "Where is he taking you?" her mother asked as she rushed past her.

  "Don't have time," Jazmine yelled, then walked outside. She didn't want Logan to see her mother again and couldn't wait to get out of the house.

  "Wow," Logan said. "You…look gorgeous."

  Jazmine smiled. "Thanks."

  She felt like someone was watching her and turned her head to look toward Robyn's house. In the driveway, she spotted Adrian. He looked like a little boy who had lost his toy. Jazmine turned away and smiled at Logan, then got into his car and they drove off.

  "So, is it still a surprise where we're going?" she asked as they stopped at the end of their street. She looked in the rearview mirror and spotted Adrian. He was standing in the middle of the cul-de-sac, staring after them. She felt a pinch in her heart but then shook it. He should have treated her better when he had the chance.

  "I’m taking you to the circus," he said. "Circus Fantastico."

  "Really?" Jazmine asked excitedly. She loved the circus. She had gone to one back when she was younger where they used to live. With her dad. Jazmine grew sad when thinking about him. They had always been so good together, sharing so many fun adventures. He had been the one to teach her how to ride a bike. He had taught her how to swim, and she knew he would have loved to be the one to teach her magic.

  He's not gonna be here for me when I get married? He's not even going to know who I end up marrying. Will he approve?

  The thought made another wave of sadness wash over her as they drove across town. She missed him terribly, especially right now with everything that was going on with her mom. He would have known what to do. If he had been there, they could have gone to the police. She looked at Logan and wondered what her dad would say if he had seen her choice in boys. She wasn't very good at choosing them, was she?

  Logan stopped the car in the area they had made into a parking lot while the circus was in town. He got out. Jazmine waited for him to hold the door for her, but he didn't, so she walked out on her own and followed him inside.

  "You want popcorn?" he asked.

  She smiled. "Sure."

  "Just a second. You go and find our seats, and I'll catch up," he said.

  Jazmine grabbed the tickets and spotted the row they were sitting in. She walked up and found the seats, then sat down. She spotted Robyn a little further down to the right, and they waved at one another. Duncan was sitting next to her, holding his arm around her like he was afraid she might run away. Jazmine sighed and looked at her nails. They were almost black like they had been right after her dad died. Was she ever going to feel better inside? When was it going to stop feeling like she was going crazy?

  Chapter Forty-Five

  She's here with that idiot?

  Jayden clenched his fist without Ruelle seeing it. Robyn and Duncan were sitting right behind him, and he couldn't stand it.

  I can't believe her. I wanted to bring her here, but she didn't want me to. So instead she went with him?

  "Is everything all right?" Ruelle asked with her singing French accent.

  Jayden turned his head and looked at her. Then he smiled, strained. "Yes, yes. Everything is just fine. Say…do you want a soda?"

  Ruelle smiled. "Sure. That would be nice."

  "I'll get some sodas for us."

  Jayden rushed down from his seat without even asking her what type she would like. He wasn't exactly in the mood for a soda himself, but he just had to get out of that seat. He couldn't stand sitting there in front of Robyn and thinking about her and Duncan exchanging loving glances and having a great time. Were they holding hands? They were when standing in the line, so probably. Duncan was most likely also whispering things in her ear and smelling her hair, maybe even nibbling her earlobe.

  Jayden shuddered at the thought. He rushed to the line where he spotted his brother with a bucket of popcorn.

  "Logan?" Jayden said, holding back the anger he felt rushing through his veins at seeing his brother.

  Logan smirked. "Little brother? Fancy meeting you here?"

  Jayden clenched his fists but tried to remain calm. He was so furious at his brother for telling their parents about Robyn; he was afraid he couldn't control himself.

  "What are you doing here?" Jayden asked.

  "Taking your ex-girlfriend out on a little date."

  "Jazmine?"

  "Who else did you think I was talking about? Robyn?" Logan laughed.

  Jayden made a face. "Very funny."

  He wanted to punch his brother in the face, to wipe that grin off him, but restrained himself.

  "Well, I should go. My date is waiting," Logan said and s
tarted to walk away.

  "I probably wouldn't turn your back on me, if I were you," Jayden said.

  Logan stopped. He turned to look at him. Then he took a step closer till he was in Jayden's face.

  "What's that…little…brother? I thought I heard you squeak something. Could you repeat it…to my face?"

  Jayden pressed his face closer to his brother's to show him he wasn't intimidated by him.

  "I…said…you better watch your back, big brother."

  "Is that a threat?"

  "I guess."

  They stood face to face for a few seconds before his brother burst into laughter. He moved away, laughing, while the music started to play loudly, alerting them that the show was about to begin.

  Chapter Forty-Six

  She opened the door to the backyard, and all the puppies swarmed outside. Billie Jean trotted after them, and so did Amy. She brought a ball and threw it for Billie Jean to fetch. Then she sat in a patio chair in the yard with a deep sigh. Amy was sick of being worried and sick of feeling like she was going mad. Had she really seen Mr. Aran in that window or not? She had no idea. She hadn't told anyone about it since she was afraid they would just think she was seeing things, and she certainly didn't want anyone to worry.

  The news was still all over the story of the strange monster lurking in Shadow Hills and telling people to stay inside at night. Some people believed it was a yeti while others speculated on it being a bear or maybe still a wolf, just a very big wolf. A few believed Mr. Aran's story about a monster very much like the Loch Ness monster or the Arkansas Gowrow that they described as a legendary twenty-foot-long reptile with enormous tusks. Many old stories of monsters had surfaced the last few days in the media. Amy's favorite was the one about The Beast of Bladenboro, which apparently was a huge catlike monster last seen back in nineteen-fifty-three who had eaten a lot of dogs and drained them from blood. Hunters had come from all over the world to hunt the “vampire beast” until the small town got tired of it and displayed a dead bobcat letting the world know that the beast was finally dead. To this day Bladenboro still hosted an annual festival centered around it. Amy chuckled when wondering if they would host a festival in Shadow Hills for her sake one day.