Witch Crystal (Witches of Zrotaz Book 1)

by Malika Gandhi

After lunch, the three went to their classes and as the

  afternoon passed by, Larissa forgot about Jake.

  * *

  “How did your first day go, Jake?” asked Chantelle.

  It was the end of the day and Chantelle halted on the school steps, twirling a piece of her hair around her index finger.

  “Well, for day one it hasn’t been so bad,” Jake replied. “I think I will survive this place after all.”

  “Guys, I’m going to have to go. It’s getting late and Mum will worry,” Larissa cut in.

  “Yeah, okay, I’ll come with you,” said Chantelle. “See you tomorrow, Jake.”

  “Er...yeah, bye,” Larissa said to Jake.

  “You can’t stop flirting, can you?” Larissa scolded her friend as they walked home together.

  “And you can’t stop feeling jealous!” her friend taunted, with a twinkle in her eye.

  “What?”

  “Oh come on Lar. I saw the green-eyed monster in you!” laughed Chantelle, as she linked arms with her scowling friend.

  * *

  Marcaria was cooking dinner when Larissa arrived home.

  “Hi Mum.” Larissa kissed her on the cheek. “Yum, that smells good! But you didn’t have to cook. I would have done it.” Larissa put her school bag on the floor and flopped down on the sofa.

  Marcaria turned the stove off. “Larissa, I have something to tell you. It’s time.” She looked serious.

  Before Larissa could respond, the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it,” she said, jumping up.

  Marcaria sighed. This was beginning to become more difficult than she’d hoped.

  “Mum, it’s Rita. I’m going upstairs, I have some revision to catch up on. I’ll have dinner later.”

  “Okay, Darling.” Marcaria’s heart sank. Would she ever be able to tell her daughter the truth?

  * *

  Revision was the last thing on Larissa’s mind as she flipped the pages of her textbook. She was sitting at her desk, supposedly revising for an English exam that wasn’t very far away. She gave up after a few moments and lay back on her bed.

  Larissa sighed and looked around her bedroom. She loved this room and she spent many days up here with Chantelle, watching a DVD or just killing time, and sometimes doing homework too. Chantelle always tried to get out of it!

  The walls were decorated with yellow and mauve wallpaper. Larissa had no posters on the walls, as most of the girls in her class did. She did however, have framed pictures of cities in the night sky, and of big cats.

  Perhaps I just need to have a little nap, Larissa thought, and then I will be able to concentrate on my revision. However, when she closed her eyes, uninvited thoughts of Jake swirled around her mind. She liked him a lot, but this secret must stay with her, she decided. Her life was too complicated for a boyfriend and she was a witch! No, she could not get involved with anyone!

  It was lovely and warm in her room as late afternoon sunshine flooded in. Something reflected in her dresser mirror. That’s odd, she thought. Larissa walked to the mirror, and noticed the item reflected was coming from the sun. The sun? She went to the window and opened it wide, and then she saw the silver lining. What was that?

  “Larissa, are you coming down for dinner?” her mother called.

  “Coming Mum!” Larissa glanced once more at the sun and the silver lining and then went downstairs. She would have to ask her mother about it later.

  4

  It was a Saturday, a day when tourists and locals flocked to the coast. Today, there was no rain on the forecast and only sunshine, with temperatures reaching 25 degrees Celsius. Marcaria’s floristry shop took the glorious spot by the sea front with other niche retailers; a popular place where businesses flourished.

  Larissa was helping her mother and Rita at the back. The fragrant smell of fresh flowers always took her to another place, where there was beauty and nothing else. She could forget about any anxieties of exams and school, and just be happy in the moment.

  The tinkle of the bell announced a customer just as Larissa finished cutting the stems for a special arrangement of roses. She was about to go out to the front when Rita said she would see to the customer. A few moments later, Larissa heard a familiar voice. It was Jake! She dropped the flowers.

  “Larissa, please be careful,” tutted Marcaria.

  “Sorry.” Larissa’s face burned as she went to pick up the flowers.

  Rita came bustling back. “Larissa, can you attend to the customer? I forgot about the order of the anniversary flowers I was supposed to do. I only just remembered when a couple arrived, ordering one for theirs!”

  “I thought Jake came in?” asked Larissa.

  “Who?”

  “Er...never mind. I’ll go and see to this customer,”

  Larissa said quickly, avoiding her mothers and Rita’s curious looks.

  Larissa captured a stray lock of her hair and tucked it behind her ear as she entered the space behind the counter. The customer had his back to her, but Larissa knew it was Jake. There was no mistaking his curly hair. He cleared his throat, and turned around to face her.

  “Hi,” she said, once her heartbeat had slowed. “Larissa!” there was surprise on his face. “I didn’t know you worked here.”

  “Yes, it’s my mum’s business. I help out here at the weekends.”

  “This is a really nice place,” Jake complimented.

  “So, what can I do for you?” asked Larissa, pleased with Jake’s comment.

  “I need...it’s my girlfriend’s birthday and I want to get her something special,” he said.

  Larissa’s smile vanished and her heart dropped. Jake had a girlfriend, well, of course he did! She felt like a total fool.

  “So, can you help? Hello, Larissa?” Jake waved a hand in front of her face.

  “Sorry, um...so what is her name?” she asked as cheerily as she could.

  “Her name is Shania.”

  “What does she look like? What’s her personality like?” “Why do you want to know?” Jake raised an eyebrow.

  “I take it you want to buy her a beautiful arrangement of flowers, but you don’t know which ones? So, I need to know what kind of person she is.” Larissa kept the smile on her face, however fake it was, her fingers entwined in florists wire.

  “Ah I see; that makes sense. Okay, she has blonde hair and is slim, and she has green eyes.”

  Nothing out of the ordinary then, Larissa thought to herself.

  “What can you tell me about her personality?”

  “I’m not really sure; I haven’t spent much time with her yet. I suppose she is secretive...”

  “All right, leave it with me. Do you want to pick the flowers up or have them delivered?”

  “I’ll pick them up.”

  “Last of all, do you want a message written on a card to go with the flowers?”

  “If it’s okay, can you put a blank card in with the flowers? I will fill the message in myself,” said Jake.

  “Okay, sure...” said Larissa.

  “How much do I owe you?” Jake asked.

  “It’s free to you.”

  “Really?”

  “No, I’m joking. I mean, I would love to give it to you for free, but I can’t. Like I said, this is my mum’s business, so you owe me £12.95.” Larissa watched his unsure face, but then he gave a heart-breaking laugh.

  “You’re so funny!” Jake said as he rummaged in the pocket of his jeans and took out a twenty-pound note. Larissa gave him the change, “Thanks,” she said.

  “So, I will see you in school?”

  “Sure. The flowers will be ready on Monday.”

  “Great. Bye Larissa.”

  Larissa watched Jake walk out of the shop, and sighed. The only boy she had liked in a long time and he wasn’t even available!

  “Larissa, if your customer has gone, we would like some help back here!” Marcaria called, impatience marking her tone.

  “I’m coming, Mum!” Larissa rolled her
eyes.

  * *

  The school library was quiet; the only noise was Larissa’s pencil tapping on the desk. Chantelle arrived, her bag full of assigned library books that she hadn’t read, as usual. The librarian looked their way, and then moved away with hardly a sound.

  There were no other students in the library that afternoon and Larissa was glad. She liked the tranquillity and wearily regarded those who regularly made a noise, a nuisance. She sighed.

  “Are you alright, Lar?” asked Chantelle.

  “Hmm?”

  “You are tapping your pencil like you are playing the

  drums. Thankfully, not as noisy!” Chantelle laughed at her own joke, and stopped when Larissa didn’t join in. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” Larissa pretended to concentrate on some revision.

  “It’s something about Jake, isn’t it?”

  “How did you know?” Larissa was alarmed. “Has someone said something?”

  “Oh my God, something has happened! What? Spill the beans!”

  “Okay, okay. Jake came into the shop on Saturday to buy flowers,” Larissa grumbled.

  “What’s wrong with that?”

  “It was for his girlfriend’s birthday.”

  Understanding reflected on Chantelle’s face as it dawned on her. “Ooooohhhhh!” The ‘oh’ was drawn out.

  “It doesn’t matter. It’s not like he likes me or anything. Of course he has a girlfriend, why wouldn’t he? He is good looking, right?” Larissa snapped her book shut and leaned back into her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. The librarian looked in their direction again, “Less of that, thank you.”

  “Sorry,” said Larissa.

  “Wow, you’ve got it bad,” Chantelle commented.

  Larissa shot her a dangerous look.

  “Sorry!” Chantelle put her hands up. “But look, I have an idea. Our exams finish this week, why don’t we go to that end of exams party? It’s only ten miles away and we can get a lift from someone I know.”

  “Chantelle, we are fifteen. That party is for sixth formers who are seventeen and eighteen. They won’t allow us in.”

  “Hardly, Lar! You look at least seventeen and I, probably eighteen. No one will know.”

  “Who’s this friend you are talking about?” Larissa asked suspiciously.

  “His name is Rob, and we know each other from way back. He is pretty cool,” said Chantelle. “Don’t give me that look, Lar. He is totally okay.”

  “Have you asked him already?” Larissa said.

  “Please say yes. It will be fun and it will take your mind off Jake.”

  “Like that’s possible. He shares some of my classes.”

  “Pleeeeaaasse!” Chantelle gave Larissa her ‘puppy dog eyes’ look and Larissa laughed.

  “You win, but I have to tell my Mum.”

  Chantelle whooped and hugged her best friend.

  “We’ll have so much fun!” she said. “Oh, and happy birthday!”

  Chantelle took out a birthday card and gave it to Larissa. It had flowers and dolphins drawn all over it. Larissa beamed.

  * *

  When Larissa got home, she received a pleasant and an unexpected surprise.

  “I found these on the doorstep when I came home for lunch,” Marcaria smiled.

  Larissa looked at the beautiful arrangement of flowers that she herself had made up, for Jake! She looked up in shock.

  “Is there a note?” she asked her mother as she searched inside. She pulled out a card with a message written in beautiful handwriting.

  Happy Birthday, Larissa. I hope you have a fantastic day! Jake.

  “Flowers from our flower shop!” grinned Marcaria. “Who is the admirer?”

  “Just someone.” Larissa blushed and ran to her room with the flowers.

  She couldn’t help grinning. Did this mean...no, of course not. She was only Jake’s friend, and nothing more. All the same, she couldn’t but help feel elated. She wondered if Chantelle knew? If she did, she would kill her! Larissa inhaled the lovely aroma of the flowers.

  * *

  Marcaria wasn’t convinced.

  “It’s really safe, Mum, Chantelle said so.”

  “And do you know anyone at this so called end-of-year

  party? I don’t like it, Larissa. It seems dangerous.” Marcaria took out the ironing board and put it up in front of the television. She went to get the basket of clothes and the iron. Larissa followed her.

  “It is safe, I told you. Rob is taking us in his car.” “Who is Rob?”

  “He is Chantelle’s friend, and he is old enough to keep a

  look out for us.”

  Marcaria began ironing; her face turned to the soap on the TV.

  “This party is after the exams?” she asked.

  “Yes.” Larissa kept her fingers crossed, and hoped her mother would agree.

  At first, she wasn’t so sure herself if she should go, even though she had promised she would. Then she thought, what could go wrong? She would be with Chantelle, which would be fun. These exams were taking a toll on her brain and she needed some release. She was still confused about the flowers Jake had sent her. What did he want from her? Did he want friendship or did he want to be her boyfriend? She thought she should go and ask him, straight out, but what would she say? Perhaps she should leave it for now. She was sure she would find out sooner rather than later. For now, she was going to enjoy the party, as long as her Mum agreed!

  Larissa sat on the sofa and waited for her mother’s decision whilst she pretended to watch television.

  “Okay, okay, you can go,” Marcaria finally said. “But if you need me or if anything goes wrong, anything Larissa, you call me.”

  Larissa grinned from the sofa. “Thanks Mum!”

  * *

  Larissa sat in the back of the car with Chantelle and Rob’s girlfriend. His friend, Stuart, occupied the passengers seat in the front. Larissa was pleased she had decided to wear a skirt with a sensible party top, instead of the short black Lycra dress Chantelle insisted she wear. That was until Larissa told her under no circumstances was she wearing something so skimpy! And she was glad she did, she hated the way that Stuart kept leering at her.

  Larissa looked at her watch; the party wasn’t due to start until nine, so they were making great time. The sun had disappeared and clouds loomed ahead, making the sky appear dark and menacing. Funny, there was no rain forecast today, thought Larissa, as Rob turned into a B-road with no street lamps. The road was too dark for her liking. She crossed her arms across her body, and as she did so, something caught her eye. Did she see...was that a green strobe amongst the trees? A dark shadow; was it cloaked? The car headlights flashed upon silver hair and emerald eyes. A blink and it was gone. Larissa was sure they looked directly at her.

  “Did anyone see that...person?” She wasn’t even sure it was a person, and she felt something was weird.

  “See what, Lar?” asked Chantelle.

  “Didn’t anyone see it?” asked Larissa. “I thought I saw...” What could she say? She saw something green? They’d think she was mad! “Oh, nothing.”

  Chantelle shrugged and went back to looking at her nails. Larissa settled back into her seat; her mind troubled. Rob drove faster.

  “Rob, do you mind, can you slow down?” she asked.

  Rob laughed. “Don’t worry babe, I’m a good driver.” He pressed his foot on the accelerator.

  Larissa closed her eyes and held onto the door handle for dear life. She saw Chantelle gripping the sides of her seat.

  Both girls breathed a sigh of relief when Rob slowed down, coming to a house that was set amongst trees with a very long driveway. Rob turned the ignition off and exited the car. The others followed.

  Rob’s girlfriend sauntered over to him. She seemed to have had no trouble with the deathly drive up here. Larissa assumed this was normal for her. The girl looked pretty in her six-inch heels and red, figure hugging dress, accentuating her voluptuous brea
sts. Stuart could not stop gawking; making Larissa feel sick.

  “Let’s go inside,” she said to Chantelle, grabbing her hand and pulling her behind her.

  “What was all that about?” Chantelle said, once they were inside the house.

  “That Stuart gives me the creeps.”

  “He’s okay, just a little teaser,” said Chantelle. “Humph,” was all Larissa could say.

  The place was huge. People jammed the floor and drinks were flowing. The party was well on its way. How many students were here anyway? Larissa spotted a few, who, like her, were not yet eighteen. They had gatecrashed the party, too, it seemed.

  “It’s quite normal, you know.” Stuart came to stand beside the two girls. “I’ve gate-crashed parties several times when I was your age.”

  “Lar, let’s go and dance,” Chantelle said.

  “No, I think I will stay here for a bit,” Larissa said. She was in no mood to dance, but she didn’t want to stay put if Stuart was ‘trying’ to be friendly.

  “I’ll get the drinks in,” he offered. “What can I get you ladies?”

  “I think I’ll have a Bacardi and Coke,” said Chantelle.

  “Chantelle, you can’t! You are underage!” Larissa said fiercely.

  A girl glanced at them and Larissa shuffled her friend away from earshot. She was surprised that anyone could hear in this din.

  “Relax, it’s a party, and one won’t do any harm,” Chantelle tried to persuade her reluctant friend.

  Stuart followed them. “Larissa isn’t it? What can I get you?”

  “I’ll have a Diet Coke, then,” Larissa said, but she didn’t smile. Instead, she looked away moodily.

  “Coming up!” Stuart, undeterred by her behaviour, disappeared into the crowd.

  “Oh, come on, Larissa, lighten up! You are supposed to be having fun!” Chantelle wiggled her arms like a cartoon character.

  This time Larissa laughed. Chantelle only called her by her full name at times like this – when she was being difficult

  – and the silly dance was hilarious!

  “I’m being a right mum, aren’t I?” Larissa said. Chantelle nodded.

  Larissa laughed, “Okay, let’s dance.”

  * *

  Jake watched Larissa from afar, a scowl etched on his face. He didn’t like the way that boy was talking to her, and leaning into her. He wanted to punch him! What was Larissa doing at this party anyway?