Love lines

by Nixon, Diana

  When those who were willing to congratulate my father had done this, we also came closer to him.

  “Well done, Dad!” I said, hugging him.

  “Thank you, son,” he replied.

  “I just knew that you would win,” Eileen admitted, smiling happily.

  “You knew?” asked my father in surprise.

  “We'll tell you later what happened during your test,” I said.

  Evan and the guys also congratulated him.

  My mom came last. She didn’t say anything, everything was written on her face - endless pride and love.

  That night, nothing mattered except for the joy that overfilled all of us. As I suspected, there was a surprise waiting for my father at home - dinner and a huge cake, which Amelia, of course, had baked herself. We were chatting, drinking champagne, and didn’t think about what would happen tomorrow. Everything was just the way it should be.

  Chapter 28. Eighteenth birthday (Eileen)

  Just in a few days a lot of things changed in Dever. Firstly, as it was planned long ago by Patrick, all the students were allowed to choose the list of academic disciplines. Only a few were considered mandatory. Secondly, stricter requirements were listed for those who wanted to enter the faculty of Wizardy. Patrick decided that additional measures would help to select truly best students of the other six departments. Now being a Wizardy had become even more honorable. Afternoon training was limited by three o’clock. And the remaining time students could devote to what they considered as appropriate.

  But the most important change concerned me of course. I wasn’t assigned to visit usual classes, because due to Frederick and Evan I managed to get all the necessary basic training in a single month. I was allowed to visit all the other studies on my own choice. Evan was still my personal tutor that pleased us both. I liked his lectures, and classes under his supervision never seemed to be boring or uninteresting. Frederick had also promised that he would come to Dever to give me some private lessons. He had already taught me a lot in just a few hours. Now I knew well, or at least had some idea of what to do in case of strong burst of energy, or the appearance of previously unknown talents. In order not to upset other students by my frivolous training, it was told that I would take a more complex education in accordance with a special program. My friends, of course, didn’t stop scoffing at the meaning of “special program”. Evan once said:

  “Of course, who wants to constantly run away from a crazy wizard thinking he can get all the powers of the earth? No one. That is why only Eileen could get this part of the training.”

  “No one will waste time to find the Cup of power, existing only in legends, but our Eileen needs it so much!” Amanda said smiling.

  “Nobody possesses all the elements together, so they don’t need to learn how not to go mad using so much power,” Evan said again.

  In general, after hearing all these comments, I decided that my training would never be easy and carefree. Therefore, a special program was just what I needed.

  Today it was Saturday evening and to my surprise, at just half-past nine, I was getting ready for bed. Amanda was still angry about Lucas, so she was in too. The last few days seemed to ruin their relationship even more. She had become more capricious, not even realizing why. Well, and Lucas was annoyed greatly because of her behavior, so no one managed to make peace between the two of them.

  Tomorrow it was my birthday, so I really hoped that at least that day won’t be like most of my regular days. Because usually each of them brought more and more problems, and sometimes I felt as I could no longer see the sunlight under the pile of endless difficulties. I invited all my friends to celebrate my birthday, including Anna, who had already recovered and was happy to be, finally, in her room again. I also invited Frederick, but he, unfortunately, had left and therefore wouldn’t be able to attend our small party.

  I carefully brushed my hair, and went to bed, hoping that this night I would have a good night's sleep.

  I wasn’t mistaken. I actually had a dream, a memory from my childhood. This was my eighth, judging by the number of candles on the cake, birthday. I was wearing a wonderful lacy dress. All around there were my guests, and everyone was shouting that I should probably make a wish and blow the candles. I closed my eyes, trying to focus on my wish.

  “I want to have a real dad,” I thought to myself and blew out the candles on the pink cake. The guests cheered and began to give their presents. The last one was from a stranger. I looked up and realized that in fact he was familiar to me. I knew that man, I often looked into those emerald eyes. It was Frederick…

  The next morning I was awakened by a quiet voice of Amanda, who was singing “Happy Birthday, Eileen”, squatting near my bed.

  “How beautiful!” I said when I saw my friend giving me a huge red box tied with a big white bow with red spot print.

  “I hope you will like what is inside too,” she smiled, sitting down on my bed.

  I untied the bow and opened the box, finding there another one, then one more... So in general my present was packed into six identical boxes, each of which contained a small postcard with funny wishes. The last box was the heaviest one. I opened it and stood still with delight. On a soft white cloth there were very beautiful shoes from my favorite designer that I wanted to buy for so long - pale pink, high heeled and in patent leather. I had no words to say to Amanda, how glad I was to get them.

  “You don’t have to say anything, I know - they are amazing,” she said, laughing.

  “It is not the word!” I cried. “You wouldn’t believe, but yesterday I remembered about them and thought how great they would look with my dress for the party.”

  “That's what I thought about too. Can’t you guess why I have advised you to wear that very dress?”

  “You're the best friend in the world!” truly I said, hugging Amanda.

  “All the other gifts you will get in the evening. But as mine is to be an essential part of this evening, I’ve warned everyone to be the first giving you my present. Christian was upset, but he will forgive me. So next year, I will let him be the first. Here, by the way, is another present. It was brought early in the morning. I don’t know whom it’s from; there was no note.”

  Amanda gave me a small blue box, tied with a silver ribbon. There was another smaller one inside. And a card:

  “To my beloved daughter, Eileen Lillian Clark on her eighteenth birthday,” I read aloud.

  “What?!” Amanda asked in surprise grabbing my card.

  My hands were shaking, the words stuck like a lump in my throat. I didn’t want to look at the gift in my hands, afraid to see the contents of the box. My heart was beating so fast that it seemed the sound was audible even to Amanda, who was rereading the card for the tenth time already.

  “It’s impossible,” she whispered.

  “I don’t understand anything,” I said quietly finding at last the courage to open the present. There was a medallion inside. But not just a medallion - a golden oval with a blue heart, on which it was written in gold only three letters “N”, “P”, “M”.

  “Nature, power, magic,” Amanda said remembering where we first saw a similar picture.”

  “What does this mean?” I asked stunned. “How my father, whoever he is, knows that I am here, and moreover, how he knows about Dever?”

  Amanda shrugged silently continuing to examine the locket.

  “It’s beautiful,” finally she said.

  “Yes, it is,” I agreed stroking the smooth surface of the jewelry. Despite the fact that I still was in complete shock by this gift, I couldn’t escape the feeling that I was happy to touch it. I even wanted to try it. I went to the mirror and put the medallion to my neck. Its touch felt surprisingly warm. I didn’t know why, but I compared it to the locket, which Christian once gave me. The sensations were similar. As soon as I fastened the medallion, a sense of serenity and joy appeared.

  “It's not just jewelry,” I said, looking at Amanda. “It’s
filled with magic. I know it for sure. I could recognize this effect anywhere, especially after Evan taught me how to separate the dark magic from the white one.”

  The energy of this medallion was definitely positive, clear as rock crystal. I didn’t know why I had found just such a comparison, but I didn’t want to take it off. And leaving it on my neck, I sat on the bed again and re-read the words written in the note. My friend was surprisingly calm, she didn’t say a word when I said about the presence of magic in a medallion, or about the fact that this present was from my father, if it really was his handiwork.

  “What are you thinking about?” I asked her.

  “Would you like to meet your real father?” she asked in response.

  I didn’t even have to think about the answer, it was too obvious.

  “Yes,” I said without hesitation. “As long as I remember myself, this has been my greatest wish.”

  Amanda smiled encouragingly.

  “Maybe it will finally come true. By the way, what was your dream last night about? You were smiling so happily. I was signing cards and noticed that.”

  I tried to remember my dream. Strange, I thought it was something very pleasant, but I couldn’t remember what exactly was there.

  “Honestly, I don’t remember,” I said.

  “Well, okay. And now it's time to take a shower. Breakfast will also be great,” Amanda said, jumping up from my bed and circling the room with boxes of her gift in hands.”

  “You don’t want to say that this morning I’m going to be congratulated by the entire campus, do you?”I groaned climbing into my bed and covering my head. I couldn’t stand so much attention! All I needed now was a quiet dinner with my friends, but it seemed I shouldn’t have hoped that.

  “You will find out all soon. Wake up!” Amanda commanded, pulling my blanket away.

  “Can I put your shoes on and not to do anything else with myself? They will eclipse all the attention.”

  “I’m sure Christian would like that,” Amanda said laughing.

  I looked at myself. I was wearing a short silk ivory trimmed undershirt with laces and the same shorts. Add high heels to these already seductive clothes, and Christian would definitely love it. I laughed and went, finally, to the bathroom.

  Taking a shower I decided that on this occasion a little make up won’t hurt. I rarely did it, preferring to give those extra ten minutes to the sweet sleep. Having dealt with the makeup, I put on jeans with my favorite blue tunic and went to have my great breakfast.

  As soon as I entered the dining room I heard congratulations from everywhere, even from people whose names I didn’t know. Has Amanda personally reminded everyone that it was necessary to congratulate me today? My friends were waiting for me at one of our favorite tables. There was a happy smile on everyone’s face.

  “Because you are not officially born yet, don’t wait for any congratulations,” Evan said kissing my cheek.

  “How do you know what time I was born?” I wondered.

  “Did you forget about me?” asked Amanda resentfully. Oh, right! My best friend knew all about me.

  “The announcement of today’s event is your job, right? I asked her, smiling.

  “No. It wasn’t me. Just so happened,” she said, exchanging glances with everyone present.

  “I’ve already seen those gazes before,” I said thoughtfully. “What are you up to?”

  “There’s a time for everything,” said Christian with a mysterious grin on his lips.

  Only then I really had a chance to see what was there on our table. In the middle there was a beautiful bouquet of crocus - a symbol of joy and fun. All cups were tied with pink and white ribbons whose curling ends were hanging down to the floor. Small crystal balls decorated the table-cloth, shimmering in the sunlight with a million different shades. The impression was that the table was simply moved from a fairy tale. Amanda's handiwork, no doubt.

  “It’s perfect,” I told her.

  “You're always welcome,” she said pleased with my compliment.

  “It's a pity that there is no way to give you our presents now,” Anna complained. “I can’t wait to give you mine.”

  “Neither can I,” Evan agreed. “But I won’t suggest anyone to argue with Amanda today, otherwise there won’t be a chance to give Eileen our presents at all,” he said winking at my friend.

  “That's right, Evan, keep your jokes for yourself today, or I won’t let you attend the party!” Amanda warned.

  Lucas, who was sitting next to Christian, frowned watching this nice talk. Of course, he knew that Evan behaved the same way with everyone, but his flirtation with Amanda obviously didn’t please the eye. Well, he didn’t know that only a few weeks ago my friend was ready to sell her soul to the devil for this attitude on the part of Evan. Looking now at those two, I knew that Amanda was absolutely right - they had too similar characters to be more than just friends. Being freed at last from her obsession about Evan, Amanda started to take all his jokes differently, responding in the same way. Personally, I was hoping that tonight will help her and Lucas to reestablish their relationship. They were a great couple, and watching my friend’s suffering was simply killing.

  “A penny for your thought” said Christian putting his arm around my shoulders.

  “I think it’s time for those two to come to understanding finally,” I replied, looking at Amanda and still gloomy Lucas.

  “I can’t but agree,” Christian nodded.

  “Well,” said Darcy rising, “unfortunately Amanda wasn’t able to cancel our current studies. So see you all in the evening.”

  “Even you, Eileen, can’t escape training today,” said smiling Evan. “I have prepared something special, and Christian kindly agreed to assist me.”

  “Really? I hope this won’t spoil our mood till the end of the day. There are no new surprises, aren’t there?”

  “Well, we will see,” Evan chuckled.

  Christian could barely keep a neutral expression on his face. I felt his excitement and I didn’t doubt that it would be a something good.

  “Shall we go then?” I said.

  Today, to my surprise, we were back in the very room where the magic was practiced. This time Evan didn’t turn the light on, he asked us to walk to the center of the room. I stopped in surprise when noticed that every our step was accompanied by a small spot of light, as if we were stepping on the invisible light bulbs.

  “Are you doing this?” I asked Evan.

  He didn’t answer, but said with a nod to go further. So we did, reaching the middle and stopped.

  “And now, Christian, do what I asked you,” said Evan.

  Christian took a few steps away and lit a small fireball in his hands. Then he threw it on the floor and many smaller balls scattered around it. Evan raised his hand palm up and all the balls turned into high strips of real fire.

  “It's your turn, Eileen,” he said looking at me. “Try to do something yourself.”

  “But I don’t know how!” I was all in a tangle.

  “You know everything, just listen to yourself, feel it,” encouraged Evan.

  I tried to relax and focus on my feelings. The flow of new, unfamiliar energy trembled in my hands and just like Evan, I turned them up imagining the band of fire turning into a flame. Opening my eyes, I saw the three of us standing in the center of the flame, but there was no heat, or even smell of smoke.

  “How did that happen?” I asked moon-eyed.

  Evan dropped his hands and Christians did the same thing gathering all the balls in one and making it disappear.

  “Christian used the power of fire, I used the power of magic to turn a real fire into the illusion, and you did the same thing,” explained Evan.

  “It can’t be true! Can I already use magic?”

  “Yes, and tomorrow you'll be able to possess it in a full force,” said Christian, nodding.

  “Using your ability to control the power of fire, you can create not only the flame but it
s illusion as well - without smoke and heat. Depending on what you need, you can use this or that talent.”

  “Can I create anything else?” I asked excitedly.

  “You are not officially eighteen yet, so you can do magic just with the help of the elements, because the elements, in contrast to the magic, is what you already possess. As I have just said, everything else you'll be able to show us tomorrow,” said Evan.

  “How do you feel now?” asked Christian.

  “Just great!” I said, still unable to believe that very soon I would be able to posses magic.

  “It looks like she liked it,” laughing pointed Evan.

  “I can see that too,” Christian agreed, sharing my joy. “Just be careful with that,” he added.

  “Did Frederick tell you how to cope with too much energy?” Evan asked.

  “Yes. Unfortunately, he can’t attend the party. But he promised to come to Dever later,” I said.

  “Where did you get this medallion?” Evan suddenly asked referring to the jewelry on my neck.

  I had forgotten about the mysterious gift received in the morning.

  “It's... to be honest, some complicated story. It was brought in the morning and in the attached note it was written that it was from my father. Although how he knows where to find me, I still can’t understand,” I said touching the smooth surface of the medallion.

  Evan and Christian looked at each other.

  “A beautiful gift,” in a strange voice said Evan.

  “Look, for all my eighteen years I have never heard about my father. I didn’t know who he was and why he left us when I wasn’t even born yet. Now, someone gives me a symbol of Dever, and as if nothing has happened, says that he is my father! What do you think am I supposed to do now?” I flared up.

  Until that moment I didn’t know that the morning event caused so much conflicting emotions inside of me, and only now, having said all that aloud, I realized how I really wanted to know who sent me that present. Christian put his arm around my shoulders.