Fall Into Magic- A Novella

by Melissa Baldwin

  I stand in front of the full-length mirror looking at this hideous costume. I guess I can’t blame Jake for wanting to wear a T-shirt last year because that actually sounds awesome right now.

  I hear a knocking at my door, and I make a face in the mirror. I really don’t want to answer the door looking like this, much less go out in public. When I answer the door, I find Mrs. Rothera dressed in her psychic costume . . . or is it a uniform? Maybe psychics have to wear a uniform, too.

  “That’s a very nice costume,” she says kindly.

  I frown. “Thanks for being nice but you can admit it’s awful.”

  She smiles. “I’m on my way to meet your friend Angie. I just wanted to check on you.”

  Why does she keep checking on me? I’m starting to get a complex that something is always going wrong.

  “Everything is great. It’s Halloween,” I insist.

  She nods slowly. “All Hallows’ Eve—the most mysterious night of the year. A lot can happen tonight.” I stop fidgeting with my costume. “Is that your way of telling me to expect something to happen tonight?”

  She looks around my apartment. I wonder if she’s looking for something. “Let’s just say I have a strong feeling that tonight is going to be very eventful,” she says softly.

  Crap. Nothing like freaking me out before the evening even starts. “Eventful as in good or eventful as in bad?” I ask.

  She gives me a weak smile. “I’m not exactly sure. Everything is kind of blurry.”

  Blurry? This is just great, Angie hired a psychic who can’t see anything.

  “Why is it blurry? Are you saying you can’t see anything?”

  She places her hand on my arm. “I didn’t say that. I see a lot of things, but for some reason, this isn’t clear.” She’s waving her hand around me. “I need to go get set up. I’m glad everything is okay here.” She walks toward the door and I follow her.

  Well, it was okay before she came and made me worry. Figures. She drops a hint like that and then has to leave. “I guess I will see you later,” I say.

  She nods. “Yes.”

  After she leaves, I’m really nervous. I wish I knew what to expect tonight. I run through every possible scenario in my head. Maybe it has something to do with me and Alexander or maybe me and Melanie. What if something happens to Alexander’s house? Angie did say that she was expecting a hundred people. I suddenly feel sick to my stomach. I’m not sure if it’s nerves or that I’m overheated under this disgusting polyester dress and headpiece. I try to calm myself down, so I take off my costume and hang it in the garment bag. I will just change when I get over there so I don’t have to drive in the stupid thing. I load up my car and make my way to Alexander’s. I guess it wouldn’t be Halloween without some excitement.

  ~*~*~

  “Why aren’t you dressed?” Angie yells as soon as she sees me. Of course she looks great in her costume. I really should have paid more attention to the costume selection. I was too distracted with that stupid Jake.

  “Relax,” I say, holding up the garment bag. “I was about to pass out in the thing, so I figured I would change here.” Angie scowls and walks off in a huff. I can’t believe she’s mad at me about this, although, maybe that’s what Mrs. Rothera was referring to. Maybe this is part of the eventful evening she couldn’t see.

  In order to put off changing into my costume, I decide to wander around and check on the party; after all, I am supposed to be helping. The house looks fantastic, and I’m not just talking about my decorating. The fall/Halloween décor makes it look and feel so festive. In the kitchen, there are trays of catered food everywhere and it all smells divine. I recognize Angie’s cousin, Vinny (a bartender) and her boyfriend Brett setting up a full bar in the corner of Alexander’s game room. Vinny is dressed as a prisoner and Brett is dressed (or sort of dressed) as a Chippendales dancer. My eyes grow wide and I quickly cover my mouth to hide my shock. He looks as scary as ever.

  When I walk past the French doors that lead out to the lanai, I notice a tent set up with a sign that says, “Psychic Readings.” I have to admit it does give a fun Halloween-like feel to the party despite the butterflies I feel in my stomach.

  “Summer, I promise I’m not mad at you but please go get dressed before the guests start to arrive,” Angie says, interrupting my thought. She has her hands in prayer position.

  “Fine,” I say, rolling my eyes. “By the way, have you seen Alexander?”

  Her exasperated look turns into a wicked smile. “Oh yeah, and he looks good.”

  “Shhh,” I shriek, pulling her outside on the lanai. “Don’t forget a lot of his friends will be here, so please don’t say anything to embarrass me.” She looks shocked that I’d ever suggest such a thing. “Oh, come on, don’t act like it’s not a possibility. Anyway, do you know where he is?”

  She shrugs. “I’m not sure, but he was asking about you,” she says in a singsong voice. I can feel myself start to blush as she continues talking. “That doesn’t matter now, you can chase after him later—go get changed,” she says as she starts to drag me back into the house. Just then, Mrs. Rothera pops out of her tent, startling me.

  “Oh, you scared me,” I exclaim.

  “Sorry,” she says as she fixes her sign. Angie heads inside but not before giving me a stern look. She’s acting like my mom.

  I stand awkwardly with Mrs. Rothera. “I met your friend Alexander a little while ago. He’s very handsome.”

  I’m not sure if she’s telling me this to make conversation or if there is another reason. I’ve realized I’ve become extremely paranoid over everything she says.

  “Yes,” I agree. “Well, I suppose I need to get changed before Angie has a meltdown. Um, good luck tonight,” I say. I don’t know if that’s the appropriate thing to say to a psychic. It’s kind of like telling her not to screw up anyone’s idea of his or her future. I walk inside and pick up my costume from the bench I dropped it on and head to the guest room to change. Alexander’s office just happens to be on the way, and sure enough, he’s sitting at his desk with his hair slicked back, wearing a black leather jacket. I should have known he would dress as a T-Bird. I sigh. I should have gone with Angie’s first suggestion and worn a Pink Ladies costume.

  “Nice costume,” I say playfully. He looks up from his laptop and smiles. “Hi. And thank you.” He pauses, eyeing me curiously. “And where is your costume? I thought Halloween was your day.”

  I hold up the garment bag. “It’s in here and it’s absolutely horrible. I look like a nun, and the headpiece is so tight around my face I feel like it cuts off my circulation.”

  He laughs. “I’m sure you look very cute.”

  I roll my eyes. “Don’t hold your breath.”

  He stands up and walks around to the front of his desk to where I’m standing. He puts his arms around my waist and pulls me close to him. I admit I’m taken aback a little. I can smell the leather of his jacket.

  “I think you’re gorgeous,” he says softly. “And I’m sure you look great even in a horrible nun costume.”

  He pulls me even closer and clasps his hands together behind my back.

  “Well, it’s actually the Evil Queen from Snow White,” I whisper.

  He doesn’t say another word as he leans in and kisses me. This kiss is more intense than last week when we were sitting on the stairs. In between kisses, I drag my lips away from his. “The party will be starting soon.”

  “Mmmhmm,” he mumbles.

  I pull away again. “You have to promise me you won’t avoid me like the plague when you see me in my costume.”

  He laughs. “I promise.”

  I sigh. “Okay, here I go. I’ll see you out there,” I say, giving him one more kiss. I pick up my costume from where I dropped it.

  “Can’t wait,” he exclaims.

  As soon as I turn the corner out of his office (and out of his sight), I jump up and down excitedly. If the last few minutes are any indication of what Mrs. Rothera wa
s thinking would happen, then it’s going to be an awesome evening.

  Chapter Nine

  “It doesn’t look that bad,” Gina says. She has to be the worst liar on the planet. And it’s easy for her to say being that she’s dressed in lingerie. She says she’s dressed as a sexy cat but really it’s just lingerie and a pair of cat ears.

  “Thanks, but you’re lying,” I reply, taking a long sip of my wine. I’m going to need a lot of wine tonight to hide my embarrassment. I’ve been looking around for Alexander but I haven’t been able to talk to him since our little make out session in his office.

  The party is a huge success so far, and there is a line outside Mrs. Rothera’s tent. I guess I’m the only one who’s a chicken when it comes to knowing what my future holds.

  “Where is he?” Gina asks, looking around. I know she’s referring to Alexander.

  “He’s around here somewhere. I just, um . . . saw him in his office.” I can feel myself blushing. Of course it could be that it’s about one hundred degrees under this costume. “He may be hiding from me after having seen me in this.”

  All of a sudden I notice Angie rushing toward us, and she looks worried.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask.

  She fans herself with her hands. “So, do you remember when we went to lunch with Alexander and we ran into Jake?”

  My heart sinks. “Yeah.”

  She cringes. “And do you remember when Alexander invited Jake to come tonight?”

  “Yeah. Don’t tell me . . .”

  She nods. “Yep, Jake’s here. He actually showed his face here. I was so shocked to see him that I didn’t even say anything. I just came to find you.”

  “Are you serious?” Gina chimes in. “I told you I should have made that call.”

  I can’t even think straight. “She was right,” I say.

  Gina and Angie look confused. “Mrs. Rothera. She told me tonight was going to be eventful. Now my ex-boyfriend and my . . . um, and Alexander are both here.”

  Just then, Jake walks into the kitchen and looks right at me. He’s actually wearing a costume; he never wanted to dress up while we were together. I’m not going to lie—my heart rate speeds up when I see him. I know I shouldn’t be surprised. I was in love with Jake and those feelings don’t just go away overnight, even after he explained why he broke up with me.

  “Who do you think you are showing up here?” Gina shouts across the room. The other guests who are milling around turn to look at her.

  “Gina, stop,” Angie demands.

  Jake calmly walks toward us. “Not that it’s any of your business, Gina, but I was invited.” I’m completely silent.

  “Yeah, well, Alexander didn’t know who you were when he invited you,” Angie says, raising her voice.

  “Okay, guys, I will handle this,” I interrupt before a brawl breaks out and before Gina makes a phone call. “Jake, let’s go outside and talk,” I say, walking toward the front door. He follows me outside.

  “Look, Summer, I know this might have been a mistake, but I needed to see you,” he pleads. I stand with my arms tightly folded over my chest. Again, I’m wishing I wasn’t wearing this stupid costume.

  “I wish you wouldn’t have come,” I say softly. “I met someone else Jake and I really like him.”

  His face falls. “So, you’re saying you don’t have any feelings for me anymore?”

  I bite my bottom lip. What am I supposed to say? Of course I have feelings for you but you broke my heart.

  “I don’t know,” I say calmly. “But, I do know that I like spending time with Alexander.”

  He nods. “Okay, I understand but just think about it, okay? I know I messed up but I’m not ready to give us up yet.” He leans over and kisses me gently on the cheek. I close my eyes as the familiar scent of his cologne floods back and so do the memories.

  “You were very ready to give us up this summer,” I snap.

  He hangs his head. “I explained that to you already.”

  I look away. “Just go, Jake.”

  He doesn’t argue, and without another word, he walks away leaving me standing in the middle of Alexander’s pristine manicured lawn. I touch the tips of my fingers to my cheek where he kissed me. I want to cry because I’m so confused. I meant what I said about Alexander, I really like him—a lot. I guess this proves that I should have gone with my gut and never gotten involved with him. I don’t know if I’m ready yet.

  Suddenly, a light bulb goes on in my head and I know what I need to do. I head back into the house and make my way toward Mrs. Rothera’s tent. As I walk through the living room, Melanie jumps in front of me. She’s dressed as Wonder Woman. “Having fun, Summer? Nice costume by the way.” She gives me a wicked smile.

  I groan. “Thanks. And, yes, I’m having a good time, but if you’ll excuse me, I have to do something.”

  She ignores me. “It’s a great party, kudos to your friend Angie. Too bad you’ve been too preoccupied to enjoy it.”

  I feel sick to my stomach. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  She cocks her head to the side. “Oh, sure you do.” Crap! She must have seen me talking to Jake. Was she watching me the entire time?

  “I don’t have to explain anything to you because it’s none of your business,” I say as I start to walk away. She grabs my elbow. I look down at her hand and yank my elbow away from her grasp.

  “That’s where you’re wrong. It is my job to look out for Alexander’s best interest, and it’s very clear that you’re playing him.”

  We’re standing in the middle of the room ready to face off when I notice Alexander and Angie watching us. My eyes meet Alexander’s and I can tell he’s not happy. I decide to be the better person and not respond to Melanie’s accusation. Angie quickly walks toward us and asks to speak to me in private.

  “What has gotten in to you tonight?” she demands. “First you disappear with Jake and now you’re arguing with Alexander’s assistant. Did Jake leave or do I need to have him escorted out?”

  I don’t want to explain anything to Angie. I want to talk to Mrs. Rothera and try to figure out what’s going on in my head.

  “He’s gone,” I say softly.

  She gets a big smile on her face. “Good for you. I was hoping you would tell him to get lost. I still can’t believe he showed up.”

  I look down and remember I’m still in this horrible costume. Maybe I should just change, because I’m not enjoying this party at all.

  “Ang, I need to take care of something,” I say, ignoring her comments about Jake.

  Thankfully she doesn’t question me. I rush out to Mrs. Rothera’s tent, and she emerges from her tent as soon as I approach.

  “I’m ready to talk,” I say boldly. She nods and holds the side of the tent open. It almost seems as if she knew I was coming. When I sit down on the stool inside, I look around. I notice a few books and crystals on the table. She sits down across from me.

  “I just wanted to say I’m sorry,” I say immediately. “I shouldn’t have been so cold toward you. I was just surprised about all of this,” I say, waving my arms.

  She shrugs. “I know. It can be overwhelming, and I was pressuring you to get a reading because I wanted to help you. After you returned from your vacation, I could feel the pain you were going through. Your aura is strong and you usually give off a very positive vibe. But when you came home, you were dark and distant . . . that is until you became involved with this man.” She points toward the house. I know she’s talking about Alexander.