A Teenage Enchantress: Earth, Air, Fire and Water
Page 2
medication for her out-of-the-world ramblings. Besides, like anyone in their right mind would believe that I’m some kind of an enchantress now.
“I love you too baby.”
Mom leaves my room and closes the door with a warm smile.
I stand before my mirror, staring at myself. Am I really an enchantress? I tilt my head to the side, studying my face. I quickly look down at my hands and wonder if I really do have powers. I point at my half burnt candle and mutter, “Ignite…light…. flame magic….” It didn’t work. Of course it won’t. Magic doesn’t exist.
I shake my head at my foolishness and quickly get dressed for school; I brush my teeth, quickly swing my hair into a pony, and check the time one last time. 8:29am. Emma must be wondering where I am.
My phone vibrates as a text from Emma displays across my screen. I don’t bother to check the message as I grab my bag and run downstairs.
“Love you Mom!” I yell, as I rush to the door.
“You need to eat something baby,” she replies.
I quickly run to the kitchen, grab an apple, kiss my mom and head for the door. At the back of my mind, I realize that what just transpired hasn’t sunk in yet. I was an enchantress, a real enchantress, me? I couldn’t believe it. It just couldn’t be real. I’ll just reflect upon mom’s weird behavior when I’m back home from school.
“Happy birthday Arabella, my amazing best friend,” bellows Emma as I walk out to the front lawn, “Here you go!” She hands me an elegantly wrapped present.
“Oh, thank you, Emma.” I smile and quickly open it. “Oh my God, I’ve had my eyes on this!” I yell with glee. It was the new white diamond purse. In girl world, this was the ultimate must-have accessory. I give Emma a bone-crushing hug. “Thank you, I absolutely love it!”
“You’re welcome Arabella, it’s my pleasure! I’m glad you do. I know you’ve been eyeing it for a while now,” she says with a grin, obviously pleased with my reaction.
“Happy birthday Arabella!” I hear Ray, Emma’s dad, shout from their doorstep as he waves with a grin.
“Thank you Mr Ashford,” I beam, waving back at him.
As we walk to school, my mind couldn’t help but drift off, thinking about the profound moment my enchantress persona was revealed.
“Something on your mind?” asks Emma.
“Sorry, I feel tired despite going to bed early.”
“How early?” she replies.
“11pm.” I state meekly.
She laughs. “That’s not early.”
“Well, that’s early for me.” I join her laughter as we interlock our arms and make our way to school.
Emma and I walk through the halls of Edgewood High. Definitely not Hogwarts, I think, rolling my eyes at the way my mind keeps drifting off to ‘the revelation.’
We pass our friends in the hall. “Hi Emma, happy birthday Arabella.” Casey and Lyla greet with smiles.
“Thank you.” I smile back at them as we each go our separate ways to class.
“Have fun in English!” Emma says as we head off in separate directions as well.
“Everyone, take your seats now and be quiet. David, sit down!” yells Mr. Conway, his usual grumpiness radiating through the room as I step into my classroom. It was the first class for the day, English.
“Open your books to page 117,” he continues as the class settles down for his lesson, “Can anyone tell me who Arthur Conan Doyle is?” No one raises their hand. “Arabella?” he asks with a lifted eyebrow.
Of course he had to pick me. I didn’t know the answer… well, at least that’s what I thought, until the words suddenly pour out of my mouth with ease, “Arthur Conan Doyle was born on the 22nd of May, 1859. He was a novelist and a short story writer from Scotland. He had five children, and died on the 7th of July, 1930.”
I was stunned at my own response. I look around; seems I wasn’t the only one in utter shock. I briefly smile and slide down further into my chair.
“Excellent Arabella, just excellent!” It seemed like it was the first time Mr. Conway ever cracked a smile, extenuating the profound moment; I was expecting him to clap his hands with glee at any moment now. I stay quiet throughout the rest of the lessons until the bell finally rings, signaling lunch break. I was still troubled at my unexpected sprout of genius, but push it to the back of my mind.
Emma and I walk together to the cafeteria for lunch, “Did you see the new kid?” chirps Emma.
“No, what new kid?” I reply.
“His name is Riley, he’s so dreamy!” she says in a trance-like voice.
“Well then, I need to see this Riley,” I laugh, surprised at her reaction to this unknown guy.
“There, there he is.” Emma says with uncontrolled excitement, discreetly pointing him out to me.
I turn my head towards her direction as I take a bite from my sandwich. My mouth falls open, full of chewed food mind you, but that was trivial at the moment. Emma was right; he was too dreamy for words with tight jeans, a white tee, and dark hair. He walks in and it was as if everything seemed to slow down in motion. He runs his fingers through his perfect hair, flicking it away from his gorgeous hazel eyes and flashing a charming smile. I was glad I was sitting, because if I were standing, I’d be weak at the knees and would most probably topple to the floor, making a total embarrassment of myself. I quickly chew the mouthful of sandwich and gulp it down as he walks right by Emma and I, leaving a scent of delicious cologne.
Where did he come from? Look at the state of all the girls, everyone has fallen prey to him. I think in awe.
“Where did he come from?” I voice my thought aloud.
“Apparently, he transferred from New York.”
“New York? Why would anyone in their right mind want to transfer to Edgewood from New York?” I wonder.
“Who knows? But I’m certainly glad he’s here!” We both giggle as we head back to our classes.
It was finally the last class for the day, Science. “Everyone, settle down please and take a seat, we have a new student,” announces Mrs. Newton.
My heart drops. He was joining our science class! He walks in, so casual and carefree, and fixes me with a piercing look. I look around trying to escape his gaze, wondering why he was signaling me out. I feel the nerves rushing through me.
“Take a seat Riley, behind Arabella at the back.”
What, near me? No! I didn’t even know him, and already he was making me nervous. My palms start to sweat. He walks past me and I purposefully keep my head down, pretending to look through my textbook. It was the longest 45-minute class ever.
As soon as the bell rings, I jump up and leave the class immediately, rushing through the throng of bodies and racing to where I always meet Emma after school.
“Emma, Emma!” I shout, “He’s in my class!”
“Who’s in your class?”
“Riley,” I say in a high pitch. I didn’t recognize my own voice.
“Oh, I want him in my class,” she says enviously with a laugh, not realizing how serious the matter was.
“I don’t know what it is Emma, but he makes me extremely nervous.”
Emma looks past me. “Ok girl, don’t freak out, but I think he’s coming over.”
“WHAT!”
“Calm down,” she hisses.
“Excuse me.” His voice was like singing angels. What the hell is happening to me?
I take in a deep breath of fresh air and turn around with a strained smile. “Yes?” I stammer nervously, my tummy doing acrobatic somersaults.
“You’re Arabella?” he says ever so sweetly.
“Yes.” I reply.
“My name is Riley, and being that I’m new, the teacher suggested I find someone who would help show me around. I was hoping you’d like to help me?”
Me. Why on earth would he choose me? Our school has tons of much prettier girls than I; I was just your average teenage girl. Actually I take that back. I’m supposedly an enchantress. Yup, my sarcasm knows no bounds.
“It’s Arabella’s birthday today,” Emma pipes in with a smile. I give her a death stare to silence her from saying anything further.
“Happy birthday Arabella, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Riley flashes a grin and leans in to kiss my cheek. My eyes widen and I stand frozen, unable to react. He walks away as I remain a statue, my mind still trying to process what just occurred.
“Oh my God!” exclaims Emma, “The new boy likes you!” She screams with joy.
“What just happened?” I wonder dumbly.
Emma laughs and wraps her arm around mine. “C’mon Arabella, tonight’s your birthday dinner. Let’s go have some fun!”
As we walk home, my mind drifts off in thought. I could slightly hear Emma talking, but I wasn’t paying her any attention; I couldn’t help but think about this whole enchantress thing, another world – a magical one at that - and Riley.
“Hi girls.” Mom welcomes as she sets the table.
“Mom, why is the table set for five people?”
“Your grandfather will be joining us,” she gives me a warning look as she discreetly nods at Emma, a silent reminder to keep quiet about what transpired in the morning. I smile back at her, assuring her just as silently that I haven’t, and won’t, say a thing. It’s not like I believe it myself anyhow.
“Your grandfather?” asks Emma.
I shrug my shoulders, not knowing what to say since I haven’t seen my grandfather since I was about six years old. Emma was well aware of this.
“I wonder what your grandfather will have to say after all these years Arabella,” says Emma.
She’s very protective, and is