When Magic Flows

SYBIL'S CONFESSION

I woke up the next morning happy that all the pressure was over, and since we have the Yule ball coming ahead, the elders decided that our training would begin after the ball. This was the perfect excuse to have a girl’s day with my best friend. So, I decide to retribute her wake up from yesterday and ran as fast as I could to her house. Lucky me, it was close to mine. The day was cold but clear. No snow forecast, which was good. Our strapless gowns and exposed shoulders appreciate this weather change. 

Since I was like family, Sybil’s mom, Camille let me in when she saw me going down the hill. She welcomed me with a hot coffee mug and a warm smile that was her signature. She treats me like her own and knew me so well that she knew that I was up to something. 

“Allie, babe. What are you going to do with my poor little girl? She looks so peaceful sleeping. It would be a shame if someone wakes her up so suddenly.” She told me that, but she did not mean it. Her expression was saying to me 'Do you want some help?'

I laughed quietly as I approached Sybil’s bedroom door, open it, put the coffee mug on a nightstand, and prepared to jump on her bed screaming “Wakey, wakey, eggs, and bakey!”. But then Sybil opened her eyes and instinctively gave me some space when I was landing on her bed, otherwise I would have jumped right on her legs

“Ouch! Careful there, killer! I bet it is not even a decent hour yet” she told me. She was like me, not a morning person. And then she tried to turn to the other side and continue sleeping, but how could I let her fall asleep again? This day was for us to be pampered and have fun getting ready for the Yule Ball!

“No way, sleepyhead! I want to have fun and hear all the gossip that I have been missing lately!”

“I don’t know what happened to you today, but I’m definitely not ready for all this excitement yet. Maybe if you give me half an hour…”

“I said no! Get yourself out of this bed and take a shower to help you wake up. We’re heading home. Come on, Sy! It’s girl’s time!” I told her and left her room adding: “No excuses, now! Time to get up! I’ll be here waiting with your mom and the longer you take, the more embarrassing stories about you she will be able to tell me!”

She started to reply: “Urgh! You’re so…” but I have left her room and closed the door behind me. 

Half an hour later Sybil appeared in the kitchen awake but she did not look happy. She needed food and she needed it now, otherwise her bad mood would spoil our day. When she sat at the table her mom saw her face and gave her some breakfast. As her mom and I chattered a bit and she started eating, Sybil started to look more like herself.

After breakfast, we left her house to get a car and go to the dress shop. We turned on the radio at maximum volume and started to sing at the top of our lungs. It has been a while since we had a time like this to spend together.

“So, tell me A. What is happening in your life lately? It seems like it’s been ages since the last time we talked.” She told me when we arrived at the dress shop.

“Well, everything is a little bit confusing now, Sy. I mean, I was raised knowing that this day would come, but now is real. Like, really real!” I told her, confessing my deepest fears. I knew that she would understand me, and this would be a judgment-free zone. 

“I think I can relate to this, A. Until last night I was just a normal little witch from our coven and now I am… Now I am…”

“A lieutenant.” I finished her sentence. She looked once again stunned. “Oh, Sy, get over it! One day you’ll have to get used to it. After all, this will be our time to rule for at least the next eighteen years.”

“You’re right. I should be braver. It’s just that with all that is happening in my life I am worried that I cannot reconcile my personal life with my duty.”

“What is happening in your personal life that you are not telling me?” I asked her. I have to say that I was beyond curious, but right at that moment the stylist came with our dresses for the last proof and we were occupied by then.

An hour later we left the shop with our dresses packed in luxury boxes. I was so excited about the ball. I felt beautiful in my dress. Tonight would be awesome. 

We are authorized to attend to the Yule ball when we complete 16 years, so I have been there twice, but tonight would be different. Because tonight I would attend as the next coven leader, an apprentice. I would not be presented as I was yesterday, which was a relief, but I would have a better place at the dinner table. It was as if I was allowed to be at the adult’s table for the first time in my life. 

It was not mandatory to have a date for the ball, but it was also an opportunity to try and find my life partner. Witches and warlocks are destined by the universe to their partners and in my case, it would be vital to find mine, because mine would help me lead the coven. So, it was always a good opportunity to find someone special, right?

Back at home, we went to my bedroom because we agreed to dress up together. Then I remembered that Sybil was about to tell me what was going on in her personal life and I brought up the subject again: “So, Sy, what were you going to tell me back at the shop? What is going on in your personal life? Spill!”

She did not hesitate this time. Maybe she was dying to tell me what was tormenting her. 

“Well, you know that we will finish high school in a few months, right?”

“Yeah, and then we will be free at least. How could I forget?” I told her

“Well I met a guy and he is human.”

“But are we not all humans, Sy?”

“No, A. I don’t mean it. You know that our coven is not that numerous to have it’s own school, so we attend to a regular one, right? Almost no one knows that the school accepts humans and other supernatural creatures, right?”

“What are you trying to tell me, Sy?” Now I was getting suspicious. 

“I met this guy back at school and last semester we got closer. But he is only human, A. And now I don’t know if he will accept me as I am, I don’t know if my family will accept him. If I were a regular witch of the coven it would be okay, but now I can’t be considered a low-profile person anymore.” She confessed to me.

“OMG, Sy. This is really a lot to take. How are you dealing with all that?” I asked her.

“So far, I kept it quiet and haven’t told anyone but you, A. So, please, don’t tell anybody” she pleaded. 

“Don’t worry, girl. Your secret is safe with me. Now let’s get started this preparation, otherwise we will never be ready for the Yule Ball.”

With that, the conversation dissipated and we started the makeup and hair session.