Borderline Magic

Part I

By: Meaghan Evans

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Watch out, she’s about to spell you
Or help you save magic?

How did I ever get myself mixed up with these people?
Fortunately for me, Macey is trying to change her spots. She’s still into what she calls petty crime, but she’s also trying to be top dog at school. She knows for a fact that she should call off this stupid lift and stop trying to manipulate me.
Since Macey’s listening, and that’s when I decide to tell her. “I’m done being manipulated. If you decide to actually become what you say you want to, then let me know. Until then, don’t call me or send your minions after me.”
I’m really taking a chance now. Everyone’s making more catcalls and threats.
“I’ve got school work. I’m outta here. Bye.” I wave to my oldest friends in the world, the only friends I really have.
Had. I can’t believe I’m actually walking away from Aletta and Emma, by besties since forever, but I am.
I walk briskly to my car, listening for footsteps behind me, but they don’t come. Nobody followed me out. They’re all still with Macey because I’m just not that important. I can’t help but wonder what kind of hold she has over them. Is it magical?

. . .
"They aren’t metaphors. Bunny is definitely not a big bunny rabbit walking on all fours,” Erin says with a guffaw, not to mention acting like she’s schooling a total idiot. “Everyone you saw in your dream is a person, though we’re never certain about Aardvark. Me and my father have no idea what all this is.”
Her mind floats away on that thought for a second, but she pulls herself back quickly, unlike her father. Once he’s left the room for his mind, he’s gone.
Erin states huffily, “Bunny is Fae, which means she comes from old time fairy stock. If you saw her as a Bunny in your dream, then you saw her in her cos outfit.”
“Wait,” I gesture. “Are you telling me that after haranguing me for five minutes about my lack of intuition and creativity, that Bunny does sometimes wear a bunny outfit?”
“Oh sure.” She waves this off as normal. “It’s her cos play costume of choice. Anyone would understand that from the name she chose.”
Apparently, I’m not ‘anyone,’ and I didn’t enjoy hearing it from Erin. She can be exasperating. She doesn’t talk in normal language.
Is it her, or is it me? Have I or have I not been living in a world all of my life up until now where most of that world does not believe such creatures are real? Or have I been the one living in an alternate reality where everything must be proven?
I thought I was doing good to just accept that she believed in these creatures and had been trying to relate to what she sees on a metaphorical level. Now, apparently, I’m an idiot who has no vision or foresight. Or whatever it takes to actually see these creatures. In Erin’s mind, being a witch I should be able to see them the way she does.

. . .
I stare down at his hand rubbing mine warm. He doesn’t let go of it even after it’s warm but holds it while we finish off our meals. Suddenly, I can’t take another bite. I’ve never understood why girls said that before today.
His hand holding mine feels . . . nice. I like the way he’s looking at me, kind of like he did back then, only . . . older. My heart’s fluttery, and those eyes. They bore into mine with a question. He still likes me that way, like a boyfriend? Since the fourth grade?
This is shocking after everything that’s happened to me this year. It hasn’t even been two months of school yet and my entire world has . . . turned into a whole new world.
“What are we doing?” I ask, finally. I’m distrusting this. My feelings. His feelings. My hand is getting itchy to move out of his and back into my space.
“You don’t like it when I hold your hand?” he asks, giving it a squeeze.
He knows the answer. I feel like running from this.