The Bewitched

Episode 5: Something Right

    When Alexa finally got over the awe she felt looking at the amazing plant standing before her, she turned to look at her new friends.  They all shot beaming smiles at her before Teal and Camilla took off running.  Across the grass they went, laughing playfully all the way.  Alexa even swore that Teal turned around to wink at her, but it happened so fast that she couldn't quite be sure.  Sorin followed behind.  He seemed to be taking his time, even bending down at one point to brush some of the dewy grass against his palm.  It was interesting to Alexa to see him in what must be like a childlike state.  While the other two were giddy and carefree, Sorin's childlike state was a respectful wonder.

    While she was in a bit of a daze from the awe she felt over this place, it wasn't too long before Alexa noticed that everyone else had gotten pretty far away.  Stepping forward onto the grass of the clearing, she felt Elonwyn's hand tighten it's grip on hers.

    "Wait."  Elonwyn hadn't said it harshly at all, but Alexa quickly paused and faced her.

    "Before we go," she said, "I wanted to say something."

    Alexa found herself holding her breath.  Something about the tone of her voice snapped her to attention and she looked directly into Elonwyn's eyes.  They were golden in the glow given off by the trees.  It felt a little bit like she could see an aura around her that she hadn't noticed before.  Their hands were still tightly bound, but she felt the grip ease a little when she had successfully shifted all of her attention.  Alexa was tempted to rub her thumb on the back of her hand for comfort.  She bit her lip instead, opting for something less intimate.  Elonwyn took a deep breath.

    "Maybe before this, you did not feel like you had something to offer the world.  But Alexa, you are capable of great things.  I know you have noticed me following you, and in that time I have seen who you really are.  You have a kind heart.  You have passion and intelligence.  Your family and your past, they only matter as much as you want them to here.  Do not underestimate yourself.  It feels a little silly to say it out loud, but I revealed myself to you because I know you have it in you to be something amazing."

    She still felt it was a little bit creepy that Elonwyn had been watching her for so long, but Alexa did feel comforted knowing that someone saw the effort she had put into so many things.  It was something she had felt no one had ever noticed.  Her worlds made her feel seen in a way she hadn't ever been seen before.  It was freeing and for the first time since yesterday she found herself feeling at ease.

    "Thank you, really," Alexa said, "it means so much to me that you would be willing to tell me that.  Hopefully, I don't let you down."

    In that moment, the hand that was holding Elonwyn's started to feel very warm.  When she looked down, there was visible light shining out from between the spaces of their fingers.  It wasn't incredibly bright but it was noticeable even with the lit trees behind them.  Curious, the both of them let go.  A small ball of light, no where near as large as the one Elonwyn had conjured before but definitely a light emitting sphere, floated in the palm of Alexa's hand.  She stared at it in amazement.  

    Am I... is this something I am doing?  What... how...?

    Inspired by the feeling that this moment gave her, Alexa closed her eyes and recalled the few times in her life where she felt like she did right now.  Once her teacher had told her that she showed a lot of promise, and encouraged her to enter an art contest where she won.  Once she had made a girl in her class a stuffed panda bear because she noticed her always sitting alone, and she smiled for the first time Alexa had ever seen.  Once she nursed a baby bunny back to health after the neighbor's dog had gotten to it, and she got to watch it hop away back into the woods.

    When she opened her eyes again, the ball had grown.  It was warm, but not hot, in her hands and matched the glow of the forest.  She turned her hand over and under it, allowing it to flow freely between her two hands and gaped at them in wonder.

    "That's exactly what I mean," Elonwyn said smiling.  "You can do this."

    After another moment the orb disappeared, but the warmth that Alexa was feeling did not.  Something felt incredibly right about her presence here.  It almost seemed like a dream, but she knew it was real.  She boldly look Elonwyn's hand again, and pulled the two of them out into the clearing.  They tripped, tumbled, and dashed through the grass laughing.  Not far from the tree, they both rolled onto the ground.  The two of them glanced at each other through the blades of green, suddenly realizing how close they were.  

        Their laughter slowed to quick wispy breaths.  Alexa could feel the heat of Elonwyn's body, just inches away from her own.  It was as though the heat was pulling her over, calling for her to touch her smooth skin.  Before she could convince herself to move, Elonwyn's fingers gently caressed her face guiding her to look up as they ran under her chin.  Her eyes passed over her soft pink lips, and her breath caught in her throat.  Her heart beat began to quicken, as she stared back into golden eyes.  Her own lips quivered and a new heat rose suddenly in her chest.  She moved closer, their noses touching, and closed her eyes...