THE WITCH NEXT DOOR

A DAY BEFORE

Steven " I am sorry Elena for what Ava said . "

Elena " No don't be sorry , it was not your fault . I know she hates me . "

Steven " No she does not . "

Elena " Yes she does just like others . I know everyone in the school thinks that I am a freak . "

Steven " Who said you that ? "

Elena " No one has to , it is clear . "

Steven " You are a loner . You like to spend your time alone . "

Elena " No one likes to be alone . It's just that I am scared of being rejected because I am not like you all . "

Steven " What do you mean you are not one of us ? "

Elena " Long story , you tell me what did you thought of me when you first saw me . "

Steven " Ok , I will tell you but on one condition . "

Elena " What condition ? "

Steven " You will not think that I was desperate or you won't think that I am weird . "

Elena " No I won' t , why will I think that . "

Steven " I saw the possibility of us . "

Elena " ' Us ' , like you and me . "

Steven " Yes I saw the possibility of you and me . And you didn't knew it of course . But not to me and you seemed content to disappear . I saw you getting lost in

the crowd after your brother died . People showed concern at first but gradually they forgot about you . I always waited for the perfect moment to talk to you

but that moment never came . I watched you sitting alone . I saw you spending all your time with books . I wanted to come to you but I didn't wanted you to think that I am a

creep . "

Elena " You had a crush on me . "

Steven " We can say that . "

Elena " You still have a crush on me . "

Steven " You find comfort in the books . "

Elena " That's not the answer to my question but yes I find comfort in the books . They help you to create a fantasy world . "

Steven " A fantasy world to escape reality . "

Elena " No , we don't create a fantasy world to escape reality . We create a fantasy world to be able to stay . "

Steven " That's dreamy . "

Elena " That's daring . So what have you decided about Ava . "

Steven " I don't know , I don't want to break her heart . Relationships are complicated . "

Elena " I know "

Steven " Have you ever been in a relationship ? "

Elena " Why do you sound so surprise ? "

Steven " No , no , not really . I just didn't knew . "

Elena " It was not really a relationship . It was a mistake and I regret it . "

Steven " What happened ? "

Elena " Last year . . . . . . . . . . . "

( 2018 )

Last summer after I lost my only family my brother , I went to stay at my uncle's place who lives in the neighboring town . I came back to Wingston just a day

before the school was opening . I was totally unprepared . I didn't wanted to go back to that school because everything reminded me of my brother . But then

I met a guy at a coffee shop , James and I got a crush on him . Actually he was the reason why I went to school the other day . I know it will sound silly but I woke

up early just to find a perfect outfit for me and to do my hair and makeup . I wanted to look perfect , I wanted James to observe me . My friend Kevin came to

pick me at 8 ,

Kevin ( blows the horn ) " Elena come fast or we will get late . "

Elena " I am here, I am sorry , I could not find my shoes ."

Kevin " Wow ! you look gorgeous . "

Elena " Do I , Are you sure . I mean the make - up don't it look over . "

Kevin " No everything just looks perfect . In fact the blue color suits you . "

Elena " Thank you , shall we go . "

Kevin " Yup , you look happy . "

Elena " I am happy , I feel like today is a new start of my life . I could change my identity of a freak . "

Kevin " That's good , you know what smile suits you more than this blue colored outfit " ( both chuckles )

Elena " What about your boy friend . "

Kevin " We got into a fight but now we are good . "

Elena " That's good , that's good . "

Kevin " So this is Wingston , i promise that I will give you a tour afterwards "

Elena " I know the school I have not come here for the first time . "

Kevin " Oh ! yes I forgot , right now I am getting late for my French class , will you be able to manage yourself . "

Elena " yes , absolutely don't worry rush to the class . "

Kevin went to his French class , I thought that I will be able to manage everything by myself but I got lost . The building looked change . Don't laugh I know it's

silly that I got lost in my own school . So I asked the first person I saw and guess what that was James . He looked so hot in his black jacket .

Elena " Hi James , do you know the way to the history class . "

James " I saw you some where didn't I ? "

Elena " Yes, yesterday outside the coffee shop . Are you new here ? "

James " Not exactly , I was in this school then I took the transfer but now I am back . Are you in this school ? "

Elena " Yes ! "

James " Strange I don't remember seeing you at Bryan's ' Before school ' party , yesterday . "

Elena " No I was not there . I am not a party person . "

James " Aren't you , but when I will have my birthday party you will have to come . "

Elena " Ok but why do you want to invite me . "

James " I want the most beautiful girl at my party . Can you tell me your name again ? "

Elena " I am Elena . "

James " I like your name , Elena . It sounds so sweet , now I will never forget it . "

Elena " Thanks , can you please tell me the way to the history class . "

James " I am going to the same class come I will take you . "

He put his hands around my shoulders .

Luke " Hey James ! What are you doing with this freak . "

James " Firstly she is not a freak , I am taking her to the history class, So Elena here we are . "

He was sitting right in front of me in the next row . I was not able to concentrate in class , I just stared at him . One or twice he caught me staring at him and gave

me a smile . I got nervous and I tried to move my eyes away from him but they refused to listen to me . Kev told me that auditions for the college band were

going on and I happened to be a good singer so I thought that lets give it a try. Someone told me that the auditions were going in the music room , I went

there but no one was there , so I moved in and suddenly I heard someone's voice behind me,

James " Are you stalking me ? "

Elena " No I am not stalking you , i am just here to give audition for the college band . "

James came close to me " Don't lie to me , you were staring at me in the history class the whole time , I saw you . "

Elena " I am just here to give the audition for the music for the music band but it doesn't look like any audition are going on here . "

James " The music teacher got ill , so the auditions are cancelled . I am sorry about your brother . "

Elena " It's Ok . I am tired of everyone being sorry for me . "

James " How are you holding up ? "

Elena " It's difficult but I don't have any other option . "

James " It must be hard to loose someone you love . "

Elena " It is . "

James " You know I pray to God everyday to keep my loved ones safe because I won't be able to handle the grief . "

Elena " I think I shall leave ."

James " Do you really want to go cause I don't want you to go . "

Elena " What do you mean ? "

James grabbed my waist and pushed me against the wall . My veins throbs and my heart exploded. He inclined his face toward me and laid his mouth close to

mine mouth . My chest pressed against his and he rubbed his nose against mine. He whispered in my ears " I never believed in love at first sight but now I think I

will have to change my opinion . "

He moved his hands through my body then he whispered again " I think I am falling in love with you " . I remained quiet I didn't knew what to say .

He bent down and kissed me softly at first, and then with more passion . He touched my lips gently with his lips , sending wild tremors along my nerves . Every inch of my

body dissolved into his . His finger gripped my hair and pulled me closer and closer . We both were holding each other , he came closer and whispered " I like you, Elena , you are the

most beautiful girl that I have ever met ." , he then kissed my forehead and walked away.