The Enchanters

Wild Energy

After Ava‘s long nap she decided a tub was exactly what she needed. As she sat on the edge of her massive white marble bathtub, she let her fingers glide through the running water and let out a giant sigh.

Her bathroom was beautiful and matched her bedroom. White with light blue details, a massive vanity, two sinks, another door that leads to the toilet and the very impressive wet room, a large white stone area with several showerheads on one side and the bathtub on the other, all open and free.

As she filled the tub with bubbles and lit candles, she focused on recharging her energy. Stepping into the bathtub she allowed the warm water to envelop her up to her neck and rusted her head.

She had to physically force herself not to think of him. Every time she closed her eyes she saw him. Those perfect emerald eyes glistening into hers, his round, plump, pale pink lips, his sandalwood scent, it all made the energy in her body sear through her veins. She wondered what his skin felt like, what it would feel like to run her fingers through his hair, what his lips would feel like on hers.

Ava panicked.It was f*******n. Only recently were Enchanters even allowed to have friendships with Humans, but to have any intimate relationship with a Human would get her a one way ticket to Utopia and quite a severe punishment.

She could not think of this human this way. The story of Zinay and Paul flashed in her head. The first, and tragic, love story between an Enchanter and a human.

Enchantians are beautiful by nature but their powers over humans when there is physical contact is unethical, so when Paul kissed Zinay, it is said he became so obsessed, he went mad and killed himself because she would not be with him.

Helen of Troy, another example. Death to humans is the result of Enchantian/Human relationships. Whether they start wars or end their own life, the obsession is too much and unfair to the Humans.

Ava began to calculate, how will she get through the next month and a half?How will she manage with this boy living on her family's farm? She needed to formulate a plan, and then calm her energy. She felt recharged but something was still off. She felt restless and her energy felt it too.

Ava got out of the tub and rinsed off in the shower side of the wet room. She then wrapped herself in her fluffy white robe and made her way back to her room. Her cell phone was blowing up on the bedside table.

Britt: Feel better!

Pop: Get rest

Britt: the new guy isn’t here either

Pop: Lynne was looking for him at lunch

Pop: she’s such a ‘pick me’

Britt: I thought you said you went home?

Pop: where are you? Why is your car at the school?

Britt: how did you get home??

Ava sighed. How would she explain this without bringing on 20 questions from her friends? She waited a couple minutes to think of a well worded answer but she had none. She decided to just spill it.

Ava: I wasn’t feeling well so I went home. The new kid drove me home because he was concerned I wasn’t feeling well. Will one of you pick me up so I can get it?

She waited. She knew it was coming

Pop: HOLD THE F*CK UP! The new kid brought you home?!

Suddenly her phone was ringing. It was Britt.

Ava decided to play it cool, “hey girl.”

“Hey girl??!” Pop spoke, it was a three way call. “Spill.”

“Well,” Ava began, “I met Cole. He’s in my first period class,”

“From new kid to Cole, that was fast.” Britt observed and pop chuckled.

“Anyways,” Ava continued, “he drove me home because he was worried.”

“Why was he worried?” Britt asked

“I was a little…” Ava paused, “out of it” she continued.

“What??” Pop asked concerningly.

“Anyways I came home, took a nap and a bath and I feel 100% better.” Ava tried to sound convincing. “Can one or both of you pick me up and we can go get my car? Pizza tonight? My treat.” She worked hard to change the topic from Cole.

“Yessssss” they both giggled.

As Ava sat across from her two best friends while they ate their pizza in the town pizza diner, she was genuinely happy to feel they were happy. This is why she loved being around humans. So innocent and pure. And although there were times, in grief especially, where it’s too much to handle, she found comfort knowing that taking on some of the Human pain lessens it a little for them.

“Isn’t he so hot?” Britt asked Ava.

“He’s easy on the eyes even for a..,” Ava paused in slight panic, “teenage boy.” She fumbled.

“Hot for a teenage boy?” Pop looked at her with a tilted head and a crease between her brows.

“He’s hot for any person,” Britt continued.

“And your type,” Pop winked at her.

“No thank you,” Ava replied back.

“Yes he is because he’s everyone’s type. But out of all of us,” Pop took a bite, “you have the best chance.”

“I’m already seeing someone.” Ava replied nonchalantly.

“If you mean your on again off again imaginary boyfriend you made up so you don’t have to date anyone at school, no one believes you.” Britt said, taking a sip of her cola. Over the last five years she did use Daniel to avoid male advances. Although they were never off, every time the two friends brought up meeting him, she would just say they were taking a break.

“One, he’s not imaginary,” Ava quickly said, “two, yes Daniel and I are back together.”

“Really?” Britt was not buying it, “and when was the last time you saw him?”

“Sunday,” Ava said.

They both eyed her. Ava could feel their suspicion but also felt their trust.

“Well until I see this Daniel, I won't believe it. But he better look like a freaking God and treat you like a Queen.” Britt spoke sternly.

Oh how she had no clue. These humans were her favorite of all. Naive, unassuming humans who just make Ava laugh.

“Oh,” Ava replied with a chuckle, “he treats me like a Queen,” because she was his queen.

“I bet he does,” Pop wiggled her eyebrows and the three girls broke out into laughter.

When Ava returned home, Both Stephanie and Nate were in the massive luxury kitchen. Stephanie leaned against the white marble island looking through mail. Nate was eating his cookies, the man had a sweet tooth.

“Ava,” Stephanie’s slightly raspy voice called out, “how are you feeling?” And their eyes met. For some reason, panic started to creep in.

“Panic?” Nate questioned her before she could answer.

Ava drew a breath, “yes panic. I was worried about my energy. She was feeling feisty today,” Ava chuckled. She was used to referring to her energy as its own being. “I felt out of it this morning so I came home and took a nap and a bath. I’m feeling fine now.” She gave a courteous smile. Although Stephanie and Nate were not biologically related to her, they were a mix between older siblings and aunt/uncle to her. They had love for her like their own. They have been Ava’s caretakers/trainers for almost a century.

Ava studied them. Nate’s eyebrows quickly bobbed up before returning back to his cookies. Stephanie, however, eyed her a little and Ava felt the slight suspicion.

“Britt, pop and I then went out for dinner.” Ava continued quickly. There was a pause but Stephanie went back to the mail.

“You know,” she continued without looking up, “John has his nephews living with him now. I didn’t get the whole story,” she put her mail down and looked up, “but I could feel it was tragic. One is your age and the other is a little older.”

Ava’s energy began to pulse through her body hard, butterflies invaded her stomach and her body grew hot. Both Stephanie and Nate snapped their heads towards her. Ava knew she had to come up with a story fast.

“Ugh this stupid energy,” she huffed, “this is what happened at school. Everyone’s crazy over the new kid and I couldn’t take it today.” Ava closed her eyes and took a deep breath and calmed herself, “that’s why I came home. I figured my energy still needed resting after the training.” That was a brilliant story.

“I get it.” Nate said, “humans can have a powerful effect on us. Maybe you should stay home the rest of the week until they settle down.”

But Stephanie eyed Ava suspiciously. She didn’t buy the story. “She’s at the end of her training,” Stephanie spoke slowly, pointing out the obvious , “taking a week to recover is amateur.”

“Well then maybe you should convince my parents I should stay longer.” Ava’s eyebrows rose and a smile on her face.

“Ha ha” Stephanie let out a forced chuckle. “Anyways,” she took a breath, “both are going away for college next year so they are here for the summer.”

“Grrreeeaaat” Ava replied sarcastically.

“Stay away from them. Two young human males is twice the trouble for you.” Nate eyed Ava. She knew exactly what he meant. Little did he know one of them was already an issue.

Ava turned and made her way to the bedroom, “I’m not missing a week of school,” she paused and turned to the two of them, “I’m heading to bed. Good night.”

“Good night, Ava.” They both bowed to her. A whole century together and they still bowed. She finally got them to call her Ava instead of a formal title but this was not going to change, unless of course, in the presence of a human.

Three days. That’s all she needed to get through. Then they really get out in May. Graduation is the first week of June. She could do this.

Ava washed her face, brushed her teeth and slipped on a cotton white nightie before slipping under her white comforter.

The next morning, Ava woke to the April morning sun warming her bedroom. She quickly took care of business, found a black t-shirt and a pair of jeans with black nikes was the quick go-to. Ava’s massive walk-in closet had three sections, tops, bottoms and dresses in one section, accessories and under garments in another, and then her shoes, particularly her sneakers. Her hair was in a messy bun and she had minimal makeup on. Quick and easy out the door before she could see Nate or Stephanie. Most of the time they were already out, working out, or working.

When she got to school, everyone was still buzzing about Cole. As soon as Ava thought of his name, her energy sizzled through her body. She needed to pull herself together.

She arrived so early to class, she was the first one in. Walking into the classroom, Mr. La’teaux greeted her.

“Glad you’re feeling well,” he smiled and nodded. He was a good human, liked his job, felt he was making a difference as a teacher. Sometimes he was incorrect and Ava would refrain from correcting him but other than then she enjoyed his lectures.

“Thank you,” Ava nodded back and took her seat in the back of the classroom.

Panic started to pulse and her energy seated. Ava started meditating, focusing on nothing, taking smooth deep breaths. She felt herself physically calm down.

She could do this. She would be fine. One by one, the students filtered in and soon enough, Cole walked in. He was a sight.

Cole wore a fitted white t and dark, but slightly faded jeans with brown work boots. His slightly messy black hair fell just above his forehead, his sparkling green eyes seemed to light up when he made eye contact with Ava and when his plump pink lips pulled into a smile, for a second she lost her breath. He was a spectacular sight.

Cole made his way quickly to the seat next to her and the students watched talking quietly among themselves.

“You're here,” Cole's deep, raspy voice spoke low enough for only her to hear among the classmates’ murmurs. His smile was so eager, yet Ava felt nothing.

“Yes.” Ava replied quietly. Taking slow and steady breaths. His sandalwood and honey scent filled her nose and warmed her soul.

“If you make it through the day,” he continued, “let’s have lunch.”

“Listen,” Ava turned to Cole. She locked eyes with him and felt her breath hitch, but then quickly calmed herself, “I’ll be honest, I’m not sure if it's a good idea if we hang out or get friendly.”

Suddenly, his friendly demeanor dropped to a serious face and Ava immediately regretted her words, she just had to stand by them.

“I see.” He replied “sorry,” and he turned to face the teacher. Ava hesitated for half a second too long and turned back to the front.

Ok then, she thought to herself and continued with her studies.

The rest of the week he m seemed a little off, there was some slight tension, but Cole respected her wishes. He didn’t speak to her, didn’t try to sit with her at lunch, and made friends with a different group of people all together, Lynne’s group although he never showed interest in her.

By the time Friday came, Ava was ready for a relaxing weekend, maybe some training. She got home from school and headed up the massive staircase right to her room. Ava opened the large double doors to her room and walked through the massive room, walking out to the beautiful balcony. The glass barrier made the view overlook the fields stunning. To the left near the house was a giant blue pot with soil in it. Ava walked to the pot rubbing her fingers together, warming the energy in her hand. By the time she got to the pot, with a simple wave, her energy manifested and before Ava’s eyes a miniature tree grew, and on the end of the branch, materialized a perfect red apple. Ava picked the apple and took a bite. The sweet juice dribbled down her lip. It was perfect. The warm spring breeze blew and she smiled. She loved living in the Human World.

Ava walked back into her room, removing her shoes and laying in her king sized four poster bed. The large white bed had vines growing up the side with flowers that made the room fragrant. The flowers would change depending on her mood. Ava had been enjoying the sweet scent of honeysuckles. Just then her phone lit up on the side table.

Britt: Let’s go to Devin’s tonight

Ava: No

Devin, another senior, was throwing a party for seniors, at his house while his parents were away. Devin was nice and never offended Ava, but he was friends with Lynne.

Pop: Come on! I’m gonna go.

That struck Ava. Pop didn’t like to attend these things.

Pop: Don't make me go by myself.

Britt: you’re going and we are coming over to get ready. Pop needs us both. How many more of these are we going to get before we all go our separate ways?

Pop: I’d argue but I can’t.

Ava chuckled. She took a deep sigh and then another bite of her apple.

Ava: fine. Let’s go to the party.

After a few hooray cheers they decided on a time and she told them she’d talk to them later. She texted Nate and Stephanie the same text about going out and then sent a text to Daniel. She hadn’t talked to him all week but that was typical.

Ava took a deep breath. Human parties were always overstimulating. This should be interesting.