Fate Chose Them All

Chapter 7 - Cassandra

Bit goes through the few outfits that make up my wardrobe for the fifth time before sighing. I tried to warn her I didn't have a lot, but I guess she didn't realize how little it would actually be.

"Okay, this is sad. I'm taking you shopping soon." She shuts the door to my wardrobe and turns to face me. I squirm at that, knowing how little money I have left.

"Bit, are there jobs available to students?" I ask, trying to avoid any kind of committal to the shopping trip.

"There's a few for juniors and seniors. None for lower-class because they want to make sure we can handle the workload. You're not allowed to get an off-campus job either. Don't worry, you'll be too busy to really think about work your first semester anyway. Plus, any free time will be spent with me at parties," she winks at me, and I try to smile convincingly back. Professor Damascus may be aware of my financial situation, but that doesn't mean anyone else needs to know. "Oh," she snaps her fingers, and my attention comes back to her, "I have a friend who can conjure all kinds of stuff. Maybe I can convince him to take pity on you this once," she grins as she takes my hand and pulls me out of my room.

"Oh, Bit, that's not necessary, honest," I protest, but she ignores me. We go up three flights and move down the hall. Bit knocks in a cutesy way on the door to whatever friend this is. The door swings open to a tall, buff yet slim man with a pink mohawk. Bit squeals as she throws herself at the stranger, who wraps his arms around her in kind.

"Bit, what took you so long?" He asks, his voice surprisingly deep.

"I just figured I'd see you at the mixer tonight, but then my new friend here was in desperate need. Plus, you both need a new friend." Her eyes twinkle with mischief, but I find myself smiling at her anyway.

"Name's Magnus," he holds his hand out and I shake it.

"Cass," I reply, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear.

"Cinderella needs a fairy godmother, she literally owns five outfits. Five." Bit holds up five fingers for emphasis as Magnus invites me into his room. It's a lot like mine, but I can see where he's added a lot of personal touches. Even his ceiling light seems to be emitting a more golden hue from the way he's covered his ceiling in what seems like a thin sheen of the precious metal.

"Five? Really?" He asks teasingly, and she nods frantically. I just shrug when he looks over at me. "Do you not like clothes?" He eyes me up and down as he asks, and I can tell he meant to add the word stylish in there.

"I only ever got hand me downs," I admit, hoping neither would press the matter. Both gasp dramatically, Bit clutching at her chest. "I mean, I didn't know I would need more. It's not a big deal, honestly, I could just go like this."

"No, Bit's right," Magnus sighs, running a hand through his long, wavy mohawk. I swear it glitters in the light too. "You seriously need a fairy godmother, Cinderella. Turn for me," he sounds almost resigned to his role. I begin to turn slowly for him. "Well, I think you have a hot bod, but honestly, it's hard to tell under that baggy sweater and jeans that are a size too large. Take them off so I can better see what I'm working with," I blanch at his words, looking from him to Bit.

"Oh, darling, he's taken. Plus, he has no interest in what we have to offer?" She winks at me before I glance shyly back up at Magnus.

"True, my Twin Flame is the only one I have eyes for, and he's all that gets me going anymore. Not that I hadn't experimented with the fairer s*x before I found him." He scratches at his chin thoughtfully as I decide to just trust him and Bit. I remove my sweater and jeans, then stand awkwardly in my mismatched cotton panties and bra.

"What are those?" Bit asks noticing the red marks on my wrists. "Wait, you have a lot of scars," she whispers, mortified, as her fingers glide across my exposed skin. Magnus stares at me, like he's trying to solve a riddle.

"I'd rather not get into any of it right now," I tell them both, hoping they'll drop it simply because I ask them to. I could tell them where I got every single scar. They were always the larger wounds sustained, so Eric and Shailene would only allow partial healing to not tire out the healers of our coven. I only ever met two in our coven, although, I don't know if they were the only two or not.

"Okay, but we should get these healed," Bit says carefully as she takes my hands and rubs her thumbs over my wrists.

"I did, they wouldn't heal anymore than they are," I explain, and Bit and Magnus share a concerned look that doesn't go unnoticed by me. I just want tonight to be fun though, so I clear my throat. "Am I expected to go to the mixer like this?" I ask, giving both of them pointed looks, removing my hands from Bit's scrutiny.

"That would be a statement, although not the kind I think you'd like," Magnus grunts before taking a seat on his desk. Bit moves to sit on his bed, clearly trying to keep herself from asking anymore questions about my scars or current injuries. "Alright, I've got it. You've got the whole innocence thing going that I think we can make work for us. I'm thinking we lean into this Cinderella thing, and make you look like a princess." Bit claps excitedly at this, clearly distracted from my scars by Magnus's suggestion.

"Is it a costume party?" I can't keep the incredulousness out of my tone, but I can't imagine going as some fairytale princess would be the best statement either.

"It's more like a theme party, and the theme is 'Notice Me'. So, I'm positive you won't be the only one in costume." Magnus does little jazz hands at his explanation, and Bit nods enthusiastically.

"I'm going as a demon," Bit tells me, and that makes me feel a little better. I smile, thinking Bit is far too sweet to be any kind of demon, but she's hot enough to pull off what I'm sure will be a great costume.

"Alright, Bit, y'all can get ready in here. Go get your outfit," Magnus shoos her out of the room, although it takes very little encouragement. "And now, Cinderella, turn for me." He twirls his finger in front of me, and I heave a sigh as I do as he says.

I feel the magic kissing my skin all over. Goosebumps cover me as Magnus continues to perform his magic. I close my eyes, not wanting to spoil the vision before he's finished. I feel fabric swishing around my legs as I continue to turn, my posture straightening from the stiff material around my top. Magnus takes my hand, forcing me to stop spinning, then leads me carefully. My eyes still closed, still afraid that this might all be some elaborate prank.

"Open your eyes, Cinderella," he whispers encouragingly by my ear. I take a deep breath, then decide to just face whatever he's done to me. A gasp escapes me as tears prickle my eyes. "I don't care how hot anyone else may be tonight, you will steal the attention of everyone present. I guarantee." He winks at me in the mirror, but I can't even respond. I can barely look away from my reflection.

The gown I'm wearing is more beautiful than any I've ever seen. The top is a sheer corset, baby blue silk covering the bones and cups of the corset. The sleeves are off the shoulder, elastic keep them in place just past my shoulders and then another band of elastic at my wrists to make sure the red rings stay covered. The sleeve portion between the elastic is a puffy, sheer baby blue fabric with intricate white lace designs over it. The skirt of the dress starts at my waist and pools at my feet, made of the same shade of blue in satin. The same intricate white lace is layered over the skirt. A slit goes all the way up to the waist, but the fabric of the skirt overlaps there to keep me from revealing too much with such a slit. Magnus holds a hand out in front of me, and I watch as he conjures a beautiful pair of gold, pointed toe high heels.

"I thought Cinderella wore glass slippers," I say breathily, meaning to sound joking, but too mesmerized with everything Magnus has created. He shrugs, with a small smirk.

"Some stories it was glass. Some it was fur. But I always liked the versions where her shoes were made of gold." Magnus sets the heels down in front of me, and helps me step into them. The heel is skinnier and taller than any I've ever worn, but I don't care. I look magical.

"Alright, I'm here! Let's get this party -" Bit stops talking as she steps back into Magnus's room. "Cass, oh my Goddess, you look..." She struggles to find the word, just as I do. The tears that had been fighting to fall, finally do.

"Thank you, both of you," I say to both of them. Magnus and Bit exchange a look, but I don't pay attention this time. I've never felt so seen before today. I don't know what the rest of my time at Silverleaf University holds, but it's already given more than I've ever known.