Rebirth:Tale of a Young Witch

“You think you're so smart, don't you?” His voice was thick with an Italian accent as I peered up into his red eyes, his raven hair swooping over his right eye slightly. Even in this situation I couldn't deny how hot he was. I pushed my legs together slightly as I felt heat bloom between my legs. He had me pinned to the wall of a narrow hallway looking down at me menacingly as his hand moved from my wrist to my slender neck. His thumb softly rubbing along my artery laughing darkly. “Getting caught rummaging through documents in a restricted area of the manor, was quite stupid, for such a smart pretty girl…” he murmured as he leaned down next to my ear his hot breath dancing over my ear as the cold tip of his nose nudged the back of my ear. “ you don't know who you're toying with, little girl. Stop now while you're ahead..” Thunder cracks loudly overhead a lengthy procession of cars trickling into the lonely gated cemetery, my hands gripping on to the steering wheel as I slowly brought the car to a halt behind the hearse. With a sigh I removed the keys from the ignition and tossed them on to the passenger seat before I leaned forward to rest my head upon the steering wheel, emerald eyes gazing blankly out of the rain streaked window, crimson curls falling over my slender shoulders. manicured fingers absentmindedly fiddled with a lack luster charm bracelet that hung loosely from my wrist. A knock at the glass brought me back to reality, my eyes barely started to focus on the figure standing outside the now foggy glass as the voice I've come to loathe, gently spoke “Serenity, come on girl, I know it's hard but you don't want to miss this..” My old friend's words were muffled through the glass and the pitterpat of rain falling on top of the car. Yes this is a hard day, and you've just made it worse by simply existing, becca i thought to myself. The driver side door was pulled open, the cold wind seeped inside the car matching the emotions I felt deep within my core. Becca placed her hand on top of mine, The warmth of her skin almost burned compared to the wind's temperature. Becca gently tugged on my hand, I decided to drag myself out of the prevacily warm car. Before I could even process what was happening I found myself pulled into a warm embrace, cold rain soaking my crimson curls plastering them to the back of my lacey black dress that was also now drenched, clinging to my petite frame. My lungs filled with the scent of cherry blossoms, a favorite scent of the tall blondes, my anger towards my old friend wavered,as I allowed herself to relax into her arms. Tears threatened to spill as I buried my head in Becca's collar bone. “I can't believe he's gone,” I said with a knot growing in my throat. The sensation of rain pounding against my bare shoulders abruptly stopped though I could still hear the rain pouring down around us. Confused, I slowly pulled away from Becca's grasp to look up at the sky, catching sight of a large black umbrella being held over our heads. Becca was looking up at the gentleman, a blush spread across her cheeks though she looked nervous. Just based on her expression I knew exactly who was standing next to me. Josh I thought to myself. The embers of anger ignited and yet, I felt cold. My emerald orbs glanced in his general direction. I didn't want to cause a scene at my grandfather's funeral. I dropped my hands to my sides, digging my polished nails in to the palm of my hand as i attempted to hide the twitch in my eye has josh spoke “ hey honey, how are you holding up?” he asked me with an affectionate tone that mocked me and further fanned the fire growing within my core. “ i want to be alone” i stated abruptly before quickly dipping out from under the protection of the umbrella and began to quickly walk away. I could hear Becca giggling at something Josh had said probably at my expense, as I was now being pelted with cold hard rain. my high heels digging into the soft earth. They've made you a fool, my internal voice exclaimed half mockingly. Shaking my head I pushed the thoughts away as I stepped under the canopy set up over my grandfather's grave site. The service was a blur, people approached me one by one murmuring an apology or pulling me in to hug or placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. I gave them each a small smile and a nod but I couldn't tell you what they said or who they were. over half of our small town had shown up. The chairs reserved for the rest of my family remained empty, my eyes traveled over the nearby gravestones that belong to the long string of the Anderson family. My eyes settled on my mothers gravestone; it had only been two years since she was taken away from me at the younge age of 49. It was as if my family was cursed, I was the last of the Anderson family left. an empty plot next to my mothers taunted me, I could almost hear it telling me i’m next. Polished fingertips fiddled with my charm bracelet. The rose gold plating was chipping away but it had been a gift from my mother when I was 13 so I refused to take it off. Hours passed as I sat there stuck in my own head and grief , the sun had fallen and the hard relentless rain had been reduced to a mesley sprinkle, my fingers were red and numb from the cold. I wrapped my arms around myself in an attempt to get warm. My grandfather's casket had already been lowered into the soft ground though I don't recall ever seeing it happen. Looking around I realized I was the only one left sitting here in the cemetery at dusk. It was then I realized my reality, I was alone, utterly alone, not a friend, nor family in sight. Is this how the rest of my life is going to be? Alone and empty, trapped in an eternal void that seemed impossible to fill? I asked myself then nodded my head as if to accept this new life I was given. I slowly stood up from the velvet chair keeping my arms wrapped around myself as my legs and hips groaned in protest as they had become stiff. I took one last look at my family's gravestones, my eyes pausing on my mothers and then my grandfathers as my bottom lip trembled. the void inside me seemed to grow with each passing second as if to swallow me whole within it “ I love you both.. To the moon and back… “ lingering for a moment longer a hefty gust of ice cold wind nearly knocked me over before I stumbled over to my car, high heels getting stuck in the mud with every step. My keys clattered into the glass bowl loudly on the entryway table as I pulled my right leg up and struggled to unbuckle the now mud caked black high heel. I let it drop to the floor with a loud thud, I placed my right hand on the wall to support myself before pulling my left leg up and attempting to unclasp the second shoe with only one hand. Finally the second shoe dropped another thud echoing throughout the empty hallway. I reached down to my cross body purse digging around for my iphone. Once I felt the phone I grasped it and removed it from the small black bag before abandoning it on the floor next to my shoes. I tippy toed down the hall phone in hand in an attempt to not make muddy footprints as I trotted over to the thermostat to quickly turn the heat up, something my grandfather never allowed me to do. The outdated HVAC hummed to life as the distinct smell of burned dust filled the air. I rounded the corner to head into the pink tiled bathroom and shut the door softly behind me, locking the door out of habit. I paused to set my phone on the bathroom counter before gazing into the mirror and found myself horrified at the person staring back at me. eyeliner streaked down my face, my foundation had almost completely vanished leaving my skin looking blotchy and uneven ,my hair clung to my oval face in its damp state yet somehow it still managed to be frizzy making me look like some kind of drowned rat racoon. “Bleh.” I said softly as if someone would hear. Shaking my head I peeled the drinaged black dress off my body as if shedding a second skin. The dress made a slight sloshing sound as it hit the floor. I stepped out of the dress and towards the bathtub trembling slightly as I grasped the canvas gray floral shower curtain to yank it back before turning the shower as hot as it could possibly go. The shower hissed to life and filled the room with steam. I made quick work of shedding my undergarments that were equally as drinaged if not more than my dress was, before stepping into the hot shower. The warm water stung my frozen skin as it cascaded over my petite, yet curvy frame.i stood under the water allowing it to relax my tense muscles. I shuddered gently as the warmth seeped back into my body causing my skin to flush to a red hue almost matching my hair. Looking down I watched all of the mud from my feet slowly circle the drain as I wiggled my polished toes. I bent down to the large purple and gold pump bottle of lavender scented shampoo, I pumped a generous amount into my hand before I brought my hand up to my head and placed my hand face down on top of my scalp as I reached my left hand up to join it. I took my time working the shampoo into my hair enjoying the feeling of my nails scrubbing away at my scalp. Rinsing my hands off in the running water, I allowed the shampoo to sit in my hair for a moment while I grabbed my lofa from the shower caddy along with my favorite honey and milk body wash. I squeezed the half full bottle of the pale yellow soap and it poured out onto the lofa before setting the bottle back on to the caddy. Going through the motions of washing myself the tears that had threatened to spill before came pouring out of my emerald orbs without warning. I sat down on the slick pink tubs floor, the hot water beating into my scalp as I placed my head into my hands siffling a sob lofa forgotten. “I'm all alone now, momma, pawpaw.” I spoke to myself between sobs “I don't know how I'm supposed to do this!” I screamed through my tears in agony. my hands shifted from my face to my hair. I grabbed a fist full of my scarlet locks in anger, the tears flowed endlessly joining the rest of water down the drain unnoticed as I gently rocked myself back and forth. I rested my temple on my knees as my arms pulled my legs closer to my chest. I blankly stared at the pattern of the shower curtain as my mind fell silent. I felt myself dissolve as if I could join the water and slip down the drain. Minutes felt like hours as the water that still beat into my shoulders and scalp slowly turned to cold. I reached up and shut the water off before pulling myself up using the tub ledge for assistance. I pulled the curtain back, the cool air kissing my skin as I pulled my long red hair over my right shoulder and began squeezing the water from it. With a sigh I reached for the plush white towle i had placed on the toilet, unfolding it and I wrapped it around my body before stepping out on the fluffy gray bath mat. Stepping over to the sink I grabbed my wide tooth comb and began working it though my hair before putting a hand towel around my head. Looking into the now foggy mirror I reached over the sink, the glass was cool to the touch as I smeared the moisture off a small section in the middle. I gazed back into an exaguhted reflection before grabbing my tooth brush. My routine was interrupted by the sudden and loud vibrating of my phone on the bathroom counter. I picked up the phone to see who would be calling me at such a late hour, the name that appeared on my screen was listed under “ do not answer” scoffing i quickly ignored the call and set the phone back down and attempted to put toothpaste on my toothbrush before my phone began to buzz again. Knowing if I didn't answer he would simply show up to my house, another reason to add to the list of why I hate this small town. I regrettably hit the answer button “ What do you want?” I bluntly said I did not want to play these games with him tonight. “Ouch baby. You don't have to be so harsh. Open your door my im here…” my head dropped and i stared at the floor for a moment gripping my phone in my hand tightly. “ no.. go home… ``I mumbled, I felt my heart sink into my stomach. '' Too late. You should really move your spare key…'' damn it. I quickly hung up the phone and unlocked the bathroom door in hopes to hold the front door closed and maybe call the cops if he did not leave, but to my surprise when I opened the door he was standing right in front of me. He was wearing a fitted black tee shirt that clinged to his well muscled chest, gray sweat pants that accentuated parts of him I'd rather not think about anymore. “Josh.. leave..” he smiled down at me and c****d his head to the side. “ I can't do that..i just wanted to make sure you're okay..” josh moved forward causing me to back up before he shut the bathroom door behind him and started to come closer. I felt my bare back hit the cold pink tile and just then I became instantly aware of the fact that I was naked, trapped in a bathroom with my bastard ex boyfriend. Josh placed his hands on either side of my head and leaned down over me, his bright blue gray eyes gazing into mine.. “ Don't you have a curfew, Soldier ?” i spat and tried to move away from him but failed as he placed his right hand upon my hip and moved his face closer to mine,i glanced down to his lips i couldn't deny he was ruggedly sexy.. his lips pulled in to the slanted sexy half smile that i fell in love with. Could I just be normal and forgive him for what he's done? I began to think to myself. It would be nice to not be so alone. I pondered the idea of allowing myself to let go.. And be happy-- his face was becoming closer to mine as his own eyes looked between my full pink lips and bright green eyes. To forget everything… even for just the night? I said to myself. I found myself leaning forward even tilting my head slightly as I squeezed my legs together and felt the heat rush to my womanhood. My breath hitched, as his hand moved lower to cupp my full bottom, the warmth of his skin seeping through the plush towel. The world around me disappeared for a moment as his blonde stubble grazed against my face, hot breath dancing across my lips. The desire for him very quickly crashed down as my lips barely grazed his, my mind flooded with memories, I stopped breathing for a moment reliving the events. the music blaring loudly as i stumbled out of my party onto the back deck that was littered with red solo cups. The moonlight illuminated a couple. I averted my gaze, feeling embarrassed to have seen such a private moment. I placed my hand on the door frame for stability as I was about to walk back into the house, when I heard a familiar giggle “Josh” the blonde moaned out. My insides turned to ice as I turned to look back and saw Becca sitting on the banister. her dress hiked up around her hips, dainty straps pulled down around her elbows, almost invisible black thong hanging on to her left ankle. Beecas fingers buried deep into the man's sandy blond hair, legs wrapped around his steadily moving bare hips as she tilted her head back in ecstasy. Reality hit me like a ton of bricks. goosebumps rose on my skin. I was filled with rage. I pulled my head back quickly pausing to see his confused expression only to head butt him hard enough for him to stumble back slightly allowing me enough room to escape the bathroom. I ran out to the kitchen almost losing my towel in the process. “YOU f*****g b***h” josh hollered as he ran out after me,.his feet pounding on the hardwood floors. I opened the utensil drawer and pulled out the biggest kitchen knife we had. I turned around and held it in front of me “ leave. Josh. I don't want you here. “ the knife trembled in front of me “ no, are you crazy? put that thing down, serenity!”josh had a large red mark in the middle of his forehead as he held his hands out in front of him. “ Josh you are trespassing, what will happen to your military status if I call the police?”Josh tilted his head and frowned at me “what the hell is wrong with you serene? You graduated nursing school and then suddenly ended our relationship after five years!” his voice trembled as he continued. “What do you think just because you're a nurse you're so much better then everyone in town?” he put his hands on either side of his head “ ooh look at me i'm an RN! i'm so much better than you” he mocked. I rolled my eyes at the childish display “ is that really what you think this is? Jesus christ josh.`` The knife clicked softly as I set it down on the kitchen counter before I turned around and grabbed a bottle of chilled cheap wine from the fridge, unscrewed the cap and quickly went to a large drink of the beverage “ oh my god are you an alcoholic now?” Josh said with laughter in his voice “ you really have no idea do you?” I spat, slamming the glass bottle down. I gazed into his eyes with fury, that I have been trying to keep at bay for weeks. “ What are you going on about now, crazy?” I gritted my teeth.“ my. Party.” I said through my teeth. “ What party, the one you had a month ago? I don't know what you're talking about..” he signed and sat his hands on the counter to lean against it. “You, Becca, on the back deck, between her legs…” the colour drained from his face as he stammered and leaned over the counter“ N-no you weren't there, no i mean, you were so drunk it was someone else not me i don't know what your talking about'' I laughed softly as I picked up the bottle taking another swig of the sweet liquid. “ It's over, Josh, I'm not crazy and I know what I saw…”Josh's eyes widened as he spoke “ no you don't. It wasn't like that” rolling my eyes again bottle in hand I walked quickly back to the bathroom grabbing my abandoned phone from the counter. “ Josh, you can either leave or I will call the cops. Your choice.” I spoke boldly with my shoulders back catching a chill of air on my bare legs as he quickly stormed out of my home, slamming the door on his way out resembling a dog with his tail between his legs. I locked the door back before he had even left the driveway. I turned around and crumbled against the door and pulled my knees back to my chest. “ Deep breaths…” I spoke softly to myself as I ran my fingertips along my legs in an attempt to self sooth. Fucking josh always wasting my time i thought to myself before shaking my head and standing up. I started to head back down the hallway pausing to look at all of the memories hung with care. I reached up and grazed the dusty frame with my fingers, as I examined the old family photo. a large lit Christmas tree in the background, my mother sitting on the floor, her red hair spilling out of a messy bun. A white turtleneck sweater swallowed her slender frame whole. She smiled down at me as a child while I played with a unicorn doll I had just opened. My grandfather sat on the rocking chair in the corner in his flannel button down holding a red mug smiling at us from across the room. Carefully I took the photo from the wall. A red envelope fell to the floor silently from the back of the vintage frame where it stayed unnoticed as I walked down the hall to my bedroom,the floor creaking underfoot.