ELIXIRS OF THE HEART

Life couldn't get any more unpleasant for her, Alex thought, as she ran under the shed of the little magic shop across Gobshire Street. Before she left for work that morning, the weather was great, not knowing it was in for a surprise later that day. Alex watched as the rain splattered on the bakery's windows where she worked. It was closing time, and Mrs. Gragsberry wouldn't wait any longer for her. She bid Alex goodbye as she wobbled into her BMW, leaving Alex in the rain, totally drenched. Whoever the god in charge of today's duty was, definitely had a beef with her. Alex was already a mess, and the rain was doing a great job of making a mess out of her messy life. Her job at the bakery barely paid the bills, not to mention she had to put up with grumpy Mrs. Gragsberry every day. Her supposed fiancé, Henry, eloped with her best friend, Janet - betrayal of the highest order! She scoffed, shaking her head. And now she had to put up with the repulsive Mr. Henwood, who thought she was the perfect person for him to marry. She met Mr. Henwood at the newspaper shop; he had helped her pick up a paper she had mistakenly dropped, and she thought, "Oh dear, what a good old man." Now the "good" old man wanted a piece of her, which was absolutely impossible. Her parents weren't even helping matters; they felt the poor man was doing her a favor with the proposal. As if it was her fault she was this plain Jane. Her short, curly hair was a heavy mass on her head, untamable. Her freckled cheeks were robust and rosy, and her nose was a small dot on her face that she often wondered how she was able to breathe at all. Her gowns were always overflowing, covering all her body parts except her cleavage, which was also a body part she struggled to cover, as it was huge. She got her plain looks from her mother. Everything on her face was small except her huge eyes; the only part she loved about her body was her pouty lips, which were slightly plump. She cursed at the rain as she adjusted her blue gown, dusting off the water that sprayed on her. Since the rain wasn't stopping anytime soon, she decided to take a look at the magic shop behind her. It wouldn't hurt, right? Shrugging, she entered and was bombarded by all sorts of scents - herbs, flowers, candles, books, old and new. She drew in a deep breath and felt at peace almost immediately. Definitely a magic shop! "Hello, dear." Alex turned around to face the source of the voice and was greeted by the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. She was of average height, chubby, and had the rosiest brown skin ever. Her black hair fell all the way down to her shoulders in heavy curls. Her smile showed her perfect rows of teeth, and Alex felt small beside her. "Um...um...I..." Yeah, the great Alex stuttered whenever she was intimidated. "Don't worry, dear, I might be of help." The smile again, Alex wondered why the woman was so happy. "To your left, dear, are all the potions you'd ever need, and to your right are all the original records of books you see being retold in this world." Alex nodded her head, captivated by the woman's voice, not understanding a word. She had never thought there was anything magical in the shop. Just like how people named their children after fairy tale characters, just for their love of their heroic deeds. "I'm sorry, ma'am, I was just passing by," turning to leave, the woman's words stopped her. "I think you need a Good Luck potion, and please call me Mirianda." Taking her by the hand, she led her to a shelf filled with all sorts of liquid small jars; she was bouncing on her feet now, looking excited, giving her a childlike appearance. "That's Love potion," she pointed at a small pink liquid, "Shrinking potion, Good Luck potion, and all." So, what do you say?" Alex looked through the transparent door and realized the rain was already subsiding. "Thanks, Mirianda, I might come back for books later." She smiled politely as she turned to go. "Alex," Mirianda called back. "Here, take this bottle, drink it in one gulp, and who knows, you might experience magic." Alex looked down and found the purple liquid jar she had called a Good Luck bottle earlier in her hands. The most disturbing part was that she didn't remember telling Mirianda her name. She kept thinking about her experience at the magic shop on her way to her small cottage. She realized her spirit was lifted a bit, and that night, she had a dream about a magical future.