Summary: Misty found her tribe, Cordelia. But she was still looking for her best self. Post Seven Wonders.

Rated: M

"I didn't think it was going to snow this year," Cordelia said as we stand on the balcony together.

It's been a somewhat strange year; we could go outside only in light jackets even until the middle of December. Some of the girls who came from the North have even complained a few times it was too hot for winter. But when the clock stroke the twelve and indicated the beginning of the New Year, it started to snow lightly as if cued.

Cordelia's chocolate brown eyes twinkled as she breathed out a chuckle, and God, my cheeks hurt from smiling too much.

My love for her is indescribable, too immense and deep to even be labeled. Some people have tried and still do to name what we have together, but it's none of their business. What matters is that I can never seem to be able to stop grinning around her, constantly and wholeheartedly.

My life has never been an easy road, I can sincerely say. But what I've gone through last year doesn't compare to getting burned at the stake or being buried alive. And, I can say this with absolute certainty, I wouldn't have been where I am if it wasn't for Cordelia.

ooOooOoo

It was a few days after the last New Year's Day, and we were out shopping, or more like accompanying Madison, at the mall. The little diva tirelessly and passionately kept walking into a store after another for about 4 hours. Queenie, Nan, Zoe, and I were completely exhausted by the time, but for some reason Hollywood was as lively as ever. Of course, she was making us carry her stuff while she walked empty-handed.

That's why it earned a disapproving grumble of the dirty blonde when the rest of us suggested taking a break. We rested our butts on those little black benches you see at the mall. Though the heaters were working more than fine in there, the metal under my clothed butt sent me chills up my spine.

The place seemed less crowded than usual, maybe because most people just preferred to stay in and relax after the frenzy of Christmas and New Year's Eve and Day. Humming to Stevie's songs, my eyes were fixed on a couple across the lounge. They were holding hands, laughing, leaning against each other. There was pure happiness on their faces, such an infectious emotion.

"Oh my God, look at him."

I found myself smiling when Madison's almost patronizing voice caught my attention, and I turned my head. On the other side of the lounge, there was a guy standing in front of a restaurant. A half of his face was covered with a well-trimmed dark beard, and there was a little thingy people call a man bun on his head. His lithe body was hidden under a leather jacket, and I could tell he was several inches taller than me.

My eyes narrowed with confusion and I looked back at Madison, making sure I was looking at the right guy. It didn't help at all to see other girls checking him out reverently, even Zoe too.

I didn't understand what the big deal was. It made me feel like a deaf person at a music concert, not being able to sense what was right in front of me. The feeling of bafflement and being left out continued to sit at the corner of my mind even after we went home.

###

The academy was deserted like an abandoned amusement park. With most of the girls going home for the winter break, it felt like we went back to the old days, when the coven had less than ten people (one zombie included).

My cheeks looked like a pair of apples due to the cold air. The sound of my heels clicking on the marble floor resonated in my ears pleasantly as I hummed. Behind me, Queenie was arguing with Madison as to who ought to carry the purchased items upstairs. Their voices reached my ears even when I stood at the door of Cordelia's office.

Six rhythmical knocks -my signature knock- on the white grand door, but I heard no answer. My first guess was proven wrong; Cordelia would usually spend the day in there to, you know, do the Supreme things.

"Guys, did you see Miss. Cordelia in there?" I asked as they were walking into the kitchen.

Queenie was quarrelling with Madison over a different issue now, not bothering to pay attention to me. I raised an eyebrow at Zoe, who was attempting to intervene but failing miserably. She shrugged her shoulders apologetically and said: "No, she's not here. Maybe in the greenhouse?"

I said my thanks and left the room. Zoe could handle the situation on her own. It wasn't the first time they very fought over something petty. If things happen to get out of control, well, that's why I have the power of resurgence.

Stepping out of the building, I took in the tranquility that surrounded me. There was a certain kind of serenity the winter sky had. Even birds seemed to know how to fly like clouds. It was hard to believe there was a war, and possible attempts of murder, happening on the other side of the door.

My feet carried me to the greenhouse effortlessly despite having walked around in the mall for another two hours after the encounter with the guy with a man bun. The lights in the sanctuary were on, and I could hardly contain my grin. My hand gently gripped the wrapped gift in my pocket as I walked in.

Cordelia was sitting at the little desk at the corner of the room, her back facing me. Her silky blonde hair was tied up in a ponytail, and it made the clear skin of her neck visible. She was wearing a long dark blue dress that reminded me of the night sky.

With my boots, I was highly aware that they would make sounds, so I walked very gently. You'd think I did this not to scare Cordelia, but you're wrong; my whole purpose of this was to surprise her.

So far, my plan was perfect. But when I finally stood right behind her, Cordelia turned around with a mischievous smile.

"Damn! I was so close!" I exclaimed, stomping on the ground.

Soft giggle escaped her lips. "No, you weren't. I knew the moment when you walked in."

"That can't be possible."

"Yes, it is possible. You will never succeed in scaring me, I swear."

A groan of defeat came out from my gut as I gave her a dramatic pout. "It ain't fair. You know ev'rythin', you're the Supreme."

"Actually, this doesn't have anything to do with my Supreme powers." Her white teeth shone under the greenhouse lights. "But it's a secret."

"Whatever, Miss. Cordelia. Just wait 'n see, I'll find a way ta get the secret out of ya someday."

"Speaking of secrets, what do you have in your pocket?"

She raised her mighty brows, and I realized my fingers had been playing with it. Thank heavens it wasn't a secret from her.

"I gotcha a present," I shyly grinned as I held the little package out to her.

"But you already gave me one for Christmas." She bit her lip uncertainly, but her eyes contained excitement and perhaps a little bit of bashfulness. "You don't have to get me anything anymore."

"Oh stop it n' just open it. I know I ain't under no obligation to do this."

My cockiness made her roll her brown eyes playfully before taking the gift from me. My chest was thumping while Cordelia's slender fingers undid the package. The nervousness never went away no matter how many times I repeated this gift-giving, but it only made the smile I receive afterwards even more rewarding.

When she finished unwrapping, a small gasp escaped her lips. Inside her hands was a small piece of towel. Small embroidery of a green owl on one corner made a good contrast with the tan color of the rest of the towel. Cordelia's chocolate eyes comically stared at the golden ones of the owl.

Our eyes met, and she was shaking her head with a lopsided smile. It was her silent way of saying 'Oh no you didn't,' or 'You brat.' I'd spent enough time to decode her little gestures like these, and I knew why she was doing it too.

I'd always thought she would be a Labrador if she turned into an animal. You know, just a little innocent thing we do when we're bored. And I thought a Labrador would fit her perfectly. Loyal, smart, and charming. But one day I'd found an article of a wild owl, whose eyes looked like a pair of galaxies due to his blindness. His dreamy eyes and white feathers immediately reminded me of Cordelia. Since then, I would get her owls of many forms as gifts. Our bedroom was filled with owl stuff, actually.

Anyway, that's the reason she was shaking her head, but I knew the green owl had stolen her heart instantly.

"This is very lovely, Misty," she mumbled, her eyes locking with mine.

"I 'member ya sayin' ya needed more rags here."

"Oh no, I'm not using this for this place. That'd be such a huge waste and disrespectful to…this owl." She looked down at the towel before clutching it to her chest. "This fellow will go to somewhere else so it wouldn't get dirty."

"But the whole purpose o' a towel is ta clean things n' get dirty."

Cordelia simply shrugged, her brows arching as if to say 'So what?' I let out a puff of air. Although her sassiness wasn't reserved for me, the combination of the puppy eyes and mischief was only mine. It made me prouder of myself than when I'd gotten the incantation right for the first time.

Since she was still sitting in the chair, her head was about as high as my chest. I was looking down at her, feeling like the king of everything. My ringed fingers gently tucked a strand of her silky hair behind her ear.

"You spoil me too much."

"I do what I want," I asserted. It was my turn to shrug with sassiness.

Cordelia tilted her head slightly to the side, biting her lip and glaring at me playfully. Whenever she did this look, it was just contagious and I couldn't help but mimic her.

We continued to giggle for some seconds, before there was a hesitant knock. Our eyes were shot to the door to see who'd dared interrupt our precious moment. A pair of timid brown eyes was looking back at us and Zoe stuttered: "Um, the dinner is almost ready, and…Kyle wanted me to fetch you two, so..."

Why does she act like this, like she's seen something she wasn't supposed to?

"We'll be right there in a minute. Thanks, Zoe." Cordelia gave her a reassuring smile and nodded.

It was a disappointment to end the endearing moment, but my stomach was singing in excitement. Being with Cordelia often made me forget how tired or hungry I was, and I was certain it'd be the death of me one day.

My pretty queen beamed at me and grabbed my hand, her other hand holding the towel as if it was a newborn baby, or something that needed extra caution and care. I mimicked her face and bit my lip as we walked out of the greenhouse.

Just right before she turned the lights off, I managed to admire the little kingdom Cordelia'd let me in and stay. I didn't realize when I first set foot in the greenhouse, but I'd come to know how important this place was to Cordelia. It must've been a risky decision to let a stranger like me in.

Locking the door, we waltzed back to the main building. The moon was high in the sky and was shining down on us, and I felt we were truly the king and the queen of the world. I wanted this moment, this thing between us, to last forever.

But the fervor of the New Year's Day was gradually replaced by the fanaticism of Valentine's Day. The world around us was covered in red and pink and roses, and it became incredibly difficult not to get involved myself.

To be continued…