She watched him. Day after day. He never noticed really. Only when she did some new spellwork or move would he approach and ask questions or to be taught it. But he did this with the others as well, so she didn't consider herself special.
The reason behind why she watched his progress was because she was so fascinated by the sheer genius and effort he put during the few weeks of his teachings - by mentor and self. It was funny how while he put all he could into learning about them and their works, and yet he had no idea what they were or what they did. He didn't know that there were Defenders, Protectors, Healers, Teachers, and Helpers. He didn't know that every one of them had their place so they could work efficiently in an operation. Nor did he know of their true face - the fact that they defended and nurtured the cosmos and beyond.
To sum it all, he no idea what he was getting into.
Of course, she herself did not know anything of them when she was embraced by their open arms. All she knew was that they could help her, so she immediately ditched her previous life to get it. She never felt so content and accepted the moment she was given a room and bundle of clothing to wear. Sleep that night was incredibly soothing and tranquil, and next morning was first time she woke up feeling so alive in years. She still remembered being so closed minded in the past. So stupid. So… lost.
Years ago, she had a job, money, fame, so called 'friends', and yet no life. And every single day she would wake up to a feeling of emptiness. Even the love of acting abandoned her heart. At first, acting was enjoyable and distracted her. It had been something she used to adore doing. Then, she slowly lost her spark, and it became like a chore. It was like some puppeteer attached strings on her and began controlling her decisions. She became someone else entirely. Family was easily disposed and left behind. Genuine friends slowly slipped out of her life by her cold facade. Living in isolation began to wear her out. She gave it her all - sacrificed everything for it - just to give it all away. Having no purpose in life was like being alive without living. Depression was her downfall.
Seeing Stephen, or Dr. Strange as he arrogantly likes to be called by strangers, throw himself into situations in which he had no control over was entertaining and motivating. Some spells that he had tried that out of his league in the courtyard sometimes blew up or caused some kind of other damage. The amount of punishments he would accumulate over the time of his occupation was astounding, but that didn't keep him from continuing to practice them. He had no limitations and no plans of slowing down. That's why she watched. Everyone noticed his potential, but she more so.
The fact that he was one of the best, if not the best, surgeon in the world might've helped pique her interest as well. She was not unaware of his selfish ways though. That he would only pick the options that he knew would succeed and not tarnish his perfect reputation made her disgusted in the past, but she knew that she couldn't be hypocritical and judge him for his faults because she too had them. Maybe even worse, others might say. Leaving and ignoring your family for a decade certainly was something that couldn't be dismissed so easily. She left because her family was drug addicts, alcoholics, and felons. They desperately needed help, but she up and left anyway, and she hated herself for it. She moved out to California because she knew that if she stayed she would never improve her life. Her family was holding her down, and she was slowly being rung out by the abundance of issues and complications they had created, but those excuses did not justify from her actions.
Being a witness of Stephen overcoming his demons day in and day out made her feel so discouraged and broken - as if she had made no progress whatsoever throughout the year and had already been defeated. 'She couldn't forgive herself, she wasn't strong enough to move on' and 'I can't's were her daily mottos, until she grew tired once again for allowing her progress to deteriorate at such a short span. No one was going to bring her down - willing or not, and so that very day she looked at herself in the mirror and said, "Enough".
Everyday after that she would stare at her reflection and tell herself that same demand.
She rose and kept on rising.
AN: Hey. I'm in dire need of a beta, so if anyone out there is willing to improve my atrocious writing, I would be so grateful. Also, I have two other fanfictions are in progress! One is a Naruto and One Punch Man crossover, and the other is a Narnia and Thor crossover. So stay tuned.
P.s. It's short, but I'll try to make them sweet.