Disclaimer for the entire story: Sadly, I do not own Strange Magic, although I do have the DVD that I play once a week.
Apologies for Dawn's bratty attitude but it's needed. Besides, I know from childhood experience that moving is stressful enough to cause a few irregular moods for a little while. Constructive advice is appreciated but please refrain from criticism. Enjoy!
Dilemma
Dawn hums happily as she walks down the street. Despite having to pick up and move to this city quite suddenly, she finds it hard to be angry after today. The shopping is absolutely fabulous here and all these unique finds weren't found in their old city. Not to mention, a real-life witch!
She giggles at the reminder and pats her purse. Aura Plum is so nice and was really helpful too, she wasn't at all what storybook witches portray. Now, she'll be able to know if a boy really likes her and Marianne can stop worrying so much.
Her disposition sours when she reaches home as a familiar sight greets her and the blonde fifteen-year-old holds back a groan. Donald looks up and smiles as his daughter walks up the driveway.
"There you are, Dawn. I was hoping that you would be back before I left," Donald comments.
"How long are you going to be gone this time, Daddy," Dawn asks, eyeing the packed suitcase with distaste?
"Now, dear, don't make that face," Donald admonishes softly. "I know you're unhappy about this move and that you don't like my business trips but it won't last forever. You'll realize that this city is great and soon I won't have to take so many trips. Now, be a good girl and listen to your sister. I'll be back the day after tomorrow."
Dawn pastes a cheerful smile on and wishes her father a safe trip as his car pulls onto the street. Despite the strain, she keeps up the appearance of a loving and happy daughter until he disappears around the corner. Joy, now she has to deal with Marianne. Letting the groan out fully, Dawn trudges into the house and takes her shopping bags to her room.
"Hey, sunflower," Marianne greets as she looks in. "Did you see Dad before he left?"
"Yeah, he was just loading the car when I got home," Dawn answers, pulling out her purchases.
The brunette frowns at the chilly response. Biting down her first response as Dad's voice replays in her head about trying to get along like they used to, Marianne peers at the newly bought items with interest before one particular one catches her eyes. The gold-decorated glass bottle shines like a neon sign from its pink contents as Dawn takes it out of her purse.
"What is that? It looks like a science experiment gone wrong," Marianne teases.
"I got it from a witch," Dawn comments.
"A witch," Marianne repeats skeptically? "Alright, I'll buy it. What's it for?
"It's to know who you love. You take a drink, think of the one you love, and then you'll know them better," Dawn explains, holding the small bottle between her thumb and forefinger. "This way you can stop nagging me about my crushes because then I'll know who really likes me or not."
"Please tell me that you didn't sign a contract or anything to get that. Dad did read fairytales to us growing up and they all warn against signing contracts," Marianne remarks, her amber eyes glimmering with mischief.
"Ugh, you worry too much," Dawn grumbles. "Aura Plum is a harmless, helpful old lady and she is very nice. I did have to sign a waiver when I bought this but it wasn't any different than an insurance policy."
"If she's helpful then why did you have to sign a waiver? Plus, witches are never harmless," Marianne points out.
"You have her confused with you," Dawn snaps! "The waiver is because an old customer of hers was unhappy about his purchase and blamed her for his thoughtless actions. Instead of being nice about it, that guy had her thrown in jail with the accusation of fraud. The waiver is just to make the customer aware that she only supplies the spells and potions but the customer is responsible for how their use of them turns out."
"Dawn, I don't think you should use that potion. It might be dangerous," Marianne cautions.
"You are not the boss of me," Dawn growls, pushing her stunned sister out of her room! "I am so sick of you ruining my life! First, you call off your wedding for no reason at all and embarrass us all back home, then because of that, Daddy gets transferred and we have to move here on short notice, and now you think you're so much better than me!"
"Daw...," Marianne starts before the door slams in her face!
Marianne holds her temper at bay before sighing roughly and ruffling her short hair. Might as well start dinner since the lock clicking into place clearly states her little sister's own feelings. Ignoring the stinging pain she can feel behind her eyes, the twenty-year-old heads downstairs and tries to push away the younger Wingborn's harsh words.
"She is so heartless," Dawn mutters, putting away the new clothes. "How could she do this to me and Daddy and especially, to poor Roland? How can she live with herself?"
After putting away everything, Dawn notices mail on her desk and looks through the letters expectantly. Sunny, Sunny, Sunny, Sunny, Cora, Sunny, Sunny, Nathan. She squeals happily, her bad mood forgotten, and quickly tears Nathan's letter open. With each word, her bad mood returns and amplifies. Nathan, the star quarterback who doted on her and begged her for a date, now sends his apologies and mentions a girlfriend. A girlfriend in less than five weeks when he was so in love with her before they moved to this hick city. This is all Marianne's fault!
Cora's letter brings her no good news either. They've been friends since their first cheerleading practice and now it was more of the same. Maintaining a long-distance friendship or relationship is too hard and they're sorry but they won't be writing to her again. The letters also include the latest gossip from home about the "Marianne Scandal" and how damaged poor Roland is about her fickleness.
Dawn throws the letter down in frustration before pacing. That makes nine potential boyfriends and fourteen friends that decided to quit talking to her because of her big sister. She even had to cancel her cheerleading camp this summer since they had to move when it started and neither Daddy nor Marianne could take her. To top it off, she hasn't made one friend since they moved here. The teenager ignores Marianne's call for dinner and even throws her shoe at the door when she knocks. Switching on her stereo to drown out Marianne's lectures with pop music, Dawn stares at the pink glowing bottle thoughtfully.
"What friend didn't she ruin," Dawn questions? "Only one way to find out."
Shrugging, she uncorks the small bottle and takes a drink before gagging at the taste. It tastes like that energy drink Marianne likes. How disgusting! She washes down the bad taste with water from the adjoining bathroom and waits for it to take effect. Surely, she must have one friend that Marianne didn't chase away with her behavior.
Dawn groans in frustration at no changes and grabs the bottle before drinking it all. She'd never live it down from Miss Queen if she spent all that money on something fake. It just has to work to prove Marianne wrong.
"Just one friend," Dawn begs at the absence of change.
She sighs before setting the bottle down on Sunny's letters. There was no way that she was going to eat Marianne's cooking, so she might as well as go to bed early.
"Dawn!"
Dawn opens her eye blearily at the enraged yell but the darkish room nearly makes her yell herself. It's far too early! At least with the lock, Marianne can't enter her room. That thought barely passes her mind when the door slams open and allows bright sunlight to flood the dark room.
"What did you do," Marianne yells?
Dawn stares up at the angry blonde teenager in shock. Uh-oh.