Despite the obviously friendly atmosphere, Will was finding it hard to say much as these girls were making her nervous. The blonde one was the worst of them though while the others were making an effort to be nice, Cornelia wasn't. In fact the blonde girl kept glaring at the redhead in undisguised hostility.
"So Will, tell us more about yourself." Hay Lin chirped stopping the conversation that the others were having as three heads turned to look at Will, who was shifting uncomfortably in her seat. What was she supposed to say, she was a recovering drug addict and alcoholic? How about that she really was a whore who did things she wasn't proud of to get her next hit? Sure she was truly trying to change in some ways, but it would never really change the fact of what she was would it?
"Who cares about her?" Cornelia all but growled relieving Will in a way. At least the redhead wouldn't have to say anything about her past now. Or so she hoped. "Has anyone noticed strange things going on around me lately?"
"Oh no, the conversation has drifted away from little Miss Prom Queen, whatever shall we do?" Irma sneered shooting an angry look at the blonde.
"Shove it, Irma." Cornelia said putting her palms on the table and pushing herself up to lean over it getting into the brunette's face.
"Back off, Corny." Irma said pushing herself up to meet the blonde's glare at eye level.
"Don't call me Corny!" Cornelia screeched as she clawed at the table in anger.
"Girls, settle down." Yan Lin said as she walked back in, managing to diffuse the situation as Cornelia sat back down crossing her arms with a 'hmph!" while Irma fell back into her own seat. "I have a story I wish to tell you all."
"But grandma." Hay Lin whined, obviously not liking the older woman's stories or were embarrassed by the. For a moment Will actually wondered what it would be like to have a mother who cared enough to want to meet her friends and tell stories to. What did she care though, right? Her mother was worse than Will herself was and nothing was going to change that.
"This is a special story that I believe will have a special meaning for each of you girls." Yan Lin smiled as she poked at an empty spot in the air, causing it to ripple out around her finger as the room was filled with an image, almost like a hologram. There was a beautiful planet, a beautiful solar system actually that was most definitely not earth's own. "There once was a kingdom called Meridian in another dimension. It was a peaceful kingdom until one day it's Prince murdered his parents and was going to kill his sister, the rightful heir, but two people from the castle hid her away. When he came into power the protectors at the center of Infinity raised a powerful veil to keep it's evil from spreading to other worlds."
"Wh-What the hell is going on?" Will asked, her voice shaky as she watched the planet be covered in strange vines before a purplish haze covered it..
"I'm getting to that child." Yan Lin said smiling kindly at the redhead calming the younger girl down a little. "This veil is growing weak and there are tears beginning to form in it taking on the form of portals. The Council has decided to chose a new generation of protectors to close these tears, to mend them and stop any of the evil from leaking through."
"So what, these warriors," Irma said making quotations with her fingers in the air with a smirk. "Are supposed to sew it shut?"
"No child." Yan Lin laughed sadly as she pulled out a glowing jewel on a chain. "This is the Heart of Candracar girls and with it the Keeper will transform herself and four others into Guardians, strengthening their already showing powers. "Irma, you will control the element of water."
Irma's eye's almost popped out of her head as they flew wide open. For a few moments she wondered how the older woman knew but decided that she did so might as well not hide it. Sighing she pulled a straw out of her soda leaving behind a trail of soda floating behind it.
"Taranee, you will control the element of fire." Yan Lin said bringing a candle over and placing before the dark skinned girl. Taranee sighed and stared at the flame causing it to burst outward violently almost hitting the other girls, only missing by mere inches. "Well…You all will have to practice to gain better control over your powers. My little Hay Lin, you will have power over the very air itself."
With that being said Yan Lin took out a dragon kite giving it to Hay Lin who took a deep breath and blew filling it up and causing it to fly around the room and blowing away the images filling he air.
"And Cornelia, you will have power over the Earth itself and all of its flora." Yan Lin said, setting a flower that was almost dead before the blonde, who waved almost dismissively at it causing it to not only coma back to life but to grow several inches and bloom beautifully. Yan Lin had to smile at that, the flower never looked that good and even Kadma couldn't control her power like that at first.
"And finally, Will." Yan Lin said placing the jewel around the redhead's neck, "You are their leader, the Keeper of the Heart of Candracar."
"You…You have the wrong girl." Will said as tears began to gather in her eyes. How could she be picked to be one of these protectors, these Guardians much less their leader? Didn't Yan Lin know who she was? What she was? "There has to be some kind of mistake…I'm…I'm not even close to being worthy."
Will couldn't stop the tears any longer as she tried to remove the necklace that was mocking her in so many ways. It was supposed to go to someone who could protect people, someone who was important and special and she was none of those things. She was a worthless piece of trash no one wanted around. She knew deep down it was pointless to try and be anything else, though she was sincerely trying if only just to show up her mother. Maybe in some way earn just a little respect from the older woman, a little love from her.
"You are worthy child, the Heart would not have chosen someone who wasn't worthy." Yan Lin said putting her hands on the redhead's shoulders from behind. Irma and Hay Lin closed in on either side of the crying girl hugging her while Taranee looked nervous but worried for the girl. Cornelia looked unsure of what to do, as she looked at Will skeptically.
"Hey, don't say that our new friend isn't worthy of anything." Irma growled out a little angrily, but when Will looked up in fright and a little anger herself she saw a kind friendly look in the brunette's eyes. It took a few seconds before realizing Irma was talking about her, calling Will their friend. They wouldn't be if they knew everything that she did.
When the brunette leaned in and hugged Will, brushing her face against Will's so her lips were just centimeters from the redhead's ear it caused her to shiver a little.
"I know everything in your reports, I sneaked into my dad's records and read them. I'm sorry but it doesn't make me want to go away. I want to be your friend and no the others don't know but it wouldn't change anything." Irma whispered softly, "I won't let you push me away."
"Wh-what?" Will asked unsure to be angry that this girl invaded her privacy like that or hopeful that someone really didn't care about her past and wanted to be friends.
"You heard me missy." Irma said as she pulled away and crossed her arms smirking a little at Will.
"Come on, let's go try out this whole guardian thing." Hay Lin chirped breaking up the moment but attempting to help cheer Will up in her own hyper way.
"Sorry girls, it's getting late." Irma sighed as she looked at the clock up on the wall. "My dad is going to be out front any minute. Come on Will, we'll give you a lift home."
Will was going to protest as Irma grabbed her hand and practically pulled her out of her seat and toward the door.
"We'll see you two tomorrow." Hay Lin said, as Taranee nodded and Cornelia only glared at the redhead though it softened up quite a bit from earlier.
"See you guys tomorrow!" Irma called back as she dragged Will out through the door, the redhead giving up trying to struggle though she really wasn't trying to all that much. Everything in the last hour happened so fast that it was overwhelming her so much and being dragged out front to a police car with a man she wasn't exactly happy with at the moment in the driver's seat.
"Hey dad, can we drop Will off at home?" Irma asked as Will was about to protest.
"What happened to your shoes?" Tom asked as he raised an eyebrow in curiousness.
"Non of your business, I'll just walk." Will huffed crossing her arms.
"Not without shoes you won't, get in." Tom said, but Will was about to smart him off when she found herself being pushed into the back seat with Irma following right behind.
Will sighed as she just scooted over to the window and looked out it, Officer Lair knew where she lived, seeing how he's been there several times already as her parole officer. Riding in the back of a police cruiser was something new for the redhead. Well, riding in the back of one with a friend for not doing anything was anyways. It was a little uncomfortable doing so though as the driver was not only her parole officer, but also the man who had her in Missus Knickerbocker's office earlier. This was totally insane trusting this asshole like this, but Irma really was acting like she anted to be friends and as much as she refused to admit to the world, or even to apart of herself, Will really wanted a friend right now, she needed one after everything she's been through.
"So did you girls have fun?" Tom asked trying to strike up a conversation, as the last two minutes had been pretty quiet.
"It was great dad, and I have a new best friend!" Irma said while smirking over to me.
"B-Best friend?" Will asked as she looked over to the brunette in shock. She knew this girl was a joker, that's what one of the things Will really did like that about her so far. This wasn't something to joke about though, she didn't need to be led on like that. "Please don't joke about something like that. No one gives a damn about me."
"That's not true, Will." Tom said looking back through the rearview mirror at the two girls, as Irma inched over to Will's side as the redhead leaned her head against the window shuddering a little holding back sobs. "There's always God if no one else."
"That's a joke…Hell, my life is the biggest joke of all." Will whispered softly, though both Lairs heard her and shared a sad look through the mirror. Irma finally came hip to hip with Will and took the girl's hand and squeezed it, interlocking her own fingers with the redhead's.
"I know jokes girl, and your life isn't one of them." Irma said after getting Will's attention and locking eyes with her. "I am your friend if you want me to be or not."
Will didn't know what to say when Irma let go and pulled the redhead into an embrace. She knew what to do though, she couldn't drag Irma into her pathetic life. The brunette was far too good for that and didn't deserve that. Will didn't deserve her just like she didn't deserve the Heart, which she had in one hand which she shoved into Irma's purse while she was distracted. Irma would make a much better Keeper than herself.
"We're there." Tom said stopping the car at the curb in front of Will's run down little home. Will pulled away from Irma as she climbed out of the car, giving the brunette a sad smile as she was thinking that this would probably be the last time she saw her. Though it wasn't from the lack of Irma trying, Will was thinking about just giving up, she saw a wonderful world tonight with friends, others who cared about her. It was a world she knew she would never fit in with and she wasn't sure if she wanted to keep living in hers.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Will." Irma said as Will climbed out of the car.
"Sure." Will said smiling a little even though it was strained. She shut the door and walked away from the car dreading a night with her mother even though she wasn't sure if she would even last that long.
"Irma, check your purse and see if anything is missing." Tom sighed as he watched Will walk away even though he didn't pull away. He could see the confused look in his daughter's eyes and hated doing this, but if Will did take something, which he was hoping she didn't, it was better that Irma found out now rather than later.
The young girl sighed as she obeyed her father and opened it up and started digging through it before gasping, crushing Tom's hopes a little for the redhead before Irma pulled out a beautiful piece of what looked like costume jewelry, though it still looked rather extravagant at the same time.
"Hay Lin's grandmother gave this to Will, she must have stuck it in my purse!" Irma said showing the jewel to her father, "I'm going to take it to Will real quick."
"I'll come with you." Tom said as he felt relief flood though him. He could tell that Irma was already rather attached to the redhead, it was the same way with Hay Lin. The two girls had met a long time ago and had been best of friends since, which if he was right, there was going to be another member in that group. Sure Cornelia and Taranee were close to them, but nothing like Hay Lin was to Irma and what he could tell Will would be if the redhead would open up a little.
The two slowed as they approached the door, screaming coming from the other side. Frown's graced both their faces as they realized one of the voices belonged to Will.
"IT JUST KILLS YOU THAT YOU RAISED ME TO BE A PIECE OF SHIT, DOESN'T IT?" Will screamed, "A WHORE JUST LIKE YOU!"
"DON'T YOU DARE TALK TO ME LIKE THAT, I DON'T GO OUT SCREWING A BUNCH OF GUYS FOR MY NEXT HIT!" The other voice screamed back.
"NO, YOU DO IT FOR THE HELL OF IT!" Will's voice responded, just before the two outside the door heard a loud slap as if a hand slapping someone in the face. Tom had enough as he noticed the shocked look on his daughters face before he pounded his fist on the door.
"WHAT?" A woman with long, dishelved black hair snapped as she flung open the door. The smell of alcohol was evident on her breath as she stood there in a worn, dirty nightshirt. She wavered a little before her eyes widened in recognition. "O-Officer Lair, what are you doing here?"
"I dropped off Will a minute ago but she forgot something in my car." Tom said, his voice clearly a little upset, but the drunken woman didn't seem to notice that.
"H-Hi, Missus Vandom." Irma said as she looked past her to see Will looking at her in shock, a bit of a red mark forming on the redhead's cheek. Irma mouthed the words, "Are you okay?" To Will who nodded sadly.
"What kind of trouble is she in now?" Susan growled out as she glared back at the redhead.
"None…She was just spending time with my daughter tonight." Tom said, confused as to why the woman thought Will was in trouble just because he brought the girl home. After a few seconds he guessed he could understand a little, but the woman's reaction to it was a little harsher than he would have thought. Unless… "Did you get my message today about Will being innocent for what happened at the school?" The shocked and remorseful look on the woman's face told Tom everything, as she stood there slack jawed, trying to formulate a sentence.
"Can I talk to Will for a minute?" Tom asked looking over Susan's shoulder at the redhead.
"Sure." Susan said numbly as she walked away from the door just as Will came to it.
"You forgot this in the car." Irma said taking Will's hand and making the redhead take the jewel.
"Will, I want you to come with us." Tom said gently, "I'm calling children services."
"Wh-What? Why? You can't do that!" Will said as one emotion after another washed over her.
"Will, I can't leave you to be hit again." Tom said shaking his head sadly.
"She never hit me before…I…" Will said as a hurt look crossed into her eye as she gingerly touched the reddening mark. "I was out of line, I should have never said what I did. I refuse to go though and if you call them…I…I'll deny everything! She may not be much but she's all I have!"
"Will…" Tom sighed.
"Don't you dare call them!" Will snapped as she grew angrier.
"We only wan to help Will." Irma said hugging the shaking redhead. Will fought at first but she quickly let the brunette hold her for a few seconds. It kind of felt good to be hugged like this, no one had ever done it for a long time. It felt kind of good knowing that this girl really did care for her.
"Okay, I will be checking up on you but for now…I won't call." Tom said.
"But dad!" Irma gasped.
"Irma…If Will refuses to testify it would be hard to do anything. I don't think Susan would hit Will normally…They both said things to each other that was a little out of line but I still don't like that she hit you Will." Tom said though his voice was a little unsure.
"Look, I'm fine so don't worry." Will sighed, "Just really tired, I'm going to bed."
"Meet at the Silver Dragon tomorrow after school." Irma said, just before Will shut the door.
"I-I'll think about it." Will sighed, "Have a good night you two."
Will sighed as she shut the door, she couldn't believe that those two brought the heart back to her. It didn't make sense to her that they would go out of their way to do that. It didn't make sense that they were actually acting as if they cared about her. True a part of her was starting to believe that they did, but that wouldn't last very long if they did care. When they got to know her personally and see the piece of trash she was, they would abandon her just like everyone else. Even her own mother abandoned her in a way.
"Where did you get that?" Susan demanded pointing to the necklace that Will was just slipping around her neck. "Or should I be asking who you screwed to get it."
"I'm going to bed." Will sighed, fighting back the hurt her mother's words caused as she slipped back into her mask of indifference, though she wasn't sure how much longer it would last. "And for your information, Hay Lin's grandmother gave it to me and if you even think about selling it for booze, I'll break your fucking hand mother!"
"How dare you!" Susan snarled as Will pushed into her room, slamming the door behind her and locking it, before leaning back against it and sliding to the floor to pull her knees to her chest and buried her face in them, as tears started falling. She ignored her mother's raving and ranting from the other side of the door as she shook with quiet sobs. She wanted her mother back, the one she barely remembered but the woman she loved and the woman who loved her in return.
She wondered if maybe it would be best if she just ended it all, her mother would be happier without her that was for sure. Hell, the entire world would be better off without her. No more worthless whore getting in everyone's way. She didn't get too much of a chance to dwell on it though as she drifted off into a fitful sleep, leaned up against the door.
Hi hi peeps (no not those little marshmallow treats, LOL), Wilhelmina here. Sorry about the lack of updates but work has been hard because of the holiday rush but I am going to concentrate on this story as much as I can because if possible I'd like to be over halfway done by Christmas with it so I can have the Christmas chappie in time for Christmas. As soon as Christmas is over though I'll be back full time working on all my stories as well as paying a lot more attention to my website which I may make an archive of all my favorite Witch stories on if their authors don't mind. In fact, I'll be hosting more than that maybe but it will be coming in January.
Also, I am so sorry about the backlog of stories to read, LOL. I know some of you I have been promising to read your stories and I still plan to but mainly I've been sleeping-working and haven't had a lot of time though I do try to make a little time for my friends in my guild and answer my e-mails though sometimes it may take a few days. What work I've done on stories have been during free time at work mostly as I've worked with my friend Ice Queen of Candracar on her two stories From Mystic to Guardian as well as Birds of Prey so check them out and review. (Please, she's starting to worry that they aren't good. TT )
And lastly I want to thank everyone for their support of my stories and your wonderful reviews and a very special thank you to XV-Dragon for betaing this story, thankies, thankies, thankies!
