Chapter Ten

Author's Note:

So, this was originally supposed to be a part of Chapter Nine. But after reading it over, I realized that because this is a CasperxKat story, the chapters should contain some portion of Casper and Kat. So, I split the WendyxCameron scene and created two chapters. And I'm so sorry that even though this was halfway written already, I still took forever and a day to post it. But I promise I'll work harder to get the next few chapters out. We're winding down from here, as this is the 10th chapter and I'm only planning for like, fifteen chapters total. Maybe a few more. We'll see how it goes, I guess.

P.S- I wanted to test out 1st person on you guys. I personally enjoy writing that way a lot better, and honestly should have done that from the very beginning, but you know, I didn't. So I figured I'd test it out and see if you's like it. We may finish it that way. You might get a little more insight this way.

Wendy

Upon picking up the phone though, I received exactly what I'd been expecting. The lecture started instantly.

"Are you out of your mind, Wendy?" Aunt Geri yelled through the receiver. She sounded more than just pissed off this time, but almost afraid. "Do you know what kind of a position you've put yourself in, put us in? There are thousands of hunters out there who are more than willing to knock the witch population even lower than it already is. We're not even completely safe from the last hunt. You could have been killed."

I glanced nervously to where Cameron and Sara stood by the snack counter. They were watching with carefully concealed interest, trying to appear polite. I lowered my voice so they wouldn't hear.

"I have it under control here, Aunt Geri. But Casper-" I attempted to explain but was quickly cut off.

"Wait, Casper? That little bulb headed ghost kid we met when we were on the run?" She asked, her voice full of disgust when when saying the word 'ghost'. It was a witch's natural reaction to the mention of ghosts. They were their mortal enemies, just as it is known that vampires are the natural enemies of werewolves. My aunts especially didn't like them, claiming that "you can't trust what you can't see". Not even the friendly ghost who had more or less saved our lives had won them over. "What does he have to do with this?"

"Well, maybe if you would let me finish a sentence, you would know." I hissed. I usually wasn't one to snap at others, especially my elders. But the way Aunt Geri was acting like I had done something wrong, as she and her sisters always seemed to do when it came to my actions, was starting to bring out my darker side.

"Excuse me, young lady? Now, I can bring you home right now if you're going to talk to me like that. Don't you dare think I won't-"

"Alright, alright. I'm sorry." I sighed into the phone. "But I can explain."

My aunt was silent for a moment and my heart raced in anxiety. What if she didn't listen? What if she decided that no matter what the excuse, she wouldn't accept her niece working alongside a ghost? Finally, she spoke. "Okay, fine. I'm listening."

I didn't dare to release a breath of air. I wasn't in the clear yet. My aunt could still change her mind upon hearing my reasoning. And given the fact that she wasn't well known for her understanding and generosity, she probably would. "Casper found me back in Brooklyn. He needed my help, my magic."

"For what?" Aunt Geri asked calmly. Her voice was neutral, a first for her.

"He wanted to become human." I said, squeezing my eyes shut and waiting to be instantly transported back home for punishment. When I opened my eyes seconds later and found that my surroundings had not changed, I continued. "So, I um... I used the spíritum incantatores."

"You did what? Wendy Myra-" Aunt Geri stopped herself right there with a dry laugh. "Okay, I'm not even going to bother lecturing you on this. You've already been lectured and punished enough times to know better, so clearly you have some kind of an excuse. I just hope it's a good one for all the trouble you've caused us. Why did you do it, Wendy? Don't tell me you've fallen for him."

My face flushed in shock and embarrassment. I was grateful that my aunt couldn't see my through the phone. "Of course not! We're friends, nothing more." I glanced over to where Cameron still sat, now chatting with Sara. I guessed they had given up on their attempts to hear my conversation with my aunt. A secret smile formed on my lips. "And besides, I think I've met someone."

"Met someone?" My aunt snorted unattractively. "What do you know about men? Young warlocks your age are nothing but trouble. They're pranksters and will only drag you d-"

I lowered my gaze to the tiled floor below and whispered. "He's not a warlock."

"A vampire then? Because Wendy, they don't age. And while it might sound like a great thing that at age 84, he'll still be the young and handsome man he was when you met him, you need to understand that vampires are also a lot of work. He'll need blood, he can't go in the sunlight and he's-"

"Not a vampire." I finished, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. "Or a werewolf."

Confusion filled my aunt's voice on the other end. "Then... what is he?"

I took a deep breath and let it all out in one big rush. "He's human."

Silence. Deathly silence filled the air and I held my breath the entire time.

"Tell me you're joking." Aunt Geri said after a moment. When I didn't reply, she pushed again. "Tell me this is just a joke and we can forget all about it."

"I'm not joking, Aunt Geri. His name is Cameron McAllister and he's really nice and sweet and-"

"And completely off limits to witches."

I leaned against the wall by the phone. "What do you mean, 'off limits'?"

"I mean that it's against witch law to fall for a human. You need to forget about him, Wendy. I'm sure you can find some other suitable boy your age. Maybe there are some acceptable warlocks around or maybe you could try a werewolf. I dated one when I was about your age. He was nice- fiercely loyal, if a little smelly. I think he and his wife Tara have a son that's seventeen, too. Trevor, I believe his name was." I could hear her aunt shuffling through what sounded like papers. She was probably going through that ancient phonebook of hers.

"Aunt Geri, I'm sure this Trevor is very nice and maybe I could even date him, but the thing is, I really like this boy. A lot and maybe the law can make an exception for the greatest witch-" I knew deep down, though, that witch law was strict. There were no exceptions for anyone, no matter their title.

"Please, Wendy. Don't say that. If the Council of Magick hears of this... well, bad things will happen. And not just to you. The boy is in danger as well. Maybe even everyone involved." Aunt Geri sounded desperate.

That was that, then. My aunt's word was final. Casper, his uncles, Kat, Cameron, Sara, Dr. Harvey, my aunts... there were so many people I would be sacrificing. It wouldn't be fair. It wouldn't be right. With a trembling voice, I asked my aunt. "Okay, then. What do you want me to do?"

"Finish what you have to do there and come home. Avoid the boy as best as you can." When I didn't say anything, Aunt Geri's voice became softer. "It's for the good of everyone involved, Wendy."

"Okay, I'll um... I'll call you back as soon as I can." I twirled the telephone cord around my finger.

"I love you, Wendy-witch." My aunt told me gently. Not even the preciousness of my aunt's confession could faze me though. I was upset enough that no amount of rare 'I love yous' could cheer me up.

"I love you too, Aunt Geri." And I hung up the phone, trying to keep myself from letting my sadness show. I knew Cameron would ask why and I might not be able to lie to him about it. Then we would really be screwed.

Cameron

"So, how did it go?" Sara asked, sipping from Wendy's soda. I didn't even pay it any attention, though, mine being caught and held by the look of pure despair etched into the advancing girl's face.

"Um, Cam? Do you think you could drive me home?" She toyed nervously with the chain around her neck. "I um, I just remembered that I need to um..."

"Um, sure." I said, but deep down I was wondering what could possibly be wrong. I wanted her to tell me, but knew she wouldn't, based on my earlier attempts to speak to her. "But, are you okay? You look kind of..."

"Looney?" Sara offered, and I shot her a glare. She raised both of her hands in defeat and slid from her stool. "Okay, okay. I know when I'm not welcome. I'll be actually doing some work if either one of you need me."

When Sara left, my attention immediately returned to Wendy, who was by this point unable to even meet my gaze. I used a hand to lift up her chin, making her look me in the eyes. "Wendy, is everything alright?"

A stiff smile formed on Wendy's lip but she couldn't seem to hide the sadness in her eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's nothing, don't worry about it." Lies.

"Nothing, really?" I asked. I wasn't convinced in the slightest. If anything, I believed her even less than I had before, and that was saying something. Lying was clearly not a gift of hers. "You wanna try that lie again?"

She still wouldn't meet my eyes, keeping her gaze on the laces of her beaten up converse. "It's just my aunts, okay?"

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion and ran a hand through my hair. "Your aunts?"

"Yeah, they're- were my mom's sisters." She glanced up slightly through her side bangs and met my eyes, allowing me to see the pain that filled their hazel depths, but quickly looked back down. She continued quietly, "They became my legal guardians when my mom died."

"She died when I was really young. And when she died, I was immediately sent to live with my aunts. Apparently," Wendy chuckled bitterly. "Mom thought it would be what's best for me, being around people like me. Other wit-" She quickly shut up, her eyes going wide and her jaw tightening in anxiety. I brushed my thumb over the back of her hand.

"Other?" I asked softly, gently. I wasn't comfortable prying into what was clear to be a very touchy subject with her. Ironic, given how easily I'd allowed myself to push Kat into admitting she still cared for Casper.

"Nothing. I just... I really need to go home." Wendy said, her voice pleading. She met my gaze with big desperate green-brown eyes. "Please, Cameron?"

I was silent for a moment, meeting her eyes and trying to hide his disappointment. Was it something I had said? Was it something I'd done? I sighed deeply and looked away from her, unable to look when I made my decision. "Sara? I'm going to take Wendy home. I'll be back in a little while."

Sara leaned over the counter where she was currently serving two children, both of which appeared to be angry with her lack of attentiveness. She glanced back and forth between the two of us, suspicion written all over her face. She made no comment on it, however, and I was grateful. That was the last thing I wanted to hear.. "Okay, I'll um... I'll tell Mr. Worcester you went out for supplies or something."

I nodded thanks and led Wendy towards the door. I wanted to say something, maybe to apologize for whatever I'd done to upset her, but I didn't know how. What was there I could really say? Sorry for whatever I did. I don't know what it is, because you probably won't tell me, but I'm sorry. Please don't leave. He chose to stay quiet instead.

Wendy

Moments ticked by and when we approached Cameron's truck, I knew I had to say something. I couldn't just let it end silently. I sighed and met his eyes.

"Cameron, I'm sorry." I said softly, placing a hand on his arm. He met mine eyes with his confused blue ones.

"Is it me?" He asked, running a hand through his thick hair and looking down at his shoes. "Did I... did I come on too strong? Maybe I should have waited longer for this. You're overwhelmed now, this is moving too fast for you, right? God, I'm so stupid."

My eyes widened and I wanted to make him look at me, but knew that would be a bad idea. Touching him wouldn't help at all. I was supposed to be ending this. It was for his own good. "No, that's not it at all."

More confusion was in his eyes this time when he peered up. "Its not?"

I smiled a little at that. He really was sweet, and so considerate of others. "No, tonight was... fun. A lot of fun, actually."

"Then what's the problem?" Cameron's dark eyebrows furrowed. "Why do you want to go home?"

"Because, even if I'm having a great time, this won't work between us." I said, wishing I could just disappear. I didn't want to be there, didn't want to be the bearer of bad news. I just wanted everything to work itself out on its own so things could be like they were before Aunt Geri called. For the millionth time in my life, I just wished I could be normal. Cameron opened his mouth to say something but I continued before he could. "No, I need to say this."

He was quiet and I took this as an 'okay' to speak. "This won't work between us because I'm leaving soon. Really soon."

"Leaving?" He asked. "But you just got here. We just met... you can't be leaving yet. I thought you were moving here."

My smile was forced. "No, I'm just here helping out a friend of mine. I'm homeschooled now, so that means I'm not really missing much. I can make it up later. But as soon as Casper doesn't need me anymore, I'm gone."

Cameron started to nod, like he was agreeing with my reason, but suddenly his expression turned serious. He fixed my eyes with his intense blue eyes. The iris of his eyes resembled that of a brewing storm and I felt instantly that whatever he was going to say, it wasn't going to be something I wanted to hear.

"Wait, Casper? That's your friend's name?" He asked, his voice low and sounding like he was restraining himself.

I faked a laugh. "Well, yeah, I realize that Casper is a really outdated name, but his parents are really into that whole old-fashioned name thing-"

"Casper... does what you're here for, the reason he's here, have anything to do with a girl named Kat Harvey?"

I didn't know how he knew that or why he'd be asking me, and within my little bubble of innocence and surprise I didn't deny it. "And if it does?"

Cameron looked down at the ground again, this time chuckling bitterly. I didn't like the sound of it. It sounded too cold to my ears, too unlike Cameron. It made chills run up and down my spine, and not in a good way. I must have made some kind of sound because Cameron looked up and instantly his expression turned to concern.

"You're cold," It wasn't a question so much as a statement. He immediately tugged off his maroon sweatshirt and held it out to me. Underneath it he wore a plain white t-shirt. When I shook her head, he placed it in my hands. "Take it. I'm fine."

I didn't bother to argue, instead slipping on the garment and unconsciously taking in his scent. He spelled like the grass after it had just rained, which I presumed was some kind of laundry detergent and of something woodsy that I guessed was his cologne. To put it simply, the boy smelled nice. I zipped it up and crossed my arms over my chest to keep in the warmth.

"You didn't have to do that," I said, pushing back a strand of my hair that had fallen over onto my forehead. "Really. I would've been fine."

He shot me a small smile that was slightly anxious. I couldn't figure out why though. "No, I wanted to." He moved a step closer to me and placed a hand on her side.

I was ready to argue, to tell him that this was a bad idea, but before I could even open my mouth to speak, his lips came down and captured mine. I tried to stop it, to will myself to pull back. But I just couldn't. This was my first kiss, my first actual kiss. Not like the one I'd had with Brian Saunders in the 2nd grade where his friends dared him to kiss me, the weird girl. This was real. And it felt really good. Like lightning was shooting between the two of us. It felt like magic, like a charm that made me lose my head and rendered me incapable of any thought not involving him and the way his lips felt on mine. And all too soon, he pulled away, breaking the spell.

He leaned his forehead against mine, breathing heavily. I could hear his heart beating loudly through his shirt and was almost positive he could hear mine as well as it pounded out of her chest. We must've really been at it, because it felt like I'd like she'd run a mile. Or maybe it was because of how close he was to me. He was right there, right within my reach and I felt a smile forming on my lips.

"You know," He told me, pushing back that stubborn lock of hair again. "You look a hell of a lot better in that hoodie than I ever did."

I laughed and just as I was about to respond with a witty remark, it all shattered. I realized what had just happened and wretched myself from him, my eyes wide like a mad woman. This could not be happening to me. Not now.

"Oh no," I gasped, looking down at myself in shock. How could I have let this happen? This was so wrong. I was supposed to be ending this, but here I was kissing Cameron McAllister in the parking lot of an old bowling alley. Oh yes, I had definitely fixed things. Not. "This is wrong. I can't... this was a mistake."

"Well," Cameron said with a mocking smile on his face as he stepped toward me again."That was one hell of a mistake then."

I stepped back farther much to the disappointment of Cameron who stopped and watched me with a mixture of curiously and hurt.

"No," I said shakily and even though I tried not to, it all just came pouring out. I was rambling. Thankfully though, nothing specific came out. Then I would really be done. "No. That should have never happened. I was supposed to go home and we were supposed to forget all about this. I was supposed to... oh god, I'm dead. I'm so dead."

"What're you talking about?" He asked. "Why are you dead?"

I met his eyes sadly. "Because this can't happen. My aunts... they're not happy about this. Not at all."

"What do your aunts have to do with this?" He raised an eyebrow. "I mean, I understand that you're leaving but I thought that I might as well... you know, before you left."

"They won't approve of this, of me involving myself with you." I hesitated before going on. "They're very... particular about who I date."

"And they won't approve of me?" He asked. He didn't look convinced. "I'm the star of my schools baseball team, a honors student and I'm in all honors courses this year. I'm a college's dream student."

"I-" I wasn't sure what to say. Suddenly, all I felt was really tired. I wished this could be easier, but of course, nothing in life was ever easy. "I really need to get home, Cameron. Casper's probably ready to come out hunting for me." That's if he and Kat were done ripping each other's throats out.

Cameron's eyes narrowed again. "Casper... he broke Kat's heart. She's my best friend."

I nodded as a confirmation. "He did and he knows that. He's really, truly sorry for what he did. But he had a reason for his actions."

"Oh, he had a reason for leaving Kat here wondering what happened to him?" Cameron growled. "At first, she was practically mourning him like he was dead. Then, she was so angry that she could barely handle it. I thought we were going to need to put her in counseling or something. Do you know what its like to watch your best friend tear herself apart over someone?"

No, I do not. Because to know that I would have to have friends.

"Look," I said, raising my hands in a sign of surrender. "He did wrong. I can recognize that and I'm not very happy with it myself, but he's been my friend for a long time. A really, really long time. And I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt."

Cameron looked like he had another biting remark packing, but I shook my head. He stayed silent.

"Now, if you won't drive me home I'll just walk. But one way or another, I need to get going." I waited for a response and when it came, it was in the form of him opening the driver's side door. He let me open my own, making me feel uncomfortable and like he was angry at me and not at Casper, but said nothing.

The drive home was silent. There was no happy music playing in the background. Instead, it was deathly silent. I could hear nothing but the engine as it rumbled and the sounds of our breathing. I was still a bit breathless from the kiss and he was probably still worked up from his little meltdown.

"So, where am I dropping you off?" He kept his eyes on the road ahead, not looking at me in any way.

"Whipstaff Manor," I answered awkwardly. If he was Kat's friend, he would know where it was.

Now he looked at me, but only out of the corner of his eyes. "You're staying with Kat?"

I nodded. "Well, yeah. Casper used to be practically part of the family there. Dr. Harvey insisted we stay with them."

He grunted, the universal male response. He didn't ask any more questions and I didn't offer anymore answers. When we pulled up in front of the doors to the Manor, Cameron shut off the engine and said nothing. We sat in silence.

"Well," This had certainly been a lovely evening. Not only did I get lectured by my aunt, but I also was forced to turn down the only guy who had ever been genuinely interested in me. It wasn't fair, but I knew it was necessary. This couldn't work between us. Not if I was a witch and he was a human. The Council of Magick would find out and there would be trouble for everyone. Not just me, but Cameron as well. Maybe even everyone involved. Maybe Casper, Kat, and even Dr. Harvey too. "Thanks for the ride home. I really appreciate it."

Even though I shut you down back there, I'm glad you could suck it up enough to give me a lift home so I wasn't stuck in the middle of nowhere to be killed by some other crazy serial killing hitchhiker, is more like it.

"No problem," Cameron answered. His voice was bland, like he didn't care one way or another. And that was just fine with me. That made this a lot easier on my part. It made it a lot less like a breakup... even though it really wasn't one, seeing as we'd never really been together. This was just one date and a fun night on the beach down the drain. "I'll um, see you around, I guess. That is, if you're still around."

"Yeah," I said, even though I wasn't entirely sure how much longer I'd be around. Maybe a day? Maybe a week? It all depended on Casper's abilities to charm a girl. And having watched them earlier, I thought that maybe I would be around a little while. I opened the passenger's side door to leave, but was still facing him as I did. "Well, bye."

"Yeah, bye." He said, not even looking at me as I climbed down from his truck and shut the door behind me. But as I walked up the stairs to the front door, I could have sworn I felt his eyes on me, this is, before he started up his car again and turned back onto the turn-around driveway. I watched until he was out of the gate before turning around to open the door.

But when I stepped into the foyer, the house appeared to be empty. The lights were out and no sound could be heard coming from upstairs or from her own floor. Where was everyone? Were they still at the fair? No, surely not. Not this late. It was going on 9 o'clock now. Casper wouldn't stay out this long if they couldn't find me. He would come back here and wait. Wouldn't he?

That's when I finally heard it, sound. I let out a sigh of relief at not having to wander back down to the fair in search of them. They were here, thank god. I crossed the space of the foyer and made my way to the far off hallway that led to either the kitchen or living-room. I opted for the living-room and as I made my way down the hall, I realized that the noises had gone away. It was once again silent, the only thing able to heard by my being the clicking of my Chuck Taylors on the wooden flooring.

"Hey guys, I'm home." I called, hoping that they'd hear me and come meet me halfway. The darkness of the hallway was starting to make me nervous. They didn't though, and I kept going, quickening my pace a little. Maybe they hadn't heard me. But when I reached the doorway to the living-room, I found that simply not hearing me wasn't the case. They were... busy, with each other.

The sight I found when I entered the room consisted of Casper's hands resting on Kat's waist and her arms wrapped around his neck. Their lips were moving in rhythm with each other and I found that I couldn't keep watching. Not only was it wrong to do, but I also found that it made her a bit sick. Not because of them, but because it reminded me of earlier. I cleared my throat softly and instantly the two broke apart, surprise evident on both of their faces. Kat looked like she wished she were anywhere but right there. I knew the feeling well.

Kat held her hands folded in front of her, a nervous smile on her face as she tried to fix the mess that had become of her hair. It had fallen out of the braid it had so artfully been worked into earlier in the day, now laying in a mass of waves down her back. She waved awkwardly, but after a couple of seconds, dropped her hand. Her face blushed deep crimson. "Oh, um, hey Wendy."