Hello les ami(e)s. You really thought I forgot about yuou? Nah, its just that in France we were back in a lockdown so it threw all my new founded routine away. Things are so meh I don't know. But hey no negativity, I want to offer you some joy with this new chapter. I'm not gonna lie I love this story so much, I'm so happy you love it too and I can't wait for you to read what's coming next.

Love you guys, please be safe!

KISSED BY A WITCH

9. The Necklace

I never thought I needed saving, I was right where I should be

Good God, I know it's dangerous, but it's you that I need

I'm in love this time, I'm in love this time

Michonne was very good at zoning out of an unpleasant situation. She was seated on a vintage dark wooden bench for the last 30 minutes, even if it looked like 2 hours had passed. The speech given by Karen, their high priestess on her choir, was boring. Michonne tried very hard to concentrate on the improvements the council wanted to bring to The Academy. Their eyes mockingly trained on her family, since none would benefit them, and everyone knew that.

She could hear the whispers behind their back, people called them " mortals lovers. " Some of them even believed that the Harris had been cursed and only the ones in Canada were safe. Michonne rolled her eyes looking at the high white ceiling with an excessive amount of chandelier, she inhaled the delicious scent of citrus. White was the predominant color of the house, like the tree standing tall outside these walls. The decoration of the Coven was rudimentary, enough white bench for all of them to seat. Fire pits, the choir and chairs that looked like thrones for the council to seat behind the choir.

Ridiculous if someone asked her opinion. But she kept it for herself, as she battled to keep her anger from her eyes when she made eye contact with Taylor. One month without seeing her annoying doll like white face and Michonne hatred was still vivid. Michonne offered her nemesis her fakest smile. Until a mischievous grin spread slowly across Michonne's face,as she remembered the satisfaction of what she and her sisters had done to Taylor. A beautiful memory that caused them a lot of problems but had been worth it. And she had to talk herself out of the idea to throw another hex.

Taylor squinted her eyes, the disgust for Michonne apparent on her pretty features. She puffed, her green eyes back on Karen. Michonne did the same, just in time to catch her talking about this incoming Yule ; the biggest holiday of their community. Michonne's heart filled with joy, and for the first time since she left Rick her lips twitched upwards in a sincere grin. She loved Yule, the cheerful ambience as if there had been no issues the months before. Everyone was on their best behavior, excited to gather together to eat, laugh and just be happy. It was also the only time in the year that her favorite and only uncle Marcus–Jasmine's brother– came to visit them. He was a lawyer like her mother but unlike Jasmine he worked with and for witches. And lived in New York.

The 21st of every December of every year he and his wife Moesha, one of the most skilled bujra Michonne ever met, his daughter Jocelyn hopped on a plane to celebrate with the Hernandez-Harris, and brought their fun with them with a lot of gifts too. Michonne was sometimes jealous of their lives, they belonged to a Coven where they were respected. Loved. They were friends with every member. They didn't have stupid rules like The White Tree Coven. Once more Michonne wished her mother Isis could stop being so uptight and accept to leave the Coven to start a new life elsewhere.

Her beloved grandmother Fanny was also part of the Yule celebration, it was the only time she left her house in Atlanta. Fanny wasn't part of any Coven, she didn't have the chance to attend any witchcraft school but nonetheless she was a good witch. Her speciality was divination. Michonne burned with the need to ask her grandmother to use her knowledge on her. They sometimes also visited Rosetta ,the visits weren't always peaceful or long enough to enjoy her company. But the sisters were content with the precious hours they shared with the old woman.

Michonne had been in her head for so long that she didn't register the meeting was over,until Rosita hit her shoulder standing at her side. Rosita jerked her thumb in the exit direction, and Michonne followed suit, as she ignored the disgusted and mad gazes of the others. Just another day in her life.

"Do you wanna come to the market with us? " Isis asked once they were outside, draped in her red long coat, her curly dark hair moved by the wind. "Or, go back to the house with Jasmine? "

Michonne coked her head on the side, she took her time to think about her answer not wanting to sound too eager to go home.

"I think I'm gonna go back with Mom, " she answered nonchalantly.

"Of course you would say that! " Sasha said her voice clipped, as she rolled her eyes at her.

Michonne didn't even spare her a glance, her sister had been throwing shades all the week, since their argument. Hinting about her forbidden relationship with Rick every occasion she had, at dinners, or when they strolled in the woods with their mother. That how Michonne understood that Sasha was full of shit, she couldn't and wouldn't rat Michonne out. A part of her sister's was too afraid to hurt Isis and the other too afraid of Michonne being mad at her. The best move was to say nothing, but not miss an opportunity to bother Michonne.

Isis frowned,"What's going on between you two? "

The girls just shrugged and replied in the same voice that nothing was going on. They knew they couldn't fool their mothers but to their relief she dropped the subject and let Michonne go with Jasmine in the direction of the bridge the witches used to rejoin the mortal world. Michonne retrieved her phone from her coat's pocket, and quickly typed a text to Rick, she wanted them to meet at the library in order to refine their science project. At least in this crowded place, she was sure their mind would stay on the work not how kissable each other's lips were. And now she was lost in the thoughts of his soft mouth, the vibration of the device cutting through them. It was Rick, he preferred to meet in a place where they could talk, eat and work without having someone shushing them every two seconds. Michonne agreed, her body humming with anticipation.

############

Michonne smiled at the pretty red haired waitress who took her order, a hot chocolate with marshmallows on the top. She hoped the sweet beverage would calm her nerves, she was on edge, with the feeling that something bad was lurking in the shadows. She scanned the little place, soberly called " The Café " where people could eat brunches, delicious cakes and exquisite drinks.

The cafe had light filtering through every inch of the space. On the left side was the entrance and next to the door was an entire wall of smaller glass windows, streaming with sunlight that reflected off of a similar glass wall on the right side of the room. The far wall in the back was covered with lush greenery. Vines wrapped around dark wiring and potted plants hanging from whatever free space was left. The tables and chairs were slightly mismatched in style and color. Somehow, everything came together to create a space that was clean and open and bustling with good opened not too long ago, but had already a frank success.

She checked her watch again, Rick was late which was unusual of him and that sure didn't help with her anxious state. After blowing a sigh she took her science book from her backpack, she needed to occupy her mind, she tried to block the noise of drinked cups, light chatter and the waitress taking orders after orders. But before she could read the first words of the chapter about the different ways to light a fire, two strong hands covered her eyes. The watermelon smell confirmed her suspicion about the owner of the hands.

"Guess who? "

"50 Cent is that you? " Michonne gasped, a hand dramatically placed on her heart.

Rick took his hands back, and Michonne pivoted towards him,her face fell as if she was disappointed to see him.

"Oh, it's just you."

Rick chuckled, and took the seat in front of her, "Sorry to crush your dreams. "

"I don't know if it's forgivable. "

He let out a deep laugh, and shook his head. As she started to feel better Michonne admired the crinkles in the corner of his eyes. The way his curls fell on his face, their dark color in contrast with his white complexion making the blue of his eyes pop more. He was handsome, so much that she wondered if she could forget his face even with the strongest potion or hex. She sure didn't want to, but what choice had she left?

The waitress came back with her hot chocolate, scribbled on her notepad what Rick told her and left them alone.

"I'm sorry for bein' late. " Rick said, his voice almost a whisper.

He had to think about everything else that wasn't Michonne's body, and the lingering memory of her warmth against his. The proximity didn't facilitate things, neither the fact that she looked good enough to carry her, put her on his lap and kiss her until she was too dazed to walk. Nor the smell of her citrus scent, awakening deep, inexplicable emotions in him. But for now he would just appreciate the green mid length with long sleeves dress she wore, her long locs were away from her face in a ponytail. She had no makeup, and her beauty was still the same. Unmatched.

"You are not 50 Cent, and you're late," Michonne replied with a teasing smile. "Give me a reason to not walk out. "

Michonne was a very serious young woman, people rarely caught her cracking jokes and Rick felt honoured to be one with whom she felt safe enough to show her silly,funny side. He adored her laugh. Who he was kidding? He adored every little thing about her. His lips twitched upwards in a big, knowing grin before he fetched a velvet dark box from his jacket's pocket. Which reminded him that he didn't even undress, he got rid of his brown suede jacket watching Michonne who was scanning the box with a puzzled face.

"It's not a ring. " He nervously added, her silence stressed him more than he imagined.

Michonne gave him a tense smile, the amusement gone from her eyes. She surveyed the box, and wondered if she learnt an hex to see through closed boxes. But nothing came to her mind, so with trembling hands she took the box. She had no idea why she was shaking, maybe she was excited? Fearful but of what? Breathe Michonne. Rick sat straight, his breath caught in his throat. Being in love sure did weird things to his body. She opened the box, her eyes widened, her mouth hung open. For a long, suffocating minute she said nothing.

"Rick, why did you do that? " She asked her voice low as her eyes sparkled with unshed tears.

Michonne took the gold necklace from the box, it had a little M in the middle. She caressed it, still not in control of her hands.

"I was at the jewelry shop with my sister Sofía, madam wanted to buy herself a gift. " He rolled his eyes, wondering how he let his sister trap him into ring shopping. " Then I saw it, with your initial and I had to buy it. "

Rick took a deep breath, it was now or never. "Because I knew it would look nice on my girlfriend's neck. "

Michonne stopped clutching the jewelry piece, and Rick wanted to take back what he said when he saw the shock on her face. But his apprehension was melted by the huge smile she gave him. Her heart was racing so fast, she was sure the patrons near her could hear it.

"Ain't you the most thoughtful boyfriend ever? " His blushing face and the happiness written all over it, coaxed a wide smile on her lips.

He was her boyfriend. Michonne's boyfriend, he wanted her and she wanted him and everything was right in his world. And no reminder of them taking separate roads soon, could crush his new founded joy. He took her hand and kissed her knuckles, her giggles blessing his ears. With a lot of apologies for taking too long, the waitress Sandy put his ginger tea in front of him and was gone. They silently drank their cups, their eyes locked in each other, as they could see happiness dancing in it.

But the sparkle of joy disappeared from her brown eyes, not watching him but taking in the stranger behind him. She squinted her eyes, feeling the hair of her neck rose and goosebumps peppering her skin. The brunette briefly hidden in the corner of the café was oddly familiar, and not in the good way. She was ready to bet her left boob that it was Taylor, and she prayed it wasn't her otherwise all hell was about to break loose. Rick who witnessed the sudden and worrying change of her humor, put his warm hand on hers. She was hotter than his tea.

"Everythang's okay? "

Michonne barely acknowledged him, "Yeah, yeah. Sorry I'll be back. "

She rose before he could reply, what Taylor was doing here? To stalk you, duh. Michonne silently cursed, her negative presence could explain the bad feeling she had since she stepped foot in the place. Taylor's vibe had always been off, she was so fake that Michonne wondered if Taylor herself knew the real her. A bully disguised in a nice girl, she fooled a lot of people but not Michonne and her sisters.

Since the first day in the Academy Taylor had decided to be their nemesis and it looked like even when they were far she couldn't let them live in peace. She continued to approach the table against the wall, it was the perfect spot for someone to eat, drink or read away from the others. The young girl's face was now behind her book of poems. Michonne cleared her throat to have her attention, and she could breathe again when she saw it wasn't Taylor.

"I'm sorry, " she said to the confused patron, "I thought you were someone else. "

The brunette smiled, "No problem. Happens to everyone. "

Michonne let out a fake giggle and waved her goodbye. Instead of feeling relieved, her sixth sense told her something wasn't normal. She swore the young girl was Taylor, who could have used magic when she saw Michonne coming. She let out a deep breath, and tried to get back on a more cheerful mood before she took her seat.

"That's embarrassing. " She whined, putting her hands on her heated cheeks. " I thought she was someone I know but not at all. "

Rick chuckled, and with just the sound of his amusement she relaxed and cooled down.

"One last thing before we start workin'. "

Michonne sat straight, she removed her almost empty cup from her lips. Grateful that the chocolate worked its healing magic on her.

"I'm all ears," She replied taking a last sip.

"Do you have plans for next Sunday? "

She scowled, her cup now perfectly empty on the table. "Nothing, why? "

His eyes were engrossed in his ginger tea, avoiding her gaze at all cost and that's how she knew he was freaking out. Whatever he wanted to ask, might be something really big. And she had been right when he replied :

"My family wants to meet you. "

Every part of her went on pause,her mouth hung with lips slightly parted and her eyes were as wide as they could stretch.

"You don't have to say yes 'Chonne. I told them that you might don't want to, and it's okay if that's the case. "

Memories of the Grimes family pictures assaulted her, reminding her that she did want to meet them, she was just afraid they wouldn't like her. And of course the not corrupted by love part of her, screamed that it was a very bad idea. Being in relationship with Rick was already playing with the fire, but meeting his whole family was way worse. And could have disastrous consequences. But it made every part of her feel so good.

"I do want to meet them too. I really do! " She said with a coy little smile, finally finding her voice back. She was burning from effervescency.

Rick inwardly danced, and outwardly grinned showing his white perfect teeth.

"Great! My mother's gonna be thrilled."