Chapter 12

Becoming More

The rest of the weekend was quiet for the girls. Eliza had been patiently waiting for Fauna's powers to show. So far, there was no sign. That was until Sunday night when Laura taught her a spell. It worked. Eliza's pencil box flipped open and spilled onto the floor. Great. Before Eliza could pick up the pencils herself, Laura commanded the pencils back.

Laura seemed different to Eliza. There was some new fire in her eye. Maybe hunger for power. Matt had told her about the small rivalry between Laura and Felicity, a third-year. It made sense why Laura wanted to keep the book to herself. It would give her an immediate edge on Felicity, but it didn't make Eliza think any difference. Laura was still putting Fauna in danger, and Eliza knew that wasn't right.

Monday at school, Eliza finally felt the dramatic change she had been looking for. She waited at her usual lunch table for Matt, but before he could sit with her, he was flagged over by the bookball team. When he went over there, he was getting praise and comments on his performance last game. Girls were even twirling their hair around their fingers when they talked to him. Eliza thought that she had made a big enough mark on Friday, but guessed not. He was popular, and she was in his shadow.

Without much thought, Eliza got up from her empty table and walked over to the table. Laura was already sitting there with Mitchell. She gave her a small grin before turning her attention to the other girls. They were all looking at her in suspicion. Eliza looked at Matt, he was in a deep conversation about some play for the game this week.

Eliza then suddenly sat next to him. He gave her a quick glance and a grin before turning back to the conversation. She was silent for a moment, just looking at Laura, who looked shocked by her sudden actions.

Fen finally commented. "I love your hair, Eliza. Gives you a real edge."

"Oh," Eliza printed that she just noticed her presence. "Thanks." Even though she could hear their whispers, a small smile curved on Eliza's lips. Now she knew she wouldn't go unnoticed.

During Sorcery, Laura was once again, fueling the flames of Felicity's hate for her. They were doing spells again, but Luara took it up a notch. Their task was to control flames, but Laura was allowing them to creep over her desk. She had read in the book about flames that cause no burn. She wanted to test it out. She let the flames lace themselves over her fingers.

Now, her pink flames were heading for Matt. He was working on his own homework, and just minding his own business. Hermon was taking a nap on his shoulder. He was the perfect test. The flames crawled up his desk and suddenly snapped over his wrists. He yelped in surprise and started to panic. When he realized there was no pain, he relaxed a little, but not much.

"Laura!" Baba Yaga scolded. She waved her hand over Matt's wrists, and the flames disappeared. Laura wondered how she could shut down other's magic like that. Laura hadn't read anything like that in the book. "Stop tormenting your classmates."

"He was fine," Laura rolled her eyes. "I used the no-burning spell."

"Where did you learn that?" Baba Yaga asked.

"Isn't it just obvious?" Laura shrugged.

"Not for you, it shouldn't," Baba Yaga stood over her.

"Well, maybe I should get a more advanced teaching," Laura shrugged.

"And why do you think you need that?" Baba Yaga raised her brows even higher.

"Because I am more powerful than you think," Laura narrowed her eyes. "I'm like the Sapphire Sorcerer."

Baba Yaga suddenly froze. Laura wondered if she had triggered something. Felicity stopped taming her flames and made them disappear. The whole room was silent as Baba Yaga asked hoarsely, "How do you know about the Sapphire Sorcerer?"

"He's mention in a history book," Laura lied. "He was a young but capable and very strong sorcerer. They say he created unimaginable spells. Wizards have been searching for his work for years."

"Because he's dead," Baba Yaga spat. "For good reason too. He couldn't control that thirst for more, and he drowned in his findings." Laura was about to retort, but Baba Yaga continued. "You shall not speak of him in my classroom, or use any of his spells. Never compare yourself to him, otherwise, you might end up dead just like him. Understand?"

Laura didn't say anything.

"Understand?"

Laura nodded her head.

Baba Yaga knew something.

Something Laura knew how to use to her advantage.

Once again, Oakley was in the greenhouse. He was there yesterday too. it was prime time for the marigolds, and they needed plenty of care. Although yesterday, Oakley had to admit he was distracted. Chester was an avid talker. He told Oakley all bout his life in Wonderland before he came here to Ever After. Oakley told some about his life, but he had to admit, there wasn't much to tell.

He lived with his mother in the summer. Otherwise, Cedar traveled with his father, Woodrow. He was a simple woodcarver, which was ironic. He liked to travel to foreign places and sell his work, and Cedar liked to sell her paintings. It was a good match, Oakley thought. They seemed very happy together, but Oakley did wish he could see his father more.

Chester could relate to that at least. he had no idea who his father even was. His mother, Kitty, didn't like to talk about it. They weren't married, or really in a relationship Chester supposed. "My mother's better off alone, anyway," Chester told him yesterday. It was funny to see those types of qualities in Chester. He did like his independence, but at other times he was rather clingy. Oakley never minded being alone. It was peaceful at the least. But being with Chester was his favorite alone.

Oakley was now humming a small tun as he watered the marigolds. They were bursting with all sorts of color. Oakley smiled down at them affectionately. "So at first," Chester's voice came from behind him, "you were just talking to the plants. Now you're singing."

"Just humming," Oakley shrugged. "Plants like music."

"Mhmm," Chester leaned up against the table. "Yesterday was fun."

"Really? I would've never have guessed you enjoyed spending the afternoon in a greenhouse."

"Well, it's not the greenhouse I really enjoyed," Chester shrugged, making Oakley grin. "It was definitely just the catnip."

Oakley splashed him lightly was the water in the bucket. Chester hissed, but then grinned playfully. "So that's why you're here?" Oakley played along. "To steal all the school's catnip for yourself?"

"Yeah. Pretty much," Chester shrugged again, ducking when water came at him. "Aw come on, you know you like me."

"I'm still debating that actually," Oakley admitted as he turned. Suddenly Chester was in front of him, his hands on both of his cheeks.

"Are you really?" Chester asked in a slow voice. Their faces were inches apart.

Oakley suddenly started to laugh uncomfortably. Chester dropped his hands and rubbed his temples, obviously annoyed. "I'm sorry," Oakley said, still laughing. "You know I don't know what to do when you do things like that."

"Things like this?" Chester suddenly grabbed Oakley by the waist and dipped him. Oakley dropped the watering can and wrapped his arms around Chester's neck, unsure if he was going to fall.

"Yes," Oakley said, slightly breathless.

Chester chuckled as he stared into Oakley's eyes. He then leaned down and placed the gentlest of kisses on Oakley's neck. Oakley held his breath, unsure of what else to do. Chester slowly brought him back up to his feet. Oakley slowly let out the breath he had been holding. Chester was still pressing himself to Oakley. "What would you say if I asked you to be my boyfriend?"

Oakley suddenly stepped away. He couldn't be that close to him for a moment. He needed a second to breathe. This is what he wanted, but he was never sure he would ever hear the words. "Uh," Oakley ran his fingers through his hair. Chester looked slightly confused as his uncertainty.

"You don-"

"NO!" Oakley stopped him. "I do. I would say yes."

Chester's face flushed with relief. He then motioned for Oakley to come over to him. Oakley took hesitant, slow steps, but then Chester slowly took him into his arms. "I'm not really good at being close with people," Chester admitted. "So, this is all new to me."

"You stole the words from my mouth," Oakley said, staring up into his green cat eyes. They weren't like anything he had ever seen. They must've been his father's eyes, but to Oakley, they were just Chester's. They shared a long kiss before realizing that their feet were soaking wet from the spilled water.

"Ugh," Chester lept up unto a table. "Cat's aren't good with water."

Oakley grinned as he splashed Chester with some water still in the bucket. Chester winced and pouted his lip like a little kitten. Oakley chuckled, then untied the apron around him and gently wiped the splatter on Chester's arms, trying not to notice Chester's admiring eyes gazing at him.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Matt asked tentatively. "You seemed a little...different earlier."

"How so?" Eliza responded. Matt bit his lip. There was something strange about her behavior. He didn't think she would even be interested in sitting with the bookball team for lunch. He didn't use to, but now he rather liked having friends. He liked having her by his side, but it was like Eliza was just different somehow. His read had slightly changed on her. And he didn't think it was a good one.

"I mean..." Matt shrugged. "We haven't talked much lately. Is something bothering you?"

"Yes," Eliza said suddenly. Matt's eyes widened in response. "I mean no."

"What?" Matt raised his brows. Eliza then groaned.

"It's nothing, really," Eliza shook her head. Matt could feel the frustration brewing insider her.

"Eliza," he called as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "You can tell me-"

"No," Eliza suddenly shot up from their resting place on the bench. "I've got to go. It's nothing to do with you. I swear. I'll see you tomorrow." She left Matt stunned on the bench. He wondered what was happening. She had avoided all talk of Laura when he asked about why she defied Baba Yaga. Perhaps they were fighting? Matt wished he knew. Hopefully, Eliza would come around.

Eliza didn't know what had come over her. There was something brewing inside her. She could feel a strange feeling. Perhaps it was something she ate? Or just cramps? No. Eliza decided against it. This was something more than the flu or discomfort. This was...different. She could feel something in her skin changing. Like a snake renewing its skin.

She ran through the halls until she got to her dorm room. Luckily, no one else was in her presence. She closed the door sharply behind her. In the darkening light from the window, Eliza gazed over at herself in the vanity mirror. Her pale skin looked sheer white in the misted glass. She felt as if a storm was swirling around her. Chills and echoes curled up through her spine.

Flashes of images appear in her mind. The petals and candles encircling Laura. The connection between the two girls as Laura completed the spell. Eliza's hand reaching out to touch the magical glow.

Eliza placed her rubbed her temples as more images appeared.

Eliza getting ignored at the bookball game. Matt being appreciated by everyone he encountered. Luara and Fauna moving away from her to a distance she would never be able to reach.

That was when Eliza opened her eyes and yelled, "Stop!"

And everything did stop.

Eliza allowed herself to catch her breath. Hoping it was all a dream, she looked over at the mirror. She saw herself return to her normal color. But her hand was glowing. She raised her fingers and examined them closely. Every time she twisted her wrist the spark would travel across her skin with a silk-like smoothness.

That was when the light switched on. Eliza looked back to see Laura looking at her from the open door with a shocked expression. She widened her eyes at Eliza when she noticed the glowing spark. "How did you get magic?" she asked in a breathy voice.

"I..." Eliza looked down at her hand. The spark was still there. "I'm not sure." They stood in silence for a moment.

"Go on," Laura commanded. "Try it out on something."

Eliza wasn't entirely sure of what Luara meant, so she just flicked her wrist. The spark took flight towards the mirror and bounced off the glass. Tearing through the wall, the spark disappeared as it collided with the barrier. Eliza gasped in shock. Did she really just do that? That was...was...amazing. Suddenly, she didn't feel those conflicting feelings anymore, just power, rebellion, and everything she had ever dreamed of feeling.

"I have no idea how you got powers," Luara stated, looking at the damage on the wall. She snapped her fingers and the hole sealed itself. "But, you're going to have to get lots of practice."

Eliza stared down at her hands again. She hadn't wanted this. But now that she had it, Eliza wanted to know more, to see more, to become more.