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Seafret-Oceans

Sigrid-Sight Of You

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۵ 1 Week Time Skip۵

· ~ε ïз~ ·

Bonnie Pov

· ~ε ïз~ ·

Elena hadn't attempted to talk about our fight in seven days. At this point, I was losing hope.

I tried to forget the words she said, "God, Bon, you are so selfish! I would give my last breath to see my parents again, and you're just throwing them away."

And I replied with, "Like when they threw me away."

I would be lying if I said I wasn't hurt. I hadn't meant to break down in front of Caroline, I tried to keep them to myself, but even now, I could feel myself unraveling at the edges.

That fateful night Grams picked me up. I was standing in the middle of the road. Right, where my mom left me. Most people couldn't remember things when they were four, but I did.

Every. Little. Thing.

It had been a frigid February morning. She didn't spare me a glance when I sat at the table, which was normal in the small two-bedroom home. Pizza from a week ago laid inches across from me on a paper plate, unheated.

I remember eating my breakfast quietly. My teeth stopped hurting ages ago when I got used to the cold.

Wordlessly, she collected my plate and threw it in the sink after I finished. I jolted.

She never put her hands on me, but she always threw things and shouted.

I watched as my mother fell to her knees and clutched her head, crying. I sipped on my juice box, knowing if I went near her, she'd just scream in my face. I had seen her do the same to Grams.

After her fit, she passed out. And like Grams had done, I put a blanket over my mother's body, wiping her tears away.

When she finally got up, it was nighttime. She scooped me into her arms and carried me out to her car, muttering the same sentence over...and over...again.

"I can't do this. I'm not strong enough."

Over that year, I had heard it about a thousand times. She didn't buckle me in. She never did, at least when she wasn't with Grams.

She drove down the gravel road, saying things I couldn't hear. They sounded like gibberish.

Soon I couldn't hear the crunch of our gravel. It started to drizzle. The car stopped abruptly.

"Take me," she whispered, unblinkingly staring at the vacant passenger seat.

Moments later, she took me out of the car and put me on the road.

I stood, watching as she drove off without me. The rain started coming down.

Hours later, Grams pulled up in her car. I couldn't tell if it was the rain or tears rolling down her face. She kissed the top of my head and shielded me from the rain.

Shelia never brought up her daughter after that day, and my father cut off contact with me, except for the spontaneous visit that never lasted more than two hours.

After Elena and Jeremy's parents died and their house burned down, Grams told me I was a witch. And I laughed in her face... I didn't believe her until I was nearly mugged in an alleyway. The ski- masked person was thrown against the wall. That bought me enough time to run.

She gave me some books. She called some of them, grimoires.

Grams told me about our family, 'The Blessed Witches.' We mainly were all female and happened to disappear at some point for unlisted reasons.

No one knew why.

According to Qetsiyah, our eldest ancestor, our family emanated in Rome around two thousand years ago. She and her three siblings had been traveling by ship with a handful of others. Bad weather hit and they washed up in Greece. Much later, they moved to what would be known today as Salem, Massachusetts. All of this information was in a memoir/diary she had composed on pages of aged parchment. All of it was written in Latin, and I had yet to get past her affairs in Caput Mundi because I was still trying to learn the tongue myself.

Without Grams' help, it was one big headache; thinking of her. I felt a twinge of regret.

I was not proud of our last moments together.

Grams had discovered my best friend's newest self. And unlike the other adults aware of the supernatural world, she did not take it lightly.

She had heard about the death of the escaped prisoner. It was true she drained him, but she felt terrible about it. She was a mess for hours.

With all my heart, I had known my best friend of thirteen years was not a monster even after her transition. Grams didn't see that.

Caroline was dangerous, completely unlike the girl I had grown up with, she said. Our family has taken care of their kind before.

She had a wooden stake in her hand, the kind on that Buffy tv show.

Once I connected the dots, I was shaking with rage. Unintentionally, I set the stake on fire with the abilities I had yet to control.

In the process, burning Grams' hand.

The car ride to the hospital was silent. The last words she said to me were, "Our duty is to protect those who can't defend themselves from creatures such as your friend. You will understand that sooner than you think."

My eyes watered, but they didn't deviate from the road.

"That may be as you see it Grandmother, but I am not going to murder my best friend for our family's sacred duty. What if I don't care? What if I don't want to do this? What if I don't want to be a witch?! Maybe I don't want to be like you."

She shut her eyes, clutching her chest, grimacing.

Looking back, that should have been a sign something was wrong. But I didn't think because I was angry.

The 2nd-degree burn wasn't what killed her; the heart attack did.

I blamed myself. I convinced myself that my hate-filled words were what did her in. I realize now, after the fact, that she was trying to protect me in her heart of hearts.

But Tom and Jenna sat me down and explained that Grams had been having heart problems for a while and that I was not the cause.

Until I was 18, I alternated sleeping over at Elena and Caroline's houses.

Matt helped me with a few repairs. When it came to building stuff, I sucked, and he wasn't so bad. Unlike my best friends, he didn't mention her death or how sorry he was. And I appreciated that because there were days when I was choking on everyone's pity.

I spent a lot of time assessing everything she told me about being a witch.

After doing some research, I uncovered a few of her lies. There had been some things she had switched around to sound better.

Like, how one of our unnamed ancestors killed a dozen vampires over two acres of land. It was unlike the heroic acts Grams had conveyed. There was no record of the family she said our ancestor had saved.

My trust in her faded... I began to question everything.

The biggest one being, did I even want to be a witch?

All of the definitions on Google reeked of negativity.

Commonly accused of communication with the devil and other evil beings.

Of course, then there were the witch hunts, the burnings, beheadings, and hangings.

All Grams ever talked about was keeping the secret, but why live in fear? We clearly, weren't in the stone age. I could understand not using your powers in a crowd... but hiding spices and herbs in your bra?

But when I read the line, 'fascinating attraction,' I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

No way could that be me.

So, I clicked on the blue page marker to my right.

A woman thought to have magic powers, especially evil ones, popularly depicted as wearing a black cloak and pointed hat and flying on a broomstick

Take away the black clothing, pointed hat, and broomstick; the first seven words were valid.

So far, I could throw people into walls, levitate feathers (I started working on heavier things like books and pots), and start fires.

I had more control in these past few months than in the first year of Grams' teachings.

Going to college was a big step, especially on top of all this witch stuff. After talking to Jenna, I made a list in my neat print.

· Open Bank Account

· Quit my current job at Dan's apply for the part-time position at Edith's Daycare Center; More

$$$

· Major in Business/Bachelor in Literature

· Search For Location

· Confirm Zoning Requirements/get necessary permits

And so on... I felt secure now that everything was in writing.

My cell vibrated, and I picked it up, identifying the bubbly voice.

"Hey, Care."

"Bon, you have to come to the Grill tonight!"

"I don't know, Elena- -"

"The two of you need to talk, but I'll let you guys be adults and do it on your own time."

I pursed my lips, listening as she insisted, swearing this had nothing to do with the fight.

"Alright, I'll be there after my shift ends at six."

"Kay... Wait, don't hang up! How are you going to get to work?"

I grimaced, flexing my sore feet, "walking is the only thing I can afford right now."

And before she could object, I spoke, "Care, I'm fine. I need the exercise anyway... We don't have cheer anymore."

After some small talk about the weather, we got off the phone. My phone quietly dinged seconds behind our chatter ended. It was a text.

Be careful :) love you

I smiled brightly. Care was so sweet.

Love you too :P

After responding, I put my phone in my sustainable and eco-friendly cross-body bag. It was seven, and my hair was still damp from my shower. I braided it back, not thinking about it too much.

· · · ·

"Oh, Tha thu an seo! Dan's been a gobshite today. I've almost pucked him on the head more than six times in the last week!"

Saddie, my Irish co-worker was only a year older than me; her teal blue hair was frequently styled in a pixie cut. I've rarely seen her without her eyebrow piercing out and black signet ring. She was holding her one-year-old in her arms, with her nose scrunched up.

Her face and neck were flushed red. She was obviously upset.

I sighed, waving to Jack, who gurgled at me. His eyes were bright like his mother's.

"Let me guess...Roger still hasn't got up."

She sighed, clutching her head. "Do you have some form of precognition I am not aware of...Can you read my mind, Clover?"

I bent over laughing. Saddie had a pretty singy-songy voice that went well with her stone blue eyes. I had thought about telling her the truth months ago... I trusted her. I babysat Jack a few times when she couldn't find anyone to watch him, so she trusted me.

"What has Dan going on about today?"

She scowled, "Those damned sandwiches."

"Oh, no, not the- -"

She nods, "Aye. Be warned, Gammy is in a foul mood."

Saddie kissed my cheek, and I gave her a quick hug. Little Jack was getting fussy.

"Phone me later, Clover."

· · · ·

Two hours and 'Crazy Dan's Convenience' was still dead. The flies flying around kept me company though I was starting to wish I had brought a Grimoire or two.

They were only about the size of the palm of my hand.

Easy to conceal.

It started to warm up four days ago, and Gammy insisted that the windows be open. I prayed the mosquitoes were still scared of being frozen to death.

When I first came in, Dan peaked his balding head out from his office, which had once been a cleaning supplies closet. Now the mop and broom stood in the cashier's area, which was small, to begin with.

Checking outside to make sure no one had stopped by, I got my phone from my treasured bag.

It would need charging when I got home. I wasn't sure if 50% was going to last me eight hours.

Impulsively, I sent a 'hello' text to the third person on my contact list.

I set my cell on the counter, leaving to pay for the apple juice that had caught my attention.

Groaning, I twisted open the cap as I heard the buzzing sound. A notification, but could it be her?

Hey, I'm assuming you got the same talk from Caroline earlier this morning?

My fingers slowly moved, again the keyboard to my phone.

Grill @6ish 2nite don't u dare be late

Seconds later, Elena sent a laughing-crying emoji. I didn't know how to go on from here.

This conversation and our friendship...

Five minutes passed, and I had already taken three sips of my apple juice. My nails tapped on the counter.

The bell to the door went off. Looking up and seeing my old English teacher, I gave her a friendly smile, "Hey, Mrs. Bailey."

The eighty-year-old woman grinned, taking off her striped cat-eye glasses to wipe the lenses across the material of her sweater.

"Bonnie, dear, you are like a torch against the dungeon wall."

I laughed, noticing my phone vibrate. It would be rude of me to look down at my phone in the middle of a conversation.

"That's a simile, right?"

She chuckled, sliding a twenty-dollar bill across the counter. "Still my best student, I see. I

wouldn't imagine you'd ever end up in a dump like this place."

Mrs. Bailey was known for not having a filter. And it usually was good unless you were on the receiving end. I wasn't offended. It was a dump.

"Bills need to be paid."

She hummed, putting her glasses back on after brushing her graying brown hair out of her face.

"Sweetheart, I heard from two little blue birds that you are going to college. Tell me your major."

"You asked about me?"

I was shocked. After those four fun years in the classroom, I assumed she didn't care that much.

After overcoming my surprise, I answered her. "Business."

Her lip slightly jutted out. That had not been what she was hoping for.

"But I plan to get a bachelor's degree in Literature."

Reaching over the counter, she held my hands. "I sense great things within your future, dear. You need confidence within yourself if you want your vessel on the path of victory."

She gave me a quick wink, telling me what pump she was on before leaving the store.

That was interesting. I will have to tell Elena and Caroline later.

· · · ·

Have a good shift

Elena texted me a little while later.

My drinking resources had depleted, but I resisted getting another. Crazy Dan's Convenience did not have a restroom. Peeing in a rusted tin can out back is not for the faint of heart. So, I settled for one of those crunchy granola bars instead.

After Mrs. Bailey left, at least thirteen others had come in. Seven for gas and six for sodas.

They seemed to know not to touch those horrid sandwiches Dan insisted be on display. For some reason, he decided to complain to me about it.

"I don't understand... I don't understand how they aren't being sold! What do these fuckers want? Gold foil wrapped around 'em..."

Bitting down my tongue, I tried not to look at the wilted lettuce and funny-looking lunch meat.

He looked at me expectingly, fire in his eyes. "Well, Missy. You got any ideas?"

Quite a few actually...

"Maybe ham is out of season."

"Bullshit." I winced as he spat in my face.

Clearing my throat, I moved around the counter to collect the trash.

"Hey, where are ya off to?"

I gestured outside, today's garbage over my shoulder.

· · · ·

Gammy left me alone. Looking down at my watch, I noticed that I had less than half an hour to go.

Saddie texted me a couple of hours ago, insisting we talk later tonight. Without hesitation, I agreed.

It wasn't like Elena was going to call me anytime soon.

Above the door, the bell tolled, but I did not glance up from the business magazine article I was carefully studying.

"Penny for your thoughts."

I jumped at the sound of the casual voice. Instinctually, my eyes darted up, and my mouth popped open.

Standing across from me was a man with the blackest hair and bluest eyes I'd ever seen. The kind of eyes that would match the color of the sky; the color that the artist spent hours trying to create.

And they were piercing right through mine.

His hand brushed across my cheek, near to my mouth. "I couldn't help myself you had- -"

"Oh."

God, how embarrassing it is to have something on your face...and in front of someone like this...

The man smirked devilishly, sliding the copper coin across the counter, already unwrapping the butterscotch into his mouth.

I cleared my throat, "What brings you to town?"

He put his hands on the counter, his lanky body leaning towards me.

"Trouble, Miss Bennett."

A rush fired through my chest when he said my last name. It was stitched into my uniform, though most didn't care to notice.

"Do you ever feel like life is one big proverbial coin toss?"

He stared, and I couldn't fight the urge to look behind me. Either something was exciting back there, or he was looking at me...

I couldn't believe the latter.

"All the time. Nothing ever goes my way. And if it does - -"

"It was a cold day in hell."

I laughed while he just smirked, dipping his head slightly. "You have a good night, Miss Bennett."

My throat tightened, and I barely got the words, 'you too, stranger,' out before the enigmatic attractive man was out of the door.

· · · ·

I had practically run all the way home without blasting my mp3 player for once, it broke a couple of years ago, but I valued it. The purple device looped the same, Take Me Away track by Avril Lavigne, but I didn't mind.

Elena and Care were going to pick me up in ten minutes, so I had enough time to wash up a little and get out of my drab uniform.

I wonder what that mysterious stranger thought of it.

Shaking my head, I unlocked my door, surprised at how jittery I was.

"Meaw."'

I smiled, recognizing my daily greeting. My five-month-old Rag Doll kitten was rubbing itself on my leg.

"Dewey!"

I picked him up, inspecting his fluffy gray and white fur. He was ok.

He licked my cheek before rolling over on his back, his soft paws pressing into my jaw and neck. I laughed, scratching behind his ears.

"They'll be plenty of time for cuddles later. I have to get dressed, and it's your dinner time."

"Meaw."'

Gently placing him down, I headed to the kitchen, getting out his ceramic bowl and pulling some of last night's fish out of the fridge.

"There you go, Dewey."

As a response, his fuzzy tail flicked against my leg.

Once in my room, I peeled my sweaty clothing off. Cursing when I realized my window was wide open and the curtains pulled to the side.

I glared at the multiple pairs of jeans and plain tees hanging up in my closet. Did I not have anything else?

Finding a barely worn pair of black leggings, I paired it with a taffy pink spaghetti strap top and brown sandals.

I left my hair in its braid, praying it looked decent. My hair was never as perfect as Elena's. Or as perfectly curled as Caroline's. It wasn't that I was envious... I just feared that I would stick out like a sore thumb.

Just as I had begun putting my crossbody bag over my head, there was knocking at the door. I faintly heard Dewey scratching against the old wood.

Making my way to the door, I paused, taking a deep breath.

Things might get awkward.

· · · ·

The car ride was quiet, except for Care's ramblings about the new menu items (she was excited to try them).

Pulling up to the Grill, I squinted, noticing a black bird on a lamp post...a raven for sure... I could tell by the size, its vast neck, and Bowie knife of a beak.

As if it sensed my gaze, it twisted its head in my direction. Black beady eyes met mine.

Suddenly I wasn't in Elena's car anymore but instead in a large grove. The trees were towering and a peaceful fog rolled over rocks and the great winding roots. All of a sudden, the trees catch on fire, all of them surrounding me. ..my eyes begin to water from the heat and smoke...

"Bon!"

I flinched and turned to my friends in bewilderment. "Why am I being yelled at."

"We've been saying your name for like two minutes," Caroline expressed, her childlike eyes wide as she touched up on her glitter gloss, looking concerned.

I shrugged off their worries as I questioned my sanity at the same time.

"Honestly, I'm so hungry...I could eat your car right about now." Elena bent forward, laughing so much she ended up snorting.

Care narrowed her eyes at me. She was never easy to lie to; in another life...I had a feeling that she was a kickass telepath.

Rather than reply to that stare, I opened the door and got out of the car.

Looking across the parking lot, I hoped to see that guy, but no luck. I flushed, embarrassed to have hoped for such a thing.

Oh well, he'll probably forget about me in no time. I wasn't so sure if I'd forget him.

· · · ·

"Pigs in a Blanket."

The waitress, Julie, was about our age, and she always held her nose up in the air.

"Anything to drink with that?" I grit my teeth together. What was her problem?

"Water sounds perfect, and no ice, please, and thank you."

The silverware next to me started spinning, and Elena quickly grabbed it off the table and put it in her lab.

She gave me a worried look before turning to Julie, whose pale eyebrows rose past her hairline. "I just really love the detail on these."

"Umm...what do you want?"

Elena hummed, glancing down at the menu, "The special."

Julie popped the bubblegum in her mouth, scrutinizing my friend. "You want the Fruit Salad..."

After confirming her orders, she walked away, geez guess I'm not eating tonight.

I couldn't stop the three words that slipped past my teeth.

"Wow."

"Hey, Bon, Elena's voice dropped to a whisper, "that silverware didn't move on its own. Are you alright?"

Nodding, I looked down at my palms, "Just hungry."

Caroline left the table. She was all but a blur as she made her way to Matt.

Not moments later, he came over with a small notebook in his large palm.

"I'm sorry about Julie. She's a nightmare to be around. What can I get you, Cutie."

I burst out laughing, lightly slapping his arm.

"Okay, okay, let's get down to business."

There was a sparkle in his eyes. I tried to concentrate on the black and white menu in my hands.

"Cheddar Bacon Biscuits, please."

He grinned at something that wasn't obvious to me. "And what to drink, Madam?"

I heard Elena and Caroline sound out of breath from giggling in the background.

"Coke and that will be all, Sir."

Matt laughed, shaking his head as he turned his back to me. "I'll personally bring it out to you."

I smiled, rolling my eyes at my two friends who sat across from me.

· · · ·

Elena twirled her fork picking out starfruit, her favorite.

"So, why the emergency meeting, Care. Bonnie and I are dying to find out..."

The vampire yawned. I noticed that there were dark circles under her eyes. Had she not been sleeping lately?

"You know my insider at the college?"

I gasped, remembering, "Your pen pal, Kasey, right."

Care a nod, her curls moving with her. "Yeah. Getting a dorm is almost impossible if you don't want to be a part of a fraternity. Last year there was some construction course, and they made

a bunch of on-campus apartments. Like they'll even allow Dewie to be there! The rent is going to be about a hundred dollars so that would be twenty-five dollars split four ways... All we need is for an adult to vouch for us."

Elena cover her mouth, "Are you serious?"

"An apartment all to ourselves," I thought out loud, imagining all the pancakes I could make us for breakfast. I smiled, remembering when I had made them over at Elena's house, there had been a whipped cream fight. Jenna and Tom brought the blueberries. The stains eventually came out.

Caroline interrupted my thoughts, chewing slowly on the edge of the golden flakey croissants.

"Here's the thing. If we don't get the papers signed by tomorrow, we won't even get a chance."

ʚɞ : ʚɞ : ʚɞ

Definitions:

Caput Mundi: Meaning the capital of the world; a nickname for Rome

Languages:

Gaelic: Tha thu an seo (You're here); Gobshite (If someone gets on your nerves); Aye (yes); Gammy (useless)

A/N: I am aware that my writing does not follow canon. Just know that what I alter has a purpose I wasn't planning on this being this short, but I'm happy with it and I hope you were too. The character Saddie randomly popped into my head, and I couldn't let her go So, there

will certainly be more of her. Please Review, I would deeply appreciate it :D