Chapter Nine

By: Sokai

Disclaimer: I, Sokai, do not claim ownership to the workings of W.I.T.C.H. -- I leave that honor up to Elisabetta Gnone. However, I can and DO claim to own this story and its inspired ideas FROM said series, as well as the original character, Sitara Vandom/Amandella Ember.

Note: TOLD you, chapter eight sucked (right, Sky-101? LoL). But LIKE I told Sky, it was really just a filler in between finding out the truth about Sitara, to letting everyone ELSE know (not you – I mean the W.I.T.C.H. crew LoL). And I didn't really want to skip over their waking up scenes completely JUST to get to that point, so I said, "Why not? Let's just do a small interaction bit b/w Corny and Sitara after the truth's out, and Will and Hay Lin, etc." NOW I don't have to put THOSE scenes in before the "major scene" coming up in THIS chapter, as a result. So, yeah, while eight, in MY opinion, blew kinda, chapter five will ALWAYS be my least fave, I believe. LoL Not cuz Will's featured, but because it was so SHORT! I don't do short with chapters/episodes. LoL

Anyway, thanx, everyone, for all of the 50 reviews I've gotten so far about this story! Your support and encouragement is greatly appreciated! And thank YOU, DayDreamer9, for going to the forum I mentioned at the end of chapter eight, and already posting interesting topics about this story. LoL Ellie (that's me, by the way LoL) feels greatly loved. LoL

Anyhow! Here it is, what you've been waiting for: the "meeting." Enjoy!

This chapter was written/created in April 2006.

"So, is everything all set, you guys? I want everything to be perfect," said a very anxious Cornelia during a three-way telephone conversation with Hay Lin and Taranee the next day, on that late Friday afternoon.

"Yes, it is, Cornelia. Although, I don't know why you didn't just let me take care of things -- I mean, after all, I do have all of the great connections now and she is -- well, was my best friend," she heard Taranee comment with obvious annoyance and resentment, two new active traits that Cornelia was still having quite a hard time getting used to being displayed by the formerly timid girl.

"Because Cornelia's a miracle worker when it comes to planning and throwing parties, Taranee! Always has, always will be! I mean, you're great at it too, but Cornelia's the best! She did manage to organize this get together in only two days, after all," said a more rejuvenated Hay Lin through the other line, the sounds of rummaging being reverberated into both Cornelia's and Taranee's receivers.

Cornelia couldn't help but allow her otherwise tired face from all of her planning and running around town beam with esteemed pride upon hearing the smallest girl's compliment, while Taranee generated a rather loud scoff into the atmosphere.

"Yeah, but that's only because she invited just the four of us and Will's parents! That's not exactly a whole lot to be concerned with, when your guest list is the size of a less than admirable 'groupies' gathering," she countered a bit too justifiably, her jealousy sinking in greater with each passing second.

"And why'd she even bother inviting 'that one' when we all know that she won't show! Not unless we invite strippers or drug dealers into the mix."

"Well, I, uh --" Hay Lin began insecurely, before Cornelia's greatly matured patience completely flew out the window and she intervened.

"-- First of all, Taranee, 'she' has a name, all right? So stop talking about me as though I'm still not on the other end. Second, even if I had invited a billion people to the party as you so obviously preferred that I had, I still could have pulled it off in the short amount of time I'd been dealt! I only invited family and formerly close friends to Will's 'Welcome Home' shindig, because I figure coming home to find her loft infiltrated with a platoon of busybodies -- no matter how sincere their intentions -- might cause some sort of relapse versus a continued recovery.

Oh, and thirdly? Whatever beef you and 'that one,' also commonly known as Irma, have going on, you'd better squash it fast, before I lose my mind!" exclaimed Cornelia in exasperation, fed up with all of Taranee's steady supply of negativity and criticism, as well as the tiptoeing around the subject of the former Water Goddess, Irma.

She heard Taranee presumably rise from her seat as she began to speak through clenched teeth.

"Excuse me? You're not my mother, so you can't and don't tell me what to do, Cornelia! I'm not the scared, nervous and pathetic little girl you used to boss around back when we were supposed friends! So, I'll say what I want, how I want, and when I want!

And for your four-one-one, everyone in this district pretty much has 'beef' with Irma, so get over yourself. You don't live here anymore to know, so don't act like you do!" she defended heatedly, both Cornelia and Hay Lin half expecting her to hang up on them in that instant.

Surprisingly, however, they could only hear the upset young woman beginning to pace back and forth with purposely heavy footsteps within her bedroom.

To think I used to be the massive "Drama Queen" once upon a time. Either you secretly admired me this entire time or something, Taranee, or you suddenly having become the old me is a rather huge coincidence, thought Cornelia in partial amusement as she had already gotten her own temper under control by then.

"Guys, please . . . I don't want us to fight. Especially not now, when we should be in 'happy mode' for Wilhelmina's sake. I just wish we could finally find more time to actually fill you in on what's been going on around here, though, Cornelia," murmured Hay Lin softly in remorse, making Cornelia feel guilty for successfully sucking the now brief and rare occurrences of happiness projecting from the former poster child of said sentiment.

"Don't worry about it, Hay Lin. While I do want to hear all of the details, I'm pretty sure when I'm meant to at the right time, it'll just spill out or something. In the meanwhile, I'd better get going to do a few last minute errands before I head over to Will's place. See both of you -- and Irma, I'm sure -- there," she said, hanging up the phone (however, not before hearing a disdained reply of "Yeah, us, maybe, but definitely not that crazed hussy" come from Taranee).

Cornelia rubbed her forehead repeatedly and strongly in both frustration and exhaustion as she gazed down at her list of things to do for the party.

"I really do want to know what the hell's the matter with everyone, but I have something a little more important to worry about," she muttered softly to herself as she looked over the crossed off tasks from the list save one.

The most important task, in her opinion.

"Now, let's just hope I can pull it off," she added, standing from her seat in the otherwise quiet, empty living room and headed for the door.

YYYYYYYY

"I can't believe they rinsed out the black hair dye from out of my freaking hair, and they found out my real name, dammit," mumbled a very grouchy Sitara as she rummaged through her slightly empty closet for something new to wear besides what had been issued out of the lost and found bin at the hospital.

She'd just arrived back home after being released from the hospital that early evening, and was feeling rather anxious, to say the least. Her mind was racing a mile a second as the tension within her chest began to build up. It was bad enough that her cover was now blown, but did they have to dress her up like a lumberjack as well?

"Well, it isn't like I could have gone back home in just my bathing suit, I suppose," she reflected as she continued her conversation with herself, turning from the closet to gaze at herself in the full length mirror she'd propped against the wall. Even though the bright orange plaid shirt and wrinkled brown sweatpants made her cringe to see herself in, it was her bright red hair that made Sitara revolt the most.

If she was going to skip town tonight without getting caught, she wouldn't have enough time to re-dye it, so resorting to other concealing measures would simply have to do in the meanwhile.

Of course, now I'm wondering, if the hospital mysteriously found out about both my real name and hair color, then how come Cornelia didn't say anything and kept calling me "Amandella," since she'd apparently been visiting me every day since I'd first been admitted, thought Sitara curiously, feeling guilty for the way she'd treated the blonde girl.

She supposed her having scolded the other girl had actually made an impact (regrettable, by this point, the more she reflected upon it), because Cornelia was an absolute no show for the entire day. Admittedly, it made Sitara actually miss her . . . and even once she left Heatherfield.

"All in all, you weren't so bad, Cornelia -- maybe I'll mail you a letter after I get settled in wherever I head next," said Sitara after finished changing out of the hospital issued and appalling clothes and into something more comfortable and her style.

"I highly doubt I will, but it's the thought that counts. Anyway, it's a good thing I'm naturally suspicious and didn't bother to completely unpack -- makes fleeing for my life a whole lot eas --"

Suddenly, the light, but rapid knocking of her apartment's door interrupted her, causing her to jump in surprise. Heart beating fast, Sitara quickly finished throwing the rest of her clothing into her duffel bag and suitcase before tying her long red hair back into a disheveled ponytail.

"M . . . Maybe it's just the landlord wondering about the rent check or something . . . I hope," she whispered to herself in faint reassurance, putting on an old, white ski cap over her head to cover her "new" hair color as she headed out of her bedroom and headed to the door.

"Yeah, Mr. Samson, I'm sorry about the rent, but I've actually been --" she began, before stopping herself when her surprised brown eyes gazed into the vibrant, familiar blue eyes of Cornelia.

"-- Oh. It's you. I guess you couldn't take the hint when I told you to get lost last night, huh?" purposely said Sitara flatly, trying not to sound the least bit pleased to see the other girl again as she folded her arms over her chest, and the hospital issued identification bracelet that reflected her birth name still remained around her bare wrist.

She watched as Cornelia tried to look undaunted by her ill-mannered greeting, even though she could not only see but curiously feel her upset. Actually, Sitara had mysteriously been feeling a lot of different, foreign emotions lately since having first woken up the other day.

And although it's been rather alarming to the usually neutral girl, she simply hadn't much time to even begin to analyze the cause, let alone try to fix it.

"I . . . Well, I stayed away from the hospital, didn't I? But, it's kind of hard to avoid you here, given that we are neighbors, as you'd graciously pointed out to me last night," said Cornelia softly, eyes now focused upon the revealing, plastic band around her wrist.

Noticing this, Sitara followed her eyes to at last realize that it was still on her person, and immediately swung her arms behind her back as nonchalantly as she could as she tore it off and tossed it blindly behind her.

"Y-yeah, well . . . That may be, princess, but I'm pretty sure you could have resisted the urge to knock on, what appears to be, your most favorite door within this building to do it to," she commented, trying to look and sound annoyed.

Cornelia sighed heavily before biting down upon her pink glossed lip, looking at the ground.

"Look, Amandella. I actually came over here, because . . . well, I was wondering if you'd be into coming to see a slasher flick with me at the drive-in right now," she murmured as casually as she could, although Sitara could sense a feeling of misleading conduct within her seemingly innocent intentions.

Narrowing her eyes, she looked Cornelia over for any sign of explanation, and that was when she noticed her attire.

"Pretty fancy get up for just a stupid slasher flick. And as hot as you try to make yourself look, I don't swing that way, so it's definitely not a date between us for you to dress this way," said Sitara sarcastically, taking in Cornelia's fashionable, gray hand knitted cashmere sweater, black, Sequin Harem pants, and curly blonde hair.

At this, Cornelia instantly looked up at her in surprised embarrassment, blushing furiously.

"What? I -- n-no, way! I just . . . Okay, fine! I just figured that you wouldn't want to be cooked up inside again after being as such for two days straight at the hospital. But, if you're too chicken to come catch the movie with me, then that's just --"

"-- All right, all right, already. I don't want you to start crying and flood the building with your tears. Besides, Heaven forbid that I be the reason your flawless makeup be smeared and ruined as a result," interrupted Sitara, as she turned around and headed back into her apartment to get her black leather jacket.

What am I doing? I can't go out! I have to get out of here! But . . . a part of me did want the chance to say goodbye to Cornelia before I left -- now it looks like I can, she thought to herself, quickly rushing into her room to seize her jacket.

Looking into the mirror to make sure that her ski cap perfectly blanketed her crimson colored head, Sitara quickly applied her favorite black tinted lipstick upon her lips before heading back out to where Cornelia was patiently waiting.

"What? You're not the only one who can look 'glam,'" she remarked once she caught the other girl's amused gaze at her make up covered lips.

"I'm not saying a word," smirked Cornelia, as Sitara closed her apartment door and the two headed out of the building.

Let's just hope I don't regret this decision, princess . . .

YYYYYYYY

"Here, we are, sweetheart! Home, sweet home," gushed Mrs. Collins warmly as she and her husband helped their daughter out of their family vehicle after arriving from the hospital that evening.

"I'll bet it's a right sight better than that icky hospital, huh, kiddo?" said Mr. Collins in good humor, putting the car keys into his pocket before moving ahead of his wife and stepdaughter to open the front entrance of the building for them.

Wilhelmina groaned in exasperation at her stepfather's embarrassing choice of words.

"'Icky?' 'Kiddo?' Dean, what am I, two years old?" she smirked, wrapping her arm around her mother's waist as she did the same once the two had entered the tall edifice.

"I appreciate the sentiment, but all I want to do is get inside, take a nice, warm bubble bath, and watch tonight's episode of 'Hot Spot."

Mr. and Mrs. Collins looked curiously at one another at this.

"Uh . . . You could do that, sure, honey, but . . . you can't do that dressed like this! I mean, you're all 'dolled up' in that pretty pink skirt and red top, it'd be a shame not to let the rest of the world see it," said Mrs. Collins as her family emerged from the elevator they had entered a few moments before and headed towards their loft's front door.

Wilhelmina looked at her mother in both perplexity and suspicion.

"The world has seen this outfit plenty of times before, Mom. Besides, I'm only wearing it because you insisted that I do so -- not to mention put my hair in a 'fancy' bun for some reason," she said, lightly tapping her red head for emphasis.

"Now, you two are horrible liars -- you do know that, right? So, just quit the act, and spill what's going --"

"-- Surprise!" Both Wilhelmina's parents, a for once jolly appearing Hay Lin and vaguely amused looking Taranee all exclaimed simultaneously the moment Wilhelmina had swung open the front door.

Inside, both dressed up girls gathered around the kitchen table, which was decorated with an array of snacks and beverages. The table wasn't the only thing within the loft to be decorated, either. Green balloons and streamers surrounded the entire living room, while an equally green and giant banner with white glittered words that read, "Welcome Home!" hung over the back wall.

Smiling in complete and utter shock, Wilhelmina looked from Hay Lin and Taranee to her parents.

"This would have to be the first time you've managed to completely blindside me like this, Mom! I knew you two were up to something, but I didn't think it was a surprise party you were trying to keep secret!" she said blithely, wrapping her arms around both parents at the same time in appreciation.

It had been so long since she and her mother had spent this much time together, it was almost a shame that it had to take a near drowning incident to make it happen. Regardless, however, beggars could not be choosers, and so she was merely pleased to be the center of her mother's attention for the time being.

Mrs. Collins grinned happily at her daughter as she and her husband released her and led her to the kitchen table where her friends were waiting.

"Actually, sweetheart, this wasn't mine or your father's idea -- although once we found out about it, we were more than willing to jump on the bandwagon. No, it was Cornelia's idea, truthfully," she revealed, causing Wilhelmina's spirits to slightly drop.

While I appreciate Cornelia taking the time to do this for me, I would have liked it to have been my mother's idea, she lamented mentally. Wait a minute!

"Did you say Cornelia? She's here?" gasped Wilhelmina in affect as she walked over to Hay Lin and gave her a small hug in greeting.

"She's been coming up to visit every day since the accident, actually. But you've been . . . asleep to ever know," explained Taranee nonchalantly before taking a sip of the beverage within her hand. While Wilhelmina gratified to see her former best friend there as well, she knew very well that Taranee probably would have seemed a lot happier if her boyfriend were there with her . . .

Hay Lin smiled brightly at the red head as she released her. She still looked weak and frail, but Wilhelmina was glad to see that she did at least look a bit more energized versus yesterday.

"She wanted to visit you today, but she was busy planning this party for you. In fact, that's why she's not here yet -- she's still running 'a few last minute errands,' she said over the phone not too long ago," she said, handing Wilhelmina a frog decorated paper cup full of punch.

"Well, as always, I suppose she's thought of everything, huh?" smiled Wilhelmina, looking around the room and at last tuning into the party music playing on her family's CD player in the background.

Just then, a knock came upon their loft door, instantly seizing everyone's attention.

"I'll get it! It's probably Cornelia, now. You just relax, ladies, while I act as butler," jested Mr. Collins with yet another platitudinous joke as he jogged over to the front door and opened it.

"Why, helllllo, there, Professor Collins! Or is it Mr. Collins? Or Mr. Susan? Regardless, it's always a pleasure to see you! Now, this party can really start!" said a rather loud, over exuberant voice at the door.

All eyes focused upon it as the sight of a grinning Irma maneuvered around a taken back (not to mention embarrassed, at the young woman's wisecrack) Mr. Collins and entered the loft. Surprisingly, she looked rather well . . . "put together," as her apparel consisted of a plain, blue t-shirt and jeans that actually concealed her entire body for once. Even her hair and face weren't done up in some extreme manner as they were usually, as she'd decidedly put her honey brown tresses in child like, braided pigtails as she used to when she was younger, and caramel colored lip gloss caressed her pouty lips.

"What? Don't look so shocked to see me, gals -- I'm not a completely heartless slut. I even came totally clean and sober," said Irma at the same time she shook Mrs. Collins hand in greeting.

"Oh! W-well, uh . . . I-it's nice to see you again, Irma. It's been so long since we've seen you around these parts," said Mrs. Collins awkwardly, gesturing for the outspoken young woman to sit down.

Hay Lin and Wilhelmina gazed at Irma with sympathetic eyes while Taranee instead glared at her.

"No one thinks you're a 'completely heartless' . . . um . . . what you said, Irma. They really don't," said Hay Lin weakly, looking at her former best friend with hopeful eyes.

Wilhelmina could tell that the estranged girl's actual presence instilled a great deal of faith within Hay Lin, as it could mean that perhaps a bit of the old Irma still remained within the unrecognizable shell before them.

"No. You're right, Hay Lin. No one thinks Irma's a 'completely heartless slut . . .' Everyone does," commented Taranee without hesitation or remorse before stuffing a cookie into her mouth.

"Well! How about your father and I begin cutting up the cake to serve while you catch up with everyone in the living room, huh?" said Mrs. Collins to her daughter as she quickly stood from her seat and pulled her husband further towards the back counter and left Wilhelmina and her old friends to their own devices.

Wilhelmina bit her lip as she watched the other three women stiffly move into the living room and sat upon the various pieces of furniture.

What a party this is shaping out to be . . . I don't honestly see how it can get any more interesting . . . she thought as she remained standing and shifted her eyes from person to person.

Suddenly, another knock came upon the door the moment Wilhelmina finished with her thoughts.

"Saved by the . . . knock," she murmured to herself as she immediately moved to the door to open it. "Must be Cornelia, right? I got it!"

"Hey, there, 'Sleeping Beauty,'" said Cornelia with a small smirk the moment Wilhelmina opened the door. Wilhelmina couldn't help but grin broadly at the older, taller girl as she let her in.

Having her, having all of them there with the former leader of the group in one place after so long felt greater than Wilhelmina ever thought it would have, making her realize all the more that sometimes doing away with the past isn't always the best thing.

"Wow, Corny. You look great . . . of course, right? Thanks for coming -- and putting all of this together," she said, moving aside to let Cornelia in before beginning to close the door.

"You're welcome, Will. Oh! Don't close it just yet! I hope you don't mind, but I sort of brought a . . . friend with me to this little gathering," she said, whirling around as she placed a hand upon the door to prevent Wilhelmina from closing it.

"Is it a male striptease artist, Corny-kins? Oh, and nice outfit; it accentuates all of your great . . . assets," called Irma from the couch, purposely smearing an innocent smile upon her face as Hay Lin giggled nervously and Taranee scoffed in disgust.

Both Wilhelmina and Cornelia looked at one another in vague, shared embarrassment before Cornelia veered her attention from the door to the flirtatious girl seated upon the couch.

"Uh . . . thanks, Irma. It's great to finally see you, as well," she said awkwardly and smiled, before looking back at Wilhelmina.

"A-anyway, like I said, I hope you don't mind, Will."

Wilhelmina shook her red head lightly as she shrugged.

"No, of course not, Cornelia. The more, the merrier! I'm sure we'll all enjoy their company," she said, smiling as she moved away from the door and headed towards the couch.

Ecstatic, Cornelia whirled around and rushed out into the hall. Grunts and groans emitted from the outside as the blonde presumably struggled to lead her accompanied visitor into the loft.

Must be shy or something, thought Wilhelmina with a smirk upon her face as she and the other girls listened to the sounds. But, suddenly . . . I'm feeling kinda . . . weird . . .

"You said we were going to a freaking movie, Cornelia! Not to some chick's party I barely know! I'm outta here!" said a heated, exasperated female voice from outside the hall, that sounded a lot like . . .

"Dude, that chick who's with Cornelia sounds a lot like you, 'the-Girl-Formerly-Known-As-Will,'" joked Irma as she stuffed a handful of popcorn into her mouth.

Even though it was a joke, Irma had a strong, valid point. The woman out in the hall and coming closer did sound curiously similar to Wilhelmina, which only served to further increase the great "weird" and woozy feeling she was continuously harboring.

"Will you quit it, Amandella? We don't have to stay long! I just wanted you to meet some of my old friends," Cornelia could be heard saying before reentering the loft, dragging a more than reluctant woman dressed in all black behind her.

"Everyone! I would like you to meet my new friend and neighbor, Amandella Ember. Amandella, this is Taranee Cook, Irma Lair, Hay Lin . . . and --"

Suddenly, a loud crash could be heard from the kitchen, interrupting Cornelia's final introduction of the red head. Whirling around, all eyes looked in alarm as Mrs. Collins, hands covering her mouth after dropping the entire tray of pieces of cakes onto the floor, gazed in horror and surprise at the newcomer.

". . . Sitara? Is that . . . is that you?"

-- End of Chapter Nine

(A.N. YES! Thank you, GOD! I've FINALLY finished this freaking chapter! No more! I can't! I need a vacation, people. LoL I hate chapter ten already in my head, but I can't write ANYTHING anymore for a while, let ALONE that chapter. So, you'll definitely be waiting a little while to see what happens next/a update. In the meanwhile, wasn't this chapter fabulous? Nice cliffhanger, yet again. LoL Like I said, the sht was gonna hit the fan in this chapter, and it has. Sort of. Well, it WILL in the next chapter, DEFINITELY. LoL And yay! Irma was featured, which I've been getting a LOT of requests and questions about her whereabouts. I TOLD you I'd put her back in, didn't I? LoL And yay! From now on, she'll be featured . . . I think. Yeah. LoL Anyway! Thanx also, for visiting my forum about this story, AND the fanart, JayxKay! That really WOULD be neat if you DID make an entire comic book version of this story! Everyone, please stay tuned for chapter ten, and please review!)