Epilogue! Thanks for all the lovely reviews!
"Gemma, you're late," Ann Bradshaw says, dabbing at her nose. The magic has already run its course through her veins and no longer keeps her runny nose at bay.
Gemma Doyle flutters to the floor, her face flushed and vibrant. "So? When did you arrive?" Ann blushes.
"You were both late," Felicity Worthington says accusingly. "I actually kept my promise." She is the only girl standing, and she keeps checking her reflection surreptitiously, to be sure no marks had been made.
"You look happy," Gemma says pointedly to Ann. "What have you been doing with your free hour?"
Ann's blush deepens. "Oh, I – well, it was nothing very interesting. What about you?"
Gemma notices Ann's lie straightaway. "Ann Bradshaw, you saucy girl, come clean this instant!" She grins widely as Ann hides her face.
"Where were you, Gemma? You were the last to arrive," Ann teases sheepishly. Gemma's smile falls, but her flushed cheeks remain vibrant.
"I was, well you see I, I made myself invisible," she says. "It wasn't very interesting."
"Well my night was interesting," Felicity says. She smiles beautifully, showcasing her even teeth. "But I'm not saying why."
Gemma lets out an uncharacteristically shrill giggle. Her friends look at her in amazement. "Alright," she says finally. "Perhaps my night was rather interesting as well."
Satisfied with Gemma's confession, Felicity stares pointedly at Ann.
"W-what?" Ann asks. "Why are you both staring?"
"We know you're not telling us the truth," Felicity says.
"Out with it, Ann," says Gemma.
In any other circumstance, Ann might have given in to her friends' persistence. This time, however, she was not indulging them. It was her secret, her experience, not theirs, and she knew they felt the same way.
"I'm rather peaked," Ann says slyly, rising to her feet and yawning for full effect. "I'm off to bed. See you both in the morning." She walks out of the room, leaving Felicity and Gemma to gape at each other and at Ann's retreating form.
"Ann!" they shriek, running after her and giggling. They all have reason for such high spirits after a night of such magic and promise. What they know is that they had their chance for freedom, to be the girls they wanted to be without repercussion. What they don't yet realize, is that when they raced to catch their pumpkin carriages, they had each left something behind, a glass slipper, planted in the minds of those they visited.
The end! Hope you enjoyed!
Will get back to my other fics,
LunaEquus
Reviews are always nice, even when the story is finished!