I am rewriting Falling Star for a variety of reasons, but mostly due to the old one sucking and I have a much greater need to fix it.

"Actually, I wanted to know if you would go to the movies with me tonight? I really need a girls' night out."

This was the first thing Evan heard when he actually bothered to focus in Calculus. Despite being new, he was far ahead of most of the class and really felt rather bored with the class. The girl speaking, a pretty girl with brown hair and a soft face, oozed pain so deep and intense that he shivered. It came off her in waves, so strong it was hard to focus on anything else. His aural senses were screaming, so he focused, lowering his vision to the flow of magic in the air to examine her aura. The girl, whoever she was, had an air of magic a thousand miles wide. She was powerful and he knew she was unaware, he could tell her powers were untapped and that was actually kind of scary. Who knew what she could be with proper tutelage?

However, more than her magic, he sensed her pain. Her aura was stagnant, barely flowing, the colors blurring. She was depressed and needed help. His heart went out to her, and without question, he leaned in to listen.

"Why are you asking me?" The other girl asked said, her tone unfriendly. He instantly disliked her, he could tell she was an unkind soul, her aura all reds, telling of hate and dislike.

"You're the first person I think of when I want girl time."

She seemed a little mollified. "Well, I don't know."

"Do you have plans?"

"No, I guess I can go with you. What do you want to see?"

"I'm not sure what's playing, How about that one with the female president?"

She looked at her oddly. "Bella, that one's been out of the theater forever."

'There a name.' Evan smiled.

"Oh." Bella frowned. "Is there anything you'd like to see?"

"Well, there's that new romantic comedy that's getting great reviews. I want to see that one. And my dad just saw Dead End and he really liked it."

"What's that one about?"

"Zombies or something. He said it was the scariest thing he'd seen in years."

"That sounds perfect." He felt a surge of emotion from Bella, weak but noticeable in her aura and that was something he could capitalize on.

"Okay. Do you want me to pick you up after school?" she offered.

"Sure."

"Can I join?" They both turned towards Evan. "Sorry to overhear, but I am new here and am trying to make some friends." He layered and laced his tone with magic, strong enough to sway the meaner girl. Bella's aura was far too strong to be swayed, that much he could tell. "I know it might be a bit weird, but I really do want to make friends. My name is Evan."

The one girl nodded, her eyes glazed over. "I don't see why not... nice to meet you Evan! I'm Jessica."

The other girl, Bella, smiled with some warmth. "I guess I don't mind... it is nice to meet you."

"Do you want my phone number, so we can meet up after school? I don't drive, I could meet up after school if that is easier?"

Bella nodded. " Sure, that's fine..." And like that, they exchanged numbers and addresses. " Wait, you live just up the road from me."

"Really, that's convenient." And really it was. "I live myself, I am emancipated."

"Nice."

"See you, Ladies, later. "And then, saying a small goodbye to Jessica, he hurried off to his study hall, eager to plan how to help Bella and introduce her to magic.

Something that would come in handy about three hours later when he followed her to her rusty truck after school. "Hey, since we live so close, do you mind giving me a ride home? I could walk but..."

She smiled, her eyes glazed with exhaustion and a lack of inner peace."Sure." He popped into her truck, eager to get started.

They made it about halfway when he popped the question burning impulsively in his mind. "So... how long have you had magic?"

She turned to him, eyes sharp and startled. "What?"

"Oh, so you don't know... I figured you would have noticed the gifts you likely have. You are telling me you have no preternatural powers?" He held out his hand and breathed into the palm. A fire burned bright after a moment, making Bella gasp though with far less excitement than he would have guessed. She looked on, her eyes filled with power and wisdom. She had seen something like this before.

"I knew some... some... vampires. One could not read my mind... ever, he said it was an entire blank. He could not even feel my presence like he could most people." her tone was oddly dull and he knew he found the source of her agony.

"Interesting... Shields are rare, most powers are more... interactive, depending on the potency you might be extremely powerful. I like that. I am a siphon. I can drain people I touch of their pain, helping them to heal."

She nodded, eyes wide, turning into her driveway, four houses down from his home. "So, I have magic?"

"Definitely, vampires only have magic when they had the spark of magic in life. It isolates that spark, especially if it was never developed, and magnifies it. If you were a vamp, your shield would be underdeveloped but still potent."

She nodded, eyes wide. "Can I learn magic?"

"Yup, and I can teach you, make you a witch like me... but first, we need to deal with your pain, it will always impede your powers and your life. Depression is a poison that saps all aspects of life. Trust me, I know."

She turned, eyes wise and worn. "You are... depressed?"

"Fostercare and abuse, it happens... I found magic by accident, books of obsession when I was studying paganism. Then I contacted spirits, they passed on knowledge to me. I am on my way to becoming immortal. I am not naturally magical, but it doesn't matter, it won't make me weaker I just have a bit more to grow than someone like you."

They hopped out of the car and into the house. "So, how does magic work?"

"Empathy, focus, determination, and faith. A big part of magic is believing it will happen." They reached Bella's room, which was comfortable in appearance but had a fierce air of despair. "Bella, when did you start to suffer from depression, your room oozes despair and loss and agony so deep it's a bit hard to focus."

She sighed. "My last Birthday... when Edward and his entire family left me behind." And so she told him, weaving a tale of love and loss that left him...

Angry as fuck. "Bella, baby girl, he left you like trash. Screw him, he deserted you. It is time you rise, and damn it you will become a badass magical lady and you will crush anyone that defies you! We got this!" He hugged her close, shocking her he could tell. "Screw anyone that has an issue with that. Now first, let's start the healing. I will siphon your pain, not all of it, but enough to help you to focus and work on yourself. Then, starting tomorrow, we will work on magic!"

She nodded, eyes hesitant and warm. "Okay." And she sat down long enough for him to put his hands on her shoulders and focus. In an instant, cold water-like energy surged into his hands and up into his heart. He groaned, shivering against the cold. The girl was like a damn, holding back a whole slew of dark thoughts, pain, and loss.

Bella gasped, and tears prickled at her eyes. A real smile, the first he'd seen, burned at her face. "Thank you." She whispered before hugging him close. For a long moment, they stood like that, sharing a vulnerability only those that literally tasted the pain of the other could share.

They both jumped as they heard a horn honking. Quickly grabbing their stuff, they hurried downstairs, to Jessica's car, eager to get the night started. Before they left the house, Bella asked.

"Why did you just jump out and tell me? Why no mystery or build-up?"

He laughed. "Why not just be honest, it is clear you're magical... and frankly if you acted bad I'd just wipe your mind. Plus I have an issue with impulsivity and your pain was so intense I just had to help. You deserve to be cared for Bella, I hope you realize that."

Her face told him she did not believe that, but he knew one day she might... he would make sure of that.

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a joy to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.