When You Go Looking For Magic
Alora stared in shock at the book in her best friend's hands, watching the letters shimmer like molten silver. What the hell is going on?
Darla held the book protectively in both hands, and then started to giggle.
"What the hell are you laughing at?" Alora couldn't believe Darla was laughing. Was she having a breakdown?
The blonde composed herself, and turned the book around in her lap, wondering what would happen next. "Well, weren't we just saying that we wished there was magic in the world? Guess we got what we bargained for. Plus," giggle, "It's in English!"
Leave it to Darla to find the most tangible thing to comment on first. Still, they were wishing for something amazing…and it was starting to look like their wish was being granted.
"So what do we do now?" Alora asked, while reaching over to take the book from Darla's hands. She ran her fingers over the writing on the cover, in awe of the impossible thing she now held.
"Isn't it obvious?" Alora looked up to see Darla's eyes brightening with excitement. "We go home, and we read the first page. Together."
Darla reached over into the other booth and grabbed the bag, holding it open for Alora to drop The Universe of the Four Gods into it. She could barely sit still as she tied the bag tightly, and then jumped from the booth. "This is what we've been looking for! Let's go!"
Alora couldn't deny her own excitement, and she grinned wildly. Grabbing both their wallets, she slid from her seat and raced Darla back to the car.
As Darla threw the car into drive, she laughed out loud, and then let out a scream of pure joy. "Alora! Do you think this is real? Is it a trick some book designer used? I mean those words definitely weren't there when I picked it up. You saw it, right? Is this the real book? I just don't get how it's in English, nevermind how it ended up in that bookstore. I mean, this means we were meant to have it, right?"
"Darla!"
"What?"
"Breathe! And pay attention to the road."
Darla waved her hand dismissively. "I am breathing, and I am paying attention! But we need to get home, now. We'll go to my house – Mom's at work til 4, and it's only 11. That's five hours! And we don't even usually return until…well whenever we feel like it! How long do you think that is in the book?"
Alora shook her head. "Darla, we don't even know if this is real. We don't know what's going to happen. I mean, should we even try to go into the book? What if it is real, and we can't get back out?"
"Bullshit."
Alora looked over at her friend, and noticed her fingers were wrapped so tightly around the steering wheel her knuckles were white. Darla's eyes were sharp, and focused straight ahead. Her voice had been low, and full of…energy. "Bullshit?"
"Bullshit. This is real, and you know it. I know you as well as I know myself, and right now we're both dying to go. Tomorrow's Sunday, and we both have off from work. Call your mom, and I'll leave mine a note. That gives us almost two full days in our world to explore The Universe of the Four Gods. We. Are. Going."
Alora stared at Darla, in awe of how forceful she was being. Sure, Darla had always been a passionate person, but something in her voice made her seem almost desperate. And if she were being truthful, Alora wanted to do this just as badly as Darla said. Her mind made up, she nodded and picked up the bag holding the book and held it closely to her chest. Grinning, Darla reached over to clasp their hands together.
Alora squeezed their hands, and started laughing. "Can you go any faster?"
"Watch me."
Darla dropped her keys and then almost broke them in her haste to get into her house. Alora held the book possessively, as if afraid someone would jump out and snatch it from her. As soon as the door was open they rushed in, planning to run straight up the stairs to Darla's room.
Darla stopped and dipped into the kitchen. "Text your mom. I'm writing mine a note. Tell her you're staying at my house probably til Monday. You have clothes here."
As Alora started to type, Darla grabbed a slip of paper from the stack that was always on the counter, and scribbled as quickly as she could.
Mom, Alora and I are going to Philly to visit Lana. I grabbed clothes and everything! If you don't hear from me, I probably just got caught up and forgot. I love you! See you Monday.
"Really?" Alora said after reading the note. "We're just randomly going to Philly?"
Darla shrugged. "Hey, I'm a college grad now. I do what I want!" With a ridiculous wink, she fisted Alora's shirt in her hand and ran up the steps to her room where they jumped onto her bed.
"Are we really going to try this? What if nothing happens?" Alora asked as she pulled the book from the bag and laid it on the bed in front of them.
Darla shook her head. "I believe this is real. I really do. The only thing I'm afraid of is one of us getting sucked out of the book like Yui did."
Alora stared at her best friend, and fear glanced through her gaze. "I didn't think of that." Darla always was the one for details, while Alora preferred to bask in the bigger picture. It was the reason Alora often came up with the ideas for their adventures, and Darla took care of…well mostly everything else. Lodging, food, getting tickets, planning was Darla's strong suit. Alora liked to let her plan, while she made sure everyone had fun.
It was Alora's turn to shake her head. "No. We're in this together. Neither of us is leaving. But just in case…" Alora reached down and ripped a loose string off her shirt, then grabbed tape off Darla's dresser and secured the string to the back of the book. "I'll shoot Alessa a vague text about this string. When she sees the book, she'll understand. That way, we can communicate with someone if we have to."
Darla nodded enthusiastically. "Perfect. Oh man she's gonna be so pissed we didn't tell her!"
Alora snorted as she started typing into her phone. "She'll get over it."
Alora: *Hey Les, look this is really weird but I need you to do me and Darla a favor. If we don't text you by Monday night, come to Dar's house and go up to her room. You'll find a book, and on the back of the book is a string. Call my name, loudly. You know where the house key is.*
Alessa: *What? This is a joke, right? You're acting like your life is Fushigi Yuugi.*
Alora: *I knew you'd get it. Look, we'll explain everything on Monday, okay?*
Alessa: *You're damn right you will."
Darla laughed at Les's last text, then reached for Alora's phone. Without question, Alora gave it to her and Darla turned both their phones off before tucking them into her sock drawer. "Not like we'll be able to use them in Ancient China. Should we bring anything?"
Alora tilted her head to the side in confusion. "Like what?"
"You know, like clothes or soap – toothbrushes!"
Alora shook her head. "Nah. I say we just go as we are and pray for the best."
Darla shrugged, unconvinced. "You know I'm a baby when my hair gets gross. It's the only thing I'm narcissistic about."
Alora laughed, and tugged a lock of Darla's sun-kissed hair. "We'll deal with it together. Now…shall we see if we've made total fools of ourselves?"
Grinning Darla took Alora's hand again, and placed the book balancing on their knees. "We're not wrong about this. I feel it."
Alora knew better than to dismiss Darla's "feelings" about things like this, so she took a deep breath, and opened the book to the first page.
Before their very eyes, black lettering began to crawl across the page.
This is the story of a girl who made her dreams come true after she came to possess the Seven Stars of Suzaku, and many powers were bestowed upon her. The story itself is a spell: The one who reads it through will be given the powers and granted a wish, just like the girl in the story, because the story begins and becomes real the moment the first page is turned!
Reading aloud the words, together, the girls didn't notice as their bodies were slowly engulfed by a red light. Darla reached out and turned the page, and suddenly they felt themselves being pulled and squished by the very air that surrounded them. Alora reached out and clasped Darla's other hand, and they both stared wide-eyed at the red tunnel they disappeared into.
It is real! I knew it! Darla thought ecstatically.
Holy shit! I guess this is what happens when you go looking for magic. Alora's own thoughts seemed to echo throughout the red tunnel.
Suddenly, all they saw was sky.