A/N: Oddly enough I have the whole of the next chapter planned out and the end of this one set up all before I figured out how I was going to get there.
It isn't until after dinner and lights out, when the moon light has somehow made its way past the smog of the city and into her room allowing her to make out the shapes surrounding her that she even begins to allow herself to face the impossible feelings she's developed for the boy sleeping two doors down; or perhaps the city's finally fixed that streetlight. It's surreal, the room drained of nearly all color and her sitting in the dark on her bed, fingers lightly pressed into the comforter, tricking her mind into thinking she can feel the outline of dried polish. She absently traces it, reliving the moment when he had looked at her, eyes serious and intense as he leaned ever closer.
The clock beside her reminds her in blaring red numbers the time and how much she likes her sleep; she's allowing her dorky older brother to disturb her slumber. She's half way through a plan to spell his alarm to go off ever thirty minutes, imagining the tired eyes and angry useless yelling, a wide grin splitting her face at the images when she realizes that nothing has changed. She loves him, true, but she's always loved him, in some form or another. She pauses her planning, mind at ease and body suddenly relaxed as she processes this new bit of information, pulling the covers back so she can slid beneath; she can finish designing revenge processes tomorrow.
Her dreams are peaceful and sleep is deep that night. The dark haired wizard doesn't want to leave the warm cocoon of her bed when her alarm blares to life, but for the first time in a forgotten number of nights there's a distinct lack of weariness possessing her body that morning.
Theresa detects her easy strides, noting the distinct lack of under eye circles and pale features and Alex receives a warm hug along with her breakfast. She hadn't realized her mother was worried and can't stop the happy feeling bubbling inside her at the thought that she noticed.
She sits with Justin again at lunch, Harper happily setting her tray down on the vinyl table alongside the brunette girl and beaming at Zeke across the table. Lips curl up in a smile and gray eyes are warm as he takes in his sister's appearance. She takes the opportunity to kick him every few minutes, laughing loudly when one well aimed jerk of her boot causes him to spill his water down the front of his shirt. He glares at her, patting the material dry with a napkin while she grins devilishly at him and leans back, the bare skin of her calf brushing his jeans under the table, but she doesn't bother to move away.
Life's once again starting to resemble the Normal Standard, with a hair changing spell backfiring (who could've see that coming?) and Justin riding in to fix it and berate her. She hugs him after, habit if anyone asks although it's not the typical fight a hug is called for, but she wants to and Alex gets what she wants. He holds her close, and the brunette girl breathes him in, allowing the stray thoughts and fleeting emotions to surface. It's nice. Besides, fighting requires work, and she's a lazy person in nature.
She works some more on her paper that evening, nearing the half way mark. The fact that the book lays sprawled out on her comforter, a chapter and half remaining makes no difference in the tapping of the girl's chipped nails on the keys. She's got a flow going, and she can bullshit her way through nearly anything.
It isn't until after her door opens, revealing her mother's surprised face and stern words telling her to go to bed that she notices the red blaring 12:14 on her clock.
A/N: Sorry this is so short, but I'm a bad mood and don't think I'm going to be expanding any more on this chapter tonight. I think I'm about to cry, I'm so upset. :(