Chapter 3 – Being neighborly
"You crack me up dad"
"I'm kidding Bella. We're changing the cruisers and with that I got a nice deal for a real car for you"
I blushed and shook my head
"You don't have to do that dad"
"I want to Bells"
"Okay"
"Do you need to pack or..."
He fumbled rubbing the back of his head. I shook my head, playing with the cute keychain
"No, everything is at the dollhouse. They will grow back to normal size at Mystic Falls."
I bit my lip.
"Are you gonna be okay, Bella?"
"Yeah, shouldn't be too different that San Francisco dad"
"I worry about you kid. In Phoenix and in California you had your mom. Now you'll be alone"
He looked even more upset, I didn't bother commenting that I was the one that usually took care of mom, not the other way around. Suddenly I had an idea
"How about this? I'll create a door between your house and mine. You can open it and get there any moment you wish. No heads up needed"
"You can do that?"
"Sure. How about the closet door under the stairs?"
"That sounds good, kid"
Charlie offered looking slightly relieved. Walking back inside the house, I drew a large triquerta on the door with my blood and I laid my palm flat on it.
"In this place and in this hour,
I call upon the ancient power.
Open this door through time and space,
Create a path for this same place"
The triquerta shone for a moment and the disappeared inside the wooden door.
"Just open it and walk right through"
"But not now"
"It will take you to the dollhouse now. No idea if I can grow a person to normal size"
I deadpanned feeling stupid as I saw and felt his mirth.
"Come on kiddo. We need to get you a car now"
Two hours later I found myself orbed in front of the empty lot with the nexus in Mystic Falls, lounging against the brand new cherry red, VW Eos Charlie bought me. I popped the trunk open, took out the miniature and put it in the middle of the lot.
"Bricks, woodwork and magic,
Turn this miniature
To something fantastic"
The ground shook slightly as the small miniature grew and built itself to the familiar two story, white house I only lived in sporadically and yet felt like home. I took a moment to make sure my pyrite crystals were still buried before taking the Book into the brand new attic. Remembering the trick pulled in the Halliwell manor I placed the book in its stand and placed my pendant on it.
"Magical lock,
Only for me unlock"
Smiling to myself I fastened the pendant around my neck and returning to the kitchen I began making cookies, thanking my lucky stars for having gone shopping two days prior to this mess. I should be neighborly after all.
Having changed to a pair of soft jeans, simple white spaghetti top and a bright red thin scarf tied around my waist. I put on my sunglasses and a pair of flat sandals I grabbed the house keys and the platter full of chocolate chip cookies.
Stepping outside I marveled at the difference the good aura brought to the lot. The dead grass all around had liveled up and was bright green, inviting me to start gardening and the dark aura making the house appear miles deep in the woods away from any civilization when in fact only a block away was another house. A house that under any circumstances could/would/should notice the change in housing.
I took notice of the black and white police car in the driveway, before knocking on the door making sure to smile pleasantly. A woman in her mid thirties opened the door, her short blond hair sticking unruly. She was dressed in jeans and a white tank top.
"Can I help you?"
Her tone was clear and serious however she felt tired and powerless. Phoebe had taught me to keep the empathy minimized and only allow it to flicker. I have to admit; suddenly I understand Jasper and his reluctance to be near us humans.
"I wanted to introduce myself and apologize for all the sleep you've lost because of me"
I said impishly. Her eyes widened.
"Excuse me?"
"I moved in next block. I'm really sorry if the crew working on it woke you up these days. I'm Bella Swan"
I extended my hand to her. Her eyes went to my house over my shoulder, frowned but then shook my hand.
"Sheriff Liz Forbes. Are you new to town?"
"Yes, I'm attending state college. Peace offering?"
I extended the plate. She looked at it, then me, then at the sun above us, before smiling pleasantly. She felt annoyed and suspicious.
"Why don't you join me for some tea?"
"It's getting late, aren't you busy?"
"Never for some tea and cookies"
Without waiting for a reply she disappeared inside the house. I sat down at a lawn chair knowing better than to barge at a house that isn't mine. She may shoot me! She returned feeling nervous and slightly apprehensive holding two glasses of orange juice.
"Here you go"
She handed me one. She kept her eyes trained on me as I took a sip.
"This is really good. Do you make it yourself?"
She felt immense relief and her rigid posture seemed to relax as she took a few sips of her own glass and a cookie.
"Yeah. Fresh oranges with a few select local herbs. The one thing I know how to do"
Slight mirth escaped her as she smiled sardonically. This woman is the female equivalent of Charlie; I thought to myself and took another sip to cover my chuckle. About an hour later we had gone through all the casual topics, the sun had completely set and knowing how tired Charlie is after a long shift, I excused myself with the excuse I had to get up early in the morning. She agreed and gave me their landline number.
"In case you need anything"
"Thank you sheriff. Goodnight"
I made sure I 'forgot' to take my platter with me as I walked away. I could hear my own footsteps. I need to add some lights around here.
