Mom took my hand and led me to my room. She had me sit on the bed before grabbing my chair and sitting in front of me.
She observed me in silence. Arms crossed.
“You look good,” she said flatly.
I looked down at the blouse. “Uhm, thanks.”
Mom pressed her lips in response. “You’re lucky your father isn’t home yet.”
I nodded. I knew that very well.
“Andrew and I are both trying our best to keep your changes a secret from your dad. You know that, right?”
I nodded again.
“Then, can you tell me why it is that the principal is asking me to pay him a visit to discuss my daughter’s situation at school?”
I felt a pang in my chest. “I-i-it wasn’t my fault! Sable! She—”
“Vera,” Mom cut me off, rubbing at her temple. “Slower, please.”
“So… this friend I met. Sable. She made a mistake and splattered my hoodie with food. I… I needed to take it off.”
“And you just happened to be wearing that underneath…”
“You are the one who bought it for me,” I pointed out. “Plus, it’s comfortable. My other clothes feel weird.”
She frowned. “Didn’t we just buy them? I could swear they fit just fine. The blouse certainly does.”
I stared at my closet.
She’s Mom…
It’s fine if I tell her, right?
“They, uh… they’re becoming too tight.” I paused. “A-around my chest, I mean.”
Her eyes wandered down for a moment. “Oh…”
“And the bralettes,” she continued. “Do those still feel comfortable, or are they too tight as well?”
My face heated up in response. “Uhm, they are still fine, I guess?”
She raised an eyebrow, followed by a quizzical smile. “That doesn’t sound very convincing.”
What do you want from me?
I’m not used to this kind of talk!
Wearing them alone was still a novelty for me. I couldn’t get used to the feeling of having something hug my frame the way they did while leaving my tummy completely exposed.
I liked the idea of wearing them. It was affirming. But I couldn’t call it comfortable. At least not yet, or perhaps ever.
Discussing this with my mom didn’t feel any more normal.
“You’re not meant to wear that, son,” Dad said. “It’s embarrassing.”
I blinked rapidly to prevent the tears from coming out.
Shut up!
He did.
“Vera?”
“I guess they’re a bit tight, too,” I finally muttered, a tear rolling down my cheek. They hadn’t been this morning, so the last few triggers probably played a part in that. “I’m sorry.”
Mom’s smile became reassuring. “Oh, sweetie.” She dragged the chair closer to me and cupped my cheek, wiping the tear with her thumb. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. If they are not comfortable anymore, we can always go get some that are.”
“I don’t want you to waste more money on me,” I countered.
She sighed. “I was your age once, you know. It’s perfectly normal to outgrow your bras during puberty.”
“It’s been two days!”
Mom chuckled in response. “Fair point. It doesn’t make it any less true. It’s a bit late to go now, but what do you say we grab all the clothes you haven’t worn and see if we can trade them for something that does fit you tomorrow?”
“Mm, okay.” I sniffled.
“That solves the clothes problem,” she stated. “We still need to address your situation at school.”
I winced at the reminder. I hated the fact that they’d gone out of their way to tell my mom about it. Had Dad been home at that time, the secret would be out.
“How many people know?” Mom asked.
“Everyone,” I muttered.
“Come again?”
“I said everyone...” I looked down at the real culprits of this situation. “Or at least most of the school. It’s not like I could hide these without my hoodie.”
Mom huffed. “Okay, then we explain to them as best as we can without bringing up magic. The last thing I want is for them to think I’m insane and call CPS on us.”
She laughed at her apparent joke. I sure wasn’t going to risk it, anyway. She stopped and turned to the window as an engine purred closer. Dad had arrived.
“You are very lucky,” Mom repeated. “Let’s continue after dinner.” She quickly stood up and walked to the door. Her hand gripped the handle, but she didn’t open it. “Will you have dinner with us, or should I bring your food here again?”
“Brin—” My gaze shifted to my backpack. “I’ll be there.”
Mom smiled and nodded. “Get changed then. I’ll call you when dinner is ready.”
“Sure.”
As she left, I pulled my backpack closer and dug for the box with ‘Dad’s medicine.’
---<>----------<>----------<>---
“Look who’s finally decided to come out of his cave!” Dad shouted with open arms. A smile directed at me.
It’s not too late to turn back…
I took a deep breath and kept walking to the table.
I faked a smile for him, though it felt more like a grimace. His expression indicated the latter as well. Pretending for him was getting harder.
For the greater good.
“Is Henry still giving you trouble, son?”
“Hayden,” Andrew corrected.
I nearly choked on a piece of steak and started coughing.
HUH?!
“I’m okay,” I wheezed, giving her a thumbs up. I reached for my water and downed it carefully.
Dad frowned my way for a moment before turning back to my brother. “You were saying?”
“His name is Hayden, Dad,” Andrew corrected again. “Not Jayden nor Henry. And yes, he’s still the fastest on the team.”
“You think he might be on steroids?”
“Pfft.”
“What’s so funny, Michael?” Dad asked.
“Is it that hard to believe he’s just a better swimmer?” I asked back. “I saw him earlier. He’s not on steroids.”
Dad frowned again. “Stop that, son.”
I snorted. “What, calling you out?”
“Lower your voice,” he demanded. “You sound like a girl.”
I flinched and went quiet in response.
I need to hurry up.
Andrew cleared his throat. “As Ve-Mike said.”
I shot him a glare.
He continued. “I think Hayden is just gifted.”
My brother continued talking about the swimming team as we ate.
Eventually, my father asked, “Can I have another beer, dear?”
“I’ll get it,” I announced before Mom had the chance. I made an effort to make it sound lower. I didn’t know what was worse, the act itself or the fact that it sounded fake.
I walked to the fridge and opened the door to grab a new can. I cracked it open and looked behind me. Dad had gotten tired of Andrew’s team and had gone back to talking about his job.
Confirming that nobody was looking, I slipped the magic pill into his drink and placed the can on the table, close to his hand.
“Thanks, Linda… Michael.”
Drink that thing now!!!
Silence ruled for what seemed like an eternity. We all stared at him, and he stared at the drink.
“Sooo…” Andrew started. “How did you meet, Hayden?”
“Oh! Uh, the art room,” I responded flatly, still watching Dad.
“Oh, right,” he nodded. “He did tell me that he likes painting.”
Dad finally brought the can to his lips to take a sip. He winced in response and stood up. My eyes followed him and widened as he started pouring it down the drain; my hopes went along for the ride.
“Is something wrong with it?” Mom asked.
“Tastes funny,” Dad responded. He then opened the fridge and did the same to the two cans that were left.
I shoved my hands into my pockets. One pulled out the card Ruby gave me. The other, nothing.
Ugh…
“I’ll be right back!” I shouted, darting to the staircase.
Opening the door, I dashed to my backpack and pulled my phone out. I added Ruby’s contact and began typing.
Vera: [How much does someone need to drink to be affected by the spell?]
Sent.
Received.
Unread.
I stared at the grey arrows for a while before sighing and walking back down.
Did he even drink it?
I remembered them telling me that magic doesn’t taste good, and that they needed to mask the flavour.
Was the beer not enough?
No wonder people call it Bland Lite.
I groaned. “I should’ve waited for his coffee...”
I sighed and went back downstairs. Mom watched me as I sauntered to the table. Sitting down, I matched her gaze and tilted my head at her.
“You should really do something about that hair, son,” Dad pointed out.
Oh my god!
I gritted my teeth and faced him. “I literally did that this week, Dad.”
“I meant cutting it,” he continued.
I rolled my eyes. “It was a trim, and they already had to cut more than I wanted.”
“Not enough, clearly.”
“I don’t need to share in your misery just because you’re balding.”
Andrew snickered.
“That has nothing to do with this!” he growled.
I stared at him for a moment. “No, you’re right, it doesn’t.”
Dad relaxed a little.
“But if you’re going to criticise my hair, I’ll do the same to yours.”
I placed my hands on the table.
“You’re not going anywhere!” he yelled before I could push myself up. “You’re staying here, and you’re not going back to your cave until you finish your food!”
“Fine!” I shouted, finishing the motion.
I ran. Not to the staircase.
To the front door.
---<>----------<>----------<>---
I looked around me, struggling to catch my breath. None of the houses looked familiar. I cursed at myself for leaving my phone on the table.
At least I knew where I wasn’t going now.
I’d been too immersed in my thoughts to pay attention to my surroundings.
I turned to look behind me in an attempt to retrace my steps again. I remembered my last turns, but not the first few.
Maybe left this time.
Dad’s words lingered in my mind as I wandered. Part of me didn’t want to return yet, but it was already too dark outside. Suddenly, confronting him wasn’t as scary.
I continued walking for a while when I spotted something in the distance. Or rather, someone.
The lonely silhouette of a man slowly closed in.
He was looking at his phone. His free hand was shoved in his pocket.
A few meters more, and we’d walk past each other.
I didn’t think twice before crossing the street. My eyes never left him as I did. He never looked up.
Minutes later, I heard steps behind me.
Is it him?
Not daring to look directly, I glanced at a nearby car and focused on the windows.
Different man. Taller.
His rhythm matched mine, which meant he was getting closer fast.
Then, he didn’t.
His pace slowed.
He was keeping his distance, and that somehow made him scarier.
That finally did it.
Tears ran freely as I did my best to stay quiet. Sobbing quickly took over.
The man’s pace picked up in response.
“Excuse me,” he spoke, still a distance behind me.
I closed my eyes and made a full stop.
He did too.
I finally turned around and opened my eyes to see—
“Hayden?!”
“Ve—” His voice caught as I tackled him into a hug. I didn’t care that I’d just met him earlier. I was just happy to see a familiar face.
“Uh…” He kept his arms up for a moment before briefly patting my back. “There, there.”
My sobbing got louder. I kept my face pressed against his t-shirt.
“Did something happen?” he asked.
I lifted my face to see his blurry flushed face. Finally aware of what I was doing, I let go and took a step back.
“Sorry,” I muttered. “Not my best night.”
---<>----------<>----------<>---
Hayden texted my brother and guided me to a nearby bench as we waited for him.
“I didn’t know we were neighbours,” he commented.
I snorted. “We do go to the same school.”
He shrugged. “Some people use the bus.”
“True.”
We went quiet for a while. I barely knew this guy, and now he was sitting next to me, keeping me company while my brother arrived. It was weird.
“So…” he started. “Andrew’s sister, huh.”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“I knew he had a younger brother, but he never mentioned a sister.”
I laughed awkwardly. “Yeah, about that. He didn’t really know he had one.”
“Oh.”
“I guess blindness runs in the family, then?”
I smiled and shook my head at that. “It’s a bit more complicated than that.”
“If you say so.”
There was another moment of silence.
“Hey, uhm…” He paused for a moment. “I don’t mean to sound, you know, preachy, but like, I get that you might not be used to, uh...”
“Being a girl?” I asked.
He sighed. “Yeah, sorry. I didn’t know how to bring it up.”
“It’s fine. If it helps, I’m still getting used to the idea myself.”
“Right…” He nodded. “Anyway, I don’t think you should be walking alone when it’s dark outside.”
“Yeah,” I replied. “Now I know. Sorry about your t-shirt by the way.”
“Oh, this?” He stretched it to take a better look at the wet spot on the printed character and grinned. “Don’t worry. I know you just wanted to keep Jean hydrated.”
I giggled in response.
“Vera!” Andrew shouted as he came into view. He ran all the way to me despite his already heavy breathing.
I stood up and opened my arms to him. He wrapped me up in a hug that lifted me from the ground.
“Thank you so much, man,” he told Hayden, still pressing my face to his chest. I felt him move forward, maybe for a handshake.
“Don’t mention it,” Hayden responded.
Andrew moved me to the side, his left arm keeping me close as he pulled his phone out with his free hand. “Mom?” he said. “Yeah, I found her. We’re on our way.”