Chapter 12 Death and the Tower #2
“I’m going to need your help getting ready. I’m not nearly as good at doing make-up or curling my hair as I used to be.” Glancing back with a smile, they perk up and run toward my room, both of them grabbing one of my hands and dragging me along with them.
“Maybe we can find you a cute boy to bring home!” Olivia squeals, pushing open my closet doors and peering inside.
“Ere is nice, don’t get me wrong, but maybe he isn’t the one.
You can’t seem to make up your mind about him.
” She runs her hands along the fabric of my worn, old clothes, scrunching her nose up as she promptly closes the doors and turns her back to them.
“You won’t attract any guys worthy of your attention wearing that.
I’ll grab something from my closet for you.
” She saunters off, hips swaying, and humming to herself happily as she heads for her room.
There’s nothing wrong with Ere. I’m the problem.
So many times he has tried to turn our situationship into a real relationship.
He’s shown up with red roses and taken me on romantic dates and picnics under the stars.
He did all the things women adore and long for, yet I still couldn’t help but push him away.
The truth is, he deserves better than I can give him, because I’m a work in progress.
I’m incomplete. After last night though, I believe that one day, I might be better for him.
Shooting Katie a half smile, I admire her beauty as she applies a fresh layer of nude lipstick before running a hand through her perfect wavy hair. Her eyes meet mine in the mirror and she spins on the stool to face me.
“Don’t listen to your sister. Tonight is about having fun, okay? We miss you.” She stands and plops down at the edge of my bed, crossing one bare leg over the other.
She’s always dressed and ready for a night on the town, so beautiful and elegant in every way. I wish I had the confidence she does. She could have anything she wants with just a look or a smile. Katie doesn’t use her beauty, though, not the way some do. There’s so much more to her than that.
Sitting beside her, I pull one leg up leaving the other planted firmly on the floor.
“Magic is real, isn’t it? I sort of believed in it before, but after tonight there’s no denying it.
I felt your power, Katie. It was beautiful.
There’s much more I don’t know about, isn’t there?
I mean, besides the existence of guardians and witches? ”
She watches me pull and twist at the fabric of my shirt nervously, shifting my eyes around the room.
I’ve joked many times about her being a witch because she owns a crystal shop and does tarot readings, but until tonight I was only humoring her.
I’ve always only believed in what I could see with my own eyes, but I didn’t need to see Katie’s power to know it was real.
Every part of me recognized what I felt as something otherworldly and magical. She’s more amazing than I realized.
Patting my knee, she nudges her shoulder against mine, and I bring my eyes back to hers. “Does it scare you? Knowing there are many things you don’t yet understand and much more you have yet to see?”
“No. What scares me is the thought that guardians, witches, and magic exist and yet darkness somehow always seems to win. What’s the point of magic if not to make the world a better place?
To end suffering and death?” Swallowing thickly, memories and thoughts of the unfairness of my parents’ deaths swarm in, stinging and lashing at me as I swat them away.
“Maybe they try, Nor. Maybe trying sometimes just isn’t enough.
Sometimes darkness is stronger and more powerful than even the celestial guardians are capable of handling.
But it’s what they were created for, to fight darkness.
If witches and celestial beings exist in the world, you would assume they try to make the world better.
Wouldn’t you?” Her pale, smooth face doesn’t twitch or yield as I keep my eyes pinned on her, searching for any sign that what she says is untrue.
If every witch is as pure as Katie, then I know they could do no wrong. She’s too good for this world. I hate the sadness that lingers in her eyes, the deep sorrow she thinks she hides so well.
“You told me tonight I need to let go of the past to welcome the future. I’ll try.
What about you Katie, will you try as well?
” I pause as she shifts uncomfortably, staring at a spot on the floor.
“You told me you’ve had your heart broken, and I get being scared of being hurt again, but you deserve happiness and love more than any of us.
There’s someone out there waiting for someone exactly like you.
Maybe it’s time you open your heart and stop holding onto your pain. ”
Glancing over at me, her eyes are hopeless and devoid of light.
“I fell madly in love once, Nora. I will never choose to put myself through that kind of heartbreak again. To me, it’s not worth it.
I’d rather die a thousand times and live a thousand lives alone than to ever suffer that kind of loss again.
” She stands, making her way to the window on the far side of my room, peeking out the curtains and losing herself in her thoughts.
It kills me to see her this way. Her pain is a wound even I can feel, still gaping and bleeding while salt is poured in, never having a chance to heal.
“I’m so sorry for whatever happened to you.
For whatever pain you’ve been through.” Pushing off the bed, I make my way to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and leaning my head against hers.
“If you need a friend, I’m here. Whether it’s for a shoulder to cry on or to release the secrets and pain you’re holding inside, I’ll always be here. ”
Her eyes glisten with tears as she looks at me then quickly looks away. “Thank you, friend.”
She says nothing else and neither do I. We lean against each other as we gaze outside, both our hearts aching for different reasons. Hers for a love lost and mine for a pain I don’t understand but wish I could heal.