Author’s Note: This chapter is coming a little early. The first reason, I am sending it into a competition and wanted to give the first finished mini arc. And second, because I was really excited about the art this time around! Thought it was pretty good *dusts shoulder*. Let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Monaedi had to admit, this normal was much better than her previous situation! Instead of having lunch by herself, the next day she kept her word and took Theo to Poyo’s. The whole experience was astonishing to the blue haired girl, everything from the jungle gyms to the toys you could get with a kids meal. Mona was also forced to take a photo with Theo and the Chain’s mascot.

After they bought their food, they had lunch together in the courtyard. Again the day after that, then for the rest of the week, and onto the next. They mostly stayed on soft topics like school, hobbies, and foods they loved or would love to try. It was a very cathartic block of time. Theo didn’t have to worry about what someone might think if she said the wrong thing or acted out of turn; Monaedi couldn't believe that having someone to sit and talk to could be so...well, nice. What they didn't talk about was the fact that they only hung out in private, or that Theo’s friends began to wonder where she would disappear to, or family. Definitely not family...

At the end of the week, Monaedi went to their unofficial assigned table in the courtyard and she waited for Theo to meet her. She laid out her lunch, the same as always: nuggets, chips, sandwich, and drink. Though her book was left in her bag and she did not begin eating. Theo seemed to always eat absentmindedly from her lunch. Monaedi acted like it annoyed her, but here she was, waiting for her companion to dig in. But Theo wasn't there. She's never late, Mona looked towards the entrance.

Time passed and so Monaedi ate slowly. She pushed her food around with her fingers with a sigh. Finally, she felt someone sit down in front of her. Internally she smirked, but when she looked up she saw that Theo wasn't in a good mood. Or any mood? Her face was blank.

“My parents are coming,” Theo said her voice monotonous. Mona didn't know how to respond. So instead she gave a small nod urging her to continue and passed over the carton of nuggets. Theo picked one and took an irritated bite out of it.

“They say they want to see how I'm doing in school,” she said with her mouth full of food, “But they really just want to see me fail so they can bring me home.”

“Why would they want that?”   

“To them, I already have a job: Our family is our business. Ever since I was a teenager I would help my parents “negotiate”. I'm a good talker when I want to be, with a pretty face. So I would help coax potential clients into deals they usually didn’t want to take. I would dress up and be paraded around for these men and women...” Like a prop, Mona shivered and hoped that's all that was all Theo was expected to do.

“As long as I can remember, they have dictated my every move. My weird abilities and wanting to come to school just seemed like nuisances they tried to bury away. Because to them...it’s like... I’m only good for one thing.” That broke Mona’s heart because she could see that Theo could take on the whole dman galaxy if she wanted to. 

“They underestimate you, or don't even try to,” Mona said after a moment, “Don't let them think what you want to do is wrong. You're so much more than what they want you to be.”

Theo was stunned into silence. No one ever told her she could be more; in fact, no one talked to her like this before. With honesty. It's not like she hadn't thought about it, she came to Urdon Maior University to try on her own. But no one, not her parents or Mal’qier, had ever encouraged her. And it startled her how much she needed to hear it.

“Thank you,” she said quietly but then reality settled back in, “but I think you overestimate me. I'm not doing well in any of my classes. Most I'm on the cusp of failing. My parents are right—”

“It's still early enough in the semester,” Monaedi cut in before she could finish that thought, “You just have to need to quit some of the partying and stay in and study,” she finished with a chuckle.

“Quit partying? Now you’re asking for too much!” Theo thought for a moment, “...Thanks for talking this out with me.” Her expression so grateful, it was so soft and vulnerable it made Mona gaze at her for a little too long.

“What are friends for?” Monaedi said not able to look away.

“Friends,” Theo said breathlessly. Mona gave a small nod.

“Friends,” she replied quietly. They stayed in comfortable silence for a little while. Then Theo slowly gathered her things and headed to the entrance to the courtyard.

“Well, I shall descend into hell,” which made them both laugh heartily. And with that Theo left.  

Mona thought about her own family. She decided to give them a call. The mobile rang, and rang but eventually when to voice mail. Mona listened to the familiar answering machine message, “Hello you've reached the line of the Itreu’s Family. Leave a message after the beep.”

BEEP.

The weekend was going agonizingly slow. Monaedi looked at her mobile for what seemed like the thousandth time, checking to see if she had any messages from Theodora. Mona didn’t want to text Theo, she wanted to give her space and time to deal with her family’s visit. So this evening, Mona sat in her shared dorm room attempting to read while Zana, her roommate, got ready to go out for the night. Mona checked her phone again.

“Why do you keep looking at that thing?” Zana inquired a bit miffed. She was putting her earrings on looking back through the mirror. Monaedi was surprised she was even talking to her. Usually, she just acted like Mona didn’t exist, so it took her a moment to respond.

“...I...uh...I-I was hoping, from my friend—I was hoping to get a text from my friend,” Monaedi finally got out. Her roommate seemed to give up trying to decipher what Mona was trying to tell her.

“Right,” Zana said after eying Mona up and down. She didn’t say anything else, but took her makeup bag and headed into the bathroom shutting the door behind her. Mona took that as the end of a rare conversation. She went back to her book.

ZZZZ ZZZ—

Monaedi was on her mobile before the second vibration could end. She had a message.

Theo: I’m at your dorm. You here? Can I come up?

Mona: Yeah I’m here. Mona: How did you know where I live? Following me again. (ツ)

Theo: Thanks, what room number? Theo: And NO! I guessed, all the brainiacs live in Quadlr.

Mona: 303. Just come in the door is unlocked.

Mona set her phone down on her desk. Her roommate came out of the bathroom makeup successfully applied. She started to collect her things and acknowledged Mona slightly.

“I’m going out. I don’t want to take my key, don’t want to lose it. You’re always here right, just leave the door unlocked,” She said putting her jacket on heading towards the door.

“Um..A-actually I—” as she was about to respond except Theodora bursts into the room. She spots Monaedi on the bed and charges over to her.

“Take me somewhere,” Theo said to her a little out of breath, “Sorry there’s no elevator in here—” Theo gestured to the door and when she did she saw that they were not alone. Zana had her mouth agape as she stared at the scene in front of her. Mona shook off her own shock and got up between the two girls.

“Uh..T-Theo this is...Zana. Zana t-this is—”

“Theodora,” Zana said more than a bit surprised. She smoothed her skirt and tucked a loose hair behind her ear, “Nice to meet y—”

“Yeah you too,” Theo said hastily to Zana. She turned to Mona a bit more calm, “Please, take me somewhere.”

“Where do you want to go?” Monaedi didn’t understand what was going on.

“Anywhere,” she glanced over to Zana who continued to stare like a deer in headlights. Zana...was she waving? Theo squinted and waved back tentatively, “Somewhere...private.”

“...I might know a place,” Monaedi grabbed her jacket. She ushered Theo to the door and said behind her, “Could you lock up before you leave?” And with that, they were gone.

The two girls walked in silence for a while. Mona lead them down a couple of paths behind some of the school’s buildings and after some time they were off campus. They headed into the woods and climbed over a couple trees and fallen branches. Eventually, the girl’s came to a large clearing in the middle of the forest. There laid a patch of soft green grass, and in the middle was a gigantic white tree with no leaves. They gazed at it for some time.

“I did what you said. Not letting them take all this away from me,” Theo said still looking up at the tree, “It was awful.” And immediately Monaedi felt just that.

“I am so sorry. I shouldn’t have come between you and your family — ” Theo stopped her with a forceful shake of her head.

“No, no. It was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life,” there was a wisp of a smile when she looked back up at the tree, “Did you mean what you said?”

“What do you mean?”

“When we first met. Did you really want to help me practice with...whatever this is,” she said looking down at her hands like they were foreign objects. Mona looked at them as well, and she nodded.

“Yes...but why now?”

“In delays lies no plenty, right?” Theo shrugged and tried to wave it off. Monaedi gave her look as if to say “Go on”.

“I’ve hidden who I am my entire life...Not just this,” she raised her hands again, “But with a lot of things. I don’t think I can come out to everyone. Not right now. But, if you’ll have me...I’d like to be myself with you.” Mona smiled, at her, her eyes getting teary. She nodded.

“I’ve never had a real friend…” There it was again. Theo wanted to question that, but she didn’t want to interrupt. Mona rarely spoke about herself, so she stored that information away for later, “I am not sure why, but...I can be who I really want to be when I'm with you too.” 

To be continued...

Spellbound by Jess Dotson

Chapter 5: Family and Friends

Summary: Mona and Theo’s friendship starts to flourish, but their families are still the same old story. 

READ CHAPTER |FROM THE BEGINNING

Author’s Note: Sorry, no illustrations this time. I was putting on a musical in NYC and didn’t have enough time. I tried to get the dialogue as genuine and concise as I could. Let me know how it came across! Enjoy!

After a couple of days, things had finally started to go back to normal. Monaedi didn’t know if that was a good thing or not, but she settled back into her regular routine. Right now she was walking towards the library courtyard where she always went after Literature class to read and eat in quiet. She unpacked her lunch which consisted of chichic nuggets, a berrynut sandwich, crisps made from a figul plant and dew flavored drink.

She took out her book and was about to start reading when someone plopped down right in front of her. Mona was so startled she dropped her book.

“What the— What are you doing!?” Monaedi blurted out between gasps for breaths.

“I asked you out to lunch. I figured now is as good a time as any,” Theo nonchalantly started to take out her lunch on the table. Mona watched her, still a little out of breath, but her eyes became darker.

“I’m not some charity case—”

“That is not why I am here,” Theo said over her, looking directly into the other girl’s eyes, “…I’m sorry.” Mona stare was stone, and that made Theo’s waiver as she looked down at her food.

“What for?” Mona asked unwaveringly. Theo thought for a moment, her face turned confused.

“I-I don’t know—”

“In yet you’re apologizing?” Mona rolled her eyes.

“…You were upset. I get that and I am sorry. I just…,” Theodora rubbed her furrowed brow, “I just don’t know why this is such a big deal to you?”

“I was upset because you were trying to manipulate me!” Mona stood up.

“I-I was not!…Was I?” Theo sputtered. She stood to follow the girl who was trying to put distance in between them.

“You tried to get what you wanted by flashing your money in my face,” Monaedi spat out, she was starting to shake. Theo stared at the small girl in front of her. Though Monaedi was shorter, her words made Theo feel small.

“And why, because you thought I needed it, because I’d be grateful for it, because you think you’re better than me for it!”

“I do not think I’m better than you!” Theo shouted. The girls were startled as the door to the side entrance of the library opened. Mr. Biccup comes out.

“What is going on out here ladies?” He says with a stern look on his face.  He crossed his first pair of arms, while the last pair were on his waist.

“Nothing,” Theo said hastily. He gave her a look, “Nothing, Sir.” He didn’t look convinced so he turns to Monaedi.

“Miss Mona?” A firm but softer tone to his voice.

“Nothing Mr. Biccup. Sorry we bothered you,” she says not looking up at either of them. The man gave a humph and turned to go back inside.

“Best keep it down then. This is a library,” he called back, then his glance landed on Mona, “Let me know if you need anything.” And the door closed. After a moment, Monaedi moved to gather her things. Theo watched in silence as she put her lunch and book away.

“I don’t think I’m better than you,” Theo says quietly. She adds with a slight sad chuckle, “the complete opposite actually.”

Monaedi stopped. Theo rubbed the back of her head. She sighed and exhaling seemed to deflate her as she slouched, “That was really crappy of me…what I did the other day. Where I come from, things like that…it’s like giving a handshake.”

“Well, it’s not normal to me,” Theodora nodded understanding.

“And it shouldn’t have to be. I’m sorry I brought you into my crap world.” Theo hung her head. She slumped on the table’s bench, “You were right, you know?…About finding better… I wish it were better. That I could be…Please forgive me.”

Monaedi gazed over at the elf-like girl. Her green eyes that were usually bright looked dull and the confident air that usually hung around her had dissipated. Mona understood what that felt like, to have your past suck all the life out of you until you’re just a husk of everything that went wrong. She realized she hadn’t spoken in a while and Theo was taking that as rejection. Say something nice, she looks like she’s going to cry, she told herself.

“How did you know I was here?” Monaedi’s words came out before she could think about them. What?, Mona mentally face palmed herself.

“What?” Theo asked just as flabbergasted, “I just poured my heart out, and— …I followed you.” The two girls stared at each other for a moment. Then Mona snorted trying to hold back a giggle. After that, they couldn’t hold it in any longer and laughed until their stomachs hurt.

“You’re really weird…,” Mona said wiping a tear away.

“Oh man! Look who’s talking, I have no hope now,” Theo said playfully. Mona smirked, still holding her things. She decided to retake her seat and Theo beamed at this. She took out her food, and the silence became pregnant with awkwardness. Theo started to eat her wraps, and Mona opened her carton of nuggets.

“What are those?” Theo asked as she took a sip from her lolo drink.

“The chichic nuggets?” Mona spun the carton around, “You wanna try one? I get them every day from the Poyo’s, it’s a fast-food chain, a little ways off campus.”

“You eat fast food for lunch every day? How unhealthy” Theo jokingly chided her, taking a nugget in her hand and inspecting it.

“Hey, there’s fruit in the berrynut!” Mona defended herself, “Besides I can’t help it they’re just so-

“DELICIOUS!” Theo exclaimed after she popped one into her mouth. Monaedi tried to hide how amused she was by this, “C-can I come with you sometime?”

“To Poyo’s? Sure? And you know what, it’ll be my treat,” Mona said facetiously.

Theo thanked her took another nugget but Mona swatted her hand away playfully. After that, the awkwardness melted away. The two girls sat, talked, ate, and joked for the rest of the period and into the next. It was the first time Monaedi was ever late to a class, but she couldn’t really care less.

Spellbound by Jess Dotson

Chapter 4: New Normal

Summary: Third time might be a charm when it comes to Monaedi and Theo forming a relationship.

Author's Note: Please let me know what you think! I'm trying to world build and let you into the minds of the characters. Hope it's working! On with the show:

Theodora’s heels clicked on the ground as she walked to her first class for the week. She adjusted her jacket for the fifth time since she left home. Theo hated these damned uniforms. The only thing she could class up a bit was the skirt, which she rolled up to show off her long legs. The jackets had no shape and were bulky. The color purple was tired, and who in the galaxy wore ties anymore! The only thing she hated more was talking to her mother.

“Theodora you should have seen it, who he brought to the Brenidears’ wedding. The girl was like a disease. An eyesore on the whole ceremony,” her Mother, a woman who looked a lot like an older version of Theo, said as she did her nails on the screen of Theo’s mobile.

“Maybe he loves her, Mother. You can’t help who you fall in love with,” Theo said distractedly, pulling up her notes for class on the screen in a parallel tab. This task required little brain function and she could multitask. The notes, on the other hand, she hadn't looked at all weekend, and class was in fifteen minutes.

“Yes,” the older blue-haired woman said looking down her nose at the polish on her finger tips, “That's all well and good until she leaves him and takes half of his inheritance.” Her daughter didn't answer with a snide comment and that made her look up, “Theodora are you listening to me? What could you possibly be doing?”

“I'm studying my notes for class. I haven't—” Theo started.

“You know if it's too hard darling, you can come back home”, Theo rolled her eyes, “Your father had to let go some of the gardening staff the other day. The yard was looking rather dull.”

“Just like this conversation…” Theo said under her breath, but her mother heard it.

“Theodora, are you behaving yourself? We don't want any more of those...incidents. If you can’t control yourself, I will bring you out of that place —”

“Everything is fine mother. I have to go to class now, love you. Bye!” Theo hung up before her Mother could get another awful word in. Theo shoved the phone into her bag, also giving up on her literature notes. Who the hell cared about some dead alien Shakespeare, who died millions of years ago on some planet light years away?

Mona closed her notes as well, though with less frustration as she had studied for 3 hours the night before. She sat patiently for class to begin, as the other students mingled and laughed amongst their groups of friends. Two boys played catch with a fusion ball, throwing it about the classroom. The salmon colored one with long tentacle-like hair told the other with antlers to go long, and he threw it. The antlered boy caught the fusion ball, but not before he landed in Monaedi’s lap. They looked at each other mortified.

“Sorry, I didn’t see you there…” the boy got up quickly, snorting when he looked at his friend who looked just as amused. Mona would have replied but caught a sight of blue hair in the corner of her eye. When she saw Theo, she could feel a wave of embarrassment from this past weekend creeping up from her subconscious, but she pushed it back down. Monaedi looked away. If she didn’t look she could pretend the whole thing didn’t exist, and then everything could go back to normal. But she couldn’t keep away for much longer. Mona’s eyes were like magnets that kept being drawn back to the girl. She settled with stealing glances at Theo as she came into the room. Maybe she won’t notice at me, she thought. And Monaedi got her wish, as Theo didn’t even seem to notice her. And Mona didn’t know why, but she was more than slightly disappointed by this.

Theo walked into the class looking irked with the whole Xili Planetary System. She did not want to be here; he was here. Theo noticed him before he did her, so she went to go find her seat without properly greeting him. The tentacle haired boy did eventually notice his girlfriend. His face went from cocky amusement to downcast with just a hint of fear. He walked up to the elfish girl. Theo didn’t acknowledge him, as she put her bag on the table and started taking out her things.

“Hey, Theo…” He said quietly standing next to her. He took a small step closer, then thought better of it. He waited for a response, but one never came. In almost a whisper he tried again, “I haven’t seen you since the other night. Where have you been?”

“Mal’qier, I’ve been in my room. The whole weekend. You would’ve known that if you bothered to come by,” Theo slammed the book on the tabletop, which made him flinch. He looked around the classroom; people were starting to stare.

“Please do not make a scene,” Mal’qier hissed through gritted teeth, “Your mother would disapprove.” He was right, her mother would disapprove of her acting out in public. But she didn’t care about that. She did care about a familiar surge of energy brewing inside her; that she needed to keep under control. She took a deep breath and then turned to stare him dead in the face.

“You want to tell my mother on me, again, go ahead if that makes you feel better. Undermine me, like you did the other night,” her words were quiet but biting. She stared into his eyes, and if looks could kill… Mal’qier looked down, she could recognize the anguish on his face, even if others couldn’t. Theo started to feel sorry for him.

“I am sorry,” he said, barely audible. She knew he was. And she knew why he acted the way he did. It was expected of him. And to him, and to their whole crowd, appearance was everything. She just wished he would go against the grain sometimes...Then again, she was still with him, and what did that say about her.

“I know,” she said. Her voice softening. But that didn’t mean that she wasn’t still pissed, “I’m still mad at you though.”

“I totally understand!” he said, but as things would be alright he brightened a bit, “I got you something.” He took something out of his pocket and then unfolded his hands. In his palms lay a phoenix flower. The little crystal bud bloomed in front of her eyes into a full grown flower. It had translucent petals tinted with beautiful colors that reflected along the walls of the classroom. it was the most beautiful thing Theodora, and anyone in the classroom ,had ever seen. She couldn’t help it. Theo kissed him pushing into his arms. It would have almost knocked him over, but he was strong enough to catch her.

The class hooted and hollered, at the two. Monaedi watched with the others but stayed silent. She felt heat rise into her face as the corner of her lips dipped into a slight frown. Someone cleared their throat over the commotion and everyone turned to see their reptilian teacher, Professor Thana, standing at the front of the class.

“Ms. Theodora, Mr. Mal’qier could you please sit down,” the professor said looking down her rimmed glasses. She used a scaly, yet old hand to adjust them on her face.

“Sorry professor, but who could resist,” she says gesturing toward Mal’qier. That gets some laughs and entertained gasps out of the class.

“Who indeed,” the reptile replied sarcastically rolling her eyes, getting a few chuckles of her own. While she prepared the board, Theo and Mal’quier sat down. As Theo did she caught Mona’s eyes. It wasn’t more than second, but Mona’s dark eyes shattered the facade and left Theo vulnerable like she never felt before. After a moment Monaedi turned back to face the board and Theo followed suit.

“Let us begin. We will continue with Twelfth Night, beginning with the Fool’s line: ‘Present mirth hath present laughter;  What’s to come is still unsure:  In delay there lies no plenty,— Then come kiss me, Sweet-and-twenty’. What do you think Master William meant by this verse,” she asked the class. They stayed silent, “Anyone?” Monaedi wrote down ‘Live in the moment’ in the margins of the text. She glanced around, no one looked willing to answer. I'll give it three seconds ,if no one raises their hand, I will. 1...2...—”

“How about you Miss Theodora, since you're so full of kisses today,” Professor Thana asked.

“I haven't the faintest idea Professor,” she said slightly annoyed, but more nervous than anything. She really should have looked at her notes.

“It's plain as day, right here in your text. Break it down line by line. We will wait.”

“He’s saying...we are only really given the moment that we are in right now...so his love shouldn’t wait to kiss him back. It sounds like a make the most of it type thing?” she finally got it all out. Professor Thana gazed at Theo for a second, a wisp of a smile on her lips.  

“Very good. Now...” their professor continues the lesson. Theo let out a small breath she didn’t know she was holding. A small smiled crossed her face, she did it. She glanced around, but no one seemed to care so she settled back into her seat looking forward. Her sight lands in front of her on the back of Monaedi’s head where it stayed for the rest of the lecture.

At the end of class Theo told her boyfriend she would meet up with him later, and when he left she walked up to Mona who was packing her things away.

“Mona!” Theo greeted her, with as much cheer she could muster up.

“..Oh, hi Theodora...,” she says pushing her glasses back up her nose. Her eyes not really reaching Theo’s green ones.

“How are you? You kind of left suddenly.”

“...Yeah, sorry about that...”

“It's fine,” Theo waved her off. She looked around and saw other students looking towards the two of them; they eyed the two girls suspiciously. Theo paused to let the other exit the classroom, leaving her and Mona alone. She cleared her throat.

“So about the other night..um..I just wanted to make sure... You're not going to tell anyone are you?” Monaedi blinked at her. Not knowing which part she was referring to. The incident with the boys, or what she did to them, or how she did it. No other response came so Theo continued, “Do you like chufu? I know a nice restaurant—I can take you out—”

Spellbound by Jess Dotson

Chapter 3: Schooled

Summary: After the two girls part ways after a rocky start, they have to face each other in class. 

Author’s Note: Sorry the chapter is a little long.There’s a lot of story we have to get through and I don’t want to cut it off in an awkward place. Bare with me though! Onto the chapter! 

The two girls made it to the Olos Dormitory. It was on the opposite side of campus from where Monaedi lived, so she had never really been near it before. But she could tell by the doorman who greeted them as they entered a foyer, that was also draped in chandlers and luxury chairs, couches, and at tables with little crystal bowls with various wild nuts in them...you could say she felt out of place.

Mona’s heart rate started to pick up. She rolled her eyes at her sudden panic and let out a trembling breath. The girl looked up at her through bluish eyelashes.

“You good?” She slurred. Mona shook her head a little to clear it.

“I should be asking you that question,” she grinned as they entered the elevator. The girl pushed the button to her floor and they went up.

“I'm—” the blue haired girl started to slur out, but suddenly she gagged and put her hand over her mouth. Monaedi looked at her with concern.

“We’re almost there,” Monaedi said, “We are almost there right?”

They stopped on floor 6 of the large building and stopped in front of suite 403.

“Yeah we’re here,” the girl said gulping down whatever was in her throat. She pulled out a key card from out of her bra, which amused Monaedi, and swiped it. She opened the door and stumbled into her room, kicking her heels off in the process.

From the doorway, Monaedi looked around the dorm room. Dorm room? More like a penthouse, she thought. And it was: there was a living room with nice furniture like the ones in the lobby, a protect tv half the size of the wall equipped with a sound system and X1 gaming console, and a small bar area with a game table. In the middle of the room was the kitchen area equipped with quick oven/stove combination, sink, and fridge, and an island separating the entertainment section with what looked like the bedroom. In that corner, there was a large bed, way too big for one person, with bedding that looked so comfortable to Monaedi. She suddenly remembered how tired she was.  

“You know you can come in right?” The girl called back behind her to the door. She stumbled over to her bedroom area. Mona walked awkwardly into the room looking about.

“You sure you don't want me to take you to somewhere more comfortable? I'm pretty sure those sheets are only 800 count. You must be suffering,” She said with all the sarcasm she could muster up, but she was pretty sure she sounded more amazed.

Mona tried to look anywhere but at the girl. After a few moments, she heard heavying breathing and a slight snore. She turned around and the girl was knocked out on top of her bed. After a moment Monaedi walked over and covered her with her sheets to keep her modest. Mona yawned. She looked at her mobile to see if there were any shuttles running to take her home. There weren't. She looked at the door and back at the sleeping girl. Another yawn and Monaedi decided to take a seat on the sofa. She rested her head on the arm of the chair. This is more comfortable than my bed, she thought as she drifted off to sleep.

The girl was pulled out of her deep sleep to the sound of a toilet flushing. She opened her eyes slightly. Immediately regretting it she clamped them shut. She put a hand over her face and wished herself back to sleep, but the raging throbbing in her skull wouldn't let her. She heard the faucet run. The door started to open and she sat up, expecting someone she knew...

Monaedi, carrying a cup of water and something small in the other hand, stopped mid stride when she saw the fear and confusion on the girl's face.

“Sorry, I just—I hope it's alright that I used it...And that I stayed—I should've asked, it's just there weren't any shuttles, and it was late, and I'm all the way across town—” the words coming out like a freight train derailing off the tracks.

“No, no..it's uh, that's..fine umm...” the girl replied just as shaken. She started to blank trying desperately to remember what the hell was happening and who this person was—

“Monaedi,” Mona taking a hesitant step toward the nightstand next to the bed. She put down a glass of water and a couple of pills from the other hand, “...For the headache, I assume you have.”

“Oh right, Mona,” the girl said calming down, “Thank you. I'm Theodora. Well Theo really,” she said getting a good look at the girl in front of her, “You look familiar. Did we have a class together or something?”

““Yes, we have Natural Science together—”

“Oh right!”

“Literature, and Galactic History, Arithmetic…”

“Oh, so all of them…”

“...Yeah,” Monaedi’s face flushed and she looked down at her feet to hide it. Though Theo did see. After a few moments, Mona spoke up again, “H-how are you feeling? Alright?” Theo searched for something to cover herself up with, as she was still in her underclothes. She found an old t-shirt with the university’s logo on it and threw it on.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine...um..we didn’t..you know,” she tried to insinuate. At first, Mona wasn’t sure what she was talking about. And then her face went bright red.

“NO! No, I just brought you here— you fell asleep. I—just wanted to make sure you were alright, you know after everything that happened,” she stammered out trying her damnedest to find the right words.

“Everything that happened?...Oh wow, yeah that...,” Theo put a hand to her head, “And you stayed. That’s actually very sweet of you,” she said looking up.

“Glad I could help,” Mona waved it off, and started to play with the ends of her hair. After a moment she heard a sniffle and looked up. Theodora was looking at the wall, trying to hold back tears.

“That really..sucked major balls didn’t it?” Theodora spat out between sobs.

“...Yes, I guess it did. Though, sucked major balls isn’t exactly the words I’d use, but...” Mona said shrugging. Theodora chuckled through tears. And then started to laugh heartily. Mona grinned at her laugh, “Sorry, this isn’t the time for jokes”.

“No it was perfect, thank you,” Theo said with a smile, and Mona returned it brightly. They sat in more comfortable silence, “You know what, I'm kind of glad my boyfriend flirted with another girl and making me leave that party. If anything I got to meet you.”

“He sounds like a prick,” Mona said offhandedly. And Theo, though surprised, snorts at the guy's own expense, “Not sure if I was worth what happened last night though,” Theo's smile fades.  

“It was pretty scary,” Monaedi saw the grim look on Theo’s face and chastised herself for making it happen.

“I could only imagine. I'm sorry I shouldn't have brought it up,” she sat on the bed, “But you’re okay, that’s what matters. It’s good that you stopped them… How did you stop them exactly? It was like...like nothing I’ve ever seen before?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure how I do it. It has only happened a couple times in my life. When I was young mom wanted to get rid of my dog because he peed on her carpet. I made him weightless and he floated right out the window. Luckily he came back home running to us.” Both the girl laughed.

“That’s...different,” Mona says.

“I know that’s why I don’t really like to announce it,” Theo looked down, at her hands.

“Sorry, I meant, good different. I think it’s rather interesting,” Mona said getting excited.

“You think so?” Theodora smirked.

“Yeah, I’d give anything to be remotely interesting.”

“What?! You’re pretty great yourself. Saving drunken maidens in dark alleyways and what not.” She pretended to swoon laying on Mona’s shoulder. They giggled and Theo sat up, “Not a lot of people would’ve done that.” When she realized they were staring at each other, Mona blushed and cleared her throat.  

“You should practice. With your... ability I mean,” she clarified when Theodora looked confused.

“What? No, I don’t think so. Like I said, it’s just something weird that comes every once in awhile.”

“No, don’t you see, it doesn’t have to be.” Mona’s gears were turning, getting excited. Theo thinks for a second, then declines.

“Nah—I don't—”

“It could come in handy, like last night… I could help you!”

“NO!” they sit in silence.

Mona wished that she could say something, anything. But her mind started to flood with faults: Why did you say that? How could you push her? After everything she's been through. Those guys just wanted to use her...You. You wanted to use her. Because you're alone. You're no better than them!

“I should go…”

“Sorry,” they say at the same time. Mona shot up from the bed. Theo was taken back by the other girl's suddenness.

“Right...Well thanks again...” Theo watched as Monaedi quickly gathered her things.

“No problem, really..” she said putting on her jacket, but not taking her eyes off the floor. Neither one of them said anything so Mona moved towards the door. She opened it.

Mona glanced up at her and gave a wisp of a smile. Then walked to the elevator.

Spellbound by Jess Dotson

Chapter 2: Pleasure to Make Your Acquaintance?

Summary: After Monaedi helps a drunken girl to her dorm room, they get to talk about the events that transpired.  

Urdon Maior University was your typical Ivy League college, where the richest would send their children to become even richer than them. Once in a while, a student of unfathomable intellect would make their way into a class and do great things. But mostly the students just partied.

That's what the students were doing right now, seeing as classes had just ended for the week. Everyone except an unfathomably ordinary student that went by the name Monaedi Itreu. Instead of going out for a night on the town, the stout girl with milk chocolate skin and poofy dark hair headed to Zandr Library. Books stacked high lay around her creating a cell in which she was in cased in. She felt this was a fitting prison. Monaedi was smart, she supposed, smart enough to get into college..but still not smart enough to coast by with money or intellect alone. She had to keep above a 3.5 GPA to keep her scholarship. And that's why she now lay knocked out, on top of her textbook instead of out with the rest of the lot, at least that's the reason she would tell herself.

The alarm on her phone went off, loudly playing an obnoxious song. Monaedi popped up with an audible gasp. Blinking rapidly as she tried to remember where she was.  She deflated back into her leather armchair and rubbed her hands over her face. She didn’t realize how tired she was. Monaedi checked the time on her mobile. Midnight, she read. And with that, she closed the large book in front of her with what little strength she had left; dust rising from the ancient pages. She packed up her things and made to leave.

Monaedi descended the stairs to the main entrance of the enormous building. She passed the front desk where an older man was putting books back onto the shelves with one hand, stamping some in with the other, and logging them into the computer with the last pair.   

“Goodnight Mr. Biccup,” she said not glancing over in his direction.

“Dear Miss Mona! You are still here?” he gasped with faux surprise, “I would’ve figured you’d be out with a classmate or two, having fun.”

“Why bother with them, when I have you to hang out with, old man?” she slightly turned back just enough to give him a smirk.

“Did you at least put your mountain of books back?” he called to her.

“Nope!”

“Same time tomorrow then,” he said. Mr. Biccup watched her give a wave as she dragged herself out of the door, and he shook his head in incredulous fondness.

Monaedi gave a little shiver as the night air hit her. She decided to head down the path lit with the ironclad street lamp cages floating over head. It was three more streets out of the way of her dormitory than if she would have taken the shortcut, but you can’t be too careful. The campus wasn’t particularly dangerous, but being on the vertically challenged side of the spectrum, she seemed like an easy target. She yawned as she kept on the path to her building, but just as she was about to turn down College Avenue, she heard someone groan in the distance. She stopped mid stride. She looked behind her. Then in front of her again. There was another noise and then someone laughed. Probably people being stupid, she thought as she turned back on her route.

“Stop...please,” Monaedi heard the female voice plead shakily. And with that Mona bolted in the direction of the commotion. She weaved quickly around the buildings and down an alleyway. Hold on, just...please hold on, she thought. Though it was dimly lit, cramped, and smelling of a mix of excrement and garbage, Mona could just make out the scuffle going on. At the other end, three men passed around a female figure, that looked as if she couldn’t stand up straight. For a moment Monaedi was rooted to her spot, from fear, or shock, or both, she didn’t know. But she finally mustered up some courage and stepped forward to say something but was cut off.

The girl more forcefully spoke up, “I said..”

Mona put her arm in front of her face to shield her eyes from the brightness and the gust of wind that came with it. It made her stumble back, and she hid behind a dumpster for shelter.The men weren’t as lucky as it knocked them off their feet. One hit his head on a low bar of a fire escape ladder. The other two hit the brick wall and bin in front of Monaedi. She looked at the scene in front of her with her eyes and mouth agape.

The light faded from the alley as the blue light faded down. The girl swayed woozily back and forth trying to keep her balance, but the trials of the night taking a toll on her, she sank to her knees. She looked as if she were about to smack into the cement below, but before she could hit it, arms came out to catch her.

“Are you alright? We should get you to the infirmary wing —”

“No, no. I’m fine really,”  the girl's speech was slurred as she tried to get up. She started to stumble so Mona helped stabilize her, taking the girl’s arm and putting it around her neck, “I...uh... kinda indulged in a tiny—whoa—bit of underage drinking…”

“Oh...But if you had too much, or if you’re hurt...I’d rather just go to make sure. And what about the...well, I’m not even sure what that was—” Mona tried to gesture, but with the girl in her arms it just made them stumble a bit.

“Look, uh…”

“Monaeidi.”

“...Right. I’m good, I know my limits. I’ll be fine,” the girl's words were barely comprehensible.

“...Okay. If you’re sure.”

“I’m quite sure,” the girl said. One of the men groaned, and both them jumped. The two hurried as quickly as they could out of the alley. They began to walk, the girl unconsciously steering them in the right direction. The girls walked in silence through the night.

“You don’t have to take me all the way there you know?” the girl said.

“Oh, did you want to stay in that vomit smelling alley? I can take you back...” Mona said with a smirk after she looked at the girl up and down.

“Oh, joy, the sarcastic type. This day just keeps getting better and better. I guess wanderlust is my business partner and madness must always be my lover,” she said drunkenly incredulous. Monaedi shook her head as they walked off into the night. 

Spellbound by Jess Dotson

Chapter 1: How they Met 

Summary: Monaedi meets a new friend who changes her life forever, and sets her on a journey that tests her strengths, weaknesses, and most importantly her heart.