Oriel had been restless since her great-grandniece had told her about the witch who might be able to help. Having one's soul tethered and trapped in a jar for over a hundred years tends to do that, especially when the prospect of freedom is talked about. She didn't appear at first, content to listen as her darling niece explained the situation, the curse, even if she did wince at the phantom pain the tale always sparked in the gaping wound in her chest.

She always made sure it was covered when she appeared to those friendly with her. Her family especially. Her sister Cassandra had fainted the first time she had appeared to her once the jar had been given to the family. Luckily, her granddaughter was not as fragile. Sweet Orilena, named for Oriel, the young woman, had explained when she discovered the jar tucked away in the attic of Cassandra's home after her death.

When she felt herself being passed in the jar, Oriel appeared to both women in the room, her shawl pulled tight around her shoulders, hiding the wound, but not the trickle of blood stains towards the hem of her crisp white blouse. She smiled warmly at her great-grandniece, her ghostly palm reaching out to cup her cheek tenderly, earning a tearful but warm smile in return despite the chill her touch sent through the living flesh.

"À bientôt, douce enfant." She whispered, her voice echoing just a tad in the home of the woman her kin trusted with her fate, before turning to face the witch with a more polite smile and curtsey, "Doctor Oriel Ravenmoore, mademoiselle, a pleasure."

Maerose

Having a crush on somebody who isn't single is hard, so I understand how you may be struggling. Unfortunately some people send mixed signals, and that might be what your friend is doing.

They might not know what they are doing, because you are taking it as flirting but then get with somebody two weeks later. Sometimes people send these weird signals, and they just don't interpret them as anything but being nice. For instance, I'm really nice and open to most people I meet but they take it as flirting a lot of the time. I also flirt with a lot of people, but have no intentions to take it further than that. I'm just that kind of person, and your friend might be too.

If you have a crush on him and you have for a while, it might be good to tell him. I don't know if you'd want to, considering he's in a relationship, but it really is up to you. I know this is easier said than done though, and a lot of the time I give advice that is hard to carry through. Honestly, I wouldn't bring anything up because I would feel as if I'm making him choose between his girlfriend and me, but I also don't know your friend and how he would react. He is your friend, so I think you'll know him best on how he will react.

I hate putting this in here, but I want to just want you to also know what to do in the case he rejects you. I know it's not a lovely thought at all, but I want you to be prepared, okay? Remember that anybody has the right to reject somebody, so even though it hurts, sometimes it just happens. You are not less desirable, love worthy, or less of a good person for getting rejected. Unfortunately people not feeling mutually happens, but that does not say anything about you as a person. You are still a good person despite being rejected, okay? Just remember that you will find somebody one day, but that doesn't mean you can't be happy alone. Your company is as good as anybody elses <3

Best of luck!

Hey sweetie,

You move on. I know it’s hard, but the fact is, he is withsomeone else. To break them up would be cruel (and is also no way to start arelationship), and to pine after him would be painful. The best thing you cando is move on.

Here’s a page on getting over a breakup. Obviously you weren’tdating, but you’ve obviously developed some pretty strong feelings for this boyand now you have to let them go. So that’s a start. Now here are some steps tomoving on. First, you have to respect that he is with someone. Remind yourselfhe is emotionally unavailable; don’t try to pretend she doesn’t exist. It helpsto put yourself in the other girl’s shoes. How would you like it if someonetried to “steal” your bf?

Second, give yourself some space. Avoid him for a littlebit, give him space, keep your emotions in check by not thinking about him. Thinkabout the reasons you like him and try to “debunk” them. Try to see him as ahuman who makes mistakes and not as this perfect, loveable person. Maybe eventry to find flaws that really really bother you. Avoid him until you’re in aplace where it doesn’t hurt to be around him. While you’re trying to not lovehim, focus on loving yourself. Spend time with your friends, go out and enjoyyourself. Take up a new hobby. Learn to love who you are, and build up yourkiller confidence. While you’re at it, try meeting someone else. It doesn’thave to be serious, just casual flirting, having fun with someone. Taking yourmind off this other guy. Bottom line, the best thing you can do is give yourselfspace. You can do all those other things I mentioned, but if you still see himon a regular basis, it’s going to be impossible to move on. If you two arefriends, just try distancing yourself. Don’t tell him intimate details, or gettoo emotional, and try to talk to him less throughout the week, at elast untilyou’re sure you’re over him.

Good luck hon,

hey i’m sorry you’re stuck in this situation right now it must be tough. i think the best thing for you to do right now is talk to him seriously and ask about his thoughts on the relationship between you two. looking from what you’ve described in the message, i’m unsure to judge whether he’s treating you as a close of his or that he’s trying to build a step ahead of a friendship. i’m not 100% sure about the details of your situation so its hard to say. but if i were you i’d try approaching him and let him know your feelings towards him if you feel comfortable to do so. i’m not saying that this might work out really well or that he might just turn away from his girlfriend, but it’s good for both of you for him to know your love for him. that way you don’t have to hide it for the whole time and feel stressed/upset about it alone. if he says he sees u as a close friend then try to keep that friendship and let that stay. from what i see he should be a great friend and i see u guys could share an amazing friendship. and when u actually know his thoughts u can then decide whether you want to move on to find someone who’s right for you (and to be frank there’s a lot of good guys out there and i’m sure you can find your mr. right!) but if he admits that he’s treating you more than a friend then perhaps you both can talk it through and solve it together.