#rajadore

Fishing went exactly how Raja expected — judgement…judgement from Bianca.

“So you want to turn her into a human,” the witch had said, tossing a spear into the waters before her.

Raja didn’t want this — a discussion. She hadn’t been to the beach in so long. This could have been time to soak it all in. But Bianca just couldn’t help but…well, be Bianca.

“I mean, yes, I want to turn her human. But I won’t be the one carrying the spell out,” Raja tossed her speer too. “Raven will do the dirty work. Thank’s for the information.”

Bianca chose to ignore the remark and refrained from calling Raja out on the fact that she gave that information against her will. Instead, she only said, “You’re kinda obsessed with your mermaid.”

The dark witch spared Bianca a glance, the two going to fetch their weapons again. “I’m not obsessed. I’m in love.” She pulled the spear from the water, finding nothing on the bottom. “We’re tethered, Bianca.”

“I know - I know.”

And Raja glanced at her again. “You sound…disappointed.”

Bianca didn’t answer immediately, searching her brain for a spell that would make the fishing less taxing. But with shit on her mind, she couldn’t think. “I just…I wish there was another way.”

Raja whirled around to look at her best friend, her dress treading the water. “Another way?”

Bianca held her hands up in defence, signalling she would say no more. Raja wanted to press her for a real response, but at the same time, she knew deep down this conversation was already exhausting.

Nothing else Adore-related was said until they returned to the camp two hours later, having managed to catch five fish.

That’s when they saw the whole camp of witches gathered around Raja’s hut.

“The fuck?” The dark witch said, dropping her bag of fish to the ground and rushing towards her home. Her heart was pounding now. Did something happen to Adore while they were gone?

“Move, bitches!” Bianca yelled as both witches shoved past the crowd.

“Sorry, Raja,” Farrah said, allowing the two to pass through.

Once inside, they could see how they all gathered around the now filled tub, Adore leisuring to her heart’s content, fins flapping slightly, signalling her delight. The last time Raja had seen the mermaid, she was deep in sleep, hydrating her body.

Now everyone was gathered around, babbling to her about all sorts of things.

“I got another one,” the enigmatic Katya was sitting on the ground beside the tub, Adore’s attention solely on her, “What do you call two witches who live together? Broom-mates!”

Not one laugh was given.

Adore just stared blankly.

“Oh, come on. That’s a classic! It’s stupid as fuck!” Katya pled with everyone around her.

“Sorry, sweety. Just give up and accept defeat,” Trixie rubbed the jokester’s shoulder.

“What’s going on?” Raja rushed to the tub, Adore reaching for her hand to kiss it.

“We just…heard singing…” Courtney explained, “Coming from here. We think she drew us in.”

Adore smiled sheepishly. “I honestly did not know we could do that.”

“An incredible ability to hold,” Sasha said in admiration.

“Okay, I don’t want to sound rude, but can you all get out?” Raja’s eyes glared at the crowd.

They whined in frustration, but when Bianca barked at them, the witches began to file out.

Now only Adore, Raja, Bianca and Courtney remained. The pregnant witch approached the tub before going to leave herself. “Do you want to come mingle with me later?”

There was a hint of something on her face, almost like excitement.

“Yes. I would love that, Courtney,” Adore shared the light witch’s expression.

“Great.” Courtney then took Bianca’s hand, leading her out of Raja’s hut, “Come on you. We have shit to discuss.”

Once they were gone, Raja sat on the ground where Katya had before, her hand still in Adore’s. “So, you can sing, I’m guessing.”

The mermaid blushed. “I always thought I sounded good. But…never that good,” she glanced at the door where all the witches had disappeared. “Do you want to hear a song?”

Raja never shook her head so fast. “As much as I would love that, it’s probably not a good idea.”

Adore’s face dropped, and Raja felt like a dick. 

“Look, I promise, I’d love to hear you sing, but it’s not safe,” the witch said quietly, “there's…” she gulped, “We’re not alone in this forest, Adore. Of course, there’s the warlock camp, it’s not far at all, and they’re all lovely. But… we’re not the only witches.”

“You have other sisters?” Adore’s eyes squinted.

“Oh, Adore. They are not my sisters.” Raja’s thumb stroked the back of the mermaid’s hand, “They're…Well, let’s just say they aren’t very nice. We’ve feuded with them in the past many a time. You know, sometimes even going to war. It’s been going on for centuries. Even the witches who came before me had to deal with them.”

“That’s awful,” Adore practically whispered. “I don’t understand. You’re all witches, all the same, so why the feud? I mean, back home, all merpeople… we’re one and the same, and all we share is love.”

God, this woman was too pure… Raja’s heart was melting again. She brought Adore’s damp knuckle to her lips, kissing each one sweetly. “I wish that’s how things were for us." 

"Maybe someday,” Adore shrugged.

Raja’s smile turned sad. “I wouldn’t count on it.”

The mermaid lowered her face, “I’m sorry for singing.”

“Oh, Adore. Don’t feel bad.” Raja lifted the mermaid’s chin, “you didn’t know. Fuck, I should have told you before.”

And Adore laughed through her nose, “I probably wouldn’t have understood a word.”

“Oh. Well, true,” Raja giggled.

-_-_-_-

Courtney didn’t explain what she was doing, let alone why she was doing this.

But Adore just let her put whatever this weird stuff was on her face. 

At first, it felt weird, and that weirdness made the mermaid uneasy. But the way Courtney delicately smeared crushed beetroot over Adore’s lips made her feel safe.

“This stuff will stain your lips; give them a nice bit of colour.” Courtney finished painting Adores lips before wiping the beetroot mush from her finger on a cloth.

Adore nodded in understanding. “So, this is what land girls use to…as you say, make themselves look pretty?”

“Yes. I mean, in the towns and cities, ladies wear real makeup. But being out here, all we have is the nature around us. So we make do with what we got.” Courtney explained as she began crushing up rose petals. “Honestly, though, I prefer the natural way. Better for the skin, and even more so for our powers.”

“I don’t think you need makeup.” Adore shrugged.

“Aw, thank you, Adore. Keep talking, please.”

“I don’t think you need makeup. I think you’re beautiful, and Bianca is very lucky to - -”

Courtney raised a hand to silence the babbling mermaid. “Don’t worry, it’s just an expression.”

“Oh. Gosh, human language confuses me.”

“This isn’t ‘human language’ you’re speaking. It’s wican.” Courtney explained, taking a brush and dabbing it into the rose petals, crushed up so much they were now dust.

Adore let Courtney dab the pink powder on her cheeks, and her eyes were stuck on the small bump.

“You know what’s in there, right?” Courtney asked, knowing full well Adore was staring.

“A baby?” Adore answered.

“Yep.” Courtney swept a hand across her belly. “I’m only four months in, so they’re not that big yet.”

The mermaid let out a laugh through a breath before confusion took over. “So, it’s possible for…for two women to make a baby on the land.”

“Oh, no. That’s not what Bianca and I did.” Courtney laughed even more. “We have a mating season with the warlocks, kind of like a pact that’s been going on since before I was even born. They’re nice boys over in that camp.”

“They sound nice.”

“Yeah. I think I chose the right man too. He seemed nice. I’d like to think that if the baby was a boy, and he’d be taken over there, he’d have a great father.” Courtney’s eyes drifted off, fantasising about this future to come.

“And, what if it is a boy?” Adore asked.

Courtney looked back at her, “Honestly, I don’t even think I give a shit about gender. Boy, girl, anything… I’m keeping my baby. And I’ll love them no matter who they are.”

A warm smile found its way to Adore’s face, her green eyes trailing back down to Courtney’s bump.

“Do you want to touch it?” Courtney already took the nodding mermaid’s hand. 

Placing it on Courtney’s belly, Adore felt it, the tiny heart inside beating.

“I mean, there’s not much going on in there right now, but….” Courtney said.

Adore placed an ear up to the bump. “Wow.”

“What? What is it?” The light witch said with intrigue.

And Adore peered up at Courtney again. “I can hear her heartbeat.”

Courtney’s eyes widened. “Her?”

The mermaid nodded.

“Adore, you are fucking incredible.”

-_-_-_-

“Bianca, what is the meaning of this?!” Raja shouted as her best friend shoved her out of her own home.

“You’ll fucking see! Fuck, patience is a virtue, you know,” Bianca shoved the witch again.

“Alright! I’m fucking moving, God!”

For the last two hours, Bianca had been a pest — insisting Raja skip dinner, weaving silk through the dark witch’s hair, forcing her into a beautiful yet uncomfortable dress. And for every question Raja hurled at her, her friend refused to answer.

And now, here Bianca was, pushing her around, literally.

Almost every witch was outside now, jumping around with excitement and yelling out into the night sky. Even Willam was out — odd for the daylight witch. As soon as she lowered the sun and Blair raised the moon, Willam would be long gone, hitting the hay before anyone could beg for her attention. Yet, there she was, whooping with joy, Alaska carrying her on her back.

“What the fuck is going on?!” Raja exclaimed.

Bianca groaned, taking her friend by the hand and dragging her to their destination instead, “We’re all going over to the warlock camp for a good old time.”

“We’re going to get some dick!” Willam cheered.

“B-But,” Raja couldn’t keep up with this shit anymore, “the mating season is over.”

“Oh, fuck the rules, Raj’,” Katya brushed past, hand in hand with Trixie. “We made them so we can fucking break them whenever we want.” And she carried on with her partner.

“Bianca, what about Adore?” Raja questioned. “I know the men are nice, but…I don’t think it’s safe for her to be out there.”

“And that’s why you’re both going to be staying here,” Bianca glanced over her shoulder with a teasing smile.

Finally reaching the end of the camp, the witches rounded the last hut there.

“B’, I swear to God, whatever you bitches have going on here, I’ll - -”

“Shut up already!” Bianca then gestured to what was in front of them, “Look! We did this for you two.”

In the middle of the green was a small table fit for two, a red candle burning in the middle. A bottle of red wine stood next to the candle, most likely made by one of the witches. And then there were the two plates, the fish Raja and Bianca had caught earlier in the day cooked to perfection.

“You did this,” Raja said, the words sounding more like a question.

“Well, it was Courtney’s idea. She roped me into it.” Bianca put a hand on Raja’s shoulder and the other on her hip. God, she was proud of herself. “Just thought it would be nice for you to have alone time with your mermaid.”

“Okay, you can stop calling her my mermaid. One — she has a name. Two — Adore is her own person. And three — Bianca, Adore and I do have alone time.”

“Yes, but now, you’ll both be even more alone.”

“God, you really are childish,” Raja swept a hand through her hair.

“Oh, wow. You know, that’s a lovely thank you for the fish we cooked and all the work we put into making this shit,” Bianca held a hand out to the display. “Fuck, Nina made that table from scratch!”

Raja looked at said table and back to Bianca, “Bullshit.”

“It’s not bullshit.”

“Come on. That’s probably just a fucking spare table.”

Bianca tsked. “Well, believe whatever you want.”

“What are you two bickering about now?” Courtney’s fed-up voice sounded as she stepped up to the two.

“Nothing amazing,” Bianca rolled her eyes. “Where’s Adore?”

“Oh, she’s just coming now,” the light witch glanced over her shoulder before turning her attention to Raja, “So, do you like it?”

Raja peered at the set table again, “Yes. I love it, Courtney.”

Bianca’s eyes widened. “What the fuck? What did I do to you to make you not nice to me tonight?”

Raja chuckled. “Nothing. Maybe I just like pissing you off,” she playfully shoved Bianca on the shoulder.

“Oh, I know you do. So, what about you, Court’? Ready to go over to the warlock camp?” Bianca swung an arm around her tethered.

“Can’t lie; I’m excited to meet the baby’s father again.” Courtney kissed Bianca softly. 

“Who knows? Maybe I could meet a man, give the kid a sibling,” Bianca teased.

“Oh, come on, honey. We can’t be thinking about that so soon.”

“I know. I’m just joking.” Bianca kissed Courtney’s head.

Raja wasn’t paying much attention to the two anymore. 

For Adore just rounded the corner of the end hut, and the dark witch couldn’t take her eyes away.

The mermaid’s hair was now separated into two messy braids that lay on her shoulders, a crown of dark red roses dawning her head. Her lips may have been a deep blood colour, but her eyes stood out the most, shades of red and orange surrounding those green orbs, making them pop.

The dress came to her ankles, with burgundy lace and black roses lined along the waistline. The sleeves came to her elbows, hanging down to her knees in drapey lace.

She looked…just like a witch.

And, fuck…she was so so beautiful.

“Hello,” Adore waved nervously, approaching Raja.

Courtney and Bianca were also now watching, the light witch smiling proudly. 

“Um…hi,” Raja’s nerves kicked in. “Y-You look beautiful.”

Adore cocked her head, “Even without makeup?”

“What? Of course.” Raja took the mermaid in her arms, “No matter what you look like. Just, right now…you look…fuck, like a goddess.”

The red on Adore’s cheeks intensified. But she didn’t hide it. She took Raja’s face in her hands, pulling her into a heated kiss.

Bianca glanced at Courtney, her eyes telling them they should leave.

“Alright,” Courtney clapped her hands together once, “I guess that’s our cue.”

“Absolutely,” Bianca nodded, taking her tethered partner’s hand and aiming for the forest where the other witches were headed.

When they were alone, Raja pulled out of the kiss, “They made us food.”

Adore only now sniffed the air, her eyes moving towards the table. “Oh, pretty.”

“I know, right?” Raja led Adore towards the table. “And it’s fish. So I think you’ll like it.”

“Ugh, it smells so angelic,” was the only word Adore could think to describe it. She took her seat, ready to dig into the meal. Never had she had fish like this. 

“You know, what’s interesting is that being a witch, we usually give a blessing before we eat, but that tradition only comes into play when there’s a Mother Witch present. But, we haven’t had one in so long,” Raja already picked up her knife and fork, carving into the cooked fish. “Fun fact, it’s supposed to be me, but I - -” She paused, watching Adore pick the fish up with her hands, biting into the tender meat. “D-Doesn’t that… Isn’t it hot?”

Adore shook her head, her smile wide.

“You amaze me,” Raja lifted the bottle of wine, pouring the deep red liquid into both glasses.

“You witches amaze me,” Adore said with wide eyes and a full mouth. Swallowing, she continued, “Do you know, earlier, I saw Jinkx. She was outside her house, and she was breathing fire.”

The dark witch raised a brow, sealing the bottle and putting it back. “Oh really?”

“Yes. She was…” Adore paused, returning the fish to the plate as if trying to make sense of her thoughts, “She was sucking on this little stick, and just…smoke…smoke came from her mouth. Is she a dragon?”

That was enough to make Raja chuckle. Ah yes, Jinkx with her cigarettes. She was the only witch on sight who could grow tobacco plants, and the others adored her for it.

“Oh, I see what you’re talking about. Yeah, it’s pretty cool.” The dark witch took a sip of the wine, and Adore did the same, “I love how amazed our world is to you, yet so…normal to me.”

The mermaid grimaced, coughing some as she put the glass down. “W-What is that?!”

“It’s wine.” Raja suppressed a giggle. “It comes from the grapes.”

“Grapes?”

“Yes.”

And Adore took another sip, swallowing with ease now. “I-I think I’ll adjust to it.”

“Don’t drink too much. I’m guessing this is the first alcohol you’ve ever tried.”

“Oh? And what’s alcohol?”

“Alcohol is amazing. But too much, you’ll start to feel… light-headed, I guess? Maybe lose control of your own actions.” Raja explained. “Between you and me, one time Bianca drank too much wine and thought her shadow was a demon latched onto her soul. It was a wild night.”

“…Alright, but that just makes me want to drink as much as I can,” Adore admitted, her eyes wide with intrigue.

“Well, good thing we have just this one bottle,” Raja held it up as if the mermaid couldn’t already see it.

“I love this place,” Adore let her eyes wander around the camp. “It feels like… every day I’m learning something new that just…blows my mind.”

And the dark witch felt all sorts of excitement brewing from within. If only the mermaid knew she could have the chance to stay here for the rest of her life. As much as Raja hated Raven, she hoped the bitch would come through with her promise. The thought of Adore not being here…it was enough to make her heart ache.

“I’m so glad you’re here, Adore.” Raja reached a hand across the table, taking Adore’s. 

They both seemed to forget about the fish now, preferring to sit and talk for a while.

“You know that day in the cave?” Raja asked.

“The day we met?” Adore smiled fondly.

“Of course. Do you go there often? I mean…what are the chances of us meeting that day?” The dark witch stroked her thumb over the back of Adore’s hand.

The mermaid looked at Raja’s hand, her stomach stirring, just feeling that spark between them both. “I usually go there, just for alone time. My realm isn’t too far away, and sometimes I need a break from everyone else. I have a lot of suitors looking for my hand in marriage, you know?” She teased with a raised brow and coy smile. “I have to meet with at least five a day. It’s exhausting.”

“Five?” Raja exclaimed. “God, I think the King does that with his daughter,” and with that thought, “Wait, are you a princess? Like…soon to be the queen of the ocean?”

And the mermaid laughed, pressing her hand to her sealed lips as she took another bit of wine. “Do I look like royalty to you?”

“Uh…yes.”

“I love you. But no. I am not a princess. Although my father is a noble merman. He works as one of the King’s many advisors.” Adore explained. “So, I’m kind of a big deal.”

“You and me both,” Raja said. 

“So yes, I just like to be alone for a while. Just to…sing and swim around and make new friends with the clown fish,” Adore reminisced. “And that day, I just…saw you looking down at me. And I had never ever met a human before. I heard tales that they were dangerous creatures. But, just looking at you…I thought…how is that even possible?”

Raja lowered her now red-stained cheeks. “Well, I am kind of dangerous, being a dark witch and all. But, I only ever hurt those who hurt my family or me.”

“As I would do the same for mine." 

At the mention of Adore’s family, Raja gulped, lifting her wine and taking another sip. Best to change the subject. "I’m sorry I made you cry that day.”

“It's…ugh, it’s fine. I’m sorry. Sometimes I can’t control my emotions.” Adore looked away as if pained by the memory. “I just…you know, meeting with all those other merpeople coming to ask for my hand in marriage, when I met you, and when I kissed you…I just felt it. We were supposed to be together.” She looked back at Raja.

The dark witch let out a wavered breath. “Oh, Adore. We’re tethered, that’s why. It’s strange. I thought that was just a witch thing. I mean, I’ve never heard of any other species tethering.” Then she shrugged, “Then again, I don’t meet a lot of other people.” She laughed pitifully, gesturing to the world around her.

“Funny thing is, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of tethering before.” Adore pointed out. 

“Well, maybe…maybe you have a bit of witch in you. Probably explains why you can grow legs when you’re dry.” Raja suggested.

“Nah, mermaids can do that anyway.”

“Oh. I see." Damn.

"Gosh, I’m stuffed.” Adore declared, having barely touched her food.

Raja was just the same, “Oh, me too. Come on.”

Sitting before the lit fire in the centre of camp, the two sipped their wine, talking some more.

“I meant it, by the way, when I said you’re beautiful every day,” Raja stated, holding Adore close.

“I know.” Adore smirked, “I can’t lie, though. I think I look beautiful times ten now,” the mermaid stared into the flames. “I’m pretty like Courtney now.”

“Well, between you and me, you’re prettier than Courtney.” Raja kissed Adore on the cheek.

“Oh, come on.” The mermaid moved out of Raja’s grasp, sitting in front of her now. “Courtney’s one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever seen. Besides you, of course. At first, I thought she was another mermaid. One I’d never met before.”

“Well, I can assure you Courtney is a full-blood witch. I remember the day she was born. Bianca and I were only five.” And the dark witch looked at the flames next, remembering that day. “It was so cute. Bianca just…reached out her tiny hand and held Courtney’s.” God, her heart was melting, “Bianca’s mother, Valentina, she just…she knew. She knew by Bianca’s face and how Courtney woke up that they would be together.”

Adore sighed, almost dreamily. “I love hearing you talk about this stuff. Even when I couldn’t understand you.”

Raja giggled. “I just…I don’t know. If it weren’t for those two, I wouldn’t believe in tethering.” She shrugged, “I’m more inclined to believe not all tethered relationships work out. Fun fact; Bianca and I were a thing for a long time.”

Adore nodded. “A…thing?”

“Yeah, like… we’d see each other, you know? We’d kiss, hold each other…fuck sometimes. I don’t know, I just thought maybe she was the one I wanted to be with,” Raja tried her hardest to explain. “But, we both realised that we were better as friends.”

The whole time Adore was suppressing her laughs. But eventually, she couldn’t hold it in any longer. “You and Bianca?!”

“Yes. Why?” Raja squinted her eyes.

“It’s just…I don’t see it, but I can see it at the same time. Yesterday, Katya was saying you two were like…like…God, what was that phrase?” The mermaid tried her hardest to remember.

“Chalk and cheese?”

“Yes! Chalk and cheese! I may not know what that means exactly, but I have an idea.”

“Well, judging by what you’re saying, you’re probably right. Bianca’s my bestfriend. And Courtney is lucky to have her as her tethered one.” Raja stated. “They just…reassure me that there’s someone for everyone.”

Adore’s smile turned warm. “And what about us? Does our connection make you believe in tethering?” The mermaid was leaning close to the witch now.

And Raja reciprocated. “Oh, absolutely.”

Their foreheads connect, Adore lifting a hand and stroking Raja’s cheek.

The witch couldn’t tell if it was the warmth from the fire or the heat pooling in her stomach, but her body was warm now. All sorts of feelings stirred within, and she dared herself to say, “Adore…Do you ever think we could - -”

Marry. That’s what Raja wanted to say. Just to get it out of the way. The hardest part of it all.

But she stopped when Adore flinched, hearing the howling from the forest. “What was that?”

“Oh, God,” Raja groaned. Fuck these bitches for ruining the moment, “Don’t worry. It’s just the warlocks. I guess they decided to move the party over here.”

And true to her statement, the men began to pour out of the trees, invading the witch camp. A specific group of them howled at the moon, witches running behind them, thirsty for skin on skin. Another group worked their magic, sending blasts off into the sky, loud explosions painting the night with bright colours.

At first, Adore flinched again, but…this was pretty. Nothing like she had ever seen before. “What is it?”

“I can’t remember the exact name. I think the boys call them fireworks,” Raja also stared up at the exploding colours. “It’s incredible, right?”

The mermaid didn’t have the words to describe it. The loud banging was harsh on her ears, but the…fuck, just taking it all in, it was breathtaking.

“Guess who’s getting dicked down tonight?!” Willam hollered, riding the back of one of the men, rushing to the witch’s hut.

“Me! I am! Me!” Laila was just excited, leading her man for the night away.

They weren’t the only ones. While some witches and warlocks danced around the flames of the fire as they played music with what instruments they had, the others rushed to their homes, ready for a long night of fucking.

“Everyone’s so excited,” the mermaid observed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Yep. Most of these witches rarely get the chance to meet up with a man,” Raja explained, “mating season is once a year.”

“But tonight,” Adore turned her attention back to her love, “fuck the rules?”

“Fuck the rules,” Raja clarified, drawing Adore into another kiss.

Maybe it was the mixed feelings of love and lust in the air, but Raja was thriving on it all. This was how she wanted it to be forever — just sitting here with Adore, kissing passionately in front of this fire, not a care in the world.

The mermaid’s hand crept along Raja’s leg, making the butterflies in the witch’s belly go wild.

“BOO!”

Adore yelped as soon as her lips parted from Raja’s.

A warlock ran off, cackling wickedly as he rushed for Tatianna, holding her arms open, hungry for a kiss.

“Hey, fuck off!” Raja yelled after the stupid warlock. But when the mermaid’s fear turned to amusement, giggles leaving her lips, the witch relaxed.

“Come on!” Adore stood, taking Raja by the wrist and leading her away.

They were running now, Raja having no idea where she was being led to. As long as it was with Adore, she didn’t care.

Reaching Raja’s hut, they both stood in the doorway, Adore giggling as she leaned back against the bookcase. Raja also laughed, standing opposite Adore.

They just stood there for a moment, eyes shifting between the shenanigans going on outside and then back to each other, just laughing. Why was this amusing?

Maybe just the sheer joy of being here together.

When Adore’s chest stopped heaving, she stepped forward, kissing Raja again.

So many times they had done this already…So many times they kissed.

Yet Raja knew where this was going. 

Fiery flames engulfed her insides, coursing through her body as she allowed Adore to pull her closer. The witch’s hands found their way around the mermaid’s waist, her fingers trailing the line of roses.

Adore pulled away briefly, “Don’t let go of me,” she whispered in Raja’s ear.

“I won’t, Raja smiled, tilting her head and allowing the mermaid to nip at her neck. "Why would I do such a thing?”

No response from the mermaid as she kissed Raja’s mouth again, her body curving against the witch’s. She lured her back, Raja didn’t know where, but she trusted Adore. She trusted Adore with her life.

They found the bed, and Adore pulled away, guiding Raja down. She then climbed the length of the witch, like she had done this many times.

But was this actually happening? Did Adore even know how this worked?

“Adore, do you….” But Raja couldn’t bring herself to finish the statement as the mermaid sucked on her neck some more.

“Hm?” Adore sounded against the witch’s skin.

Her lips were so hot, sucking Raja’s soon-to-be bruised skin. The witch gasped, her hand finding the back of Adore’s head. “Nevermind.”

Adore had to know what she was doing now that her fingers were undoing the black ribbon that bound Raja’s corset. Not like they hadn’t seen each other naked before, but…

This was different. They both knew that. 

And they wanted it.

When the lace was gone, the corset was pulled away from her. Raja sat up, quickly pulling her dress up over her head. Adore giggled, Raja unable to tell if it was because of nerves or excitement.

As soon as the dress was tossed to the side, Adore took it all in – the sight of her tethered partner, like it was the first time seeing her like this again. “I can't…I can’t believe this is real,” Adore’s delicate fingers trailed from Raja’s chest all the way down to her thigh.

“My body?” Raja chuckled, skin tingling as Adore touched her.

The mermaid smiled coyly before correcting her lover, “The fact that we’re together.” She traced the side of Raja’s face.

And the witch sat up again, a hand stroking Adore’s side, the other caressing her cheek.

Adore reached around, untying the threads of her own corset, dropping it from the side of the bed while Raja reached for the bottom of the expertly made dress, lifting it up and over the mermaid’s head. 

As soon as it was removed, Adore didn’t allow Raja to look at her just yet, capturing her lover’s lips with her own again.

The hot sensation of skin on skin, the mixture of their energies tingling between them…This was to be the perfect moment.

Raja grabbed Adore’s hips, momentarily stroking her skin as she lowered the mermaid onto the bed. Pulling out of the kiss, Raja let her thumb trail Adore’s cheek and then her lips. She stared into Adore’s green eyes, the mermaid staring right back.

Fuck, how it made her stomach twist…but in a longing way…almost as if insecurity was taking over but only connected them further. 

They hadn’t even barely started yet. But it was already so intense.

“You’re driving me insane.” Raja kissed her sweetly before moving these kisses down towards Adore’s breasts.

Adore whimpered sighs, music to Raja’s ears. The rise and fall of the mermaid’s chest was a heavenly sight, riling Raja up even more. She teased Adore’s right nipple with her tongue, the right with her thumb. 

Adore arched her back, gasping when Raja’s mouth enveloped her nipple, her thumb flicking the other back and forth. The mermaid squeezed her knees together, mewling with pleasure.

Raja could have done just this all night, anything to hear Adore gasp the way she did, anything to prove her love for Adore. But when she teased her breasts enough, Raja kissed Adore’s nipple again, her lashes fluttering as she looked up at the mermaid. “I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you too, Raja,” Adore smiled slightly, letting her fingers get tangled in Raja’s hair. God, she wanted more. She had never experienced something so…special…this need to be pressed against each other…the need for Raja to kiss her places she had never been kissed before.

Raja’s hands were wandering again, stroking Adore’s thighs, along her stomach and back up to her breasts. She savoured this all – the heat of Adore’s skin against hers. She knew the mermaid was ready for her…to take this further.

“Do you want to keep going?” Raja asked, just to be sure.

“Yes,” Adore said breathlessly. “God, yes.”

Fire coursed through Raja as her kisses lowered. “Is this your first time?” She whispered against Adore’s stomach.

The mermaid closed her eyes. She may not have known fully what that meant, but she knew she wanted this – Raja’s lips all over her body. “Yes.”

“Okay. I’ll go easy on you,” Raja kissed Adore’s belly button before trailing her lips further down her body.

Even though the mermaid didn’t necessarily want easy, her stomach quivered as she allowed Raja to part her legs. Something inside her fluttered as the cool air hit her between her legs. This was so unfamiliar but so so delicious.

Raja kissed Adore’s knee, then the inside of her thigh. She glanced up once more at the riled-up mermaid before her tongue flicked over Adore’s clit.

Adore moaned, eyes rolling to the back of her head as she arched her back again. She was crumbling just under Raja’s mouth. This was…something.

Raja’s tongue circled Adore’s clit while her eyes flickered upwards, enjoying the reactions from the mermaid. 

“Fuck…fuck,” Adore writhed, tightening her hold on Raja’s hair. Her legs spread wider, her left knee brought up into a bend which Raja caressed. 

“You’re beautiful, Adore. You’re so beautiful.” Raja sucked Adore’s clit.

“It’s s-so hot,” Adore murmured, her torso arching as hew mewls of pleasure turned pathetic.

Raja knew Adore was close, the witch’s tongue lapping up her lover’s wetness whilst her finger rubbed against the sensitive clit. “Come for me, baby.”

Her chest still heaving, nails gripping the blanket, Adore glanced down at Raja. Her eyes were wild yet slightly confused.

Placing a sweet kiss against Adore’s core, Raja murmured, “That hot feeling inside,” she rubbed harder at the mermaid’s clit, “Just let it go, Adore.”

“I…I want to….” Adore quivered. “Oh God, I need to.”

“Come for me, Adore. Please,” Raja whispered, her hot breath teasing.

And Adore just couldn’t take it anymore. A lightning-hot course of electricity shocked her whole being, her head rolling back against the pillows as she cried out in pure ecstasy.

Raja sat up again, licking the fluids from her fingers as she watched Adore whine.

“F-Fuck,” Adore’s skin glistened with sweat, her eyes half hooded.

The definition of perfection.

Raja wiped her mouth, sweeping her black hair out of her face as she leaned down to kiss her lover. 

Adore wrapped her trembling arms around Raja, her kisses hungry.

They weren’t done. Now, it was Adore’s turn.

She kept her lips over Raja’s as she flipped the witch onto her back, still panting.

“Did you…” Raja gasped when Adore kissed her neck again, “Did you like that?”

“Of course,” Adore smiled against Raja’s skin, letting her hand slowly creep its way down Raja’s chest, past her flat belly, all the way down to between the witch’s legs.

Raja parted her knees, only now realising there was more to come. She was never the one on the receiving end. But she couldn’t resist Adore’s touch. She moaned as soon as the mermaid delicately brushed the tip of her finger over her clit. Just the simplest touch…it was torture.

“Adore, fuck…” Raja’s fingers tangled in Adore’s hair.

Adore brushed Raja’s clit again, teasing her with no mercy. “You want more?” She brushed her lips against Raja’s ear.

“Please.” Raja squeezed her eyes shut, already soaking wet.

“How much?” Adore giggled mischievously, nipping Raja’s earlobe with her teeth as she pressed harder on Raja’s clit and rubbed it in hypnotic circles. “How much do you want this?”

“God, so much. Please, just…fuck.”

“Are you begging?”

“Y-Yes.”

“I don’t think you are, Raja.”

Fuck, this mermaid was driving her insane. Who knew someone so…mystified by the world…so amazed by all the things she didn’t know…so adorable…Who knew she could be so cruel in the sheets.

“Please, Adore,” Raja whined, wrapping her legs around Adore’s waist. “I want you so bad. I need you.”

This must have satisfied Adore, “Good girl,” she murmured as she slid two fingers inside Raja.

The witch gasped, tightening her hold on Adore, her vision blurring.

Adore slid her fingers in and out, sucking Raja’s neck, leaving behind a pretty red mark. The smell of Raja’s hair and skin only increased her hunger for this intensity. The ecstasy was building within her again, bringing her to rock her bare hips against the bed. The blanket rubbed against her clit, the feeling not as sensational as Raja’s tongue. But this was heaven.

“I love you,” Raja’s hips began to ride against Adore’s fingers, pressing a kiss against Adore’s blush-covered cheek.

Adore pumped harder, biting down on Raja’s neck. “You’re so…fucking…beautiful…”

Raja couldn’t take it anymore. She sat up, Adore’s fingers still deep inside of her. She continued to rock her hips against the mermaid’s hand, wrapping her sun-kissed arm around Adore’s waist.

Again, they stared into each other’s eyes, Adore’s gaze intense, whilst Raja’s was half closed. Their lips brushed against each other, almost like threatening each other with a kiss.

Adore’s free hand trailed along Raja’s arm, up her shoulder and wrapped around Raja’s throat. 

A pitiful crying sound left Raja’s parted lips as Adore squeezed the sides of her neck and continued to bury her fingers inside of her. Her body was now covered in a film of sweat, and her skin was on fire.

“Adore…Adore, fuck!” Raja gasped, her whole being completely surrendered to her lover.

“I love you. I swear to God, Raja. I fucking love you.” Adore’s forehead met Raja’s. She wanted this to last all night but knew it was impossible. For soon, she would start to dehydrate again and need to rejuvenate in the tub. But for now, she would prove how much she loved Raja.

Raja’s whines were now loud moans, matching those of which sounded from outside her home. She was getting close, especially now that Adore had added another finger and was clawing at the witch’s back.

“Come for me, Raja,” Adore whispered, just as Raja had. She ground her hips against the bed sheets more, close to releasing herself. “Come with me.”

And Raja threw her head back, her body trembling as she released against Adore’s hand.

The mermaid did just the same, her free arm now wrapped around Raja’s body as she held them both tightly together. They were both sweaty messes of pure euphoria.

Raja panted, kissing Adore’s cheek before flopping down onto the bed. Now they were done.

Adore pressed a kiss to Raja’s thigh, her stomach, her chest, and her lips before she relaxed her body against the witch’s. 

Raja was still catching her breath, playing with Adore’s blonde hair as her body relaxed.

“You made white blood,” Adore closed her eyes, fingers dancing delicately along Raja’s abdomen.

Raja chuckled. “That’s the come, Adore. That’s why we tell the person we love to come for them.”

“Oh. Humans are so bizarre sometimes.” Adore smiled.

“Yeah. We can be,” Raja looked down at Adore, trailing a finger along the mermaid’s brow. “I want to know though…what you just did to me…how did you know how to do that?”

Adore shrugged slightly. “I don’t know. I just wanted to touch you there. I just…knew I wanted to.”

“I see.” Raja nodded before a thought crossed her mind. “So, like, how do merpeople make love?” Her nails moved to Adore’s back, relishing in this moonlight that seeped in from the roof.

Adore giggled, “Maybe I’ll tell you another day. Let’s just enjoy this.” She kissed Raja’s breast. “While it lasts.”

And Raja’s smile wavered. “I wish I could just hold you all night.”

“You can always get in the tub with me,” Adore hinted. “Not like we haven’t done that before.”

“True.”

“But I’ll let you sleep in your own bed tonight. Maybe some other time,” Adore’s fingers stroked delicately along Raja’s belly now, the witch shivering. “God, they all sound in pain.”

Raja noted the sounds of pure ecstasy coming from outside, witches and warlocks fucking like it was their first time. “Yeah, it’s kind of noisy, I guess. But they’re having fun.”

“I had fun,” Adore giggled, lashes tickling Raja’s chest. “I want to do that again.”

“Oh my God, you’re hilarious.” Raja chuckled, her fingers now in Adore’s snow-like hair. “There’s nothing stopping us.”

“We can’t,” Adore groaned, however, “I’m starting to dry out again.”

“Oh.” Raja panicked internally, sitting up. “You need to go in the tub?”

“Yes. But I can do it myself,” Adore also sat up, getting off the bed.

Making her way to the still-filled tub, Raja still lay there in her bed, taking in the sight of the mermaid’s naked form. Just looking at her skin, she could still feel the softness of it under her fingertips. And it was pure heaven. 

The mermaid was pure heaven.

Before getting in the tub, Adore looked over her shoulder, “Would you come sit with me? Until I sleep, at least?”

Of course, Raja couldn’t say no. She stood by the tub, watching Adore’s legs seal together, forming her long shimmering tail. When the transformation was finished, she sat down.

And that’s when Adore asked, “Which part of me do you like the best?”

“What? Like, body part?” Raja asked.

“No. I mean, do you like me human or mermaid?” Adore raised a brow.

And Raja gulped. “I…I like you no matter what.” It wasn’t a lie. The witch adored every bit of her tethered one. But, deep down, she wanted the human version because that meant they had a future. And, fuck, she wanted that so bad.

Adore seemed satisfied with the answer, reaching her hand out of the tub.

The witch took it in her own, leaning her head against the cold tub.

“Goodnight, Raja,” Adore said breathlessly. “I love you.”

Raja’s heart pounded, cheeks staining red. “I love you too.”

And with that, the mermaid let go of Raja’s hand, letting her body slide down, the water now submerging her.

And that was it. All Raja could do now was get up and drag her tired ass to bed. 

But she simply couldn’t move. 

Just…sitting there beside the tub, knowing Adore was still in there…she couldn’t bring herself not to be away from the mermaid.

Not after what they had just shared. Part of her mind couldn’t grasp any of it, how this was even possible. Of all the other witches she had fucked in her lifetime, nothing compared to what happened with Adore. Her skin could have lit itself on fire when Adore pressed her body to hers. That tethered feeling, the electric light flowing through them both, it reached its peak the moment Adore kissed Raja’s skin. 

Fuck, it was almost as if she was high, the buzz beneath her skin making her see bursts of colour behind her closed eyes.

Yes…A feeling the witch had never experienced in her life.

A throaty moan from somewhere outside brought Raja back to reality. And when she was aware of her surroundings again, she felt it. 

Like she was being watched.

Looking around, the dark witch knew her instinct was correct. Looking towards the door, there was Raven — just standing there, her arms folded, shadows covering most of her.

“Can I help you?” Raja could tell; there was something about the way Raven looked at her, almost like…she was disappointed. But the dark witch paid no heed, finally standing up, uncaring of her nakedness.

“I thought I heard some sort of commotion.” Raven cocked her head.

Raja cringed, “Yeah, sorry we kept you awake.” She finally reached for her night dress.

“It’s fine. It wasn’t just you. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there are a lot of riled-up witches out there tonight.” Raven glanced outside, the sounds of ecstasy still echoing in the night air, “And I was also awake anyway. Just thought I’d let you know I’ve finished preparations for the spell.”

Raja’s breath caught in her throat, eyes widening. “Oh. R-Really?”

“Yes.”

“Oh. Good.” Raja nodded, now fidgeting with her hands.

Raven cocked her head to the other side now. “What’s wrong, Mother Witch?”

“Raven." 

"Answer the question.”

Raja scoffed, looking away. “Nothing is wrong.”

“Oh, really?” Raven’s hands were now on her hips. “How odd. I could have sworn I heard a bit of hesitation just now.”

And Raja shook her head. “No. No, I didn’t hesitate.”

“Hmm. Having second thoughts?" 

”No.“ 

To this, all Raven did was blink. And, fuck, Raja could have punched her in the throat.

"I see,” Raven nodded. She turned and slowly inched her way back to the door. Before leaving, however, she looked over her shoulder. “Well? Aren’t you coming?”

Raja’s brows knit together. “Where?”

“My place. I need a hand carrying the equipment.” Raven answered, her voice suggesting it should have been a given.

Raja then fidgeted with the knot tied around her waist. “We're… We’re doing it now?”

And Raven was silent for a moment. “Are you sure you’re not having doubts, my love?”

“Raven.” Raja’s voice raised. “No. I am not having doubts.”

Raja wasn’t sure how she’d get used to this, let alone when. Five weeks had passed, and the memories of Adore were still fresh in her brain. No matter what she did, no matter how hard she tried, everything always led her back to thinking about the mermaid — taking a bath, eating breakfast, staring at the quarter amount of seaweed remaining in the once filled jar, the little moments in which the tethered witches would share a sweet kiss.

One could say it was torture. But then again, didn’t Raja deserve this? Afterall, there was a reason Raven used the word unspeakable in her spell.

“Raja? Raja?”

The witch was brought out of a trance, having been staring at the thin blades of grass below her, reminded of how Adore would run her hand through it all, like she was combing someone’s hair.

The five baby witches sat in front of her, awaiting her critique of their spells.

This. Tutoring. Something she used to do for years on end. Yet now, even after these five weeks of not having Adore anymore, it felt unfamiliar…

She was lost.

“I’m sorry, Kim. What were you asking?” Raja tucked a strand of hair beneath her ear.

“I said we finished turning the roses black,” the baby witch answered, glancing down at the now black rose before her.

Gia, Aja and Farrah had theirs turned black too. But, of course, Laila’s was still a vibrant red.

Raja looked at the baby witch, too busy playing with her hair to be interested in this morning lecture. It was clear she had enjoyed her time off while Raja was busy looking after Adore, helping her adjust.

“Laila.” Raja only said.

The baby witch looked at her with half hooded eyes and a raised brow. “What?”

“Did you even try?”

“No. But that wouldn’t be a problem if you weren’t busy trying to hold your mermaid wife prisoner.”

Fuck. It stung. 

Rage flooded through Raja, taking all her strength not to hex Laila.

“Don’t look at me like that. You know it’s true,” Laila flipped her hair.

It wasn’t like Raven to speak of anything like this, giving the opportunity for gossip around camp. Katya had most likely heard of it somehow, and, of course, did her thing — whispering in the ears of people who didn’t need to know.

Before Raja could snap back, Laila let out a yelp, flinching back and away from the group.

A familiar small snake had slithered it’s way over her hand, scaring the fuck out of her. The baby witch stood quickly, running for her life, leaving her peers to their amusement.

Raja only wished she could join in their amusement. She turned her gaze away from the terrified witch, seeing Alaska lingering outside her home, beckoning the snake to return. She was one of the few witches who were the smallest bit sympathetic to Raja’s mourning.

The dark witch mouthed a thank you to Alaska, the snake witch giving a quick smile as she waited for her baby to return.

Turning back to the group of baby witches, Raja wasn’t fully convinced she could keep doing this. Not now at least.

And as if sensing this…

“Hey, girls?” Courtney’s voice sounded from behind Raja, “Why don’t you go have some more tea. Jinkx is brewing up a second round. Better get it fast before it’s gone.”

The baby witches didn’t need to be told twice. They were already on their feet, running for Jinkx’s place.

Courtney then look Raja by the hand, bringing her to stand. “Come on, Bianca wants a word with you.” She kissed Raja in the typical witch greeting — another thing so awkward to Raja now.

“What’s going on?” Raja asked, being led away.

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing bad.”

That’s when Katya pranced by, “morning Courtney. Morning Raja.”

Raja pointed at the mischievous witch, “Don’t talk to me.”

“Wha - -” Katya gave her a questioning look.

But Courtney only pulled her along more. “Don’t. It’s not worth it.”

Raja sighed, disagreeing with Courtney. Like, who else could have spread the rumours around camp?

Once in Bianca’s place, Courtney let go of Raja, “I found her.” She sauntered up to the filled bath tub, aromas of dark cherry in the air as Bianca lounged. Courtney leaned down kissing Bianca.

Raja averted her gaze as her stomach twisted.

“Do you mind if I do this alone actually?” Bianca asked quietly, lifting a wet hand from the soapy water and stroked Courtney’s cheek.

“Sure.” Courtney kissed Bianca back before retreating away from the tub. She offered Raja a smile as she passed by, almost like she was wishing her good luck.

“Well. Get over here,” Bianca settled back into the tub, closing her eyes as she relished in this pampering session. “Pull up a chair ‘cause I’m not getting out.”

“You don’t need to, B’,” Raja obeyed, pulling up the wooden table chair to sit next to the tub. Sitting down, she could tell by how Bianca was looking at her, the bitch wanted the usual kiss. But Raja didn’t budge.

Bianca lifted her hand to Raja’s face. “Here. A kiss on the knuckle at least. I don’t want to be fucking cursed.”

Finally, for the first time in weeks, the dark witch let a smile appear on her lips, breathing out a small laugh. “Of course,” she took Bianca’s hand and kissed the back of it. “I don’t want you to get cursed either.”

Bianca didn’t let Raja let go of her hand, however. For a moment, her thumb brushed along the back of the heartbroken witch’s skin. “I was going to invite you for a little run in the woods earlier, but you were already preoccupied with your students.”

Raja just stared at their joined hands. 

No. She stared through them.

“I just…want to get back to normal.” Raja said sadly.

Bianca’s closed mouth moved to the side slightly. “You didn’t grieve for your mother like you’re grieving Adore.”

Still, Raja was unable to meet Bianca’s gaze. “Mother and I weren’t the closest.” She paused, the tears already threatening to surface. “But…Adore…Bianca, you wouldn’t understand.” Raja held a hand to her heart, as if showing where this feeling of longing was coming from.

Bianca let out a short laugh, her fingers playing with the bubbles surrounding her. “Do you forget that I am tethered to Courtney? I do understand, Raja”

“Well, at least Courtney’s still here,” the dark witch replied solemnly.

“Oh, quit feeling sorry for yourself.” Bianca scoffed. “You know; maybe if you had at least proposed the idea to her the second day she was here, she would have agreed.”

“No. I don’t think so,” Raja said dejectedly. “You should have heard the way she said it, B’. How she had a home of her own…Like this was just a little getaway.”

“Okay, now you’re starting to sound very ‘woe is me’,” Bianca rolled her eyes, “like ‘how dare she do this to me’.”

“That wasn’t my intention.” And then Raja sighed, “Fuck, I just…I don’t know what to do. Or how to act now that she isn’t here anymore.”

The bathing witch was silent for a moment, as if debating on saying what was on her mind. Raja knew this. Therefore, she refrained from saying anything else. Not until Bianca said what she needed to say.

“You could be practising for the crowning ceremony,” Bianca stated, ignoring how Raja groaned, “Or, I don’t know, maybe even planning for compatibility trials if you’re still hellbent on not taking the throne.”

“Bianca,” Raja pulled her hand out of Bianca’s grasp, sweeping it down her face.

Bianca held her hands up in defence, “All I’m saying is that it’s been over a year now.”

“Please, stop.”

“We need a Mother Witch already.”

Finally, Raja was able to meet her bestfriend’s gaze, her brows furrowed. “Look. We have been through this hundreds of times already — I don’t want this. And, fuck, I’d dare say I don’t even fucking deserve it now, what with the fact I fucked up so badly.”

“Then hold the trials, Raja,” Bianca was leaning her arm on the edge of the tub now, moving closer to her friend, “If you’re so insistent that you don’t want this then let someone else have it.”

“Bianca!” Courtney’s voice sounded from the door, stopping Raja from snapping back at the pampered witch. The blonde rushed in, excitement practically radiating off her. “She kicked! The baby kicked!”

Bianca was up like a shot, foamy bubbles dripping down her body. Her eyes were wide, shifting between both Courtney’s eyes and the bump of her stomach, “Oh, fuck. Is she okay?! Did it hurt?”

“What? Yes, it hurt. But I’m fine. She’s fine,” Courtney rubbed her belly as if soothing the little witch within.

“Thank fuck,” Bianca sighed with relief, placing a hand over the bump, “Don’t rush in here and scare me like that. Damn, you interrupted my leisuring.” She sat back down in the tub.

“You’ll get over it, diva,” Courtney tucked a strand of hair behind Bianca’s ear before turning her attention to the now quiet witch. “You okay, Raja?”

The dark witch was fiddling with her hair, eyes turned away. “Hm? Oh, yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.”

The word ‘liar’ was on the tip of Bianca’s tongue, but she refrained from saying it. Not that it needed to be said. Courtney could just see it in Raja, how she seemed to grow more miserable with each passing week. She brushed her delicate fingers through the dark witch’s hair. 

“I know you probably don’t want to do this, but,” Courtney began, “maybe you should go talk to Raven.”

“Why?” Raja asked, confused. She hadn’t talked to Raven since the incident, let alone looked in her direction. Not because of any ill feelings she held towards the cunty witch, but because she knew Raven had even more reason to resent her.

“I heard she’s feeling quite guilty actually,” Courtney informed her.

“Raven? Guilty? Who told you that? Katya?" 

"Actually; Alaska. One of her snakes went to spy on her the other night. Said she was just sitting there by the fire, calling out to the spirits to reverse what was done.” Courtney then averted her eyes for a moment. “I know we all tend to stay away from her, but I think she could use the company right now. Both of you.”

Raja’s gaze flickered away from Courtney to Bianca, the bathing witch’s eyes speaking for her. Do what my wife says.

And turning her attention back to Courtney, Raja sighed. “Okay.”

-_-_-_-

Much like the whisperings from Alaska’s snake, Raven was kneeling in front of the fire, Raja just barely hearing her whisperings. The witch was rocking back and forth slightly, as if trying to will the spirits to hear her pleading. Who knew how long she had been at this.

Before taking any steps further, Raja cleared her throat to which Raven turned around. Her eyes were rimmed red — from crying, or exhaustion?

“Good morning, Mother Witch,” Raven swallowed before clearing her own throat.

Raja didn’t wait for an invite. She approached the open fireplace, kneeling down and kissing her fellow witch, only for Raven to sort of flinch.

“Forgive me. But I don’t deserve a blessing.” Raven turned her attention back to the fire.

“How come?” Raja asked.

“Pfft. Because,” Raven let out a pitiful laugh, “I’ve brought shame to my name…this camp…to you,” and she looked at Raja, her eyes half hooded.

Raja raised her brows. “You really think that?”

“How can I not?”

“Raven,” Raja dared herself to take Raven’s hand, stroking the back of the witch’s skin with her thumb, “You have nothing to be ashamed about. None of this was your fault.”

“Wasn’t it, though?” Raven breathed out long and hard through her nostrils. “Fuck, I should have just…just fucking told right off the bat that it wasn’t right. Turning one species into another without their knowledge…I should have fucking told you.”

“Well, I mean, yes. You could have. But, without sounding like a bitch, it’s not very in your style to express concern for others.” Raja pointed out.

“Well I was concerned. I cared, Raja. I saw the way she looked at you. And the way you looked at her,” Raven paused, her eyes burning into Raja’s. “I saw how much this meant to you, and that was the only motivation I needed to go through with it. But I guess…I was only thinking about you and not Adore.”

Raja was silent, eyes flickering down to their joined hands. This was nice — connecting with Raven like this despite the circumstances. For once, Raja wasn’t wary around her. “Raven…You shouldn’t have to feel bad for this. At the end of the day, I shouldn’t have suggested it. I was the one who started this shit, and you were only helping a client out. You were using your gifts. But the motive was all my idea.”

And the way Raven was looking at her now…something Raja had never seen in this witch. Something almost like…admiration. “I think we’re both responsible, to be honest. Okay, maybe more so you. But we’re both guilty, Raja.”

“Okay,” Raja nodded, pulling her hand away from Raven’s, and sweeping a dark hair from the witch’s face, “then do me a favour. Let’s just forget about this. Just…stop this, whatever it is you’re doing because we can’t reverse what’s been done. We can’t fix it.”

Raven only blinked. “Can’t believe you won’t be the Mother Witch.”

Raja let out a quick laugh. “Why?”

And a smile slowly started to appear on Raven’s lips. “Because you sound so wise right now but in the most condescending and egotistical way possible.”

“I am my mother’s daughter.”

The two chuckled for a moment, enjoying this sweet moment. Finally free to be themselves around eachother — Raja not so guarded, and Raven much more down-to-earth.

“Alright, but onto that subject,” Raven brought her laughs to an end, “You’re still adamant about not taking over as Mother Witch, right?”

“Pretty sure. Why?” Raja tucked a knee to her chest, clasping her hands on her calf.

“I don’t know,” Raven shrugged, sliding out of her kneeling position so her legs were tucked under her. Her dark eyes stared into the fiery flames, prodding them with the tip of a burnt poker. “I just think you’re wasting your potential.”

“Potential? Raven, there are so many other people on sight who have just as much potential as me. Fuck, maybe even moreso.”

“Like who?”

“Well…Bianca definitely.”

“Okay, favouritism.”

“Shut up. You know I’m right.”

Raven smirked again, “Okay. True.”

“And - And, I just…my heart’s just not in it, you know? And, after what we did…I just don’t think I deserve it.” Raja continued to plead her case.

“Well, everyone’s allowed to make mistakes. I mean, look at Chaderia. She married your mother.” Raven’s smirk only grew more mischievous.

Raja playfully pushed the witch over, again; thriving in this atmosphere they both created. “I’m being serious. Look, if someone is going to take over then it’s just…it’s not me. Because I don’t want it. I want…something different…something…something beyond everything I’ve ever known.”

Raven’s smile was slowly disappearing, hearing the distress growing within Raja. “And…that something is…?”

That something…What was that something?

But, of course, Raja knew what it was. And now that there was in no way she was going to get the chance to live that life, was there even a point in saying it outloud?

A finger found its way under her chin, lifting her face up to meet Raven’s dark eyes. 

“Tell me, Raja.” Raven uttered.

And a lump formed in the dark witch’s throat. “I want to be with Adore…For the rest of my life.” There was a crack in her voice, one she tried to control, and not let her emotions get the better of her. But when Raven traced her finger up from Raja’s face, along her cheek and brow bone, the tears began to surface.

And Raven just stared back, watching a single salty tear slip down the dark witch’s face. Her heart ached for her, a feeling she hadn’t felt in so long. “Raja…” she said quietly, practically whispering, “I think…I think there’s something we can do…”

-_-_-_-

It took two whole days to prepare, with the help of Raven and some from Sasha. Even though Raja knew Adore better than anyone else, Sasha knew mermaids.

This was risky, and Raja should have been done taking risks. But, it was a risk she was willing to take. 

It would be her last shot.

Now standing in the cave, Raven by her side, her hands were shaking. 

Being here now, the first place she ever met Adore, it was strange…Like the ghost of their connected energies was gone.

Like their first kiss never happened.

“Well, are you going to do it?” Raven nudged Raja.

“Wait. We’re all ready to go?” The dark witch looked at her friend quizzically.

“Of course. We did all the prep back in the woods.” Raven nodded. “We’re lucky the spirits even listened to us again.” She cast a look around the cave wearily, adjusting the strap of her satchel.

“We truly are. Fuck, I thought they would have cast us out with a storm or a flood,” Raja laughed nervously.

“Oh, me too. Now, shall we continue?” Raven gestured towards the pool, the waters slowly rippling, reflecting their blue glow off the walls.

And Raja nodded, her nerves sky rocketing. But she did as she was told. She stepped forward, looking down into the depths of the pool, the void she once fell into, only to find herself in the arms of the one she loved the most.

Kneeling down, the dark witch simply reached a hand out and let it penetrate the surface. And she squeezed her eyes shut.

Already, she could feel it, the tendril, almost like a third limb, made up of her power. It reached out through the tips of her fingers, deep down into the depths of the pool. It searched and searched, seeking out any trace of her.

As powerful as Raja was, there was no way her magic could find one person out of the whole ocean.

“Don’t give up,” Raven sensed the dark witch’s apprehension, “magic works on intent. If you give up, your strength will too.”

Raja opened her eyes, just for a moment, hopelessness draining over her. But as much as Raven’s words seemed useless, all she could do was keep trying.

And so she shut her eyes again, willing the tendril to find the one she loved. For if their love was real, and they truly were tethered, it would work. It had to work.

Despite keeping her distance, Raven stared over Raja’s shoulder. The water was beginning to ripple, more and more with every passing second. Was this Raja’s energy, wild with desperation to find the mermaid? Or was there something coming?

Someone?

Within seconds, her question was answered.

The surface of the water seemed to crash, the head of a mermaid springing up from underneath and launching at Raja.

The dark witch backed off immediately, yelping in shock. “V-Vixen!”

Raven grabbed Raja’s shoulder as if it would protect her, as the green haired mermaid spat vile words in her own language. Soon enough, the rest of Adore’s sisters arrived, sharing the same spiteful look as Vixen’s.

“You called the wrong girls,” Raven uttered quietly, her eyes trailing each one of them.

The one with the pink hair pulled Vixen back, whispering in her ear almost like she was scolding her sister. 

“I…I don’t know what to do now,” Raja clutched Raven’s hand.

“Wait. Look,” Raven watched the water, how it’s rippling increased again.

Someone was coming. Raja hoped, she begged internally, that she had called the right mermaid.

And finally, when a head popped up, out from under the surface…

There she was.

Adore.

Raja watched with bated breath as the mermaid moved closer to the edge of the pool. Her green eyes were half-hooded as she stared at Raja.

Vixen moved to Adore, putting a hand on the blonde mermaid’s shoulder, whispering something unintelligible. The witches may not have been able to translate the words, but the concern was hard to miss.

Adore glanced over her shoulder at her sister — her eyes doing the talking. And Vixen backed off giving Raja a warning look.

“What are you doing here?” Adore asked. It was hard to tell what emotion was behind this obvious question. Hurt? Shame? 

Longing?

“I…” Raja uttered. 

Raven ushered her to stand, the dark witch having been too stunned in the presence of this beautiful person to even move an inch.

When Raja stood, her hands brushed down her skirt, her nerves all the more apparent now.

“Um…I came to say…” how to do this…fuck, how to fucking do this, “to say that…I’m sorry. And, I know I’ve already said that and sorry won’t make things better. But…fuck…”

Adore’s face softened somewhat, but her mouth was still a hard line. “Raja. I…I forgive you, but…” she paused, glancing down, gasping as she tried her hardest to contain her emotions. “You have to understand that I can’t live on this land. I can’t. I’m a creature of the sea. I make the sea the beautiful place that it is to live. We all do,” Adore gestured to her sisters. “Look, I loved my time up there, but I love the sea even more. I can’t part with it. Please, just understand that.”

Raja’s chin was trembling. Of course, she knew this. That Adore would never part with her home, her family. And therefore, she had to do what she had to do. “Adore?”

“Yes?” Adore cast her green eyes back up at the witch. 

“I…I love you, and,” Raja paused, her hands shaking, “I want to be with you until my dying day.”

The line of Adore’s mouth loosened, a sad smile appearing as the outer corners of her eyes crinkled. “I want that more than anything too, Raja.”

“Alright,” Raja nodded, “then please…take me as not a witch, but also as a creature of the ocean…”

Fuck. It felt so good to say it out loud. A weight instantly lifted off Raja’s shoulders.

Adore’s lips parted, eyes widened slightly. Almost as if…a glimmer of hope shone through.

“I don’t care how long it takes me to learn your language, or how to even be a mermaid. But we’re tethered together.” Raja’s smile was slowly appearing, “And I couldn’t be happier knowing that you’re the person I was supposed to fall in love with.”

And Adore was smiling now, eyes turning crystal like. She let out a small. “How do you know if it’ll even work?”

“It will. Raven and I already got a head start,” Raja gestured to her friend behind her. “Now, it’s just up to you…that’s if you’ll have me…”

Adore squeezed her eyes shut, a single tear rolling down her deep cheek. “Forever?”

Raja nodded.

And Adore beckoned the witch to step forward.

Once so afraid of rejection, anxiety rattling through her, Raja moved with confidence — the witch Adore had fallen in love with.

Now kneeling before the pool of water, all it took was a single drop of blood from Raja’s cheek, and the taste of one of Adore’s tears to initiate the rest of the spell.

Raja dipped her feet into the waters, but before submerging herself, she took Adore’s face in her hands, drawing her into that magic kiss.

And just like their very first time, the tingling sensation of their connected energies coursed through the two lovers. It was enough for Raja to clasp the back of Adore’s head and pull her deeper into the kiss. 

The mermaid wrapped an arm around Raja’s waist, her other hand clasping the witch’s cheek, accepting the invitation. The ghost of Raja’s kisses had lingered on her lips for weeks now, and as hurt as she was by the dark witch’s actions, she had missed every single kiss…every touch. 

Raja’s lips were soft and delicate as they moved against Adore’s. And yet, such a hungry kiss, fiery even. How could Adore ever leave this woman again?

She pulled away, just to take in the sight of her tethered’s dark eyes — her favourite part of Raja. The mermaid let her fingers trail the witch’s brow bone, just staring, their love reignited.

Only when Raven let out an audible gasp did the two lovers snap back to reality.

Adore felt it first, how something brushed along her tail.

And Raja felt it next, how her legs were practically stuck together. Looking down — a long, glimmering gold tail.

The spell worked.

Adore gasped, sort of laughed too. It really worked.

“Fuck,” Raja said with bated breath, unable to take her eyes away from her new feature.

“The witch is a mermaid now?” Vixen raised a brow, nudging her pink haired sister.

“I suppose we can’t fight her anymore,” another mermaid said.

Raja didn’t pay much attention. Her forehead connected with Adore’s, the two giggling with sheer happiness while the sisters continued to discuss things.

“What are they saying?” Raven could hear it in their tones, the unease. And in turn, that made her uneasy.

That’s when Raja finally acknowledged her friend again. “You can’t understand them?”

“Do I speak mermaid?”

And again, Raja let out a half gasp - half laugh. Finally, she could understand mermaid talk. This truly was real.

“It’s fine,” Adore looked past Raja’s shoulder, smiling warmly at Raven. “They won’t hurt you. Not unless they want me to cut their hair off in their sleep.”

Vixen scoffed.

Taking another moment to soak up this moment, the fact her fate was sealed now — she was going to be with the one she loved for the rest of her life.

Looking over her shoulder to Raven again, she let out a sigh, her stomach twisting. This certainly wasn’t goodbye forever. But there was still a level of sadness there. “You remember what I asked you to do?”

Raven could practically sense it, the sealed letter in her satchel. And she nodded. “I won’t forget.”

“Thank you.” Raja blinked, wishing she had at least kissed Raven as a sign of goodluck before she did this. The bitch wasn’t as bad as she always thought her to be. “Thank you for everything.”

Raven only nodded.

Finally, Raja turned back around to face Adore. And her hands lifted, taking the ribbon from her corset in her fingers and undoing the bonds. When the piece was gone, she lifted the red burgundy dress up over her head, abandoning it to the side. Not like she’d need it where she was going.

She tossed it to the side of the cave knowing if she were to ever return for a visit, at least it was there.

Adore backed off in the pool, taking Raja’s hands in her own, and pulling the former witch towards her.

And Raja fell forward, her body dropping down into the depths. 

And Adore appeared before her, taking Raja’s face in her hands, “I love you, Raja.”

And Raja pulled Adore close to her. “I love you too.”

And the distance between them was closed.

Just one of the thousands of kisses they would ever share.

-_-_-_-

“Have you thought of any names yet?” Courtney asked sweetly, still lounging out having not left her bed yet. It was nearing the afternoon and she was feeling lazy. Just laying there, staring up at the ceiling barely making out the blue sky through the thatch work of the hut. Her hand absentmindedly stroked her round belly, thinking about the little life inside.

Bianca was at her work desk, fixing up an elixir to get her through the day. She barely slept the night before, what with her mind always taking her back to Raja, and how the poor witch hadn’t been happy in so long now. Bianca hadn’t been sleeping all that great for weeks, just thinking of all the ways she could make her best friend feel better. And now, she was exhausted.

“Bianca?” Courtney looked up in the bed slightly.

“Hm? Sorry. Trying to make an elixir to ensure Katya pisses every time she cries.” Bianca chuckled. “What were you saying?”

“I said have you thought of any names yet?” Courtney’s smile was refreshing.

Bianca needed such a sight, what with where her mind was at. “Honey. We’re literally half way through the pregnancy. Why? Have you?”

“Well, I was thinking Willow would be sort of nice.” Courtney suggested. “Or maybe even Elle.”

“Eh. I say Bianca Two.” The working witch shrugged, finishing up her elixir, the vial emitting a small cloud of pink smoke. It was down the hatch within seconds.

“Bianca Two?” Courtney’s brows joined, her mouth moving to the side. “As if we need another.”

“Well, if you ask me,” Bianca stood, already feeling the potions properties working on her, the tiredness vanishing with each passing second. Carrying herself towards the bed, she climbed on and made her way to Courtney, “The damage has already been done. There’s going to be a little Bianca - Courtney hybrid running around her and none of these bitches can do anything about it.” She kissed the baby bump, laying her head down and relaxing. As much as she was feeling her energy levels rising, she could lay here with Courtney forever.

“Well, depends. Like, maybe she’ll be lovely like me. Or a bitch like you.” Courtney suggested, stroking her fingers through Bianca’s hair, the soft locks having yet to be put up.

“Maybe both.”

“Well, I guess. But even at that, would she be nice to your face and a bitch behind your back? Or a rude cunt who actually has a heart of gold?”

“Stop. You’re giving me baby fever. I just want her to come already.”

“You know? I think she’ll be like you.” Courtney looked down at Bianca, her fingers moving from the hair to the witch’s neck. “Rude with a heart of gold.” She could feel it, Bianca’s smile.

Such a sweet moment, not their first and certainly not last either. But it came to a halt when the sound of someone clearing their throat came from the doorway. Both witches sat up, seeing Raven standing there, clutching the strap of her satchel.

“A letter for you, Bianca,” Raven said, pulling the folded piece of paper out from her bag.

“From who?” Bianca’s brows knit.

Raven didn’t answer, and judging by how a small smile appeared, and vanished just as quick, Bianca wasn’t getting an answer. The dark witch simply held out the paper, ushering Bianca forward.

“Ugh, do you always have to be so mysterious and shit?” Bianca dragged herself up off the bed, making her way towards Raven and taking the letter. “Shoo. Your dark aura smells like dead animal carcass.”

Courtney tsk’ed.

“Be careful, Bianca. Or I may just turn your teeth black.” Raven let her hand trail the wall as she left the two alone again.

“This better be important,” Bianca clambered back onto the bed, resting against Courtney’s body, the light witch playing with her hair again, “not like Raven of all people to show up on my door step. Think she’s cursing us with this thing?” Bianca flipped the letter open.

“I don’t know. I mean, what motive does she have?” Courtney enjoyed the feeling of Bianca’s curls in her fingers. “I’m nice enough to her whenever she leaves her house. Don’t know about you though.” And she closed her eyes, hoping to get at least another hour of sleep in, not that she needed it.

Bianca didn’t mind. For her attention was now stuck on this letter. Upon opening it, her eyes were instantly drawn to the bottom of the page, seeing Raja’s signature there. Just from seeing the letters of her bestfriends name, how elegant they appeared, Bianca could see in her head how Raja scrawled it effortlessly, her wrist flicking softly as she wrote, the sound of the quill scratching the paper.

It wasn’t like Raja to send her letters. In fact, the dark witch hadn’t ever written to her like this, what with them being in close proximity of eachother. The only person Bianca had ever known to receive a letter from Raja was Jinkx — that one time Raja was romantically interested in the red head witch, using her charm with a sappy love letter. It didn’t work.

So why now? Bianca had seen Raja only an hour prior, the dark witch just casually waltzing up to her, wrapping her long golden arms around her. Bianca of course returned the gesture. But Raja went the step further. For after she kissed Bianca in that traditional witchy greeting, the dark witch kissed the top of her head and whispered, “I love you, B’.”

Of course, Bianca didn’t know what to make of it at the time. But it didn’t bother her.

And yet, now reading this letter, she understood why.

‘My dearest Bianca,

You’re probably wondering where I am right now, or most likely fighting with Raven to get the fuck out of your house.

Or cuddling Courtney. I don’t know.

But now, as I’ve said that first statement, you’re panicking. I want you to know, B’, that I’m fine. I’m safe. And this isn’t goodbye forever.

I’ve decided to try and patch things up with Adore by doing the only thing I think is left for me to do — to become a mermaid and live as a creature of the ocean for the rest of my life. And if it doesn’t go well at all, then you won’t even get the chance to read this. But if you are, then the plan was a success.

Adore’s accepted me, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life with her.

As for the rest of you, I’m proud to say that the coven is not without their Mother Witch anymore. For I’ve ensured that Raven deliver this very note to the only person I deem worthy.

Lead these ladies, Bianca. Be the best Mother Witch there ever was.

I will see you again. Afterall, mermaids can come to land whenever they please.

Goodluck, my sister. And thank you for being the bestest friend I could ever ask for.

All my love,

Raja.’

"Laila, did you eat your slug this morning?" Raja stopped her marching, staring down at the group of baby witches kneeling before her. 

Laila in particular failed to make her dead fly come back to life, let alone even show any sign of resurrection.

"Yes, I did. And slugs are slow. Maybe that's why I'm so sluggish today," Laila quipped. There was a bit of bite there, Raja could hear it. It was always Laila who decided to be a cunt about everything.

But Raja tried to smile, one that suggested she wasn't having it. "Laila, you and I both know if you had eaten the slug, your magic energy would be soaring right now." And then the sass came out, "maybe the reason for your fatigue this morning is because of that drop of pixie dust you had last night."

As usual, whenever Raja would bite back at one of her students, both Kim and Farrah snickered, while Gia and Aja glared. 

"How do you all expect to become the best dark witches that you can if you can't take this seriously?" Raja’s dark eyes scrutinised all of them now, enough to make them silent again. Fuck, how she loved this once upon a time, tutoring the younger girls. Not even just the task, but this whole camp. Set on the edge of the forest not too far from the coast, the coven resided, and they stayed there. 

Being surrounded by so much beauty and nature, one would think that was paradise. But with other covens nearby, not the friendliest of bitches, not like they could venture too far. 

The last ten years saw the claustrophobia set in. And Raja was slowly losing the will power to tolerate it any longer.

"Oh, Raja!" A voice called.

Already, without turning, she knew that voice. How could anyone fail to recognise it?

Raja's baby witches smirked, the dark witch already over the oncoming shenanigans. "Fuck you all," She murmured under her breath, sweeping down her long dress.

Even before turning, she already knew how this conversation was going to go. It felt like a weekly occurrence now when Bianca would approach her with preaching words.

"Yes, Bianca. How can I assist you today?" Raja dragged herself towards Bianca's hut, the woman already lingering in the door, her auburn hair freshly curled without any use of magic.

When Raja was below the doorstep, she leaned up and kissed Bianca — not something unusual within the coven, unless blood-related. It was their sign of peace, the wish for good luck.

The redhead glanced at the baby witches, all of them running free before Raja could call them all back to continue their morning lessons.

"You're kind of wasting your time on tutoring those sperm donations." Bianca raised a brow as she looked at Raja again.

"Somebody has to. I mean, who else is going to teach them?" Raja threw a hand up in questioning as she watched her students flee to their homes. "Don't call them that, by the way."

"Raja, you know fine well there are other dark witches here who are capable of teaching them how to use their powers."

"Like who?"

"Raven?" Bianca raised her brows tauntingly.

"Pfft. As if I'd let Raven train anybody. Darkest of the dark witches. No fucking way." Raja leaned against the door frame.

"Oh, well, that's true. But still. There are others here capable of what you're doing right now." Bianca started, and Raja rolled her eyes. "No - no. Don't do that, honey. You know you could be learning for when you take over as the Mother Witch."

The Mother Witch. Oh, how Raja was sick of hearing that term. Why did her mother have to be tethered to the late Chaderia, why did they have to marry? 

It had only been a year since Raja's mother passed away, and twelve years since Chaderia did. Of course, this left Raja, the only heir to the throne left.

But she didn't want that. Having gone a whole year with no true Mother Witch, the ladies of the camp were feeling lost. But what Raja wanted was to break free, venture further out of the forest, live something bigger. And if it took a couple of trials and tests to determine who would take over, then so be it.

"Or maybe I could be training you to be the Mother Witch," Raja's smile was teasing.

"Oh, honey, I already know so much more than you do," Bianca leaned in close to Raja before pushing her away from the doorstep.

The dark witch chuckled. God, she loved Bianca. Of all the centuries she’d been alive, Bianca was always right there with her, having been born the same year. Of course, they became bestfriends. And there was that strange period in which they thought there was something a bit more between them. Every time they locked lips, however, every time they fucked, there was just something not right. With no real spark no feeling of energies mixing together, they were a complete mismatch.

Raja had tried to reassure herself that, in more current times among the witch clan, just because one may not tether with someone else, they can still love each other just as strongly.

But Raja longed for that — to find her tethered other half.

And Bianca had potential for things greater than sticking around and trying to make things work out between them. As much as Raja wanted freedom, Bianca wanted it ten times more. And with that willpower, she could take the throne, be the best Mother Witch that ever lived, and bring the wider circle of covens together.

“Well, maybe you should pursue that, Bianca,” Raja was already walking away from her bestfriend’s home.

“And put myself through the whole trial process? Oh, sounds delightful.” Bianca quipped, following behind her.

"How's Courtney?" Raja changed the subject. 

"Great. She's fine. Still manifesting for a girl so we can keep the baby. Not that Courtney cares. She says no matter the gender, it's her baby and the warlocks aren't getting them."

Raja felt like a dick, for she was losing track of how far along Courtney was into her pregnancy. Most likely four months at this stage.

Every year, both the witches and warlocks of the other camps looked forward to spring time, when they got to fuck like rabbits in the wild and produce many more little magical beings.

"But let's not change the subject, dear," Bianca's voice drew the dark witch’s attention back.

The dark witch ignored her friend and carried on. She had baby witches to teach. Striding across the camp, the green grass tickling her bare feet, her brown eyes scanned the area for them.

Trixie was sitting outside her hut playing her handmade guitar. “I once met a young man by the glittering blue stream…It was very la-da-de-da.”

At just two hundred years old, she was the only musical witch on sight. Before her birth, predictions said a trickster would come into the lives of the coven. Of course, they assumed it was Trixie, hence the name. But along came another baby girl from another witch, a child who would grow up with Trixie and become her best friend. This one was Katya. Now she was the torture, and her cunning ways brushed off on all the other witches. Hence why…

“Then again, you don’t have the brains to fulfil the role,” Bianca commented, now walking alongside Raja.

Raja shot her a look. “What? How? I’m so fucking intelligent. You can’t even - -”

“Oh, what’s that over there?” Bianca pointed.

“Where?” But there was nothing. “Bianca…” Raja started to look back around at her friend, “What are you tr - -”

Nothing could have prepared her for the illusion of a moth flying at her face. Raja flinched, swiping it away until it was nothing but dust.

Bianca lowered her hand, quickening her steps as she chuckled. “Intelligence at it’s finest.”

“Oh, you wicked old bitch!” And with Raja’s voice now raised, she moved faster too.

Bianca laughed harder, taking off in a run, too much energy for the morning. 

But Raja ran right after her. “You’re a dead woman, Bianca!”

As much as the dark witch could kill her, she loved this side of Bianca ー the one that wasn’t so sharp and quick with her wit. Despite being four centuries old, she was still young at heart, with her playful wiles.

And because Raja loved it so much, she chased Bianca into the forest, calling after her every cruel name she had ever learned.

But Bianca kept running, cackling at one point even. 

The two witches ran straight forward, hopping every fallen tree log, avoiding any sinkhole, ducking out of the way of any puddle. This wasn’t the first time they did this after all; they knew what to avoid.

The only thing different this time, taking Raja by surprise, was when Bianca dived to the left of the trees.

“Bianca, stop!” Raja shouted. She brought her body to a grinding halt at where Bianca disappeared, and peering off to the left; the witch was nowhere to be seen. The fuck? Was this a spell used to hide her? “No magic! That’s cheating!”

Raja just stood there for a moment longer, waiting for any sign of movement. But when none came…yes, this had to be a spell. There was no way Bianca would be able to disappear that fast.

“Okay, if that’s how you want to play the game, B’, so be it.” Raja didn’t know how just yet, but if she was going to use magic, then it would need to be a quick one. 

Maybe a revealing spell…too slow of a build-up. 

Then perhaps a quick blast of wind to knock Bianca off her feet, and probably make her yell in shock…Eh, maybe she’d end up hurt somehow.

Then, maybe - -

Fuck, Bianca must have read her mind. A strong gust of wind practically slapped Raja’s whole being, sending her sprawling to the ground. The witch yelped in pain when her body met the ground, nothing agonising but still irritating.

“Fuck,” Raja rubbed her elbow as she gathered herself.

Bianca rounded the trunk of a tree, stepping up to Raja, a quiet chuckle leaving her lips. “Sorry. Magic makes it more fun.”

“Magic makes it unfair, actually,” Raja grumbled as she brought herself to her knees, catching her breath.

“Might want to slip yourself a bliss elixir if you’re going to cry about it.” Bianca put her hands on her hips, raising a brow.

“I will get you,” the dark witch was already standing to her feet.

“Should be good.”

“Count your days, witch.”

Bianca had no counter insult, her long skirt wrapping around her legs as she spun and took off in another sprint.

Raja cussed before she could even chase her friend. Her body was already wrecked, having been awake for just an hour. Right about now, she should have been finished with her morning tutoring and enjoying a relaxing cup of tea with Sasha. Yet here she was, acting like a child, a baby witch, exploring this forest.

As she finally took off running again, she was reminded of the barrier separating her coven from the others. Raja had no idea where in the forest she was right now, therefore couldn’t be sure how close to it she was. 

Now she wished she could have at least warned Bianca before she ran off again. For if she were to accidentally run past the barrier…it would not be pretty.

Bianca wasn’t stupid however, so hopefully she’d remember.

“Bianca! Remember the barrier!” It was the least Raja could do, just shout out to her friend.

If she didn’t see the bitch back at the grounds later, the dark witch would bring her back and beat the shit out of her.

Raja kept running, her heart hammering now. God, this was so tiring. She’d need a good bath and nap after this.

As much as she thought the forest was unrecognisable anyway, just an endless sea of trees, she knew now, that this particular part was unknown to her.

She came to a stop when she saw the rocks building up high in the sky, almost like a barrier in of themselves. Yes, definitely unrecognisable. Even the smell around her, salty almost, unfamiliar.

There in the wall of rocks was a large hole, leading into a cave. 

Raja sighed. Of course, if Bianca came across this, she’d investigate. “Damn it.” She neared the cave carefully, “Bianca? Are you in there?” 

The dark witch braved herself and entered the cave. “Bianca!” Her voice echoed all around. The smell of salt was intensifying now, and the air seemed to turn cold. Raja trailed her hand along the stone wall as she ventured further in. 

Her vision took a few seconds to adjust to the dark. She peered around her as she rubbed her arms in an attempt to keep warm, not that it was doing much. Before she could even give in and spark up a flame from the tip of her finger, she saw the blue glowing light at the end of the walkway, trailing around a corner.

What was this place?

Curiously coming closer to the blue light…the salty smell in the air, she could taste it on her tongue now. What did she just stumble upon? 

That’s when the sound of water rippling reached her ears. 

Again — what was this place?

Raja reached the end of the tunnel, rounding the corner. And she took it all in. The source of the blue light.

A bigger, more open space — cave walls surrounded her, of course, but in the middle of the room was a large pool of water.

“What…” she stopped herself from speaking, moving further into the room. How had she only found this now?

“Bianca?” She said quietly as she neared the edge of the pool. Surely Bianca wouldn’t have gotten into the water, right? The bitch loved her curly hair too much to ruin it.

Raja inspected the bright blue water for a moment as if she’d be able to see Bianca floating around in there.

But the witch was nowhere to be seen. Not even her berry smell lingered in the air.

And when Raja turned to leave, ready to find that witch and put her in her place…

Curiosity got the better of her. She turned back around, unable to leave. How could she? This was just…too interesting not to investigate. She neared the pool once more, bending down to get a better look.

The water was so pretty, and mesmerising to look at, but the bottom was invisible to the eye. How far down did this thing go?

She reached out a hand, the tip of her finger hovering over the calm surface, as if too afraid to even break through that barrier of water.

And the pool began to ripple, gentle at first, but eventually becoming more aggressive…as if something was moving down there…

Or someone.

Raja let her hand remain there, above the surface as dots of salty water sparked her fingers. Her eyes were too focused on the dark abyss just below her.

And her heartbeat quickened.

Yes. There was someone…moving closer to the top, moving too fast for Raja to comprehend. 

Too fast for the witch to react before two hands shot up from beneath the surface, snatched her wrist and dragged her right under.

Breaking through to the water, all Raja felt was cold. The salty taste was overwhelming now, and her ears filled with bubbling water.

At first, she squeezed her eyes shut upon going under. But if she was going to get back out, she would need her vision. So she opened her eyes. 

All around her was blue, small bubbles leaving her lips and floating up to the surface in front of her face.

Everything was a blur for a moment. But when her vision cleared…There it was…

There she was.

A woman floating towards her, practically face to face.

Before Raja could even open her mouth to yell in fright and fill her lungs with water, the mysterious woman moved even closer, long bright blonde hair floating around her alluring face. So blonde it could have been white. 

Raja just stared, watching this mysterious woman as she took the witch's face in her pale hands…

And she pulled Raja towards her…the dark witch accepting what was happening…

Their lips making contact. 

And that was it…There it was…Energies passing between them both, time seemingly stopping. Raja was warmed in this cold pool now, and she couldn’t deny her hands that moved to the woman’s face in return.

It was…euphoric.

So when the woman pulled away, Raja could have cried. This felt like…life force…the only way she could breathe.

And with that thought…how the fuck was it possible she was breathing right now? How could she inhale air when she was surrounded by all this water.

Her train of thought was pulled back to the woman again. This mysterious yet beautiful stranger caressed Raja’s cheek, searching the witch's dark brown eyes with her own green ones. There was something about this look…as if…she knew it too…she felt it — the energies mixing.

The woman smiled, almost playfully. Raja couldn’t help but reciprocate.

She was just about to kiss the woman again when she felt something slither along her bare foot. And looking down to investigate…

Her blood ran cold. 

Fins…feathery white translucent fins attached to the long white, almost iridescent white tail that was this woman’s lower body..

Reality sank in. Raja backed away, eyes back on the woman’s face.

The stranger’s smile dropped, brows joining together in concern. And when she tried to move forward again, Raja pushed her away.

The witch didn’t even take time to watch how the woman seemed to crumble. She powered it to the surface, finding she wasn’t that deep in.

Reaching the top, Raja yelled, clambering out of the pool, water pouring from her whole being.

“Fuck! Fuck!” She yelled, dragging her body up onto the rocky surface of the cave, scrabbling away from the edge.

As she neared the far wall, a chorus of splashing sounded all around, bringing her eyes back to the pool. The creature was clambering out after her, her face practically contorted, something monstrous compared to how she previously looked. The woman yelled a series of nonsensical words. Raja may not have recognised this language, but she could feel the venom in the words.

Raja didn’t know what to do with herself — to just run for it, or try and reason with the woman.

But her answer came when the creature’s angry shouting ceased. Now, she was crying, letting out a quiet disappointed sound at first before this became sobs. The poor thing hid her face, her trail curling up under her as she wept into her lap.

Raja’s heart ached for the poor woman. “I’m…I’m sorry. I - -”

But the creature held her hand up, silencing the witch’s words.

And that was it — Raja’s cue to leave.

-_-_-_-

Of course, Raja was met with so many comments when she returned to the coven grounds.

“A wet look! Love it, Raja!”

“Wow, you look like hell, honey.”

“Bianca get you with a blast of water or something?”

“What’s up, loser?” Bianca began, lingering outside her home while Courtney wove berries into her tethered partner’s hair, “I know I’m hot, and the chase is intense as fuck but I didn’t realise it would get you that riled up.”

“Shut up, Bianca!” Raja growled, storming towards Sasha’s hut.

She’d have the answers for her. Sasha may have been the Autumn witch, but she prided herself more on her knowledge. She knew shit.

Inviting herself in, Raja shouted, “Sasha,” her dress dripping all over the floor.

“Oh, good morning, Raja,” Sasha’s voice came from the makeshift fireplace, her back to the dark witch, “next time you invite yourself into my home, make sure you dry yourself off first. I can smell it.”

The dark witch cussed, quickly putting the spell out there and instantly drying herself.

Sasha looked around, putting down the book she was invested in, “come sit with me, darling.”

“You don’t need to tell me twice.” Raja stepped up towards the fire, already feeling its warm flames warming her. She sat down on the ground next to the smart witch, rubbing her hands.

“Um…excuse me?” Sasha’s voice pulled Raja’s attention back, puckering her red lips.

The dark witch rolled her eyes, leaning towards Sasha and kissing her gentle. “Sorry.”

“Not like you to forget the greeting,” Sasha eyed Raja, sniffing the air and finding herself enjoying the smell of salt water. “And not like you to go down to the beach this early? You normally go out there when Blair lowers the moon.”

“I wasn’t at the beach,” Raja swept a hand over her face. “I was…I…” Fuck, how was this going to be easy? “Alright, please don’t judge me and don’t repeat anything we talk about. Promise me.”

“Well, of course, I would never - -”

“No. Promise me, you’ll keep your lips sealed.” Raja lifted a now glowing hand. 

Now Sasha was concerned. In situations like this, when an oath was being made, it had to be serious. “Alright.” Sasha placed her hand against Raja’s. The gold glow intensified for a moment.

And Raja began. “So…I found a cave. A-And, there was this…this pool and, something came up and dragged me under.”

“Something?” Sasha repeated.

“Yes…And…” Raja swallowed, casting her eyes at the flame for a moment. Fuck, she could still feel it, “she kissed me…” those soft and gentle lips, “and something happened…”

“Wait. Hold on. She…kissed you?” Sasha raised her brows.

And Raja nodded. “Um…do you think that…that mermaids exist?”

Sasha was silent for a moment. “Mermaids?”

“Mermaids.”

“...Well, I mean,” Sasha paused, looking around at her long bookshelf, seeing the exact one, “I’ve read that they do. Or, at least, they did. There have been no sightings of them for so long. We’re talking millenia here.”

“But, they could still exist?” 

“I guess, maybe. I mean, we’ve been stuck in this forest for so long, I haven’t found a way to claim new books.” Sasha shrugged.

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay, honey.”

Raja sighed. Finally, the glowing of their hands stopped, so they lowered them. She knew how she sounded — crazy. But she had to know. “So, what do…what do mermaids do? Are they…” and the image flickered in her brain — the woman’s contorted face of anger, “are they evil?”

Sasha shrugged. “Sometimes. I read tales of mermaid sightings that didn’t end well. You know; women of the ocean luring handsome sailors into the dark waters and drowning them. Then again, how do these records exist if no one survived such an event. On the other hand, I’ve read mermaids just…stay in their own grounds, those grounds being the ocean, and mind their own business. The only time they show aggression is when they’re threatened.”

Was that what happened back there? The creature was trying to drown Raja? But when the witch resisted her advances, she felt threatened?

Those eyes…that look…It couldn’t have been the case. The woman seemed too smitten with Raja to do such a thing. And not to mention, she gave her the ability to breathe underwater. Not a very deadly gift to give someone.

“So, do you think there would be mermaids in this area?” Raja raised a brow, looking back at Sasha.

The witch laughed a bit, “Oh, my future Mother Witch,” she tucked a strand of Raja’s hair behind her ear, “anywhere there’s saltwater belongs to a mermaid. Of course, they could be in this area.”

“Ah, I see.” Raja nodded. 

“So. Let me guess; you think this was a mermaid who kissed you.” Sasha proposed.

“Look. Don’t judge me. I know what I saw Sasha. I could…I could breathe underwater. It was just so…magic.” Raja shook her head like she couldn’t believe it herself.

“I believe you.” Sasha said sincerely.

“Good.” Raja nodded again. She moved forward and kissed Sasha again. “This stays between us. Okay?”

“An oath is an oath.” Sasha nodded.

And just as the twisting in Raja’s stomach was beginning to subside…

“Well, too fucking bad you didn’t make that oath with me!”

Both witches turned their heads to the entrance.

Oh, fuck. Katya.

By turning her human, of course.

There had to be a way.

“I mean, there has to be, right?” Raja pleaded with Brooke, the leader of the water witches.

Brooke sighed, making her way across the camp to start training with her baby witches. “I don’t think so, honey. Nothing I can do, anyway.”

Fuck.

“We can turn frogs into princes, so,” Raja left the statement open, now standing in Sasha’s home, leaning on the back of the witches chair.

Sasha flicked through the pages of her book, skimming for any information valuable to Raja, “hmmm…it appears not.”

Shit.

“Come on, Bianca. Help me out here.” Raja, later, pleaded with Bianca, sitting before a burning fire in the middle of the camp.

“I mean, you gotta be kidding me.” Bianca chuckled, “you can’t be seriously thinking about this, right?”

“Why would I be joking around about something like this?” Raja held her hands out in questioning.

“Raja,” Bianca stepped forward, taking the dark witch’s shoulders in a tight grasp, “She’s a mermaid. Her home is the ocean. Do you know how long it’ll take for the bitch to adjust here?”

“It’s worth the work. She’s worth the work,” Raja’s eyes bore into Bianca’s.

“Look,” and Bianca sighed, “all I’m saying is that it’s a bad idea. And I’m not going to facilitate any of this.”

“Tell me. Now.”

“Tell you what?”

“You know how I can do it.”

“No, I don’t, Raja.”

“You do, Bianca.”

“No, Raja. I really don’t. I mean,” Bianca pulled her hands off the dark witch, holding them up in defence, “I know someone who might be able to help you out, but I’m not going to give you that information.”

“Yes, you will,” Raja’s voice was stern.

“No, I will not tell you to go to Raven…” and Bianca’s hand flew to her mouth. How the fuck did that just slip out.

Raja smiled triumphantly, lifting a now glowing hand.

“Oh, you fucking bitch,” Bianca shoved Raja away from her.

“Hey, I’m a dark witch. What else did you expect from me?” Raja leaned forward, kissing Bianca, before walking away.

Bianca leaned back in the grass, her stomach knotting. “This is a really bad idea! Just…think about what you’re doing!”

-_-_-_-

Yes, Bianca was smarter than Raja, but the dark witch didn’t care. Not when she was so in love like this.

Adore had just gotten out of the tub, her legs returning to her, and now she wanted to spend all her time with Raja. But the dark witch had business to take care of.

The mermaid had been on dry land for a week now, and everyday, she just seemed to grow more curious about this world around her. Hey, maybe it was a good thing Raja was making this decision. The little mermaid loved this new environment, and with permanent legs, she could explore as much as the barrier would let her.

“Alright, Adore.” Raja was close enough to Raven’s foreboding home now when she turned and took the mermaid by the shoulders, “I have to go and talk to someone now. Okay?”

As usual, Adore said something nonsensical, following it up with a giggle and leading Raja towards Raven’s place.

“No. No,” Raja pulled her back. “It’s very important.”

The mermaid was clearly disappointed, her face falling.

“I’ll be ten minutes,” and Raja looked around, anything to distract the mermaid. “Hey. Look, there’s Alaska! You don’t really know her all that well yet. Go hang out with her.”

Adore’s aqua-green gaze followed where Raja pointed – a blonde witch sitting on a patch of grass nearby, whispering unintelligible words to a snake.

“She’s really nice. I promise,” Raja stole her attention again, “ten minutes. That’s all,” she kissed Adore, “I love you.” And she quickly made her way to Raven’s home.

Adore let her eyes stay on Raja for a moment longer, just watching her walk into Raven’s place. Why couldn’t she come along? She wanted to spend every moment of her life with Raja.

“Mermaid.”

The voice made Adore turn, Alaska now looking over at her.

“Hiiee.” Alaska waved.

And Adore did as she was told, striding towards the witch and sitting down in front of her.

“So, you’re Raja’s new - -”

Adore cut Alaska off with that signature mermaid kiss. Of course, when she pulled away, the witch’s smile appeared.

“Wow. Girl, you are just the cutest, aren’t you?” Alaska flipped a strand of blonde hair over her shoulder.

Adore loved kissing. To her, it wasn’t necessarily a sign of love or lust. But a friendly greeting, just like how these witches all seemed to do to each other. So she smiled, happy to talk to Alaska while her tethered went off and did ‘business’.

The mermaid’s green eyes trailed away from Alaska, looking down at the small snake. The thing slithered around in the grass, seeming to move right towards Alaska.

“It’s pretty, right?” Alaska watched the mermaid curiously. “It’s my speciality — the ability to talk to snakes. Some think it’s kind of a useless gift. But these babies carry secrets. Perfect for gaining information on any enemy I need. And these bitches want to talk about useless gifts. Fuck, look at Trixie. I mean, God forbid we ever go to war with the other covens out here. What’s she going to do? Sing them all to death?”

Adore wasn’t paying much attention, not that she could understand anyway. Her interests more solely in this snake.

She spoke to it, her mermaid language impossible for Alaska to understand.

But the snake witch chuckled anyway. “'Menarayo rinajopé,’” she tried to repeat the statement, “that sounds fun.”

Adore giggled, holding a hand out towards the snake.

“You want to hold her? She’s a planes hognose,” Alaska didn’t wait for an answer. She took the small snake carefully into her hands and passed it to Adore. 

Safe to say Adore was in love with the creature. Alaska could have broken her heart just watching the mermaid kiss the snake on the head. “Finally. Someone who appreciates my babies as much as I do.”

-_-_-_-

Raja entered Raven’s dimmed home with caution. She never had an issue with this bitch, but Raven was too dark of a witch for Raja to recognise her as one of her own.

Raven was there at her brewing table working on something only a dark witch would know of.

“I can smell the night shade, Raven. Who are you giving warts to this time?” Raja asked, nearing the witch.

“Just Tatianna. The cunt thought it would be funny to slip some tainted elderberries under my pillow last night and give me a fuck tonne of nightmares. With the shit that I’ve seen, I don’t need nightmares.” Raven accepted a kiss from Raja, then going to kiss the witch’s hand. 

Raja pulled it away, “you don’t need to do that.”

“Why not? It’s the tradition to kiss the hand of the Mother Witch.”

“Well, I’m not the Mother Witch, am I?”

“Oh, you will be.” Raven dropped some poison from toad warts into the elixir. “What do you want?”

Raja hesitated for a second. How could she go about this? Getting Raven on her side.

The two never quarrelled or fought. But it was clear Raven wasn’t the fondest of Raja. For whatever reason, the dark witch didn’t know. But there was just always some level of disdain there. And even though Raja herself never had an issue with Raven, other than the fact she disagreed with some of her practices, she needed the bitch on her side now.

“Tell me; is it possible we can turn a creature of another species into a human?” Raja asked carefully.

Raven glanced at her, brow raised on her forehead. “If I were you, Mother Witch, I’d be careful about the words you say. You know me. When people ask for a favour, I’d rather not know the purpose. When the work is done, it is out of my hands and I will not be held responsible for the consequences.”

“What do you mean 'consequences’?” Raja’s brows joined, her tone almost challenging.

Raven didn’t answer however, instead lifting her small ladle and pouring some of the elixir into a vial.

“Raven, tell me.” Raja demanded.

And Raven looked back at her, a teasing look in her eye. “Oh, don’t you worry, honey. I’m an expert at my craft. Nothing will go wrong for your little mermaid.”

“Don’t fuck around with me. What consequences?”

“Don’t mind me. Forget I said anything.” Raven slipped the vial in between her cleavage. “So, that’s what you want to do, huh? Turn your lover into a human forever?”

“Nice. At least your brain works.”

“Shut up. Look, all I’m saying is that it’s dark magic.” Raven’s eyes glowered, “very dark. A bit too dark for you. I mean, is this even what she wants?”

And the dark witch seethed. “What? Of course, she does. She loves it up here. I know you haven’t seen a lot of her considering you stay in this fucking nasty smelling hut all day, but you just have to trust me.”

Raven put one hand on her hip, and the other on her work desk. “Is that so? Well, sure,” she shrugged, “I can turn her into a human.”

Raja concealed her excitement. “Good. Glad that you’re cooperating with me.”

“But,” Raven held up a finger, “just know that this spell will take a long time, a lot of energy and a fuck tonne of preparation. Are you willing to be patient with me?” She cocked her head.

And Raja held out a hand, “deal.”

Raven took the hand confidently and shook it. And before she let her go, she pulled Raja closer to her. “I hope you’re ready.”

-_-_-_-

The next morning, when Willam was starting to raise the sun, Raja cursed the bright light seeping over her bed.

The dark witch groaned, turning on her back as if it would make any difference to the brightness. A few more hours, and she’d be ready for the day. Not that anyone else would be getting up this early anyway. 

Well, save Willam. That poor bitch, she hated having to be the daylight witch what with her being the most non-morning person ever.

Raja stretched her legs, trying to get comfortable again when they made contact with something at the bottom of her bed. 

Or someone.

Her eyes shot open, sitting up as she assessed the situation. And only now did she register the sound of pages turning.

Adore was sitting at the bottom of the bed, tail gone and already fully dressed. She seemed to be skimming a book, flicking through the pages at a speed too fast to be really reading it.

“You’re up early,” Raja rubbed her eyes with the back of her wrist.

Adore glanced at her, “I was bored.”

Raja’s eyes widened, “wha- -” she blinked. “Adore…you just - -”

“I know,” the mermaid beamed proudly.

“Y-You can understand me.” Raja pushed herself further up in the bed. “You’re speaking our language. How?”

Adore held up the book in her hands, “I learned.”

This was all too much at once. Raja rubbed the back of her eyes again. “How? How? How can you just…learn the whole witch tongue just from reading one book?”

Adore tossed the book to the side, the thing falling to the ground with a hard thud. She then climbed the length of Raja’s body, “Best part about being a mermaid,” her face was inches away from Raja’s now, “We’re pretty and smart.”

The mermaid giggled, and Raja’s heart melted. 

“You are just…” but Raja couldn’t find the words for it. She lifted a hand, sweeping a strand of pale blonde hair out of Adore’s face.

This only made things so much easier. Raja wouldn’t need to tutor Adore in speaking the language — one step closer to making her human.

And with that thought. “Alright, now that you can talk,” Raja gave her a small kiss, “I want to know, are you…happy here?”

Adore returned the kiss, “with you? Yes.”

Again, Raja’s heart ached. “Glad to hear.”

And they kissed once more, this one even hungrier. Raja’s fingers were getting lost in the mermaid’s hair, Adore’s hands creeping around under the witches’ night dress.

But before things could get more heated…

“Okay. Another thing,” Raja pulled away, placing her finger on Adore’s now swollen lips, just for the mermaid to kiss the tips. “You have to stop eating my seaweed.”

Adore’s eyes shot to her.

“It’s just…I’m running out at an alarming rate, and it’s hard to come by stuff that good,” Raja further explained.

“I’m sorry,” Adore leaned away, a look of shame now painted on her face.

“No, it’s fine. I’m not mad or anything,” Raja caressed the mermaid’s soft cheek.

Adore’s smile returned, nuzzling her face against Raja’s hand, turning to kiss the palm sweetly.

“We’ll have breakfast soon. Trust me, you’ll really like it,” Raja continued to comfort her tethered one. “Trust me.”

-_-_-_-

Adore stared down at…whatever the fuck this was in front of her.

Of course, she had no idea what any of it was. Having already tucked into her own, Raja glanced at the mermaid’s plate, sensing the unease. “You know, there’s power in everything, Adore. And by consuming this, it’s how our magic abilities strengthen.”

Still, Adore just stared.

Raja blushed, unsure of what to do. She could have just given in and gave Adore more seaweed. But the witch wasn’t kidding when she said she was running low.

She glanced around to the other witches, everyone sitting outside, under the warm sun, feasting on their breakfast as they usually did.

And already, bitches were staring shamelessly.

Raja flushed again. “Okay, so,” she pointed to Adore’s plate. “There’s pinecones, grapes, berries, flower petals, twigs. That’s all it is.”

Adore picked up the twig, inspecting it like it was an insect. 

A nudge stole Raja’s attention away, and looking around, she already knew Bianca had some snarky comment.

“She going to put that in her mouth or shove it up her brand new asshole?” Bianca quipped a little too loud.

“That’s awful,” Courtney punched Bianca on the shoulder.

“Yeah, Bianca. You know she can understand our language now, right?” Raja whispered harshly.

“Impossible,” Bianca scoffed. “Hey, Adore!”

“Hey, Bianca,” Adore shouted back, even louder than Bianca had spoken.

Raja suppressed a laugh.

Already, Bianca’s smile was faltering. “Oh, come on.” She glared at Raja, “you could have taught her that.”

“Taught me what?” Adore’s brows joined.

Now Bianca’s smile had truly fallen. “Holy shit.”

“Stop making a show of her and eat your food,” Courtney scolded Bianca, tucking in to her own meal for two.

Raja gratefully nodded to the pregnant witch before turning her attention back to Adore.

“Ignore her. Here,” the witch picked up a red grape, holding it in front of Adore’s face, “try these. They’re really good.”

Again, the mermaid was hesitant, but sharing a quick reassuring glance with Raja, she took the small fruit, inspecting it at first.

Raja was well aware of eyes still on them, but she didn’t care so much for the others now. Only the bitch across the circle from her. 

It was nice of Raven to join them for once, and that was sarcasm. The darkest witch of them all was being intrusive, eyes shifting from Raja and then to Adore.

“Bitch,” Raja said under her breath.

When the two locked eyes again, a smirk began to appear on Raven’s face.

What the fuck was this bitches - -

Raja’s trail of thought was cut off when she heard the rattling of her plate in front of her. Looking down, only now did she see how Adore had eaten all her grapes and was now feasting on Raja’s. 

And when she was done with those, the mermaid looked to her other side, eyes pleading with Katya.

The blonde witch had watched in amazement as Adore had practically swallowed the grapes whole. So she lifted her plate, holding it out to the mermaid. “Yes, of course. Take them.”

Adore beamed, scraping the grapes onto her own plate.

And all Raja could do was watch.

Another nudge from Bianca came.

-_-_-_-

Fuck Katya for being the bitch that she was. All week, all fucking week, all Raja heard were mermaid-related jokes. She’d just remind them that she was going to be Mother Witch someday. But, of course, Katya had already told them it wasn’t something she really liked the sound of. Whore.

As far as everyone knew, Raja had kissed a half-fish woman. But there was one thing they did not know, something the dark witch hadn’t even the chance to tell Sasha.

And that one small fact left her curious. 

She had to know.

Therefore she went venturing in the forest. And as much as she thought she’d struggle to find the cave again, she didn’t have to look far.

Just as she was starting to smell it again, the sea salt, Raja spotted the strange figure laying on the ground — a human with long blonde hair, the only thing covering their nude form.

“Fuck.” Raja murmured, rushing to the seemingly asleep person. Bending down, she turned their face, and, yes, this was her mermaid. But…how? Her tail was gone, replaced by two long and smooth legs. 

“Hello…Hey…Wake up.” Raja shook her but to no avail. And running her hand along the woman’s arm, the skin was dry…So so dry.

“Okay, Raja,” the dark witch said to herself, “You got this.” She scooped the passed-out mermaid into her arms and carried her right back to camp.

Of course, her witchy sisters all stared, wide-eyed and jaws hanging.

Courtney stepped out from her and Bianca’s home, “Raja, what are you - -”

“Who has a bath running?! Who has a fucking bath running?!” Raja shouted, eyes darting all around.

“Jinkx! Jinkx has one running!” Willam, the daylight witch, was the one to answer.

Raja didn’t even hesitate, storming towards Jinkx’s home.

Inside, Jinkx was sprinkling rose petals into the now-filled tub when she heard Raja’s hurried steps. Whirling around, her brows joined in confusion. “Raja, what the fuck?!”

“Out of my way!” Raja exclaimed, rushing towards the tub and lowering the mermaid into the water.

In an instant, the fish woman woke up, gasping as she only found the ability to breathe again.

“Raja, what the fuck is going on?! Who is she?!” Jinkx ranted, the bell-shaped sleeves swinging as she held her arms at her sides.

The dark witch paid her no heed. She was on her knees beside the tub, holding the mermaid's hand. “Hey - Hey. It’s okay. You’re better now.”

The mermaid was panicking, however, reaching a hand out to Jinkx, pathetic whines escaping her mouth.

Raja’s gaze followed. “Is she talking to you?”

Jinkx shook her head, unable to tear her gaze away from the mermaid for a second. “No. She’s looking behind me.” The red head witch turned her head, seeing the shelf of ingredients behind her.

“The salt. Jinkx, she wants the salt!” Raja pleaded.

Jinkx quickly grabbed the jar of salt from her shelf and moved back to the tub. “Gosh, this is just crazy. I - -”

Just as she began to unscrew the cap, the mermaid shot up in the tub, snatching the jar from Jinkx’s hand, opened it and poured the salt all over her body and into the tub.

The mermaid’s panic ceased, sighing with satisfaction as her body sank back into the water. She closed her eyes, letting the water envelope her.

“Raja…explain,” Jinkx stood with her arms folded.

“I…” Raja closed her mouth however. Opened it again. And closed.

Before she could even have the chance to give her sister an explanation, Jinkx went wide-eyed, staring at the tub again. Therefore so did Raja.

The now relaxed woman’s legs were joining in the tub, almost as if they were stitching together. And her feet elongated until they were completely flat, and translucent.

“Is that…Is that a tail?” Jinkx practically whispered, watching as the mermaids now joined legs stretched out of the tub, hanging over the edge.

When the transformation was complete, Raja looked back around to Jinkx, only now noting the other witches who stood in the doorway, two of those being Bianca and Courtney.

Raja smiled sheepishly at them. “She’s a mermaid.” And she looked at those witches at the door, “I wasn’t lying.”

“I…I need to go outside,” Jinkx waved a dismissive hand, grabbing for a cigarette and making her way outside. “Move!” She yelled at the others.

Raja let her eyes linger on her sisters a moment longer. “We’ll talk later,” she said, more to Bianca.

“Alright.” Bianca nodded. “We need to.”

When they all left, Raja turned her full attention back to the tub. The mermaid was resting her elbows on the edge of the tub, her head on her arms, eyes shut.

“You sleeping?” Raja bent down again, speaking quietly.

The mermaid didn’t respond, sleeping peacefully in her makeshift bed.

“Alright.” Raja sighed. God, even in sleep, the girl was beautiful. She let her hand move up, holding the sleeping mermaid’s. Even through this, the dark witch could feel the electric spark coursing between them. 

Yes, she was sure of it now.

-_-_-_-

Raja usually liked the smell of Bianca and Courtney’s home — vanilla and a wide variety of berries. Courtney was almost always busy making up jams for everyone to have on their bread, and, fuck, it was the best damn jam in the Kingdom.

But, right now, under the current circumstances, the smell only turned Raja’s stomach.

Courtney made mint leaf tea, and she sat by Bianca before the fireplace, rubbing the small bump of her stomach as she waited for Raja to speak.

The dark witch was staring down at her hot brew for a moment before swallowing. “So…the mermaid does exist.”

“I know.” Bianca nodded, her hand in Courtney’s. “But what is she doing here?”

“I found her in the forest. She was passed out, and, fuck, she somehow had legs. I…I didn’t know what else to do.” Raja shrugged her shoulders.

“You should have taken her back to the sea,” Bianca suggested.

“I wasn’t thinking!” Raja raised her voice. “I was panicking! I thought she was going to die!”

“I suppose there’s no harm in letting the poor thing stay for a few hours,” Courtney suggested, “Then we can return her to the sea. Right?”

“Fair enough,” Bianca added.

Raja licked her now dry lips, already hating herself for what she was about to say. “See. There’s one more thing.”

Bianca was intrigued now. “And that is?”

“I think…No. I know,” Raja paused, eyes shifting between the two witches, “I’m tethered to her.”

Of course, Courtney just blinked, and Bianca smirked. And this smirk turned into a laugh.

“Can you not make fun of me?” Raja challenged, tapping a finger on her warm cup.

“Raja. She’s a mermaid.” Bianca explained, her voice dire. “She’s a half-fish woman from the ocean with people of her own. ‘Opposites attract’ doesn’t apply to us, does it?”

“W-Well, you and Courtney are tethered,” Raja held out a hand at the witch in question, as if Bianca forgot the bitches name. “You’re a nature witch and Courtney is light.”

“Yeah. But, we’re witches,” Courtney countered.

“Not the same kind,” Raja added.

“Doesn’t matter.” Bianca said. “Look, I don’t know if mermaids are even capable of tethering. Fuck, what did it feel like? Did it feel like - -”

“Energies mixing?” Raja raised a challenging brow. “Magic intertwining? Bodies becoming one?”

And Bianca was silent.

“Oh, gosh. You are tethered,” Courtney practically whispered.

“Yeah.” Raja nodded. God, her stomach was in such a tight knot. She glanced at the door, able to see Jinkx’s home from here. If only she could see through the walls. For as much as this situation made her uneasy, she loved the sight of the mermaid.

“Okay. Look,” Bianca held up a hand, bringing the spotlight back to her. “Raja, if you’re tethered to her, then that’s fine. I mean, I’m fine with it. I’d say Courtney is too.”

“Right.” Courtney nodded. “I think it’s sweet, actually.”

“Exactly. But, I can’t speak on behalf of those other witches out there. Species don’t get mixed up with each other, especially witches. So, don’t be surprised if they think you’re nuts for wanting to pursue this.”

“Who said I want to pursue it?” Raja countered, finally sipping her tea.

“Why else would you tell us you’re tethered to her?” Bianca gawped. “You’re planning on keeping her here, aren’t you?”

Raja shrugged, avoiding eye contact with her sister now. “And what if I was?”

Before anything else was said, Gia appeared in the doorway.

“Get out. Smart people talk,” Bianca snapped.

“I just thought I’d let you know,” Gia glared at Raja, “Jinkx said the mermaid is awake.”

Raja never ran so fast in her life. Entering Jinkx’s home, the red head witch was in full panic mode.

“Raja, she’s doing something! I don’t know what to do!” Jinkx was as far from the tub as she could get.

Indeed, the mermaid was doing something. She was hoisting her soaking-wet body out of the tub, struggling sounds leaving her mouth.

“Wait. Stop, you’re going to - -” Raja was cut off when the mermaid pulled herself up and out of the tub, landing on the group in a sopping wet heap, “hurt yourself.”

“Ow,” the mermaid whined.

Raja went to help her while Courtney and Bianca joined the scene.

“This is incredible,” Courtney, being the more intrigued one, stood behind Raja and just watched. “A real-life mermaid. I didn’t think they existed.”

The fish woman looked up at the light witch, a cute smile appearing on her lips. She spoke then, talking in that unknown language that Raja wasn’t able to understand.

“What’s she saying?” Bianca moved closer, Jinkx hesitantly doing the same.

“I don’t know,” Raja was drying the mermaid off with a cloth.

“Can’t you use a…a translating spell or something?” Jinkx suggested, glancing at her door, knowing she could make a run for it if need be.

“That only works if I at least know the language.” Raja pulled the cloth gently through her tethered one’s hair.

“Oh, fuck. Look!” Courtney exclaimed, pointing at the tail.

It was like before, when those legs melted together, only in reverse this time. The tail split into two, at first leaving two long scaly stems that shrunk down to human size.

“How is she doing that?” Bianca whispered, a hint of fright in her voice.

“I don’t know. Must be…a mermaid thing, I guess,” Raja suggested, watching as the fins turned to feet.

When the transformation was complete, the mermaid smiled with delight. And with all this excitement, she hugged Raja, peppering her cheek with kisses. In between kisses, she spoke unknown words. Only by the tone could the dark witch tell that the mermaid was more than happy.

“Yeah. It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Raja couldn’t tell if the mermaid understood, but all she could do was hope. “Here,” she went to stand, helping the woman up.

“I feel like this a dream or something,” Courtney said, eyes looking the mermaid up and down, “how is this real? We have a real-life mermaid standing here in - -”

The light witch was cut off when the mermaid stepped up to her, leaning in and kissing her.

“Oh, wow!” Jinkx said through bated breath.

“What’s she doing?” Bianca stepped forward, as if ready to push the mermaid away from her partner. “She’s not deadly, is she?”

“I don’t think so,” Raja grabbed the mermaid by the arm, gently pulling her away from Courtney.

Once their lips parted, Courtney’s smile couldn’t have been wider. “Wow. That was…”

“I know, right?” Raja brought her tethered closer to her, hiding the mermaid behind her.

“Alright, forgetting that happened, I think we need to get her some clothes.” Bianca suggested.

“Of course, could you - -” she stopped talking when the mermaid jumped up onto her back, surprising her with a piggy back. Raja laughed nervously, holding the mermaid up, “could you go grab her something from my place?”

Five minutes later, the mermaid was fully dressed. There was a struggle to get the gown over her head, the poor creature growling at the unknown feeling of fabric being put over her.

Thankfully, the witch was now left alone with the mermaid. They both sat in Raja’s home, beside the now-filled tub in case the half-fish needed refreshing again.

“So, do you have a name?” Raja sipped some water.

The mermaid cocked her head.

Fuck, this was going to be something. “Okay.” Raja pointed to her own chest. “Raja Gemini…Raja Gemini.” She pat the spot, just to make sure the message registered, and then she pointed at the mermaid, and awaited an answer.

The mermaid lifted her hand, pointing at the witch’s chest. “Raja…Gemini.” And then to her own. “Riamouradoreydelamajiana.”

Raja just…stared. “Oh. Okay. Um…Okay, look.” Again, she pointed to her own chest. And lifting her other free hand, as if holding something up, she said, “Raja Gemini…or…” and she held the other hand out, “Raja.” And then pointed to Ria…Riamana…Ria - - FUCK!

“Raja,” the mermaid pointed at the witch, and then back to herself. “Adore.”

Finally. A pronounceable name. Raja smiled. “Adore…I love it.”

Adore giggled, hiding her face bashfully.

But that was it. Raja didn’t know where to go from here. Adore didn’t understand the witch tongue.

The mermaid turned her green eyes to Raja’s hands, and reaching out her own, she took them into her own.

Just that warmth, the softness of Adore’s hold, it gave her an idea. “Watch this.” And Raja freed her one hand, holding it up in front of the mermaid’s face.

At first, Adore just stared in confusion. What was she supposed to be seeing here? But Raja closed her fist, squeezing her eyes shut tight. What was she doing?

Raja opened her eyes again, and she released her fist. And sitting there in the palm of her hand; a colourful butterfly.

Adore gasped in amazement. She leaned closer, speaking her own language, clearly fascinated by this foreign thing before her.

“Butterfly.” Raja pointed at the rainbow-coloured thing.

“Butterfly,” Adore pointed. And then at Raja, “Raja,” then to herself, “Adore.”

“Good!” Raja exclaimed.

And as the butterfly took off in flight, now it was Adore’s turn. She glanced at the tub, and lifting her hands, she worked her own magic.

Raja watched with bated breath as a large blob of salty water emerged from the bathtub. “Wow. Nice.”

Adore was beyond excited, moving her hands so that the watery blob floated right above Raja’s head.

“So mermaids got magic too, huh?” Raja quickly glanced at Adore before looking back at the floating orb. “We have a few water witches ar- -”

The watery blob fell abruptly, landing all over the witch. Raja just sat there for a moment, shock taking over her.

Adore just cackled. 

As much as Raja didn’t want to get her clothes soaked, this was music to her ears. She reached up, dunking her hand in the tub and splashed Adore with it. 

The mermaid's laughs intensified.

“Now we’re even, honey.” Raja quipped.

When Adore’s laughs died down, she leaned up, sliding into Raja’s lap, a perfect fit. And she pulled the witch in for a kiss.

Fuck, it was heaven, being able to kiss her back with no fishy tail to take her by surprise. Raja combed her fingers through Adore’s long blonde hair, her nails tickling the back of the mermaid’s neck.

Adore pulled away, eyes staying on Raja for another moment.

“Adore…I know we’ve only just met,” the witch let her hands trail Adore’s side, “and you probably don’t even know what I’m saying, but…I love you.”

Indeed Adore probably didn’t know those words, but she seemed to understand. Her smile warmed, hand caressing Raja’s cheek. She spoke again, something Raja couldn’t translate. But it was so sweet to hear. So so sweet.

Adore moved her lips to Raja’s cheek, her earlobe, and to her neck. Oh, this was happening.

Raja let her hands wander up and down the mermaid’s back, just itching to get her out of her clothes. “Wait. Adore…Do you even know how to…”

And the mermaid murmured something against Raja’s skin.

“Huh?” The witch said.

When Adore said it again, she sounded…well, done.

Raja took the mermaid by the shoulders, pushing her away and getting a better look.

Fuck, Adore was weary, skin slowly turning dry again.

“Oh, God.” Raja stood, picking Adore up in the process. She didn’t care about getting the dress wet. All she wanted was for her love to be okay. “Don’t worry. You’ll be okay in here.” Raja lowered her into the tub.

As soon as Adore’s body made contact with the water, the transformation process started all over again. Her legs glued together underneath the long skirt of the dress, the tail sprouting at the end and hanging over the tub.

“All better?” Raja asked, knowing full well she wouldn’t get an answer anyway.

Adore made sounds of protest as she tugged the skirt up her legs.

“Can I help you?” Raja grabbed the skirt, giving Adore a questioning look.

The mermaid didn’t answer of course, but nodded her head at the dress in approval.

Raja pulled the dress up along Adore’s tail, past her torso and over her head. The mermaid sighed with relief as soon as the garment was off her body.

“It will probably take a while getting used to clothes.” Raja turned, ready to head out the door and let the gown dry in the now warm night.

But Adore snatched her wrist.

“What’s wrong?” Raja’s brows joined.

Adore tugged, nodding her head again at the water.

“You want me to come in there?” Raja pointed at herself and then the tub.

Adore smiled, nodding.

“Oh, God. Okay,” Raja dropped the soaking dress and quickly stripped out of her own.

Adore was already shifting to the side, allowing the witch some space.

As soon as Raja’s foot entered the water, she hissed. God, it was cold.

Adore spoke in her own tongue, something sounded like a question.

“No, it doesn’t hurt. Just kind of cold,” Raja could only guess that's what the mermaid inquired about. She settled down into the tub, body shivering. “Here let me just,” and she held her palm above the surface. In a matter of seconds, the water warmed up, not too hot.

Adore snuggled up to Raja, murmuring something.

“I don’t know what you’re saying,” Raja wrapped her arms around Adore, kissing the mermaid on the head, “but…I love you. I really do.”

Adore’s lashes tickled Raja’s chest as she blinked. She pressed her soft lips against the witch's skin before whispering, “I love you, Raja.”

Fuck. Now that…that was the most beautiful thing Raja ever heard.

Adore’s chest was rising and falling gently, and Raja knew the mermaid was asleep now. Fuck, she never imagined this would ever happen to her — laying in a full bathtub, cuddling with a mermaid who just so happened to be her destined love for life.

But that’s when the sinking feeling crept in. Bianca’s words crept into her brain. Species couldn’t mix. Raja didn’t care what kind of person Adore was. She did not care one bit. But, keeping a mermaid away, making her stay on dry land…

Chapter 18: Those Magic Changes

Courtney skipped into the kitchen, trilling, “Gooood morning, mommy!” and giving Karen a big, warm hug. She turned to Karen’s new boyfriend, who was struggling with the coffee maker. “Hi, Todd. Let me help you with that.”

Karen raised an eyebrow at her daughter’s sunny disposition. “Okay, what do you want?”

“Well, now that you mention it, I was thinking about my party…”

“Oh god, here we go--”

“Moooom,” Courtney whined good-naturedly. “It’s my sixteenth birthday. We’re doing it here in the backyard, that’s saving a lot of money, right? I mean, Kim’s was at the Hilton.”

“Courtney, I don’t need to remind you that both the economy and our financial situation were very different back then, right?”

Courtney smiled and put her arms around her mom’s shoulders.

“I know, mommy. That’s my point. Kimmy had a booming economy and the emotional stability of two-parent family. I mean, I’m dealing with a divorce and two wars and a terrible president. I should have a nice birthday party, don’t you think?” Courtney pouted her lip.

Karen laughed. “Well, when you put it that way…”

“So listen,” Courtney said, getting down to business, “Roy’s cousin Tomas is a DJ, and he said he’ll do it for the friends and family rate.” She placed a business card on the counter. “I found a caterer in Pasadena that has tons of vegetarian options and she gives a huge discount if you go pick the stuff up from her.” She put a printout of another business card down carefully. “And she’s like 2 blocks away from a bakery that does vegan cakes and look at this!” Courtney pulled out a picture of a black and white cake with a bright pink bow. “It’s my colors!”

Karen shook her head. “I thought we’d get a cake from Costco, honey.”

“Mother. Costco?” Courtney clutched her chest dramatically. “Omigod, this is worse than the divorce.”

Todd, who had been silent, began to laugh. “I’m pretty stoked on the vegan cake idea, Court.”

“Thank you! Oh, and Party Planet can deliver tables, chairs, lights, decor, everything, early in the morning and then pick it up the next day. They did April’s quinceañera last year, and they are AMAZING.” She put the last piece of paper down triumphantly. “I’ve been doing a lot of research and these are the best deals in town, mom.”

Karen shook her head. “Fine, I will talk to these vendors. I’m not promising anything, though.”

“Thanks, mommy! And remember, we’re also saving money since Darienne and I are doing the invitations and placecards ourselves.”

“You spent three hundred bucks at Michael’s, Courtney. I don’t know how much money that saved.”

“Mommy...have I told you how beautiful you look today?” Courtney batted her eyelashes. “And so young…”

“Go get dressed for school, Courtney.”

She kissed Karen on the cheek and departed from the kitchen, singing, “This will be the best party ever! Because I have the best mother!”

Todd shook his head. “You’re getting so played.”

“I know,” Karen sighed.

-

Adore and Willam were the last to arrive at lunch; Fame and Pearl were deep in conversation about who knows what and Violet sat across from Trinity, giving her answers to some homework that she didn’t do.

“What’s up, guys?” Adore asked, plopping down in the grass next to Violet and Trinity. Willam sat against the tree butting his way into Fame and Pearl’s conversation.

“Hey, Adore. Just trying to get this finished before class--heard Mrs. Davis is checking for correctness.” Trinity rolled her eyes in annoyance.

“And Violet's helping you. Aw, look who's being nice today,” Adore teased Violet, trying to elicit some kind of response from the girl. Violet had been ignoring Adore since the locker incident and she just wanted things to get back to normal between them. Or as normal as possible, under the circumstances.

Adore sighed when Violet stared at the paper in front of her.

“Did you read the story at all Trin? He dies at the end,” Violet grabbed pencil from Trinity, erasing her answer.

“Lenny dies?!”

“Yeah-” Adore started only to be interrupted by Violet.

“Maybe, you should have read the book. I don't even know why I'm helping you,” Violet passed the paper back.

“Because you love me and like to see me succeed in life,” Trinity flashed a smile and Violet playfully rolled her eyes.

“Never suggest such a thing.”

Adore let out a frustrated groan before flopping back onto the grass between the two girls, “Can you, like, stop acting like I don't exist.” Adore said, a pout on her lips, hazel eyes blinking at Violet.

“Fame,” Violet called over Adore.

“Yes.”

“Do you still have some grapes left?”

“Mhm,” Fame nodded, ready to toss the ziplock to Violet.

“I'll come get them,” Violet said, crawling over to the others.

Adore sat up on her elbows, watching Violet crawl away. Then looked up at Trinity who was shaking her head, “Can you talk to her?”

“I'll try, but you know how Violet is.”

-

The cast was scattered all over the place waiting their turn to get on the stage and go over blocking and lines. And Adore didn’t hesitate to find her way to where the other pink ladies sat in the back of the theater, plopping down beside Raja.  

“Hey,” Adore said softly, bright eyes admiring the beauty of the older girl.

“Sup,” Raja nodded, pulling the headphones off her ears.

“You look good,” the words left Adore’s lips before she could stop them and her face reddened in turn.

Raja was wearing a Cyndi Lauper t-shirt under a frayed jean jacket, patches sewed carefully along the sleeves and front. Her caramel skin peeked through the rips in her jeans, her long dark hair was braided back, bangs swept to one side, and battered black boots giving her more of an edge and pulling the entire look together.

“I ‘look good’?” Raja raised a brow and Adore face grew redder but she nodded, because it was true. “Thanks for the compliment but I threw this on in two minutes. You, look like you took some time getting ready this morning, though,” Raja said, putting her feet up on the seat in front of her.

Raja wasn't wrong, Adore had been spending more time in the mirror in the mornings than usual.

“Not really,” Adore lied, remembering how she kept messing up her eyeliner and nearly wanted to cry because her right eye wasn’t perfect.

The smell of weed and Raja’s perfume had Adore’s stomach doing flips as she leaned in close; the music from her headphones echoed between them.

“Well, you look good,” Raja looked over Adore, before moving to take her feet off the seat.

“Thanks.” Adore tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

“Wanna go to the vending machine with me?” Raja asked.

“Yeah.” Adore hurriedly stood up, the pair making their way out of the theatre.

“Have you seen the jackets?” Raja asked as she put her money in the machine.

“No, have you?” Adore leaned against the machine as casually as possible.

“Yeah, I’m helping with the costumes. I gotta show them to you when we get a chance.” Raja said, moving closer to Adore after grabbing her pack of skittles. “Maybe try them on to make sure they fit?” Raja suggested, fingering at Adore’s jacket, brown eyes staring intently into Adore’s.

Adore’s thoughts raced with possibilities, but she only nodded in response.

“Uh, you wanna hang out later?”

“Sorry,” Raja smacked her teeth, stepping back and opening the bag of skittles. “Got work, but another time, okay?”

“Yeah,” Adore nodded.

Once back in the theatre, Raja put her headphones on Adore, going through her music seeing if the younger girl could name the songs from ear.

“You don't know this one,” Raja teased.

“Yeah, I do. Give me a sec; the song just started,” Adore smiled.

“Let me see what part it's on,” Raja leaned in, her scent filling Adore’s senses again. Raja’s hand found a spot on Adore's thigh as she leaned toward her. Raja put her ear to the outside of the headphones and the pressure on Adore’s thigh made it hard for her to concentrate on the song.

“If you haven't gotten it by now, then you're not going to get it,” Raja laughed, hand squeezing Adore’s thigh slightly. Adore turned to look at Raja, heartbeat speeding up when she noticed how close they were to each other; noses nearly touching.

“Whatever, it's all stuff from before I was born. It’s stuff from before you were born,” Adore pulled the headphones off.

“Exactly. When you come to my place… I'm going to have to get you acquainted with some real music.”

-

Courtney walked back to her seat, trying not to watch Adore’s ridiculously obvious flirting. Frankly, she found Raja to be a little bit pretentious and full of herself, but Adore seemed to think she walked on water, so she was just keeping her opinions to herself.

It wouldn’t be so bad, but she’d canceled their plans twice in the last week, which irritated Courtney to no end. She couldn’t be totally sure that the last time had to do with Raja, but Courtney had her suspicions. She sighed, approaching Roy and Darienne, who were of course dutifully studying for a US History test while everyone else in the theatre was fucking around.

“You alright, babe?” Roy asked.

Courtney looked down at him and smiled sweetly. “Mmmhmm…” She ran a hand through his thick hair and settled into his lap, demanding attention.

Roy grinned, dimples deep in his cheeks, and went in for a long, slow kiss, wrapping his arms around her waist.

“Roy, when did Teddy Roosevelt start the National--” Darienne began and then looked up, rolling her eyes. “You guys, come on...”

“Sorry, am I interrupting?” Courtney asked coyly, batting her eyelashes.

Roy laughed and sucked on her pulse point, one hand trailing down her thigh. “Yes. And don’t stop.”

“You used to be a really responsible study partner, you know!” Darienne said.

Courtney giggled as Roy buried his face in her hair, giving Darienne an apologetic shrug. “Sorry.”

“Whatever. I guess I’ll just be ruining the curve by myself now.” Darienne flipped her hair and went back to her textbook.

Roy lifted his head, eyes blazing. “Fuck you, I’m still gonna ruin the curve. I’ll get a higher grade than you without even studying.”

“Wanna bet?”

“Twenty bucks says I beat your grade on Friday without cracking this book.”

“Deal. Give me the book.”

“You don’t trust me?” Roy clutched his chest in mock dismay.

“Not as far as I can throw you, Del Rio.”

“Hmph. Well, you’re smarter than I thought.” Roy handed over his textbook, chuckling.

-

“Knock knock…” Adore said, standing at Courtney’s back door.

Courtney pulled off her headphones, sweaty after just getting back from a run, and threw open the door. “Hiya babe, come in!”

“I’m just here to hand-deliver the RSVP for the most ridiculous invitation I’ve ever received.”

Courtney clapped her hands, jumping up and down excitedly. “Did the glitter go everywhere?”

“Yes. You goddamned asshole.”

“Roy was so pissed. He was sitting on his unmade bed and now it’s like, in his sheets. And when I saw him there was even a piece of pink glitter in his eyelashes,” she doubled over laughing. “He said he’s gonna have his mom put a Santeria curse on me.”

“I’d support that.”

“Too bad she loves me!” Courtney giggled mischievously, then sat down at the table, sighing dreamily. “This party is going to be amazing. I almost feel bad for using the divorce to manipulate my parents into spending so much money…”

Adore laughed. “Almost, but not quite?”

“Well, do you remember Kimmy’s sweet sixteen party, at the Hilton?! Come on! I deserve this!” Courtney pouted.

“Of course you do, princess. So...I wanted to ask you a question about the guest list.”

“Yes, I invited Pearl and Willam and no, I did not invite Violet.”

“Noted. But, I was wondering if I could invite Raja.”

Courtney stared at her for a moment, blinking rapidly.

“I mean, you know, we’ve been hanging out, and...things are...why do you look like that?”

“Because Raja has never even said one word to me.”

“Well…” Adore bit her lip. “Maybe, she can just be my plus one.”

“This party is about me, Adore. Why would you need a plus one?” Courtney whined.

“Uh...” Adore hesitated, knowing how Courtney got when it came to her birthday. She was the most important person that day and she’d fight anyone who said otherwise.

“Whatever,” Courtney finally sighed crossing her arms in annoyance.

“Whatever? So, I can-”

“Yeah, you can invite her, I guess. But I expect your present to be the best one I open at my party. I want to be wowed and everyone else to be jealous that you’re my best friend.” Courtney raised a brow, challenging Adore.

Adore let out a nervous chuckle at her friend’s ridiculousness.

“Okay, yeah, it’ll be the best present you could ask for. I promise.” Adore leaned across the table planting a kiss on Courtney’s cheek.

-

“Pearl, if you can do the school over here, I can work on the foreground,” Sasha said.

“Sure!” Pearl settled down over by the corner as directed, arranging her brushes, chatting with Sasha about the plans for the other backdrops. She was especially excited about getting to take the lead for the drive-in, since Sasha had loved her sketches.

“Sasha! Did you know that the US History test is tomorrow?!” Shea came running around the corner in a panic. She glanced down at Pearl and tried to regain her composure. “Hey Pearl.”

Pearl flashed a coy smile and Shea returned a shy grin.

“Yeah, hon, I know. Do you wanna come over and study later?”

“Uh, yeah, duh. And can I borrow your notes too?” Shea smiled charmingly at her friend.

Sasha laughed. “Sure. I’ll go get them.” She rose from the ground and walked over to her backpack.

Pearl looked up at Shea, standing with one hip cocked, head tilted. She was just so damn cute.

“Shea, I love that dress. Where did you get it?”

“Oh, um...I made it.”

“You made it? Are you serious?” Pearl jumped up to examine it closer. “You are kidding me; this is incredible!” She ran a finger over the colorful fabric.

Shea cleared her throat. “Thanks.” She took a small step back and Pearl wondered if she’d crossed some boundary.

“You know, I heard that they need someone else to do costumes. If you’re interested, I bet Thorgy would kiss your feet.” Pearl tried to give her a friendly, non-predatory, no-homo smile.

“Cool, yeah, that’s…” Shea trailed off, looking into Pearl’s eyes, clearing her throat.

Sasha handed a red notebook to Shea, looking between them with an amused expression. “Here you go. I’ll be done here by 4:30.”

“Okay, thanks. See you later,” Shea said, quickly taking the notebook and bolting.

“Something I said?” Pearl asked.

Sasha laughed. “Don’t take it personally.”

-

“So, mother,” Courtney skipped into the kitchen, a sly smile on her face and a piece of paper in hand.

“Courtney, please don’t tell me-”

“Just a few last-minute things that I must have for my party.” She held the list out for her mom to take, but Karen only glared at the paper.

“Come on. It’s not bad, I promise,” Courtney waved the paper in front of her face, coaxing her to take it out of her hand.

With a sigh, Karen took the paper from Courtney, folding it up.

“Wait, what are you doing, look at it.”

“I will, when I have time.” Karen assured.

“What’s more important than your baby girl’s sweet sixteen?” Courtney crossed her arms.

“Courtney, don’t start,” Karen squinted at Courtney.

“Ever since you and dad finalized your divorce, it’s been like I don’t even matter,” Courtney eyes watered and her bottom lip quivered for effect.

“You know that’s not true,” Karen sighed, knowing Courtney’s tactics, but couldn’t help feeling the guilt that would eat her alive if Courtney didn’t have the birthday she wanted. “Let me see what you wrote.”

“Two cakes and an ice cream cart,” she looked up with wide eyes.

“We’re doing the vegan cake from Sweet Pea, plus I want a regular chocolate cake for everyone else and an ice cream cart for people who don’t like cakes plus it’s cute and fun and the awning matches my color scheme.” Courtney smiled and Karen rolled her eyes.

“You’ll get the vegan cake and one or the other; not both,” she said before she continued reading. “Smoke machines, strobe lights? Disco balls? Courtney--”

“They are just little add-ons to the lighting package! It’ll make the dance floor sooo much more fun, Mommy, please!”

“Balloon arch? Confetti cannons? A photographer AND videographer? Do you want a clown too?” Karen murmured under her breath, but Courtney heard her mother and only rolled her eyes.

“Mom, we need production value, and the photographer is to capture the memories, it’s going to be such a special day.”

“We can all take pictures. I have a camera, and so does your father, and Todd, plus I’ll borrow the video camera from Bonnie. And doesn’t your friend Thorgy take beautiful pictures?”

“Yeah, but that’s not as good as a professional!”

“Whatever,” her mother shook her head.

“Keep going,” Courtney waved her hand. Her mother grew silent as she continued to read the list.

“Okay, Courtney. No!” Karen slapped the paper on the counter, wanting to get it out of her hands as quick as possible causing Courtney to frown.

“What?”

“No spray tan, no teeth whitening! Even if we had that kind of money, which we don’t, that stuff is full of toxic chemicals.”

“But, mom, it’s winter and I’m so pasty, I need a tan!” she whined.

“I said NO! And I’m not hiring a professional makeup artist, or hairstylist either. Kimmy can do your hair and makeup. I don’t have the money for this stuff and you know it.”

“What about daddy?” Courtney asked. Did she know her list was a bit much, yes, but did she think it was unreasonable, no.

“Pick out three things that you really want from this and then I’ll call your father,” she slid the paper across the counter to Courtney.

“Mommy!”

“Courtney. Don’t.”

They glared at each other, before finally Courtney decided to give in.

“I’ll rewrite the list.”

“Thank you, I’ll call your dad.”

-

Fingers intertwined with Roy, Courtney made her way to her locker, going on and on about her plans for the party in a couple of weeks.

“I already have it narrowed down between three outfits that I might wear for my party. I just can’t figure out which one would be the best one,” Courtney pouted.

“You’ll look beautiful in any outfit you choose,” Roy leaned in, placing a soft kiss to her cheek.

“You haven’t even seen the outfits. How would you know?”

“That’s because you won’t let me and you’re the most beautiful girl no matter what you wear,” Roy smiled, tugging Courtney’s hand, pulling her into his chest as they walked up to Courtney’s locker.  

All Courtney had been able to talk about for the last week is party plans and Roy found it absolutely endearing how adamant she was on making sure everything was less no than perfect. His only job so far was to find the perfect birthday gift for her, which was stressful in its own right.

“Thank you,” Courtney said, stopping in front of her locker before pulling Roy into a sweet kiss, “but you’re no help right now. I just have to decide on what color I want to wear and then it’ll really narrow it down. Everyone else will be wearing black and white so that means I need to pick the perfect color to POP compared to everyone else.” Courtney continued as she unlocked her locker.

“I thought you’re wearing pink.”

“Oh my god, do you know how many shades of pink there are?” she rolled her eyes. “I mean- OHMYGOD!” Courtney squealed as she opened her locker, startling Roy.

“What!? What’s wrong?” Roy pulled the locker door open wider to see a black box decorated with glittery numbers saying “1996” sitting on top of a note. His brows furrowed in confusion as Courtney bounced on her feet in excitement.

She grabbed the box out of her locker and opened it, another squeal leaving her before she closed the box, looking up at Roy with teary green eyes. She reopened the box a big smile spreading across her face as she ran her finger over the pretty silver brush and pulled out a familiar bright red hair bow and slipped it onto her wrist.

-

Courtney sat at the table watching her mother take the cookies out of the oven, setting them aside to cool down.

“Are we going to take allll the cookies over there?” Courtney asked, blinking up at her mother, hoping that she would let her keep a few for herself; it had been her idea to bake cookies for the new neighbors instead of the lasagna Karen wanted to take over, secretly hoping that she’d get some cookies too.  

“We’ll keep a few here, since you were so helpful today,” Karen said taking her oven mitts off, “Now go wash up while the cookies cool down.”

Later, Courtney skipped down the sidewalk at her mother’s side, excited to be the first one to meet the new family out of all of her friends.

“Does the new neighbors have kids?” Courtney asked.

“Well, I saw a boy a little older than you and I saw a little girl around your age, when they were still moving yesterday.”

“I’ll ring the doorbell!” Courtney yelled, running up to the door and pressing the button, beyond excited to meet these brand-new kids.

“Just once,” Karen swatted Courtney’s hand away from the doorbell as she went to push it again.

Courtney mimicked her mother, smiling wide when the door swung open to reveal a woman with dyed curly blonde hair and a young girl hiding behind the woman’s leg.

“Hi! I’m Karen and this is my daughter, Courtney. We thought we’d welcome you to the neighborhood with some homemade cookies.” Karen held out the container.

“They’re vegan!” Courtney added, smiling up at the woman.

“Thank you! Vegan cookies, wow. Never had them before.” Bonnie gave a tight smile, taking the cookies from Karen.

“They’re really really good,” Courtney said, addressing the girl behind the woman’s leg more than the woman herself, hoping that they would like the cookies as much as she did.

“This is really appreciated. I’m Bonnie, and this is my baby girl Adore,” Bonnie said. “Do you want some coffee?”

“I’m not a baby!” Adore exclaimed, before hiding again, biting her lip.

Courtney smiled at Adore, wiggling her fingers at the dark-haired girl. She couldn’t see much of her as she peaked at Courtney from between Bonnie’s legs; but the bright red bow wrapped around the girl’s ponytail caught Courtney’s attention and she had an urge to tug it.  

Courtney was shaken from her thoughts as Karen’s hand on her shoulder guided her into the house.

“Adore, why don’t you and Courtney go play. You can show her your new bedroom,” Bonnie suggested, and headed into the kitchen, chatting with Karen along the way.

“I really like your bow. It’s so pretty, I don’t have any bows,” Courtney said reaching to tug at the bow, but Adore moved out of her reach, causing Courtney to frown for a moment until she saw a big smile spread across Adore’s face.

“Do you want to go upstairs and see my other stuff? I have so many bows,” Adore touched her own before turning to run up the stairs and Courtney followed.

-

She closed the box sitting it back in her locker and picked up the card that the box had sat on.

“Uh, so who is it from,” Roy asked even though he was ninety-nine percent sure he knew who it was from.

Courtney ignored him as she read the card:

Remember my favorite red bow I used to always wear? When we first met, you’d beg me to let you wear it. When I finally gave in, you lost it the next day. I can’t believe we stayed friends after that. :p It must be because you were the only one who had patience for my “tender-headed bullshit,” to quote my lovely mother. This is gift 1 of 10, for our 10 years of friendship. -Dory

-

Courtney watched Adore whimper, grit her teeth and stomp her feet as Bonnie detangled her hair.

“It's okay, Dory,” Courtney said softly, hating to see Adore like this. She sat in front of Adore, trying to distract her from the brush running through her hair.

When Adore let out a cry as the brush snagged on a particular knot, tears started to fall from her eyes. Courtney leaped forward, pulling Adore into a tight hug.

Bonnie shook her head, finding the whole scene adorable and over-dramatic.

“She'll be fine, Courtney.” Bonnie assured.

When the girls didn't let go of each other, Bonnie decide to send Courtney off.

“Courtney, can you be an angel and go get Adore's big red bow out of her bedroom for me.”

Courtney nodded, peeling away from Adore, running to get the bow, knowing that it was Adore's favorite and wanting to get back to her as soon as possible.

Running as fast as her little legs could carry she burst through Adore’s bedroom door, grabbing the red bow from her night table. Courtney hesitated for just a moment, admiring the brightness of it before Adore’s yelp from downstairs pulled her out of her thoughts, causing her to spring back into action.

Passing the bow to Bonnie, Courtney plopped back down in front of a crying Adore.

“Hold my hand, Dory.” Courtney said, shoving her hand towards Adore and they stayed like that until Adore’s hair was finished.

-

“Babe, are you crying?” Roy wrapped his arms around Courtney.

“No,” she sniffed, “I just really miss that red bow,” she turned around to face him.

Fuck, he thought, he completely forgot that he was going to be going up against Adore for the title of best gift. Best friend vs Boyfriend.

Around the corner, Adore watched Courtney’s emotional reaction to her gift with a satisfied smirk. Nailed it.

-

“Dory, pretty pleasssseee,” Courtney begged, hugging Adore tight.

All Courtney wanted was to wear Adore’s red bow, when her Grandma Muriel came to visit tomorrow, but Adore didn't want Courtney to wear it because it was hers.

“No,” Adore huffed.

“But I promise to bring it back,” Courtney pouted, blinking those wide green eyes.

Adore crossed her arms, red bow tight in her hand. Courtney smiled mischievously hand inching toward Adore's. She gripped the tip of the bow and tried to lightly tug it out of Adore’s hand.

“No, Courtney!” Adore yelled, hopping off the couch. Crossing her arms and turning her nose up.

“Pretty please! With cherries on top,” Courtney bottom lip quivered, her feelings hurt that Adore was being so mean to her to today. “I thought you were my best friend.”

“I am.” Adore uncrossed her arms nodding.

“No, you're not because you won't let me wear your bow.” Courtney pouted.

Hurt was evident on Adore’s face at Courtney's statement of no longer being best friends. She looked down at the red bow that she had taken off her hair earlier and contemplated her options. The red bow was hers and it was her favorite. She also liked being Courtney's best friend; they played together all the time, watched movies and did everything together.

She was scared Courtney would try to keep her bow, but she didn't want to stop being Courtney's best friend.

“Okay,” she sighed, “you can wear it.” Adore held the bow to Courtney, who squealed in delight, attacking Adore in a tight hug, sending them both to the ground.

-

“Here, hold this,” Courtney shoved the box and the card into Roy's hands. She raked her hair high above her head like she’d do on game days and wrapped the bow around her ponytail.

As Courtney fixed her hair, Roy noticed Adore moving toward them from the lockers behind them. Eyes wide in surprise that he hadn't noticed her there earlier, he moved to the side as Adore snuck up behind Courtney, wrapping her arms around his girlfriend’s waist.

“P.S. I'm still a little bitter about you losing my bow, even though your mom bought both of us replacements,” Adore snickered as Courtney squealed for the third time that day, turning around and throwing her arms around her neck.

“I didn't do it on purpose,” Courtney pouted and Roy cleared his throat. Adore immediately noticed the intimacy of their position and stepped back.

Courtney, distracted by the surprise, only turned back to the locker.

“Does it look good?” she asked straightening it out trying to look in the small locker mirror.

“Looks amazing,” Adore smiled.

Chapter 17: Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee

ADORE: Meet me in the tree house?

PEARL: Now?

ADORE: Are you busy?

PEARL: No, I’m OMW

Adore sat on the old tattered bean bag, picking at its already worn fabric. It had been two days since Pearl’s New Year’s party and all Adore was able to think about was her encounter with Violet that night. Well, not too much the encounter, but what triggered it.

Pearl popped into the tree house, surprising Adore out of her thoughts. She watched the blonde pull the yellow bean bag up next to her red one before plopping down.

“So… what’s up?” Pearl asked, settling in.

“Uh, I need to tell you something,” Adore started, not actually sure where or how to start.

“Cool, what it is?”

Pearl’s nonchalant attitude was usually a welcoming one for Adore. That was one of Adore’s favorite things about Pearl; nothing bothered her, but then again she never involved herself in anything to be bothered. This time, Pearl’s laidback demeanor only sent Adore’s anxiety soaring through the roof.

“Did you want to smoke?” Pearl asked. “Because I don’t have anything on me. I mean, I can, like call up Willam’s guy, but there’s-”

“No, I don’t want to smoke right now. I just need to get this off my chest,” Adore interrupted the blonde as she tried to figure out which words she needed to use to convey the message she wanted to say.

“Oh, shit. Do I need popcorn?” Pearl joked, and Adore shot her a look that made her realize that this was not the moment. “I’m sorry. What did you want to tell me?” Pearl asked, hoping Adore wasn’t going to regret asking her to come over.

“I hooked up with Violet. At your party. In the bathroom. Right when the Darienne, Jamin, Gia drama started. While one of my friends was having her heart broken I was--”

“Woah, woah! Wait…” Pearl held her hand up, finding herself overwhelmed by information being hurled at her.

Adore’s eyes started to water as the girls sat in silence for a second.

Pearl ran a hand through her long blonde hair, before looking up at Adore.

“I’m sorry,” Adore blurted out, afraid that maybe she had just ruined a friendship, all because she couldn’t keep her emotions intact.

Pearl shook her head in disbelief, “Why are you sorry?”

“Because… I know you like Violet.” Adore pulled her legs up to herself, resting her chin on her knee as she fingered at a tear in her jeans.

“I don’t-”

“Pearl, it’s obvious.” Adore looked up at the blonde, her face twisted up in a mix of emotions, “and that’s what makes it more fucked up. The whole thing is fucked up, man,” Adore said, more to herself than to Pearl.

Pearl leaned against the wall of the tree house, closing her eyes to gather her thoughts. Pearl did not like drama; she didn’t have the energy to deal with it.

“Don’t worry bout it,” Pearl finally spoke, reaching over to Adore to nudge her, making her look up from the tear in her jeans. “I mean, yeah, Violet’s hot, but you and her have history. And I’m just glad she doesn’t hate me anymore, honestly. So, there’s nothing to apologize about. I mean if you had… um… a good… uh, if that’s what you like, wanted or whatever. Then you don’t need to worry, dude.” Pearl fumbled to find the words to assure Adore.

“I regret it.”

Hazel eyes met blue eyes and a silence took over them again.

“You wanna know why?” Adore asked, voice breaking.

Pearl was tempted to say no, but she knew that Adore needed someone to talk to.

“They’re always so lovey-dovey and cute and in my fucking face!”

Pearl didn’t need to ask to know who Adore was talking about.

“It’s times like that when I remember that... and Violet was always a distraction. A pretty face to help me think about other things, and at your party it was just too much.”

Pearl stayed quiet, just listening. She never really asked Adore about her relationship with Courtney, but she knew that it was the type where someone could end up with a broken heart. So, it made sense that Adore and Violet would hook up. Pearl didn’t know much about Fame and Violet’s relationship, but she had her guesses that it wasn’t much different.

“Maybe... You should talk to Violet about all this,” Pearl suggested, not really sure what to do.

Adore wiped her eyes, smearing eyeliner and mascara across her face. “I don’t want to. Just wanna act like nothing happened,” she shook her head.

-

First day back from winter break and Adore was already ready for spring break. She was dreading a lot of things that she would have no choice but to face now that she was back at school. Violet had texted her a few times since she had last seen her at Pearl’s party, but Adore ignored them, not ready to face the brunette.

She tried to ignore Courtney too, but that prove to be much harder and the two ended up hanging out. The entire time Courtney cuddled up to her on the couch, Adore tried to list the reasons she should forget about her feelings and just be happy for her best friend.

As Adore made her way to her locker, she hesitated when she saw Trinity and Violet. Somehow the invitation to let Pearl use her locker had extended to the rest of the group. Not that Adore minded, because Fame’s locker had also turned into the groups’ shared locker so Adore didn’t have to make trips halfway across the school between classes anymore.

“Hey, Adore. Oh shit, you look tired. Didn’t get much sleep last night?” Trinity asked as Adore approached them.

Violet didn’t speak, her doe eyes burning into Adore’s head. Adore could only imagine all the things going through Violet’s head. If there was one thing Adore knew Violet hated more than most things--it was being ignored.

“Yeah, my sleep schedule got fucked over the break,” Adore nodded.

“Girl, you telling me. I was sleeping in till like one. I’m surprised I got up this morning,” Trinity flipped her hair over her shoulder. Adore nodded, shifting awkwardly in place.

When Trinity noticed Violet’s sudden silence and Adore’s awkwardness, her brows frowned in confusion.

“Are y’all okay? You guys aren’t fighting are you?” Trinity asked, looking back and forth between the two.

“No, of course not.” Adore quickly tried to put Trinity’s assumptions to rest, but Violet’s shrugging of her shoulders made Trinity raise an eyebrow.

“Oh, shit. Something did happen,” Trinity smirked.

“No! Nothing happened.” Adore grew defensive and Trinity sidestepped to stand next to Violet.

“Really, nothing happened?” Violet finally spoke up, her tone condescending.

“Vi…”

“Well, Trinity. Adore has spoken, nothing happened,” Violet said.  

Adore rolled her eyes, not sure what other reaction she expected from Violet.

“Viol-”

“Uhm, I think we should go get our new schedules.” Violet grabbed Trinity’s wrist and dragged her off.

Adore leaned against the locker, sighing to herself. She knew that she needed to get her emotions together before things got out of control.

-

“Dory! Dory!” Courtney raced through the hall, nearly knocking over several bewildered freshman before breathlessly catching up with Adore in front of their English class.

“You alright, there?” Adore asked, seeing her friend’s flushed cheeks.

“Yeah, I’m just, I just wanted to tell you about…” Courtney panted, holding her side, clearly suffering from a cramp. She gulped for air, smiling widely. “Mrs. Maguire just announced the Spring musical and it’s GREASE and auditions are Tuesday!” Courtney clapped her hands, jumping up and down.

Adore laughed. “Cool. Was it worth collapsing your lung, though?”

“Adore! Grease! Don’t you remember how we used to watch Grease like, at least twice a week?! We’re gonna kill it!”

Adore slung an arm around Courtney’s shoulders and lead her inside the classroom.

“I love how you think we’re the only kids who danced around our living rooms to that movie, Court. You’re like, the perfect amount of delusional to be a musical theatre star.”

Courtney beamed at her. “Why, thank you, Ms. Delano.”

The truth was, Adore was really looking forward to the musical. For one thing, she desperately needed a break from all the Violet drama. And for another, despite knowing she was gonna have to put up with Courtney and Roy’s irritating PDA, it was an excuse to hang out with her bestie without all the cheerleaders (only Alyssa and Shangie did the plays, and they didn’t bother her nearly as much as the other bitches). But most of all, it was a creative outlet that she didn’t ordinarily have. Pearl had her art, Violet had ballet and orchestra, Fame had fashion design, but music and acting was Adore’s chance to be free. She loved to be onstage, and more than anything, she loved to sing.

Even last year in West Side Story, when she was just a part of the ensemble, had been one of the best experiences of her life. Especially since Courtney had charmed her way into being one of the Shark girls, despite being cast as a Jet. (Something about how she was a quarter Brazilian and so it was really important to her cultural heritage to be on the Puerto Rican side. Which of course Mrs. Maguire knew was bullshit, but she gave in anyway as long as she agreed to wear a black wig and “not do an offensive accent.”)

“So,” Adore said. “I assume you’re going for Sandy. Think I have a chance at Rizzo?”

“Duh!” Courtney said. “You only have the best voice in the whole school, Adore. You should sing ‘There Are Worse Things I Could Do’ for your audition. Everyone will lose their minds.” She hugged Adore around the neck, giggling happily.

-

“You know,” Alyssa said, as Courtney skipped down the aisle back to her seat, exceedingly pleased with her audition, “That song isn’t even in the play. It was just in the movie.”

Courtney’s face fell. “It’s not?” She turned to Darienne. How could ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’ not be in the musical? “Is that true?”

“Um, maybe, I’m not sure. But it doesn’t matter, Court, you were really good! Don’t worry about it!” Darienne gave her a sunny smile and a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder.

“Thanks.” Courtney sat back down in her seat. She knew it was a long shot, but she had been praying that she had a chance at Sandy. She was confident that she could pull off the innocent sweet act, as well as the bad girl at the end. And Adore was totally killing it onstage. How awesome would it be if they ended up as Sandy and Rizzo?

Roy, who was currently waiting in the wings, waved at her. He was going to get Danny, no question about it. She blew him a kiss and he caught it, winking.

She sighed happily. What would be better than starring in a musical with her boyfriend and her best friend? She started to get butterflies in her stomach thinking about the three of them getting to spend all that time together. Adore finished her performance and Courtney clapped her hands enthusiastically, excited for the amazing semester they were about to have.

-

“We’re only sophomores, Court. We’re probably not getting lead roles.”

“I know, I know,” the blonde said, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

Adore smiled, unable to stop herself from catching some of Courtney’s infectious enthusiasm. They had a lot of very talented kids in their school, and Adore knew that Mrs. Maguire liked to reward the upperclassmen. She’d seen Darienne’s amazing audition, and figured that the odds of her getting Rizzo were pretty high. Adore also knew that Courtney had her heart set on Sandy, but she herself was really just hoping to be one of the Pink Ladies. She thought Frenchie was a fun part, and that way she’d get to wear fun colored wigs. And the other ones, she couldn’t remember their names, but they both had bigger singing parts, so that was cool.

“There it is!” Courtney’s eyes were round as she spotted the wall outside the theatre where Mrs. Maguire had posted the cast list. She turned to Adore. “Omigod, I’m so nervous.”

Adore took her hand and lead her decisively across the courtyard. “Time to rip off the band-aid!”

Courtney squealed a little under her breath as they stepped up to the bulletin board. She closed her eyes and then opened them. She caught Roy’s name immediately. Danny Zuko. No shock there. She looked to see who was playing Sandy, praying hard. Alyssa Edwards. Her chest deflated a little. Well...okay. She was only a sophomore, as Adore said. They had two more years for lead roles, and this show had tons of other good parts. Darienne was playing Rizzo. (Courtney could hear Darienne behind her, currently bitching about the fact that she finally had a lead and of course her douchebag ex-boyfriend was playing Kenickie, someone shoot her in the face.) She saw Adore’s name high up on the list too, as Marty, one of the Pink Ladies.

She kept looking on the list, her heart sinking a little the more she looked. Where was her name? Was she in the show at all? She finally found her name, at the bottom, under “Ensemble.” So not even one line? Tears stung her eyes, and she felt so stupid for thinking that she had a chance at a starring role. Adore was no longer holding her hand, having been pulled into the group of kids celebrating and chattering excitedly. Courtney took a deep breath.

Alyssa shrieked happily beside her. “Omigod, Dari, I got the part! Can you believe it!?”

No, Courtney thought to herself. Alyssa was not the best singer, and a barely passable actress. Frankly, Courtney didn’t understand this casting at all. Sure, she was an amazing dancer, and yeah, she had pretty good stage presence, but...Courtney told herself not to be bitter.

“Hey, gorgeous…” Roy slipped his arms around her from behind.

Courtney turned around, kissing him and then plastering a sunny smile across her face. “Hi. Congratulations.”

Alyssa sauntered up to them. “Hey Roy, looks like we’re playing romantic leads again. You better not try anything naughty this time.”

Roy rolled his eyes. “I’ll do my best, Edwards.”

Courtney raised an eyebrow. “‘Again’?”

Roy shook his head, pulling her closer. “I think she’s talking about the seventh grade talent show? We did a lip sync to ‘Leader of the Pack.’”

Courtney giggled. “Sounds like an epic romance. Sure you’re gonna be able to resist her charms?”

He groaned. “Why couldn’t you have been Sandy?”

“Rub it in, please.”

“Sorry.”

Courtney kissed him on the cheek. “It’s not your fault.”

They went inside the theatre to get their scripts and CDs with the music, and Courtney’s day got a little brighter. Mrs. Maguire pulled her into the office and asked her if she’d be willing to understudy for Alyssa. “I know it’s not glamorous, but I think you’re very talented, and I need people I can trust to step in if anything happens. Darienne was an understudy last year for Anita and that’s half the reason I know she can handle a lead this year.”

Courtney agreed enthusiastically, anxious to prove herself to Mrs. Maguire.

“And also, there’s a solo part that I didn’t post, because I expected to give it out once we get into rehearsals and hear how everyone’s voices blend, but I think you’d be really great for the Radio Singer in ‘It’s Raining On Prom Night.’ I’d like you to try it at the read-though, and assuming you can sing it without completely overpowering Alyssa, it’ll be yours.”

“Okay, sure!” Courtney felt some relief. Maybe there was hope for her musical theatre career yet.

“Just remember, it’s the 50s, so none of that Mariah stuff.” She winked.

Courtney giggled nervously. “I’ll do my best.”

-

“Ugh, assigned seats?” Roy grumbled, looking at the set-up for the cast read-through. He gripped her hand. “Don’t go.”

Courtney kissed him and deposited him in the seat next to the other lead cast members, feeling a bit unsympathetic to his plight.

“You’ll survive.” She started to walk towards the section where the other ensemble cast was supposed to sit, but paused to say hi to Adore, leaning over the table to give her bestie a hug. “Hey! I was listening to the songs and I really like yours.”

“I know, right?! It’s pretty funny that I’m playing the boy-crazy one, though,” Adore laughed.

Courtney winked. “Truly type casting.”

“What’s type casting?” asked a husky voice.

Adore turned to see Raja Gemini, the sexy, badass senior who was playing Frenchie, slipping into the seat beside her. A small thrill ran through her, when Raja’s dark, mysterious eyes locked with hers.

They had never exchanged words, like ever, but since freshmen year, Adore has always had a low-key crush on the older girl. “Oh, um...me...playing a character who’s obsessed with boys.”

Raja chuckled. “Oh, yeah, I’ve heard that about you.”

Adore could feel a blush creeping into her cheeks, which was only exacerbated by Raja’s hand suddenly reaching out and caressing her sleeve.

“This jacket is amazing. Is it real leather?” Raja leaned in to get a better look at the jacket, before looking up to meet Adore’s eyes.

“I think so? I got it from that thrift store on 6th Street.”

“Fuck, I love that place. I wanna do something really cool like this for the T-Bird and Pink Lady jackets. I already told Mrs. Maguire that we have to get something fucking rad,” Raja smiled at Adore and Adore swore her heart went into overtime.

Adore gazed into her eyes. “Yeah, sounds...sounds great.”

Courtney cleared her throat. “I’m gonna go find my seat. Do you still wanna hang out later?”

“Hmmm?” Adore tore her eyes from Raja’s and turned to Courtney. “Oh, yeah, sure.”

Courtney smiled tensely and skipped away.

“Bummer,” Raja said. “I was hoping you’d come to Carrows with me, Darienne and Jinkx. Do like a Pink Ladies dinner bonding thing. But I don’t want to fuck up your plans,” Raja tilted her head as stirred her Starbucks with her straw.

Adore gulped. “Oh, well, we were just gonna hang out, so...maybe we can reschedule.”

“Alright, well, let me know. And here’s to our new gang.” She held out her Starbucks cup, toasting Adore’s Red Bull.

“Party.”

-

Pearl was so excited to be picked to work on the set of Grease. She sat backstage as the cast did their reading, waiting for Thorgy--who was running around somewhere--to tell her what she was going to need to do. She sat on top of last semester's set, swinging her legs, and texted Trinity who was complaining about all the homework they already had.

A sudden noise had Pearl’s head snapping up from her phone, sure that Thorgy was finally ready to tell her what she was working on.

But, she was surprised to spot a dark-skinned girl with full lips in bright multi-colored leggings there instead of Thorgy.

“Hey, sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt you. I was looking for Sasha,” she gave a small smile.

“Oh, uh well, I don’t know her. Is she in the cast, because they’re reading,” Pearl hopped down, stuffing her phone in her pocket. Pearl had never seen the girl in front of her, but she was pretty and Pearl found herself wanting to get know her better.

“No, Sasha’s working on the backdrops and stuff,” she said, looking around the back stage. “I’ve always wanted to see what it looked like behind the curtains.”

“I’m working on the backdrop too! But I’m sorry I can’t help you find her. I’m Pearl.” she introduced herself as she watched the girl make her way around.

“I’m Shea.”

-

Courtney didn’t have much to do during the read-through, and so she found her eyes wandering around the room, settling quite often on Adore, who was simpering up at Raja with a dopey, lovestruck expression on her face. Every time Raja leaned over to whisper something to her, she would giggle and blush and bat her eyelashes. Watching them made Courtney’s skin itch.

Across the table, Alyssa was doing the absolute most with Roy, flirting shamelessly with him during every scene they had together, shoving her tits in his face. Wasn’t Sandy supposed to be sweet and innocent? Roy kept sending Courtney looks of distress, rolling his eyes and at one point, when Alyssa had grabbed him by the collar, actually mouthing ‘help me!’ at her. Courtney chuckled to herself. Poor baby.

Adore’s solo was great, and Mrs. Maguire didn’t seem to mind that she directed most of it to her fellow Pink Lady, rather than the boys, as the script instructed. Raja, for her part, seemed to encourage it, cheering and even stuffing a dollar bill into Adore’s back pocket at one point, until Mrs. Maguire told her to stop.

When it was time for Courtney to get up and go to the mic for ‘It’s Raining On Prom Night,’ Roy blew her a kiss for good luck, but of course Adore wasn’t even watching. She was too busy gazing at Raja with that same dumb expression she had all afternoon. The good news was, Courtney didn’t seem to have any trouble channeling the distressed misery necessary for the song, and afterwards, Mrs. Maguire told her that the solo was all hers.

She raced over to Adore, thrilled, to tell her, and found her friend still hanging on Raja’s every word with those big soft eyes.

“Ahem.”

Raja slung her messenger bag over her shoulder. “I’m gonna run to the bathroom. Meet me in the parking lot in 5?”

“‘Kay,” Adore nodded, biting her lip.

Courtney narrowed her eyes, watching Raja walk away. “Why are you meeting her in the parking lot?”

“Hmmm?” Adore turned towards Courtney with a dreamy expression.

Snapping her fingers in Adore’s face, Courtney leaned over the table and, irritated, exclaimed, “Adore!”

“What?!”

“Care to fill me in on what the fuck is going on?!” She crossed her arms.

“Oh...well...yeah, Raja wants to do like a Pink Ladies dinner thing with me and Darienne and Jinkx, and I--”

“But you said you were gonna hang out with me.”

Adore took in the wounded look in Courtney’s green eyes, and sighed. “No, I know, I told her that. I...”

Courtney swallowed.

“...I don’t have to go. I told her we had plans.”

After a beat, Courtney shook her head and said, “No, no, it’s fine. You should go. We can hang out some other night this week. If you want.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, of course. I’m not going anywhere.” Courtney shifted her backpack on her shoulders.

Adore grinned and kissed her on the cheek. “You’re the best, Court. I’ll text you tonight, okay?”

“Sure.” Courtney said, watching her leave.

-

“You could break her leg,” Willam offered.

“That’s what I said!” Roy chuckled.

Courtney rolled her eyes. “You guys, can you please stop? It’s like, not even funny to joke about that! What if something really happens to her?!” They were gathered behind the theatre, watching Pearl paint one of the backdrops

“Well, then perfect, ‘cause I’ll get to kiss you instead of her,” Roy said, shaking his head. “God, she really is the worst.”

“She’s not that bad,” Pearl said.

“Would you fuck Alyssa Edwards, new girl?”

“Maybe,” Pearl mused, giving a sassy tongue pop. “If we’re being really honest, she does give me vibes occasionally.”

Roy laughed, barking, “Great, she’s all yours!” He wrapped his arms tighter around Courtney’s waist.

Adore rounded the corner, a giddy smile on her face, breathing, “Hey guys…”

“Oh, look who remembered her friends all of a sudden,” Willam laughed. “And how’s Raaaajaaaa? Has she eaten your pussy yet?”

“Please,” Adore giggled. “I can’t even believe she’s talking to me.”

Courtney bristled slightly. “She’s only human, Adore.”

“I’m not sure that’s true,” Adore said, giggling again. She peeked through the door. “Omigod, look at her. She is so fucking hot, I can’t breathe.”

“If you say so,” Courtney replied, rolling her eyes and leaning against Roy’s shoulder.

“She’s pretty fierce, but frankly, I’m kind of surprised she likes you. Usually she goes for girls with a much better sense of fashion,” Willam deadpanned.

“Fuck off, Willam!”

“I’m just saying...you should go for it, though, maybe you’ll learn something,” he laughed, tossing some imaginary hair over his shoulder.

Chapter 25: Hopelessly Devoted To You

Despite their opening night drama, the rest of the weekend’s performances of Grease went off without a hitch. The principal agreed to beef up security and they kept would-be protestors far away from the theatre - so after 2 days they got bored and stopped showing up.

And, possibly because of all the controversy, ticket sales soared, and they ended up getting a write-up in the Arts section of a big San Gabriel Valley newspaper.

Alyssa was so jazzed by the extra attention that she began to ham it up even more than she had during rehearsals. One night, during the drive-in scene, she hit Roy so hard one night that he had a bruise the next day.

“Where are the fucking protesters for THAT?!” Roy whined, as he got ready that night.

“I mean, you were trying to date rape her,” Courtney reasoned.

“NO I WASN’T!” Roy screeched. “My character was! Why should I get a bruise for something he does?! This is reverse sexism!”

“Awwww…” Courtney soothed, climbing into his lap. “Poor baby…”

“Reverse sexism,” Darienne chuckled to herself, “Like that’s a thing.”

“It is!” Roy insisted.

Courtney kissed his cheek, teasingly saying, “I know, it’s so hard to be a sensitive male these days.”

“It really is,” he whimpered, resting his head on her chest.

“Oh, BOO HOO!” Alyssa crowed from nearby. “Listen, you just watch out the next time Danny tries to touch my girl without consent. I’ll break your goddamn fingers!”

“Alyssa…” Darienne laughed, shaking her head. “I think you’re going off book, here.”

“I think she’s going off the fucking deep end!” Roy said. “Anyone got a straightjacket?”

Alyssa grinned devilishly at him, making some punching motions in the air.

Roy nuzzled against Courtney’s neck. “You’re still her understudy, right? Can we have her killed?”

-

ADORE: You coming to the diner?

PEARL: Yeah, I just have to finish up here first. Order me some fries?

ADORE: You got it.

Pearl tucked her phone back into her pocket, turning her attention to the backdrops. She had to stay a little longer than the cast after the show was over to help reset all the set pieces for the next night. Most of the cast and crew had left, waiting for their rides or making their way to a nearby diner for post-show bonding.

Pearl unlocked the wheels of the drive-in set, pulling the backdrop behind her as she headed to the wings, accidentally running over her own foot in the process.

“Motherfucker,” Pearl groaned, reaching down to rub her throbbing foot.

“Need some help?” Shea appeared from behind the backdrop, catching Pearl by surprise.

“Shea? Hey! Uh, yeah I could use some help,” Pearl nodded, the pain in her foot completely forgotten.

“We're gonna leave it right here,” Pearl guided, nodding to the other backdrop already tucked away.

“Here?”

“Yep, now just lock the wheel on that side. I'll do this one.” Pearl quickly locked the wheel then glanced up to see Shea bent over, face scrunched in confusion. “It’s… it’s right there.”

Pearl walked over to her and bent down, showing her how to lock the wheel.

“You just… and it’s locked,” she smiled.

“Oh,” Shea nodded, gazing up into her eyes before clearing her throat. “Easier than it looked.”

She straightened up, then followed Pearl back to the stage to grab some of the Burger Palace pieces.

“Mhm,” Pearl nodded, gesturing to the booth that they needed to move. “This one slides pretty easily.”

Shea helped her work, biting her lip every time they locked eyes.  

“The show’s been going well,” Shea said finally, looking at Pearl with earnest brown eyes.

“Yeah, people wanted to see what all the hoopla was about after the first night,” Pearl shrugged, brushing her hands off and looking around to see if anything else needed to be moved before tomorrow.

“Hoopla?” Shea brows furrowed in confusion before letting a laugh escape her.

“Yeah, you know, all the commotion, the hoopla.” Pearl’s hand swirled in the air nonchalantly, but the moment Shea burst in laughter, Pearl found herself giggling along.

“Who actually uses the word ‘hoopla' besides someone's grandpa?” Shea shook her head, following Pearl towards the exit, shoulders brushing together as they walked.

“I don't know, I don't know… I watched Spongebob the other day. Really, I've never used that word until now,” Pearl said, turning towards Shea as they approached the big double doors.

“Wow, Hoopla. I should start using that word. It's fun to say,” Shea giggled.

“It is,” Pearl chuckled, then bit down on her bottom lip, her gaze moving to Shea’s full lips.

Shea noticed, her own laughter fading off.

Pearl’s heart leaped to her throat as the silence between them filled with an energy she'd only encountered a few times before. She put one hand on the heavy door, and Shea did the same, their fingers bumping.

Eyes snapped to each other, gauging the other’s reaction. Pearl’s tongue darted across her lip as she leaned towards Shea, eyes flickering between glossed lips and wide eyes.

“Shea!”

The sound of Sasha’s voice had Shea stumbling back, right into a rack of costumes, a small gasp leaving her lips.

Pearl frowned, reaching to help her, but when her hands were swatted away, she backed up letting Shea have her space.

“Shea, you back here? Shea?” Sasha rounded the curtain, footsteps stuttering when she saw Pearl running her fingers through her thick blonde hair, looking at Shea with nervous eyes, while Shea hurriedly righted the wardrobe rack, re-hanging the pieces that had fallen off the hangers.

-

In a bizarre compromise with her mother, Darienne had been allowed to stay in the show despite the “evil pro-gay message” but not participate in any of the fun stuff, like going to the diner after the performances with the rest of the cast and crew.

Courtney had just been texting her a sympathetic message when she looked up. Bob was in the middle of an animated story, while Roy interjected with corrections and insults, as per usual. But what Courtney noticed wasn’t the boys, but how Adore sat in a booth nearby, staring into space.

She decided to take advantage of this rare moment while Raja was distracted at the jukebox with Raven, and squeezed her bestie on the shoulder to grab her attention.

“Hey...”

“What’s up?” Adore asked, giving her a half-smile, biting down on a fry.

“You were great tonight. I mean, you’re always great, but…” Courtney gave her a bright smile.

Adore swallowed. “Thanks. Um, you too.”

Courtney slid into the booth beside her, wrapping her arms around her waist and looking up at her with loving eyes.

“You’re so beautiful…”

“Alright, who gave you weed?” Adore scoffed. “Willam? Pearl?”

“Nobody! I’m totally sober. You’re just pretty, that’s all.”

“Well...thanks,” Adore bit her lip.

“Do you think I’m pretty?” Courtney asked, lashes fluttering.

“Uh. Of course. You’re stunning. Gorgeous. A living doll.” Adore glanced around helplessly. Where was Raja? Where was Roy?

Courtney giggled and nuzzled her cheek.

“What’s going on over here?” Raja asked, strolling up.

Before Adore could open her mouth, Courtney piped up, “Not much, I was just molesting your girlfriend.” She smiled coyly, head still on Adore’s shoulder.

“Oh yeah?” Raja sat down. “Seems reasonable.”

“Courtney, knock it off!” Adore said, shrugging her off.

Raja snickered, saying, “Oh yeah, you looked like you were really suffering there.”

Adore folded her arms crossly.

“Dory, don’t be mad…” Courtney pouted.

“Yeah Dory, don’t be mad.” Raja reached over to steal a French fry, brow arched suggestively.

“Ugh, you both suck!” Adore said, getting up and stomping over to the counter.

Courtney opened her mouth, eyes wide and innocent. “What?!”

Raja laughed, shaking her head. “Just let her sulk. Have some fries.”

-

After closing night, there was a wrap party at Pearl’s house, complete with Karaoke machine, mini strobe lights, and sundae bar. Or as Willam lovingly dubbed it, “the ultimate nerd fest.”

Pearl sat on top of her kitchen counter, nodding her head to the beat of the music, watching the party around her as she sipped from her cup of punch.

“Pearl!” Sasha smiled as she entered the kitchen to get some snacks, pulling the blonde’s attention away from Shangela and Alyssa’s karaoke performance.

“Sup,” she nodded.

“What’re you doing in here by yourself?” Sasha asked, crumbling a handful of potato chips over her chocolate ice cream, then topped the whole thing with caramel sauce.

“Just chilling,” Pearl shrugged, then gestured to Sasha’s sundae. “That’s genius.”

“Salty and sweet,” Sasha nodded and the two girls went silent for a moment as she dug in.

“Hey, can I ask you a question?” Pearl leaned forward, elbows on her knees.

“Sure.” Sasha nodded.

“Um…I’m usually a pretty good judge of when I like, vibe with a girl. And…and I really like Shea, and sometimes it seems like she likes me back. But then…I don’t know, sometimes I feel like I’m totally barking up the wrong tree. Am I crazy?”

“Well…” Sasha took a small bite of her ice cream, head titled thoughtfully. “We haven’t talked about it. And if we had, I wouldn’t tell you, because, you know, BFF trust.”

“Of course.”

“But, just from what I’ve seen…I don’t think you’re crazy.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. The thing is…” Sasha paused. “She's not like you. I mean, she’s still probably figuring some things out.”

Pearl nodded knowingly; Shea wouldn't be the first confused (or closeted) girl she had a crush on.

“So as long as you get that she’s in a different place, and you’re careful of her feelings…I don’t think you’re barking up the wrong tree. I just think you might need to be extra patient. You know?”

“Yeah.” Pearl nodded, taking another sip of her drink. “Thanks.”

“No problem. And, in case you’re wondering, she’s out by the pool. Last I saw, she was talking to Carmen and Laganja.

“Awesome.” Pearl flashed a smile, hopping off the counter.

-

“Adore, you wanna do ‘Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,’ or ‘No Me Queda Más’?” April asked, flipping through the karaoke book.

“Uhhh…” Adore paused, eyeing Courtney and Roy on the sofa before looking back at April to suggest, “What about ‘Dreaming of You’?”

April scoffed. “Omigod, you’re so basic! That’s her whitest song, you fuckin’ gringa!”

“Well, I don’t really speak Spanish, dude, sorry!” Adore defended herself with a shrug. “You know that.”

“Okay, fine, ‘Dreaming of You.’ But will you at least try ‘No Me Queda Más’?”

“I’ll do my best.”

April nodded, writing down the track numbers and handing them to Bob, who was lording over the rented karaoke machine with an iron fist. “Sir, please?”

While Adore waited for their turn, her attention drifted back to Courtney, curled in Roy’s lap, feeding him her ice cream sundae. They’d been sickeningly sweet all night, and while Adore was trying to ignore their nauseatingly adorable antics, it was proving harder and harder.

“I have no idea why I’m eating this,” Roy murmured, licking a drip off Courtney’s finger. “I don’t even like vanilla.”

“That’s funny, ‘cause I think a vanilla sundae is the perfect metaphor for you two dweebs,” Willam called from across the room, causing Bob to snicker and high five him.

“Fuck off!” Courtney shouted back. “I put rainbow sprinkles on it. And this cherry.” She lifted the maraschino cherry out by the stem, twirling it on her tongue.

“Give me that…” Roy said.

“Oh, you want this?” Courtney teased, batting her lashes. She glanced over to see if Adore was watching, feeling a rush of adrenaline from the other girl’s eyes on her.

“Yes. Please baby, give me your cherry…”

Courtney giggled, dangling it in front of him tauntingly. “Say please again, tell me how much you want it…” she breathed.

Unable to take it anymore, Adore got up, utterly disgusted, and stalked outside.

“Adore! Come back, we’re up next!” April called.

“Raincheck,” Adore grumbled, slamming the sliding glass door behind her.

Courtney paused, holding the cherry mid-air, wondering if she’d gone too far. She wanted Adore’s attention, but not to piss her off.

“Babyyy,” Roy whimpered.

“Here,” Courtney said, shoving the cherry into his mouth and letting out a disappointed sigh.

-

Adore found Raja out on the patio with Jinkx, smoking and drinking. She went up to Raja and demanded a cigarette.

“You don’t smoke,” the older girl told her breezily.

“I do tonight,” she insisted.

Raja handed Adore her lit cigarette and lit another for herself, watching her carefully. Adore looked over at Jinkx, holding a bottle of Jack Daniels, and snatched it out of her hands, taking a long slug, then another.

“You okay there, tiger?” Jinkx asked.

Adore wiped her mouth, shrugging. Pearl and Shea were sitting on top of a retaining wall, just a few feet away. Adore looked over at them just as Shea whispered something to Pearl, both laughing softly. Adore narrowed her eyes, irritated.

“What’s with you two?” she asked hoarsely. “Are you like, fucking now?”

Shea’s eyes widened in shock.

“Adore!” Pearl cried, horrified.

“Um, I have to...I should probably get going...it’s late and I need...uh…” Shea stammered, sliding down and backing away.

“Shea, I’m sorry, you don’t have to go, you can-” Pearl protested.

“No, it’s fine, I should have left earlier anyway, but...I’ll see you around, okay?” She turned around, hurrying from the yard through the side gate.

Pearl turned towards Adore, irritated, as shrieking laughter sounded from the pool.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?!” Pearl began.

Nearby, Raven’s voice called out, “Raja! Come here!!”

Raja looked over to the pool, where Raven was fooling around with a bunch of kids and some massive flotation devices, then back at Adore. She took Jinkx by the hand and dragged her over to the pool, leaving Adore and Pearl alone on the patio.

Adore sighed, pulling her flannel tighter around herself. Despite it being May, there was a chill in the air.

Pearl watched her for a few moments before saying, “Alright. Out with it. What’s going on?”

“What?” Adore asked defensively.

“There’s only one thing that puts you in this kind of mood, so what? They do some gross hetero promise ring bullshit? He banging her out in one of the back bedrooms? Tell me.”

Adore sighed. “No, they’re just...eating an ice cream sundae.”

“Oh yeah,” Pearl nodded. “I can see why that would send you over the edge.”

“You weren’t there.”

“True.”

“It was really...too much.” Adore sighed again, taking another drag of the cigarette.

“Have you ever considered just telling her how you feel?”

“About as much as I’ve considered putting this cigarette out in my own eye,” Adore replied.

“Gotcha.”

“This is disgusting, by the way.”

Pearl nodded. “Yeah, it’s awful. Takes years off your life, too.”

“Ugh. Fuck this whole fucking night, man.”

Pearl moved closer to her, put a hand on her shoulder.

“Listen. I’m sorry you’re having a rough night. And you know, I really love you, and I’m always here if you want to talk. But...if you ever fuck up my game again, I will punch you in the face.”

Adore laughed and covered her eyes. “Shit. Sorry.”

Pearl kissed her forehead. “It’s alright. You get one pass.”

-

Adore sat on the retaining wall, holding the empty bottle of Jack, feeling slightly dizzy and more than a little sick. Her downcast eyes were dull with regret.

“So…fun party, huh?”

She looked up to see Raja standing there, with that typical, aloof expression, and her body tensed up, tears filling her eyes.

“Raja, don’t. I don’t want to talk about it, okay? I just, I can’t, I can’t explain, I don’t-”

“Hey, hey, I’m not asking you to explain anything.” Raja stepped forward, putting a hand on her shoulder.

Adore sniffled, guilt filling her chest. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m also not asking you to apologize. We all have shitty days. It’s fine. Yesterday I kicked over a trash can and called Raven a cow.”

“Seriously?” Adore laughed, amused in spite of her shitty mood.

“It’s fine, she deserved it.”

“I don’t doubt that.” Adore wiped her eyes.

Raja smiled. “You wanna get out of here?”

“God, yes.”

“Cool.” She took her fingers and gently tilted Adore’s chin up, placing a soft, sweet kiss on her lips. “You really are so beautiful, you know that?”

Adore sighed. “Sure you’re not just looking at your own reflection in my eyeballs?”

Raja grasped both of her cheeks and looked closer at her face. “Holy shit! How have I never seen my own reflection before?”

Adore giggled.

“Hold still! Oh my god, she is stunning!”

“Stop it.”

Raja helped her down and led them towards the gate, an arm slung around Adore’s shoulders.

“Seriously, I don’t know how you manage to concentrate on anything with all this staggering beauty in front of you…”

-

Courtney stood at the stove, stirring a pot of tomato sauce, as Adore perched on the counter. They were discussing prom—or rather, Raja’s prom, which Adore was having second thoughts about attending.

“Don’t you think that she should understand how you feel? I mean you were basically hate-crimed on stage,” Courtney said.  

“Well. I think she does understand, but on the other hand…it’s her prom. And I said I’d go, like a month ago,” Adore reasoned.

“But that was a month ago,” Courtney said. “Come here, taste this.”

Adore jumped down, sighing, and walked over to her.

“I don’t know. I mean, yeah, it was a month ago. But…”

Courtney blew on the wooden spoon, cupping Adore’s chin gently in her hand. She fed her a small taste of the sauce, eyes watching her carefully.

“Do you think it’s too spicy?” she whispered.

Closing her eyes for a moment as Courtney’s fingers brushed against her cheek, a thrill rippling through her at the contact, Adore shook her head.

“No, it...it’s good.” She cleared her throat and took a few steps back. “Um, maybe a pinch more salt?”

“Thanks.” Courtney nodded and went back to the stove, humming slightly. “I think you should do whatever you feel comfortable with. She may be a little bummed if you decide not to go, but Raja doesn’t seem like the type to make a huge deal over prom anyway. Right?”

“Yeah, I...I mean that’s what I thought, but...I dunno.” Adore sighed again, sitting down heavily at the table. “I just really don’t want to make this a big fucking thing.”

Courtney sat down beside her. “So don’t.”

“But isn’t that selling out? Letting the bigots win?” Adore’s voice broke, remembering the heated conversation with Raja earlier that day.

Courtney scooted her chair closer, biting her lip, a slight guilt washing over her. She knew that if she didn’t have ambivalent feelings about Raja, about Adore’s moony-eyed puppy love, the was a chance she might be saying something slightly different. Maybe. But ulterior motives aside, she didn’t like to see her friend so torn up inside. She reached out and took Adore’s hand.

“Listen. Will you have to stand up to these kind of assholes someday? Yeah, probably. And when you do, I’ll stand up with you. But does it have to be over someone else’s prom? This week? Not unless you want. It’s still your life. You are the only one who can make that decision.”

Adore nodded. “Thanks.”

“Anytime.” Courtney brushed a lock of hair off of Adore’s face

-

ADORE: Well. Turns out I was being a total pissbaby drama queen. It was just a fucking dance, no one said a word.

ADORE: Like, literally, nothing happened and I feel like a complete asshole.

COURTNEY: So you had fun?

ADORE: Yeah. I mean, you know. It was a school dance. It wasn’t life-changing or anything. Lol. But sure, it was fun.

ADORE: I might just not be a school dance type. I don’t have a lot of...like...spirit.

COURTNEY: Well, yeah, duh. ;P

ADORE: lol

COURTNEY: <3

ADORE: I’m gonna sleep now but wanna hang out later?

COURTNEY: Sure. Text me when you wake up.

ADORE: Ok. XO

COURTNEY: XO

-

Adore wasn’t positive why she agreed to this. Granted, she always used to be part of the group movie night expeditions with the neighborhood crew, but ever since she’d branched off and started to hang out with Violet’s group, she’d found one excuse or another to say no. But for some reason, today, she found herself in the local multiplex with Courtney, Roy, Darienne, Thorgy, Bob, April, Alyssa, and Jamin - who she supposed was off probation now that Darienne could stand to be around him again. To make matters worse, they had collectively decided on the most basic of all basic movies - some superhero action nonsense starring Christian Bale and Joey from Dawson’s Creek, who was way less cool when stripped of her Joey vocabulary words.

Adore sighed, sipping her swimming pool sized soda. At least Roy, in a show of macho bravado, had offered to pay for her and Courtney’s snacks. So she had gigantic popcorn, 2 Kit Kat bars, Junior Mints, Twizzlers, Sour Patch Kids, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to help her get through the experience. It cost her some side-eye, but whatever. If he was dumb enough to make that offer, then he should be prepared to handle the consequences.

It would have been nice if Raja could have made it, but as usual, she was working. It seemed like lately, the only time they had together was super late at night after CeCe’s closed down. She couldn’t blame her girlfriend - she knew that Raja was saving up to get her own place. But still, it was a little annoying to be sandwiched between April and Bob on one side (who she was pretty sure were engaging in some kind of gross hand job action under Bob’s letterman jacket), and Courtney and Roy on the other, cuddling and making Adore want to vomit, as usual.

Courtney turned towards Adore, a contented smile on her face.

“I am totally not following the plot of this movie,” she whispered, giggling.

Adore rolled her eyes. “It’s not that deep. He’s afraid of bats. He becomes a bat. Joey Potter loves him for some inexplicable reason.”

“Right. I keep thinking there must be more to it though?”

“Nope.”

Courtney inched closer to Adore.

“This theatre is freezing. Share your jacket with me.” She gazed over with a pouty face, fluttering her lashes.

Adore shrugged her off. It was one thing when they were alone, but when she pulled this kind of stuff in front of other people, it always made Adore extremely self-conscious. It was a total lose-lose for her. If she reacted too eagerly, it would be totally obvious to everyone and their mother how hard she was crushing on her best friend, but when she pushed her away, she had to deal with those hurt puppy eyes.

“Get off, bitch…”

“Please, Dory. I’ll be your best friend forever and-”

“SHHH!” Bob hissed.

“How are you not more relaxed right now?” Adore challenged, gesturing to his lap. April’s eyes went wide in embarrassment. Adore smirked and sat back in her seat.

“Babe, come here. You can wear my jacket.”

Courtney snuggled up to Roy, lovingly placing a piece of popcorn in his mouth. What was it with Courtney and feedinghim? Was that like a kink thing? Adore shook her head. Sick. She sighed again, shifting uncomfortably. It was possible that the largest size soda wasn’t the best idea.

On the screen, Joey Potter was reaching towards Christian Bale, drawing him towards her.

Courtney inhaled sharply, and reached over, instinctively grasping for Adore’s hand in the dark, holding on tight while the actors’ lips met in a slow kiss, the music soaring. Adore’s heart pounded. She knew that this was just Courtney, it didn’t really mean anything, but it didn’t change how it made her feel. How it made her palms sweat and her pulse race, to be here in the dark, fingers intertwined and slippery with fake butter.

And then, of course, she saw Roy’s eyes, just for a moment, when the screen flashed white. Glaring at her. Did he know? Was Adore that transparent? Or was he just peeved that Courtney was grabbing Adore’s hand and not his? Anxiety filled Adore’s chest and she wrenched her hand away.

Courtney, oblivious as always, leaned her head on Roy’s shoulder and continued to watch the movie while Adore gripped the arms of the seat, her knuckles turning white. She got up and bolted for the exit, muttering about the bathroom.

Courtney turned her head and watched as Adore raced up the aisle, then turned back to the screen, biting her lip. A lump formed in her throat. She was so tired of this endless loop they were in - Courtney reaching out, taking the smallest baby steps, only to have Adore push her away. Maybe it was useless. Maybe Violet was right all those months ago when she said that Adore would never like her back. She sighed.

Roy kissed the top of her head. “Bored, baby?”

“Uh, no, just...sorry, my mind wandered a little. This movie is so dark. I think I need more color to hold my attention.”

Roy laughed, pressing his lips to her temple. “You’re the fucking cutest, you know that?”

Courtney smiled up at him. “How about after the movie, you can tell me all about how cute I am?” She kissed him lightly, sliding a hand up his thigh.