Once upon a time there were two girls who couldn't be more different. Though instead of being apart, they were best friends. Each other was simply all they had.

Beatrice, nicknamed Bea, was the shortest girl in her class. She was the kind of person to feel one emotion, and destroy twenty different things with her fists just to let it out. Messy and unrefined, and quite emotional to boot. When she couldn't take it anymore, she would be overcome with rage. But underneath it all, was actually a nice girl who would never hurt an innocent being. She was misunderstood. She just couldn't help it.

Mildred, nicknamed Mila, was the tallest girl in her class. She was the kind of person to feel one emotion, and write twenty different sad poems just to let it out. Wishy-washy, sentimental to a fault, and quite moody as well. Such a forlorn being, always thinking negatively, seeing the worst in situations, and crying at the drop of a hat. Deep inside, Mila was a girl who wanted to be a hero. She was misunderstood. She just couldn't help it.

These two girls, born on the wrong side of the bed... even with all their foibles and hiccups... could they really save the universe?

------

At the ages of sixteen, the two lived in small houses located on opposite sides of the town from each other, facing opposite directions. The sun would rise in Bea’s window, and set in Mila’s window. None of that changed the fact that both of them were equally deep sleepers and were constantly late for class. Being in trouble together was a pastime for both of them. Mila was lazy and unmotivated, and Bea, well... she was a problem child.

"Mila, you're such a good kid." Bea said one day. "Why do you always let yourself get in trouble like me?"

"Well..." Mila answered, her voice quiet and hollow. "Mr. Kerry doesn't like us. He doesn't like me either, I guess..."

"Well... at least we have each other?" Bea said. Now that her fit of anger from before cooled down, she was in a depressive state. She sighed and put her knees to her chest.

"Bea, you know what?" Mila said, sitting down with her, "I... don't think you deserve to get in trouble."

"What do you mean?" Bea said, with a regretful sigh. "I'm nothing but trouble. I break things, get into fights... I'm not like you."

"Well... You're not a bad person. You're the nicest person I've ever met!" Mila said. "I admit at first, I thought you were scary. But then I got to know who you really are. You're a great friend and you're always there for me... Thank you."

Bea took in Mila’s words in disbelief. Those words...

"Is that for real?" Bea asked her friend. "Well... thanks. That was the nicest thing anyone has said to me. I never thought I deserved those words..."

"It's true." Mila said, bashfully. "Um... how about a hug?"

Bea gave a nod and then they hugged once before returning to their initial stiff, separate positions. The empty classroom was turning orange as the winter sun was setting early outside.

"Mila, you know..." Bea said, "I want to thank you too. Without you, well... I don't even know what I would be doing right now. You're the reason I can control my anger better."

Bea, who usually didn't say words like this, grew flustered and couldn't face Mila directly.

"So I don't want you to be sad, Mila. You're great and don't deserve to doubt yourself... I'm sorry I've never told you this before, but your friendship is important to me."

"Bea..." Mila, who was touchy-feely, took her best friend’s hand in hers and looked at her fondly.

"I'm a little embarrassed." Bea said. But she was smiling.

"How about we do something... fun?" Mila suggested. "Because when we're together... I don't feel as bad. It's strange..."

"Same with me." Bea said, quietly overjoyed to see a smile on Mila’s face. "You're my best friend. I guess I feel calm when I'm with you. Well, detention's almost over."

"Then let's go to the mall." Mila said, getting up and walking to the door.

"I love the mall!" Bea said, following. "The food court has the best food. Wanna grab a bite?"

"Sure." Mila reached out for Bea’s hand as they walked out the school. Bea wasn't used to holding hands with people, but she didn't mind doing it with Mila.

------

The good part about the town they lived in was that everything was in walking distance. Their houses, the school, the mall, the park, and many other places for a teenager to be. Even the beach, when it was warm enough! That way, they could wander free during the day without anyone having to drive or supervise them.

"This will be great! We can sing karaoke, buy trinkets for each other, and hang out!" Bea said. Mila was overjoyed to see her friend so excited about the day, and was eager to spend time with her as well.

When they got to the mall, Mila noticed that her cousin Sherry was working part-time at the food court.

Sherry went to the high school down the road from Mila and Bea’s. A cheerleader and a shining star in the chorus, she was apparently one of the most popular girls in the school. She was like an idol. And she was nice and cheerful, to top it all off.

She was nothing like Bea and Mila, who were at the bottom of the barrel in terms of popularity...

"Hey, it's Mila!" Sherry waved.

"Ah, Sherry!" Mila waved back. Bea waved as well.

"Bea, that's my cousin Sherry." Mila said. "She goes to a different school."

"Our special today is the popcorn shrimp!" Sherry chirped cheerfully.

"I'll get some then!" Mila said.

"Me too!" Bea said.

"How about you both sit next to my friend Io?" Sherry suggested. "I bet she would love to meet you."

Io was a girl who sat alone in the corner, doing something on her phone. She had on heavy make-up and was humming to herself.

"Um... hello." Mila shyly approached her and murmured shyly.

Io had her eyes closed. She opened one eye, saw Mila standing there, and turned her head coldly.

"Humph..." She said snobbishly, before going back to playing with her phone.

Bea got a bad feeling about this girl.

"So... um, how long have you known Sherry?" Mila politely tried to start a conversation as she meekly sat down next to her.

"None of your business." Io said, turning away.

“Oh... ok.” Mila said, beginning to tremble a little.

Bea’s initial hunch was confirmed. She felt anger drip inside of her like a slow trickle of lava.

“She was just asking you a question, Miss Attitude. Sheesh.” Bea said.

“Oh my gosh. Could you two dorks kindly get out of my sight? I don't associate with people like you." Io said, louder.

There was a bout of heavy silence. Bea was in too much disbelief to even respond.

"But I, um... I..." Mila spoke up, but couldn't utter another word until she started choking up with tears. She buried her face in her long sleeves. "Never mind... I’m sorry."

"Hey!" Bea stood up and furiously slammed her fists on the table at Io. "Just who do you think YOU are?"

"Ha, is the little gremlin is getting mad?" Io said condescendingly.

"Listen, you." Bea said, threatening to hold Io by the collar. "Shut your mouth or I'll make you regret ever saying those things!"

"So, what are you going to do? Tickle me?" Io scoffed.

Bea screamed in rage, hit Io’s face on impulse and pushed her as she was blinded by the shock.

The people in nearby seats, mostly teenagers, began to turn their shocked and amused faces as a fight began to unfold.

"No... please don't... don't fight..." Mila began to cry harder. She felt so helpless.

Suddenly, a security guard stepped in. In the midst of the commotion, nobody noticed at first. He scooped little Bea up as if she were a small cat and carried her away from the scene.

"Hey! Put me down! I need to get at her!" Bea yelled and squirmed, "Didn't you hear what she said? She made my friend cry! I'm not going to forgive her!!"

------

Bea got kicked out of the mall that day.

It was a cold day, so the friends sunk into their hoodies as their breath rose as white puffs into the air. The lively lights from the mall reached the two girls barely, as they sat in the dimness.

"I'm so sorry again, Mila." Bea sighed, as they sat on a bench away from the mall, in the cold dusk. "I did it again. If only I could've controlled my stupid temper, I wouldn't have dragged you into all this mess..."

Mila sighed, and then smiled a bit.

“But... I appreciated that you wanted to stand up for me." Mila said softly. "We all have flaws we need to get over. For example, I wish I didn't cry so easily..."

"I guess..." Bea said. "But I’m awful. Yet I couldn't stand the fact that she said those things. I mean... what a cold-hearted person. She doesn't even know us... It makes me so mad."

"She seemed to have a problem." Mila said. "So thank you, for caring about me."

"Still..." Bea said, "I should've just ignored her instead of getting all furious."

"I think you're okay. You stood up for me." Mila said. "So... what should we do now?"

"Go to your house I guess." Bea said. "If you don't mind. I like it there, it calms me down."

Bea lived on her own, and often got lonely. However, Mila’s single mother was at work most of the day, and sometimes only got home after Mila was asleep.

"Okay!” Mila said. They both got up off the splintery bench and began to walk down the path choked with forest, dry fallen leaves crunching under their feet.

The path to Mila’s house was a little bit unsettling in the dark. Especially when there were seldom leaves on the trees and the ghostly late-autumn chills loomed in the air.

"Bea, when did it get so creepy here?" Mila asked.

"I don't know..." Bea said, "But something just doesn't feel normal."

"Yeah." Mila said, putting her hand in Bea’s, so she could keep calm.

Neither of them couldn't explain it, but something about the aura just didn't feel normal. The full moon was unsettling, especially since Mila somewhat believed in superstitions. She couldn't help it.

A wolf call was heard in the distance. A bunch of dark flying creatures took off to the sky from a nearby branch. Bats? Or just birds?

That's when they saw it.

"Alright, Kuro." A voice said.

A pair of bright glowing eyes could be seen amongst the murky darkness.

"We should get back before it becomes pitch-black."

The faint silhouette then began to crouch down on the broom. Was this real?

Bea and Mila didn't know what to expect would happen next. Was the broom going to fly? But... that would be impossible!

But to their surprise, the figure on the broom lifted up into the air with a gust of wind that kicked up the leaves, and flew upwards towards the full moon.

It sent shivers down their spines and their mouths gaping open.

"M-Mila...?” Bea said.

"Bea, what... what just... happened?" Mila stammered.

"Apparently, witches are... real." Bea said. "Y-you saw it too, didn't you?"

"I did." Mila said in a small voice. "But... it can't be..."

"I'm creeped out now." Bea said, "Let's just get to your house now, Mila."

Both of them concluded that it was probably only someone testing out special effects. After all, it was only what would make sense.

------

The interior Mila’s house was dim and empty. Her hardworking single mother wouldn’t return home until the middle of the night.

Bea turned on the light in Mila’s room. It flickered for a few seconds before it shone steadily.

"Let's go on the computer?" Bea asked.

"Sure." Mila said.

In a few minutes, both were eating cheap packaged hamburgers while sitting in front of the computer desk, wrapped in blankets because the room was cold. It was oddly cozy in a way. Mila was going to go to her favorite website.

Mila’s virtual kitten Marshmallow popped up on the screen and greeted her. Mila petted Marshmallow with the cursor and got swept into the magical world on her screen.

Even though Marshmallow wasn't a real cat, she comforted Mila when she felt lonely.

Today, Mila got a special gift for logging in. The gift was special cookie mix. Of course, it was only virtual cookie mix. If Mila followed the directions, she would be able to decorate star-shaped cookies for Marshmallow.

Mila then gave Marshmallow a bath using galaxy bubble bath and played a game with her. When she was tired, Mila put the kitten to bed.

But all of a sudden, something popped up on the screen that neither of the girls had never seen before. A pitch black figure on the screen snatched Marshmallow up from her bed and began to fly away with the kitten in her grasp. Marshmallow was being taken away by a witch!

"Meow!" Marshmallow’s distressed cry came in through the speakers.

"Bea, what's that?!" Mila felt surprised. Bea was creeped out. It couldn't have been an actual part of the game. The witch looked much too realistic. In fact, it looked way too much like the silhouette that Mila and Bea just saw earlier. Could it be? Could it be the doings of a real witch?

The witch on the screen was dressed in a black tattered gown, with raven hair flowing from underneath her pointy hat. She began to fly into the distance, becoming smaller and smaller on the screen until she was just a pixel. Then she vanished, along with Marshmallow.

Mila checked her game again. Her adorable cat was nowhere to be found. Bea was too bewildered to speak.

Mila began to worry. Was her virtual pet gone? Marshmallow’s room was empty. Mila clicked all around, but none of the clicks did much of anything.

Mila bit her lip and shook, and Bea knew she was about to cry.

"Mila?" Bea said her name softly.

A tear slipped down the taller girl's face. She buried her face in her hands, sobbing.

"Mila..." Bea wrapped her arms around the shaking girl and consoled her the best way she could.

Most people would find it unexpected, for such a tall girl to be crying. But Bea understood Mila, and was frankly used to it. Bea knew how important Marshmallow was to Mila.

"Mila, Marshmallow isn't gone." Bea said. "She'll come back... don't give up hope."

However, Bea was hiding the doubt in her own words. She felt sympathy for Mila.

When Bea looked back at the desk, however, there was a note written in very intricate cursive. So intricate, she could barely make out the words.

"Mila, look." Bea was once again bewildered. A note came out of nowhere?

They read it together.

"If you want to save Marshmallow, head to the abandoned house on top of the hill by the school."

That was all it said. Mila turned the paper over in case it said any more, but that was everything.

"What the...?"

Bea and Mila’s curiosity got the best of them. The next thing they knew, they had put on their scarves and were headed out the door.

"Should we really be doing this?" Mila asked.

"You want to save Marshmallow, right?" Bea said, trying not to shiver.

"Yes, but... it could be a trap or something..." Mila trembled.

"I've got your back if anything happens." Bea said.

Mila appreciated Bea’s words, but deep inside she wanted to be the brave one for once.

As they left the neighborhood, it began to drizzle. A cool autumn wind kicked up.

The path to school looked different at night. For one thing, it seemed much longer.

When they got there, Mila looked at Bea one last time.

They have seen the abandoned house from afar many times, but being up close to it felt so different.

"Well, this is it." Bea said. She felt like she wanted to go back, but then she remembered how special Marshmallow was to Mila.

Mila looked at Bea and began to walk forward. She wanted to be brave.

Bea followed behind.

Opening the creaky wooden door, its hinges made a long creaking sound as it was slowly pushed open.

The interior smelled old. There was one lit candle in the corner, lighting up the entire place.

In the center of the room, a white, black, and orange calico kitten was tied up over a bubbling cauldron. Marshmallow?

Mila was terrified and reached for Bea’s hand. Bea’s hand began to squeeze Mila’s. She was trembling.

Even Bea got scared sometimes, Mila thought...

In the corner, was a familiar-looking girl.

"Well, you two showed up after all." She said.

"Who are you?" Bea shouted.

"You haven't forgotten me already, have you, gremlin?" She said condescendingly.

"Io..." Bea said, her pupils dilating. It was her. "What have you got against Mila!?"

"Your wimpy here friend had exactly what I needed to complete my curse. Once I lower your stupid cat in my mixture, it'll become an elixir strong enough to put the entire town in despair!"

What?

"I don't know what you're talking about." Bea said. "You're some kind of witch?"

"Give Marshmallow back..." Mila trembled.

The tension in the room rose to a crescendo.

“Meow!” The small multicolored cat hanging over the pot yowled in distress.

“Ha! You’re acting tough now?” Io said. “It’s no use, because I know you’re just a wimp.”

“I-I said, give her back!” Mila shouted louder than she ever thought she could, lunged towards the dark-haired girl and pushed her back into her wall of potions. A transparent bottle of bright pink fluid fell from the row of potions, and shattered on Io’s head. The liquid began to drip all around her.

“Oh no...” Io grumbled. “Why you little...”

Not another word could be uttered by Io before she started to shrink to the size of a doll.

Bea, who was terrified at first of what was happening, slowly began to laugh.

“Heh... not so menacing anymore, huh?” Bea said. “Now you have no choice but to give Marshmallow back!”

“I believe you’re mistaken.” Io said. “You’re the ones who have no choice now.”

Mila was already untying the rope that held Marshmallow over the cauldron, feeling the touch of her soft fur in her hands as she held onto her.

It was so surreal. Marshmallow was now a real cat. Mila knew it was Marshmallow because her meow sounded exactly the same. Her shiny green eyes looked at Mila as if she was meeting an old friend.

Once Mila tied Marshmallow free, the kitten began to purr and lick Mila’s face.

“What do you mean, we have no choice?” Bea said. She had a lot of questions to ask, but this one seemed to be the most urgent.

“You two unleashed a curse on me by accident.” Io said. “It was my strongest potion, and there’s no antidote for it. I’m too small to use magic now! So I’m stuck like this forever unless you two train to become witches too, and reverse the curse!”

Bea and Mila looked at each other.

“And what happens if we don’t become witches?” Bea said.

“You two will shrink to the size of molecules.” Io said. “You’ll be so small, life won’t be worth living!”

“Are you... serious?” Mila said.

“I’m being completely serious! The curse you put on me will backfire on YOU, and become ten times worse! Also it’s not like I want to tutor you to be witches either!”

“So if we become witches, we’ll have magic?” Mila asked.

“Of course, clueless!” Io said, “This is why I hate explaining these things to normal humans.”

“Sorry.” An apology slipped out of Mila’s mouth.

“Hm, if we become witches, we’ll be able to fly on brooms and use magic...” Bea said, intrigued by the idea.

“Yeah...” Mila said.

“Well, I guess there’s no choice anyway. We’re going to have to become witches if we don’t want to shrink.” Bea said. She was already very short, and didn’t want to become any shorter.

“Alright. I’ll let you keep Marshmallow as your familiar.” Io said to Mila. “Now you two, go into the attic and you’ll fin extra hats and magical robes. I guess you can use them.”

Mila and Bea did as they were told, and went into the old rusty attic of the creepy house.

———