Let Me Be Your Home

Cordelia's POV

It takes a bit of arguing, but I finally convince Lucy to stay. As I walk her down the hall to her new room, I grab her hand. She doesn't pull away. I don't know why I feel the need to hold on to her. I just want her to know that she's safe with me.

I open the door for her, and she walks into the room. "This is all mine?" She asks, and I smile.

"All yours," I reply. She looks around, crossing to take a seat on the edge of the bed.

"So, if this is a school, do I have to take classes?"

"Well, that's the idea. But I'm afraid we don't currently have any other witches your age who aren't far past you in training. There aren't any classes that I could really put you in." 

This wasn't entirely true. I could put her in classes with some of the 11-13 year olds who have just started here. But I have a feeling that being far older than the other girls would only make her feel more isolated.

Lucy looks slightly puzzled, then asks, "Well, if you can't teach me, then why am I staying here?"

I laugh a little, then answer, "I didn't say we couldn't teach you. I just said there aren't any classes I could put you in." She stares blankly back at me. "Lucy, I'd like you to do an independent study with me."

"Really? I don't want to take up your time like that..."

"Sweetheart, I am a teacher, first and foremost. I will always have time for students."

"Cordelia, I appreciate everything you've done for me, but I really think I should just leave. I don't want to impose."

I take a step closer to her. "I'm not letting you leave. Do you hear me?" I'm not trying to be intimidating, but I want her to know that I'm not playing.

"But-"

"No buts," I say, getting down onto the floor so that I can look into her beautiful blue eyes. I put my hands on her knees. "You are staying here, because I care about you too much to let you go back to wandering the streets on your own."

She looks at me, biting her lip to hold back tears. Finally, she says, "You can't possibly care about me. You don't even know me."

I reach up and touch her face. "Sweetheart, if you are a soul who has been hurt by the world, then I care about you. And I will love you unconditionally, if you let me."

She blinks back tears, trying to muster a smile. I stand up and hold out my arms to her. She rises to accept my hug. As this girl buries her face in my shoulder, I can feel her shaky breathing. I rub her back, trying to soothe her. I won't let go until she does.

After about a minute of holding, breathing, crying, and feeling, Lucy releases her grip on me. I allow her to step away from me, but keep my hands on her shoulders as I search her eyes for answers they're not ready to give up.

"I'm going to get dinner ready while you settle in. I'll come get you when it's time to eat," I say softly. I really don't want to leave her, but the other girls will be hungry by now. Lucy nods, and I slide my hands off her shoulders and down her arms. I give her hands a squeeze before I let go for real this time.

As I leave the room and close the door behind me, I feel a wave of grief wash over me. I'm only going downstairs. It's not far away at all, but for some reason I don't even want to be more than a few inches away from her. That girl's got a grip on my heart that's tighter than her arms wrapped around me.