Sun Showers

Chapter III

     You are gifted. You are special. You are unique. You are gifted. You are special. You are unique. "Ugh..." Beth groaned, rubbing her hands over her face, "Affirmations are a no go." She sighed as she scribbled out the writings in her notebook. It had been a little over a month since Beth had learned about the magical world, though as time went on it became more trouble than it was worth. Magic is a wonderful thing, a thing she would never take for granted in any other circumstance but her own, she couldn't tell her parents and she couldn't tell her friends. It was a double life she didn't exactly sign up to live, all she wanted was to open up to someone close to her, but she couldn't, it was a very strict rule that humans and magic must be kept apart for the greater good of...humanity.
     I know you have a busy schedule and all, but please tell me you did not forget about homecoming tonight! Beth's phone lit up with a text alert from Iris.
     Of course I didn't forget, jeez you underestimate my sense of responsibility. Beth texted back. Their high school's homecoming game was tonight. It was a lot on her plate at the moment, but it would slow down soon, hopefully. Though the game wasn't for another few hours, Beth put on her uniform and grabbed her bag to head out to Professor's workshop. She needed to get studying for a magical exam coming up. She headed down the stairs, through the kitchen and to the front door, only to be interrupted by her mother sitting at the counter. Placing her book down and looking to Beth, her eyes peered just over the frames of her glasses, "Where are you going so early...and in your uniform?" Her mother, Lucia, laughed.
     "I'm- I'm just going to meet up with some friends at the diner before the game, it'll probably take a while so I figured I wouldn't have time to come back and get changed." Beth responded hesitantly, "I'll see you later! Love you!" She said reaching for the door knob.
     "Do you need a ride?" Lucia asked, "Does your father know you're going?"
     "This was kind of a last minute thing, I'm sorry. I don't need a ride it's fine!" Beth sighed. The more she lied, the harder this whole keeping magic a secret thing got, "Could you tell him for me?"
     "Oh that's alright, I'll let him know. Is everything okay dear? You seem a bit stressed."
     "Thank you, mom." Beth said. She wanted to tell her right then and there, it was on the tip of her tongue, but she knew if she did, everything would be ruined, she would lose all the connections she made, everything she was learning- everything she wanted to learn, but was it worth the stress? The anxiety? Yes. Yes, and if she had to pick over and over a life to live, it would be this one. "I'm alright, just nervous about the game is all. I really have to run though, thank you mom," She said with a smile, "really." Then headed out the door to the workshop.
     Beth headed through the supply room, and into the workshop, not really expecting anyone to be there since no classes were being held today, but nonetheless she walked into a room of people.
     "Woah, no need to put on a show for us." Eve said partially joking as Beth stepped foot into the room. The three girls: Sophie, Eve and Maggie, all sat across the room, Sophie sitting on a chair, Eve sitting at the round table off to the side of the room and Maggie laying on the couch.
     Beth, slightly embarrassed laughed along anyways, "I didn't expect anyone to be here is all, I just need to study a bit."
     "Why are you dressed like that anyways? Halloween isn't for another few weeks." Maggie added to Eve's teasing.
     "Very funny, I'm a cheerleader for my school's football team." Beth sighed and placed her bag next to the round table, then grabbed a book off one of the shelves.
    "Oh my god, Maggie what did I tell you!" Eve exclaimed, and began to burst out laughing, burying her face in her hands.
     "Don't listen to them, personally, I think being a cheerleader is very cool. I would love to be a cheerleader, but there's not much of that in my life as you can tell." Sophie said, trying her best to comfort Beth from across the room.
     "Thanks Sophie." Beth smiled at her, "And you know, I'm very intrigued what did you tell her Eve?" Beth asked, annoyed, flipping through the pages of the book, and barely looking at Eve.
     "You're just exactly the type to be a cheerleader, the blonde-haired blue-eyed get up. I just called it is all I'm saying." Eve shrugged and folded her arms.
     "Well-" Beth said in a mocking tone, "If you girls wanna see me in action, come see me at your local high school tonight at 7." She replied, grinning at Eve.
     "We'll be there!" Sophie exclaimed, "As much sarcasm as that probably was, I know I'd love to come."
     With all the bickering and studying in between, the hours faded away. The scenery was brought back to blinding stadium lights and a brightly colored turf field. Tonight was the night of all nights, the stands were so packed that people were standing against the gate onto the field, people were dressed in heavy coats to protect themselves from the early October cold but underneath were class colors. The sound of music, cheering and stomping against the bleachers could probably be heard for miles, but there wasn't many people in the town missing tonight.
     "You guys made it!" Beth said as she turned around and ran over to the gate where Maggie, Eve, Sophie and Will stood. "Surprised you decided to come." She teased Eve, "I'm really happy you guys are here though."
     "We are too, thank you for inviting us...sort of." Sophie replied, nudging Eve with her elbow to say thank you.
     "Thank you." Eve muttered through her teeth.
     "I'm sorry I'm coming unannounced, but happy to be here too." Will commented and grinned.
     "I'm happy to see all of you," Beth smiled, "I don't know if you guys will find him in the crowd, but my friend James is sitting somewhere on the bleachers." She said, pointing over in his general direction, "Oh and I'm not cheering during halftime, so I'll come hang out with you guys during that." She said and looked over to Eve and Maggie, "I gotta run, but make sure you two especially keep an eye out, I know you're both aspiring cheerleaders." Beth teased and ran back over to Iris and the rest of the squad.
     "She's clever, before you know it your ego will be completely deflated." Will laughed as he poked fun at Eve.
     "It's okay Eve, just a rough patch, you'll get through this." Maggie chuckled and threw her arm around Eve to give her a playful squeeze.
     "Ugh, you guys are jerks." Eve sighed, only partially shielding her smile, gently shoving Maggie.
     "I think the game is starting..." Sophie said and looking over the railing down at Beth and Iris on the track, laughing and talking with each other while getting into their lines. "Hey, do you guys know who that is with Beth?"
     "No idea, but we should sit." Maggie suggested, "Nothing like a couple angry humans at a football game." She laughed and pulled Eve to sit next to her.
     The only one who had a single clue what was going on throughout the game was Sophie, who had done research on football before attending the game, but even with that knowledge she barely knew what was going on. Most of the first half was spent with the group shielding their ears from the shouting behind them and banging of the bleachers, but their was a wave of relief when the blaring alarm went off to mark halftime starting.
     Beth nearly sprinted across the track, Iris in hand, up to where Will, Sophie, Maggie and Eve sat. "I made some new friends, shocker I know, but I really want you to meet them." She explained as they walked closer to the group.
     "Okay?..." Iris said hesitantly, "Where did you meet them—" She began until she was interrupted by introductions.
     "Iris, this is Will, Sophie, Maggie and Eve." Beth introduced them all, gesturing to them one at a times.
     Iris was bombarded with nice to meet yous and hellos, as well as a handshake from Sophie. "I knew it was a boy." Iris giggled.
     "Oh don't even joke, that's my brother." Eve cringed, "Plus, his girl skills are lacking." She laughed most certainly at Will's expense, his blush clearly describing his embarrassment.
     "Have you found James?" Iris asked, "Also, are we still good for a sleepover tonight?" She questioned, slightly lowering her voice.
     "I have not, who knows maybe he is hitting on some girl." Beth chuckled, "Yes, but...I hate to do this, but can I invite the girls? I think it'd be really nice if you all got to know each other."
     Iris glanced at the practically strangers she had just met, then back at Beth, whatever made Beth happy though right? "Sure, I don't see a problem with that." Iris sighed, but smiled to hide the bit of disappointment she felt.
     "Great!" Beth said, hugging Iris, "Thank you for being willing." Pulling away and smiling at her. Interrupting the small chatter the group had going on to ask, "Would you girls like to sleepover tonight? Iris is coming over my place after the game and I think it'd be awesome if you guys could join us. Also, sorry Will, no boys, parents rules."
     Will nodded understanding clearly as Maggie agreed calmly, while Sophie was ecstatic. "Sorry, I should probably just go home with Will."
     "That's alright! Maybe some other time, I know you're super bummed about missing out." Beth teased.
     "Oh yeah, super." Eve chuckled, but if she asked herself honestly? Maybe she was a little upset about not being able to go, it's not that she didn't want to, but her father would be at her throat if he found out Eve had been hanging around a human with magic. It was considered a disgrace to him, whatever Beth was if her father found out, it'd be the end of Professor Evans classes and hanging around Beth, and Eve was just starting to enjoy her presence.
     "We gotta get back," Iris said, turning to Beth, then to the group, "it was nice meeting you guys! See you guys after!" Iris said, grabbing Beth's hand and pulling her back to the track. Sophie waving them goodbye.
   Her heart was pounding. Her face felt incredibly hot. Her hands were clammy. She tucked her hair behind her ears frantically. It wasn't a new feeling, she'd felt it before, but never because of a girl.
     "Hey, Sophie you good?" Maggie asked, sounding concerned.
     "Y-Yeah." She basically choked out, watching Beth and Iris run back to the track...but mostly Iris.