Cloverfield Magic

Chapter 7 - Putting on the Ritz

A week passes, and the warmth from the tea seems to linger in Issac's chest. Another week passes, and the heat seemed to only spread through his blood and become even more intense. Issac wonders if he was getting sick.

"Nope, your body temperature is normal. You're fine to go back to class," the school nurse tells Issac dismissively.

"Okay, thanks."

Issac collects his hall pass from the nurse and makes his way back to fourth-period P.E. at a leisurely pace. As he passes through the main hall, a flier pinned to the bulletin board catches his eye.

Cloverfield Charity Talent Show

"Winner gets to donate $1,000 to his or her charity of choice, to be approved by a faculty sponsor," Issac reads off the flier. He thought of the new magician's top hat he bought from the Witches' Brew as an idea starts formulating in his mind. At lunch, Issac finds Rowen who is sitting by himself per usual.

"Hey," Issac greets as he slides his lunch tray next to Rowen's. "I'm thinking about doing a magic act for the talent show. What do you think? Wanna be my magic partner?"

Rowen glances around. "Sorry, but I'll pass."

"Hmm, alright."

Issac lifts his questionable shiny pizza slice and takes a tentative bite. Chewing a bit, he deems the pizza satisfactorily average if exceptionally greasy. Slyly, Issac turns to Rowen. "Y'know, Rosie said some of the book club girls were wondering why you haven't been coming to the library after school lately."

"Well tell Rosette to mind her own business," Rowen grits out. Then, Rowen's brow raises in mock surprise. "You still go to the book club meetings? We both know you don't really read."

Issac rolls his eyes. "Okay, you caught me. I like going for the ambiance." He takes another bite of pizza before adding as an afterthought, "I just don't like being alone, y'know. It's nice just having somewhere to go with people I don't mind being around."

"Hm. Well unlike you, I actually use the library for its resources."

"Whatever," Issac responds flippantly. "By the way, do you mind if I used some of the stuff you have stashed at my place for the magic act I'm planning? Like the powder you used to make flash paper that one time."

"Try not to use all of it, but sure. Just follow the exact instructions and measurements I have written in my journal. If your house burns down, it's not my fault."

Suddenly, Issac notices an amber pendant resting over Rowen's signature black turtleneck. The honey-colored stone was polished into a perfect long rectangle and was so clear it was practically glowing. "Wait, is that new?"

"Huh?'

"That charm. Or soulstone. I'm not good at telling the difference between the two yet. You usually don't wear stuff like that out in the open."

"Would it kill you to be more discrete?" Rowen sighs. "But yeah. It's a wind charm I picked up a couple of days ago. I figured it would complement my gift." He gestured at Issac's own pendant. "Guess you can say I was inspired." 

Whether the charm was purely utilitarian or not, Issac considered this a major fashion milestone for his friend, especially since Rowen had barely more than ten sets of nearly identical clothes that wore in rotation, "Does that mean I can finally convince you to get a new pair of sneakers to replace your ratty-ass beaters?"

Rowen snorts. "In your dreams."

Issac finishes his meal and stands up to throw his trash away. "Well, if you're not free to hang out today, then I guess I'll just head home early too."