The trio slept like the dead. Even Issac, strangely enough. After falling asleep, Issac didn't even stir once until late afternoon.
"You can't stay in my closet forever, Alice..." Issac attempts to persuade. Even as a rabbit, Alice's full body pout is evident, and Issac can tell that she is still anxious.
"If it makes you feel more comfortable, we can go back to the shop together. When Circe shows up, we can help mediate through whatever happened between you and her. I'm sure neither of you had bad intentions and that it was all a misunderstanding."
Alice hunches smaller on Evelyn's rabbit squishmellow, but reluctantly nods.
"That's the spirit!" Issac cheers. "Let's get Project Lucky Rabbit started!"
Issac makes a new sign for the rebranded tea shop and cleans up the storefront. After collectively finalizing flyers for the new tea shop, The Lucky Rabbit, Issac leaves to get copies made to hang up around town.
Rowen tinkers with the wiring to finally light up the dim shop and takes point on directing the aesthetic of the store, using harmless items from the back rooms like defective but still shiny crystals, and other innocuous but pretty trinkets to decorate the storefront to be a maximalist's dream.
Alice puts and old green magic charm to good use, growing and harvesting tea leaves, herbs, and flowers to harvest for the store's inventory.
Issac returns midafternoon with a sly smile. "I come bearing gifts!" he cackles.
Rowen groans. "What did you waste our funds on now? Let's see it."
"Well, a tea shop isn't official without official employee uniforms, am I right?"
Rowen peeks into the bag and feels instant regret. "You're not serious. Return these."
Alice peeks into the bad herself. "No! I love them!"
"Majority rules two to one, Rowen - the Coven has made its choice." Issac solemnly rules.
"Can I exile myself from the Coven?"
"Nope. Doesn't work that way."
Rowen felt something under his right eye twitch. Unable to refuse, he found himself the following weekend taking orders in a pink and lilac apron with a white rabbit's foot printed in paint on its center... and black faux rabbit ears.
"Welcome to the Lucky Rabbit!" Alice greets customers enthusiastically, a matching pair of white rabbit ears bouncing. "I can take your order at the register. Let me know if you'd like a recommendation. All our teas are grown here in the heart of the Good Green Witch's garden herself!"
Rowen uses flash paper to add a little performance to the preparation of the customers' drinks.
Issac darks around elegantly, clearing off tables, his own pair of brown rabbit ears occasionally threatening to fall off completely.
Their rebranded opening weekend was a considerable success, and with winter break coming to an end, the trio decided to take a trip to the amusement park downtown to celebrate. The three leave the park exhausted but with hearts full of fun memories, full stomachs, and souvenir photo strips.
"See you at school tomorrow, Rowen! Alice, we'll drop by after class."
Rowen doesn't acknowledge the farewell immediately. Instead, he shuffles a bit before looking Issac in the eyes. "Goodbye, Issac. I don't think I've said this out loud yet, but out of all the people in Cloverfield, I'm glad I got close to you too."
A self-conscious blush crept up Issac's neck at the sudden display of emotion. "Yeah, Of course. Same." Issac gets his bike rolling with a kick off the ground and shouts over his shoulder, "I'll see you guys tomorrow!"
YOU ARE READING
Cloverfield Magic
Teen FictionIssac Anderson and his parents move into a quaint little town to escape a troubled past, but Cloverfield is not what it seems. It's not long before Issac finds himself in the center of a century-old plot packed to the brim with eccentric spellcaster...
