Copyright All Rights Reserved 2012
2: Exuberant
"I JUST CAN'T believe that you're bailing out on your grandmother's anniversary for some study group tonight, Rose." My mother scolded at me harshly two hours later from over a blistering stove of boiling stainless steel pots. The muscles in her small, pale hand tensed as she fiercely stirred in a rare organic substances for the vanquishing potion she was creating. "I mean, really, you can always make up for study time tomorrow."
I desperately feigned a groan of annoyance as guilt quickly consumed, leaving my hands quaking in fear. I hastily slipped my sweaty hands underneath the surface of the counter, clenching them together tightly. My feet uncontrollably tapped against the tiled floor, and I silently prayed. Oh, please, God, get me out of this one.
After spending two hours over Kamari's house carefully selecting our outfits for tonight, I decided to head home to deliver the bad news to my mother. Of course, now that I was in the hot seat, I kind of wished that I'd simply spoken to her over the phone instead of in person.
"Well, Mom, you knew that finals were coming up." I reminded her, offering a practical explanation. "Do you want me to fail the semester?" My voice, to my relief, came out accusing.
She shot me a hard look, pulling the wooden spoon out of the pot. "Don't even play with me, Rose. You know good and well that that isn't what I want." Her voice was serious. She gradually turned back around and resumed stirring the potion. "It's just that isn't an ordinary anniversity, and you know it. Practically the entire coven is coming just to witness the reunion between your grandparents. This is an opportunity for you to socialize with some of the most powerful witches in the world. It might even get you good word in with the council."
I rolled my eyes, unclasping my hands and casually brushing a strand of hair behind my ear with my fingers. "Why bother when I already know the most powerful one?" I muttered under my breath.
She heard me. "Diversity, Rose." She replied knowingly, grabbing a small glass bottle from the counter. As she carefully transferred the thick, dark purple liquid into the small bottle, she continued, "Diversity is exactly why this meeting is so important. Your grandmother may be the most powerful seer, but there conjurers, warriors, enchantresses and healers. Why limit yourself to one when you have the opportunity to learn them all?"
I shrugged my shoulders helplessly, pursing my lips. "Maybe next time, Mom."
"Fine." She sighed heavily in defeat. She turned around and placed the small glass bottle of potion directly in front of me, slowly shaking her head in annoyance. Wiping her hands off with a towel, she raised an eyebrow at me and suggested, "Perhaps at your sister's wedding, then? It's only five months away."
A heavy wave of relief flooded through me, calming my tense muscles and slowing my pounding heart. I smiled brilliantly, running my hands through my hair. "That'll be great, Mom." Finally, letting my curiosity get the best of me, I started, "What's that-"
"Mom!" My older sister, Rachel's, voice suddenly shrieked out as she appeared out of thin air near the stove. Her long, thick dark hair bounced bodily around her thin shoulders, her dark eyes sparkling with excitement. Her pleasant smile disappeared the moment she noticed the potion cooking on the stove. She immediately scolded, "Mom! I thought you promised that you wouldn't do any witchcraft tonight! You know how uncomfortable Jeremy is about magic."
