The Enchanted Ones

Chapter 5 ✨

"So um...I'm really happy we finally got to go on this date," Lin said, smiling down at Kath. She smiled back up at the redhead, her arms tight around her waist. Lin's arms were around her neck, keeping Kath close as they just existed in each other's space. "I have to admit though...I wasn't expecting your sister to tag along."

They both turned their heads to where Charlotte was standing in the concessions line ahead of them.

"One slushie," Charlotte told the teenager behind the cashier. "And make it a good one. Don't let it be all liquid on the bottom."

Kath sighed and let her head drop to Lin's chest. "I'm sorry. She wouldn't listen to me when I told her to stay."

"It's okay," Lin said, kissing the end of Kath's nose. "She's funny."

"That'll be four sixty-seven," the cashier squeaked, voice cracking with puberty. Charlotte dug into her pocket and pulled out only lint.

"Motherfuc-" she turned to Kath with a big smile. "I forgot my wallet. Do you...by chance have some cash I can borrow?"

"I got it," Lin said, dipping her hand into the pocket of her jacket. She pulled out a handful of change and some bills from her wallet. "I have exactly...oh. I have four sixty-seven exactly."

She pushed it towards the cashier and Charlotte spun to look at Lin suspiciously. "You...have exactly the right amount?"

Lin shrugged. "Yeah."

Charlotte leaned forward and sniffed Lin loudly. Kath blushed and pushed her sister away.

"Char!"

"You smell like magic," Charlotte said with a squint. She looked back at Kath. "Did you do something?"

"No!"

"Next, please."

Kath shot Charlotte a look as she stepped aside, sipping on her slushie as Lin ordered popcorn and drinks for herself and Kath. When they settled in the theater, Charlotte insisted on leaning over towards Kath and whispering.

"There's something weird about your friend there."

"Weirder than bringing her sister on a date?" Kath asked pointedly.

Charlotte just huffed and leaned back into her chair as they watched the movie.

They got back to their House and Lin kissed Kath goodbye at the door despite her invitation to stay. Lin said she had to be up early for the Academy the next day and didn't want to wake Kath up. So they parted ways, but as soon as Kath met Charlotte in the kitchen, she knew she was up to something.

Charlotte had a grin on her face, boots propped up on the kitchen table as she leaned back in the chair.

"What now, Char?" Kath asked as she started making herself tea.

Her grin only got wider as she pulled out a stack of what looked like lottery scratchers and threw them on the table with a flourish. Kath blinked at Charlotte before turning back to her kettle.

"What's that?"

"I found these in hot-Walker's car," Charlotte said. "Explain that."

Kath raised an eyebrow and took her time pouring herself her cup of tea before sitting at the table. She picked up some of the lottery scratchers and shrugged.

"What am I looking at?"

"All of these are winning tickets," Charlotte said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.