finding wanda: a tale of discovery and trust

"vulnerability and stubbornness"

"What are you smiling about, girl?" Amelia asked as she waved a hand in front of me. Trying to catch my attention, she sat next to me.

Mumbling the answer, a small chuckle left me as I answered, "oh, just my birthday," I replied nonchalant.

Amelia noticed the statue in my hands and wondered who gave it to me. I lied that it was from my mother, not wanting to reveal Wanda's existence and respecting her privacy.

Feeling better now that Wanda was in my life, It was true that in the two months we've known each other, she had done more for me than my parents in the last years.

"You look pale," Amelia said, concerned. I nodded, admitting that I felt slightly nauseous, and my headache hadn't subsided since this  morning. Wanting to downplay it, I shrugged it off. The fact was there that I often felt a bit unwell in the mornings, and I didn't want to make a big deal out of it.

As class began, my dizziness intensified, and Amelia insisted I should go home. Realizing that my keys were still at Wanda's, I sighed in frustration and walked into the woods.

"It's open, Hun," Wanda's voice called out as I knocked on the door. "Sorry, forgot my keys," I said, avoiding eye contact as I hastily tried to leave. Hoping she wouldn't notice anything, I turned back towards the door.

As I attempted to make my escape, Wanda's commanding tone abruptly stopped me:"Hold on." She observed me closely, her gaze fixated on my pale face. "What's wrong with you?," she asked sternly.

I tried to brush it off, even though I knew she wouldn't buy it. "Just tired." I lied, but Wanda was unconvinced. "You don't look okay. Are you falling ill?" Her serious tone made me look down. I hated to be vulnerable around people.

Even when I knew Wanda already knew the truth, I was still trying to hide the fact that my headache was killing me by mumbling a quick 'I'm fine'. As Wanda stood with her hands on her hips, waiting for me to confess the truth, I repeated "I'm Just tired,"

Almost before the words left my mouth, I collapsed due to the dizziness, but Wanda quickly caught me and sat me down gently. My body finally gave into the illness, and Wanda's commanding tone left no room for argument as she said, "Yeah, you're not going anywhere."

"But I'm fine." I laughed. With my glaze eyes, I looked at her and she didn't buy it. She helped me up. Once again, I noticed how strong she was.

Seeing Wanda prepare a spot for me on the couch again, I protested. "No, I'll go home, I'll be fine," I insisted. But as she looked at me with her strict demeanor, clearly worried, I hesitated. She replied, "I'm not letting you go home.your parents are almost never there."

Looking down, I felt a bit guilty. I didn't want to burden Wanda. But she reassured me, "You're not a burden! Don't you dare think that." She cupped my face and gave me a comforting kiss on the forehead.

Wanda left to prepare my favorite tea, only to find me already dozing off on the couch. I heard a gentle chuckle from her before I drifted off to sleep.

I woke up shivering, a clear sign of a cold on this hot summer day. I sat up, and Wanda noticed, laying a hand on my forehead. Realizing she had been by my side all this time, made me feel safe. "You're feverish, Hun." She said and then wrapped a blanket around me, and I smiled, feeling grateful.

Unable to warm up, Wanda wrapped her arm around me, pulling me close. After I tensed up a bit, I finally gave in and allowed myself to relax and snuggle up against her.

Somehow, Wanda managed to let me be vulnerable with her. I trusted her. She's a good person, which makes it even sadder that there are many people who dislike or even hate her.

Wanda smiled and led me to the bedroom this time. It was clear she wanted to keep a close eye on me.
Without letting me argue, I laid down on the bed near her, knowing that she meant well and that I could be stubborn at times.

As I layed down, I felt something weird. As if someone wanted to take Wanda away from me.

Shrugging it off, thinking it were just some trust issues, I didn't realize a blue magical glow surrounded us, as I fell asleep