Timeless Legacy

Family Day

Elina stormed into the dorm, startling Mal, who had just changed into more comfortable clothes. Mal's eyes widened at the sight of her friend—Elina's usually pristine appearance was a mess, her makeup smudged and streaked down her face. Elina was someone who always took care of her appearance, so seeing her like this meant something serious had happened. The stern, almost accusing look in Elina's eyes made Mal's heart sink; she had a sinking feeling she knew exactly what this was about.

Elina closed the door behind her with a firm click and fixed her gaze on Mal, her voice trembling with anger. "Did you even think?!" she demanded, her tone sharp.

Mal quickly stood up, trying to come up with an explanation. "Elina, I can—"

But Elina wasn't in the mood for excuses. She cut Mal off, her voice rising with each word. "No, Mal! Playing with people's feelings? I know we have a goal, but doing it that way? How would you feel if someone did that to you?"

Mal opened her mouth to speak but found herself at a loss for words. She looked down at her feet, guilt and shame washing over her.

"And you spelled me too?!" Elina's voice cracked with the hurt she felt. "Even if it was an accident because I like cookies, you should have reversed it immediately."

"I wanted to!" Mal protested, looking up with a pained expression. "I wanted to do it today."

"Why not yesterday?" Elina pressed, her voice quieter but still firm, the betrayal she felt evident.

Mal couldn't find an answer. She stood there, silent, her heart heavy with the consequences of her actions.

Elina sighed, her anger slowly giving way to exhaustion and disappointment. "Ben knows he was spelled, and I think he asked me out tomorrow, but I'm not sure," she said, her voice calmer now.

Mal's eyes widened in shock. "How?" she asked, bewildered.

Elina shrugged, the events still fresh and confusing in her mind. "Probably some weird magic water that he threw in my face. He said something about an enchanted lake?"

Realization dawned on Mal, her mind racing. She recalled Ben's words about her finding someone else, about the possibility of breaking the spell through the enchanted lake. It all started to make sense now—the way Ben had acted, the things he said. The spell had been broken, and now the consequences of their actions were unraveling.

Elina sighed, feeling the tension and conflict in Mal. She knew her friend only wanted to make her mother proud, to bring back some semblance of the family they had before her father left. Elina stepped closer, taking Mal's hands in hers, a determined look in her eyes.

"I'm going to continue with your plan," Elina said softly but firmly. "I'll go with Ben to the coronation, and I'll steal the wand. Then we'll get our parents here, okay?"

Mal looked at Elina, her eyes wide with surprise and awe. Elina's willingness to go along with the plan, despite the turmoil it caused her, was a testament to their friendship. It was clear that Elina had no real interest in stealing the wand, no desire for the chaos and darkness that would follow. But for Mal, her childhood friend, she was willing to do even that.

Mal squeezed Elina's hands, her heart swelling with a mix of gratitude and guilt. "Elina, you don't have to do this," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Elina shook her head, a small, sad smile on her lips. "We've come this far, Mal. I won't let you face this alone. We'll do what we have to do, and then we'll figure out the rest."

Mal nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. She didn't deserve a friend like Elina, someone so loyal and selfless. But here she was, standing by her side, ready to help her see this through to the end.