The Mirror Of Lost Souls

Chapter Three: The Gathering of the Matilda's

The next morning, I tried to shake off the events of the previous night. I told myself that today would be different, that I could forget about the mirror, the nightmares, and the entity. Today was supposed to be a happy day—my high school friends, the ones who had stood by me through everything, were coming over. We hadn’t seen each other in a year, but our bond had remained strong. We called ourselves the Matildas—a name we came up with back in high school, after one of our favorite books. It had stuck, and now it was more than just a name; it was a symbol of our friendship.

First to arrive was Cecilia Clarke. As soon as I saw her, I felt a bit of the tension leave my body. Cecilia had always had that effect on people. She was smart—ridiculously smart—but she never let it get to her head. A math genius with a head full of numbers, she could solve equations that would make most people’s heads spin. But more than that, she was fun. Cecilia was the kind of person who could turn any boring day into an adventure, and her sarcastic wit kept us all on our toes. She was also proudly bisexual, never one to shy away from being herself. Today, she had her hair dyed electric blue—a color she claimed reflected her energy—and she was already cracking jokes before she even stepped through the door.

“Missed me, didn’t you, Lena?” Cecilia teased, pulling me into a tight hug. “Admit it, life’s been boring without me around.”

“Like you wouldn’t believe,” I replied with a grin, hugging her back. “It’s good to see you.”

Next came Loraine Smith, the heart of our group. Loraine was the one who kept us all grounded, the peacemaker. She was calm, kind, and had a way of making everyone around her feel at ease. Loraine was also a bit of a bookworm, always with her nose in some new novel. She was brilliant with words, especially when it came to English, and she had a quiet wisdom that I had always admired. Today, she arrived with a stack of new books, her eyes lighting up when she saw me.

“Lena! I brought you something to read,” Loraine said, holding up the books. “Thought you might like these.”

“Thanks, Loraine,” I said, taking the books. “You always know just what I need.”

Natalia arrived next, the youngest of us by just a year. Natalia was a force of nature—smart, confident, and fiercely independent. She had always been the one to speak her mind, never holding back. In high school, she’d dated more boys than the rest of us combined, but she never let anyone define her. Natalia knew exactly who she was and what she wanted, and she wasn’t afraid to go after it. Today, she wore a bold red dress that perfectly matched her fiery personality.

“Lena, it’s been too long!” Natalia exclaimed, giving me a hug. “We have so much to catch up on.”

“I know, I’ve missed you,” I said, smiling. “It’s good to have you here.”

Anna Bolin, our resident wild card, was next. Anna was unpredictable, to say the least. She had a kind of chaotic energy that kept things interesting, and you never knew what she was going to say or do next. But beneath her wild exterior was a sharp mind and a loyal friend. Anna was the kind of person who would do anything for the people she cared about, even if she had a strange way of showing it. Today, she burst through the door with her usual enthusiasm, her hair a wild mess and a bag of snacks in her hand.

“Ready to party, ladies?” Anna shouted, her voice echoing through the house. “I’ve got snacks, drinks, and a whole lot of crazy ideas!”

“Wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Anna,” I said, laughing. “Come on in.”

And finally, there was Isabella Oakwood, our firecracker. Isabella was the life of every party, the one who could make anything fun. She was a flirt, through and through, and she made no apologies for it. Isabella was also bisexual, and she embraced her identity with pride. She was fearless, always the first to dive into something new, and she had a way of bringing out the best in everyone around her. Today, she arrived with a playlist full of the latest hits, ready to turn my living room into a dance floor.