𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 - 𝐄 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗘𝗗

𝐗𝐕

𝘊𝘏𝘈𝘗𝘛𝘌𝘙 𝘍𝘐𝘍𝘛𝘌𝘌𝘕

(the cursed witch, act one)

"YOU ARE ODDLY CHEERFUL THIS MORNING," Natalie commented over breakfast after watching Nina practically skip through the house.

The teen shrugged. "It's Friday."

She hurried so she would be ready to go the second Natalie left. She had her bag ready, shoes on, teeth brushed, but even though she rushed to the door as soon as she was sure Natalie would be out of sight, Edward was faster. He was waiting in his shiny car, windows down, engine off.

She had texted Bella the night before and told her she didn't need a ride. She would have called but she didn't feel like letting Edward hear the endless teasing comments.

She didn't hesitate that time, climbing in the passenger side quickly, the sooner to see his face. He grinned his crooked smile at her, stopping her breath and her heart.

"How did you sleep?" He asked as if he didn't know. She wondered if he had any idea how appealing his voice was.

"Fine. How was your night?"

"Pleasant. Can I ask about the rock collection I found last night?" His smile was amused.

"I don't know. Can I ask how old you are?"

"No." He grinned. "Today is still mine."

He wanted to know about people today: more about Natalie, her hobbies, what they'd done in their free time together. The places she wished to go, forcing the fact that she had always wanted to visit Banff, more specifically Lake Louise. She had always admired the beauty of the mountainous range. And then her few school friends — embarrassing her when he asked about guys she's dated. She was relieved that she'd never really dated anyone, so that particular conversation couldn't last long. He seemed as surprised as Jessica and Angela by her lack of romantic history.

"So you never met anyone you wanted?" He asked in a serious tone that made me wonder what he was thinking about.

"Even if I met someone, I never stayed long enough."

His lips pressed together into a hard line.

They were in the cafeteria at this point. The day had sped by in the blur that was rapidly becoming routine. She took advantage of his brief pause to take a bite of her bagel.

"Bella will have to take you home tonight," He announced, apropos of nothing, while she chewed.

"Why? Got bored of me already?" She teased.

"Never." He grinned. "I'm leaving with Alice after lunch."

"So where are you going?"

"Hunting," He answered grimly. "If I'm going to be alone with you tomorrow, I'm going to take whatever precautions I can." His face grew morose... and pleading. "You can always cancel, you know."