Daughter of a Witch

Crossed Wires

The Westview High gym buzzed with the usual parent-teacher conference chaos, but Agatha Harkness felt an unusual sense of anticipation tonight. She'd heard whispers about the new science teacher and soccer coach, Rio Vidal, and though she was here for Y/n, the thought of meeting this new teacher intrigued her.

Agatha took her time weaving through the rows of tables, her eyes settling on a tall woman with wavy dark hair dressed in a blazer over a worn Westview High t-shirt, animatedly talking to a couple of parents. As she finally approached, Rio turned to her, flashing a warm smile.

"Hi there," Agatha said, extending her hand. "I'm Agatha Harkness, Y/n's mom."

"Rio Vidal," she replied with a firm, warm handshake. "Nice to finally meet you, Ms. Harkness. Y/n's told me a lot about you."

"Only good things, I hope," Agatha teased, a playful glint in her eye.

"Y/n's nothing if not honest," Rio chuckled. "But yes, all good things. She's an amazing kid-both in the classroom and on the field. I'm impressed that she has such a strong presence as captain."

Agatha felt a warmth of pride. "She's worked hard to get there and loves the team. I'm glad she has a coach who sees her potential."

"Absolutely. She's got real leadership qualities. In fact, I can hardly wait to see how the season plays out." Rio's eyes sparkled with excitement, and her enthusiasm for both science and soccer was unmistakable.

They continued chatting, and what began as a polite conversation turned into a deeper exchange. Agatha found herself laughing and sharing stories, their conversation easy and natural despite the buzzing noise of the gym around them. Parents began trickling out when Rio noticed the time and raised an eyebrow.

"Looks like we've been at this a while," Rio said, a bit sheepish. "But honestly, this was the most fun I've had at one of these conferences in ages."

Agatha smiled, almost reluctant to leave. "I enjoyed it too. Maybe... you could keep me updated on any school or soccer assignments?"

Rio's face brightened. "I'd love that! Here-why don't we exchange numbers?"

Agatha handed her phone over, and when Rio returned it, their fingers brushed. Agatha felt a spark, an almost teenage thrill that was rare for her. They parted with a warm smile, and Agatha left the gym with a renewed spring in her step.

Over the next week, their texts came often. Initially, they discussed school updates, but soon, they ventured into everything from their favorite recipes to their favorite vacation spots. Agatha checked her phone more often than usual, excited to see a message from Rio. One evening, as their banter was in full swing, Rio finally asked Agatha out.

After a long pause, during which she typed and retyped her answer, Agatha finally replied, "Yes, I'd love to."

When Friday night came, Agatha was practically giddy. She spent more time than usual on her appearance, and when she arrived at the restaurant to see Rio waiting by the door, her nerves melted at the sight of Rio's easy smile.

Meanwhile, Y/n and her friends-Peter, Yelena, Kate, and William-had wrapped up practice and headed to the same restaurant for a post-practice hangout. Peter suddenly sat up straighter as they settled in, looking across the room.

"Uh, Y/n? Isn't that your mom over there?"

Y/n turned, her heart dropping. There was her mom, laughing and smiling at... Coach Vidal? She blinked, struggling to process what she was seeing. Her mom and Coach Vidal looked happy-really happy. A strange mix of emotions surged through her, from surprise to an unexpected stab of jealousy.

"I, uh-I need to get out of here," Y/n muttered, barely listening to her friends' questions as she hurried out of the restaurant.

Over the next two weeks, Y/n avoided talking to her mom about the encounter, but it lingered in her mind, casting a shadow over her days. The openness they'd always shared now felt compromised. She thought about bringing it up but found herself hesitating every time.

Then came the big soccer game, and Y/n's heart just wasn't in it. She stumbled through the first half, missing passes and fumbling plays she'd normally nail with ease. At halftime, Rio approached her.

"Y/n, what's going on?" she asked, her tone gentle but concerned.

Y/n shook her head, forcing a shrug. "Just... not feeling it today, Coach."

"Listen," Rio said, lowering her voice, "you're not yourself out there. I think it's best to sit out the rest of the game."

"What?" Y/n's voice rose in disbelief. "But I'm fine!"

Rio met her gaze with steady eyes. "No, you're not, Y/n. Whatever's going on, we can talk about it later, okay?"

Furious and humiliated, Y/n sat out the rest of the game, watching her teammates play on without her. When the game finally ended, she bolted, ignoring her mom and Rio as they called after her. She sped home, her emotions boiling over, and retreated to her room. The betrayal she felt was almost unbearable.

Agatha returned home soon after, visibly anxious, with Rio at her side. They walked into the kitchen to find Y/n pacing and visibly distressed.

"Y/n," Agatha said gently. "What's going on with you?"

Y/n stopped, glaring. "Why do you care? And why is she here?"

Agatha bristled. "Y/n, don't talk to her like that."

"Why not?" Y/n's voice was sharp, her eyes flashing. "You didn't even tell me you were seeing her! This is just like when Mom started sneaking around with that robot. You're keeping secrets too, just like she did."

Agatha took a deep breath, steadying herself. "I know it must feel like that to you, but this is different. I wanted to tell you, but I just... didn't know how you'd feel."

Y/n shook her head, feeling the familiar sting of tears. "Why did you keep it from me, then? We're supposed to be open with each other. We're supposed to be honest."

Agatha's shoulders slumped, her voice softening. "You're right. I should have told you. But I wanted to make sure things were serious before I did. I didn't want you to get hurt."

Y/n's voice wavered, and she looked away, biting her lip. "I just... I don't want to be in the dark, Mom. I don't want to feel like I can't trust you."

Rio, watching the exchange, stepped forward tentatively. "I'm sorry if I made this harder for you, Y/n. The last thing I wanted was to come between you two."

Y/n's gaze softened slightly, though she kept her distance. "It's not... it's not just you," she admitted quietly. "I don't like not knowing what's happening."

Agatha walked over, placing a gentle hand on her daughter's shoulder. "I promise I'll keep you in the loop from now on. Okay? We'll be honest with each other, just like always."

Y/n took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "Okay," she whispered. A small smile crept onto her face as she glanced at Rio, her voice teasing. "Well, this is definitely going to piss Mom off."

Rio chuckled, glancing at Agatha, who shared a playful look. "I think we're both fine with that," Rio smirked.

They all laughed, the tension finally breaking, and Agatha pulled Y/n into a tight hug.