just write it all out

29

Mitchcraft! Part II - 01/29/16

The school is based in a skyscraper in the heart of Los Angeles, but regular Muggles can't see it because it's located on floors that aren't supposed to exist. It's magically attached to the skyscraper, but it also kinda floats on its own. Inside, it's basically like any American public school separated into ten floors, only there are a few rooms you wouldn't typically see, like the owlery or the Room of Requirement. And, of course, the floors switch places everyday, which makes getting to classes on time a little difficult. Only the top floor, where the dorms are, and the bottom floor, where the "front office" and the teacher's offices are, don't move.

Today, the library is on the third floor, and we walk in painstakingly quietly to avoid being scolded by the librarian, Esther. I guess technically we should call her Miss Kaplan, but she's Avi's older sister who graduated from LAMBS a few years ago, and we're pretty close to her. That doesn't stop her from shushing us when we get too loud, though. Usually, she's either at her desk in the corner, or off somewhere in the shelves organizing the books. It looks like she's lost in the shelves today.

I make my way over to one of the ancient-looking computers and sit down, my bag banging onto the floor. Scott laughs and I shoot him a wary look, but I can't help but smile. He's like a little child. As I power up the computer, I gather the books I need to return and hand them to Scott. "Mind putting those in the basket, bestie?"

He sticks his tongue out at me, but takes the books and walks away. I turn back to the computer and log in with my student user, blinking with surprise as the desktop comes up like ten times faster than it usually does.

"Lots better, am I right?" I hear someone call from behind me. I turn to see Esther walking towards me with a broad smile on her face. Her dark hair is pulled into a ponytail and her glasses frame her long face nicely. "We got the software a little updated yesterday. Magically, of course." She pats the computer next to mine fondly. "Getting magic to cooperate with electronics is hard, but it's getting easier with each new development. So, what are you looking up today?"

I brush my hair to the side as I answer. "The growth development stages of the mandrake. I know I should know this but I'm stuck."

"He says he doesn't have a girl on his mind, but I think he's lying," Scott butts in, sliding into the seat next to me.

I roll my eyes and focus on the monitor in front of me, but I can feel Esther looking hard at me. Like she knows I was telling the truth and Scott really is clueless. "Well, let me know if I can find you guys any books," she says, grinning. "There are probably a few really good Herbology books here, but I know you guys prefer the technology. You know where to find me." She saunters off and leaves me browsing the web and Scott leafing through a book.

While I write down some key notes and sketch a couple diagrams, I attempt to make conversation with Scott so it's not completely silent. "Whatcha reading there?"

He looks at the cover briefly and turns back to the middle of the book. "A Musician Magician's Encounters in the Muggle World. I just kinda picked it up."

"You're really putting that musical affinity to the test, huh?"

He sighs and puts it down. "I just like singing, Mitch."

"You can play piano and guitar, too."

He cracks a smile. "Okay, fine, maybe I kinda have some musical potential. You, on the other hand, Mitch, you definitely do."

"Are you kidding me? My voice sucks." I know I hear my voice lower than it actually is, because Scott and I have filmed videos before, and I hate how high my voice is. Even though most people at LAMBS are really accepting (because let's face it, we're all freaks), it's still the subject of ridicule every once in a while. It automatically makes people think I'm gay, and even though I am, it still hurts a little. Which is why I'm surprised Scott still thinks I'm straight.

Maybe it's because I've never actually talked to him about romantic stuff. That's probably the strangest part of our now six-year best friendship. We've never really talked to each other about girls. Or guys. I mean, there was the occasional "Hey, I'm going to ask this girl out," from Scott, and the one "I'm dating this guy now." But I never shared anything, and he never pried. I really respected that.

"Your voice is perfect," Scott insists, pulling me from my thoughts. "I wish I could hit those notes and those riffs and–I just–ugh."

"Shut up, Mr. Flawless."

"You shut up, Mr. Perfect."

"I'm not perfect, I mean, look at me. This essay is taking forever."

"No, look, you're almost done. All you have to do is write it out now, and Professor Barkley said it's one step up from a bulleted list, basically. So you're good."

I look at him, smiling at me, and I can't help but smile too. And I know it seems like that happens a lot, that I can't help but smile when he does, but it's true. His smile just makes me feel so much happier. "Okay. That's good. Give me a few minutes then."

I turn back to the essay, but I feel his arms wrap around my waist and arms and my breath catches in my throat for a second. Wait, why did it do that? "I'm so proud of you, Mitchy," he says.

"For–for what?"

"Right now? For figuring out the essay."

I chuckle. "Well, you helped. A lot."

His arms squeezed me tighter. "I wasn't done, silly. And I'm also proud of you always, for everything you've done. Especially how you've come so far musically, and especially especially in our friendship."

"Aw, Scott." I pried my arms out of his and hugged him back, mostly around his neck. "You're the best."

He stays silent for a bit longer than I expect him to (which is, you know, none), but it's not long at all before he replies, "I know, I know. Now get back to work, young man."

As I finish the essay, my pencil suddenly dancing across the page with ease, I feel eyes on me. I assume they're Scott's at first, but when I look at him from the corner of my eye, he's picking through a book again. I put my pencil down and raise my arms as if to stretch as I glance behind me in the other direction. There's Esther at her desk, suddenly looking down and seeming to do something urgently important. I smile, relieved to know it's just her.

So why do I still feel a bit creeped out?

Y'all, let me know if you want more Mitchcraft shots. Because tbh I miss writing this and I think I can get back into it.

I do so love sketching inspirational makeup looks, so there's a doodle based off of Glam & Gore's industrial look, with the mask. And I started drawing an eye and said "screw it" so now it's a demon. Two thumbs up.