A Witch's Way

Chapter 17

Serena sat at her table, staring at the two wooden figures Jasper had hand-carved for her. They set there, almost mocking her.

Rosemary had avoided her ever since she came back and explained what she did. She wouldn't even glance her way, or if they happened to catch each other's eyes, she'd shake her head in that disappointed and sad way, and she'd walk off into the garden.

Serena reached to grab at the Rosemary carving, and she held it in her hands, brushing her finger over the spine of it. It hurt to have them near, but she didn't want to toss them, either--she couldn't bear it.

Then again, maybe she should. Maybe she shouldn't have these. She doesn't deserve them. She was selfish--and she can't just go back and say sorry, could she? Serena put down the figure before she would break it, feeling anger surge through her.

Why had she listened to her jealousy? Why would she have? Her hands curled around the edge of the table and squeezed, arms shaking. She wanted to kick herself.

She picked up the wooden carvings and attached them together, starting to move towards the trash. Serena held the figures over the trashcan, hesitating. She felt her grip slipping, just about to let go--then a knock on her door startled her. She tightened her hold on the figures and turned around to see Jasper standing there.

"Serena."

Serena dropped the figures on the floor and bolted to her room. They fell to the ground with a thud, knocking against the trash can. She slammed the door shut and heard Jasper grunt as he pushed against it.

"Serena, do you think I want to do this either?" Jasper said through the wood.

Serena shook her head, unable to answer. He's not supposed to be here. He needs to leave, she thought, panicking. "You need to go."

"Do you think I want to do this? Go into the hospital each and every time something happens? Do you think I'm okay with this?" Jasper said, slamming a hand against the wood. Serena jumped back and watched as the door flung open, Jasper holding the figures in his hand.

Serena stepped forward, avoiding his eyes. "Get out."

Jasper stepped backward and slammed the figures on the table. It shook, and he turned around. "I'm staying here."

"No, you're not. Get out," Serena said, angrier this time. "I'm doing this for yo--"

"Bull shit!" Jasper shouted, spinning around to face Serena. "You're not. You're doing this for yourself before you get hurt. You're afraid to get hurt. It's okay. I'm afraid too--"

"You don't know shit!" Serena snapped. "You don't know what my reasons are! You have no idea what or who I'm doing this for! Get out! You're...you're not welcome here anymore!"

Jasper stood his ground and glared at Serena. They heard the distinct sound of hooves running through the house, and the back door slamming shut.

Serena felt the wind in her home pick up, but she stood her ground. Papers shot around the room in a fury, the pots hanging on the chains rattled and spun, spilling dirt on the rug. The figures roll off the table onto the floor from the winds in the room.

One of them cracked and broke. It was Rosemary's carving.

"You think I want to do this? My mother died--my mother that raised me died! Died because I have this power that I never wanted! You're running away! You're running away because--"

Serena slammed a hand on the table nearby, feeling pain jolt up her arm. "I'm not running away--"

"You're running away because you're afraid of people finding out that you're jealous of me. Say it!"