Chapter 1 - Discovery

123 1 0
                                    




AUTHORS NOTE: Thank you for choosing to read Willa's story. I hope you enjoy.

The Photo for this Chapter is what Willa would look like (Lily Collins)

Willa

"So how'd you do it?" He asked me. "I didn't," I say, hoping he can't tell I'm lying. "You expect me to believe that you're on stage, looking nervous as ever, the lights turn off... then they turn back on and everyone is in their underwear except you... And you didn't do it?" He says sarcastically. "No offence Mr Amador but how could she make everyone in the audience strip in 5 seconds while a light's turned off? It's a bit far fetched" Mark says suddenly appearing at my side. "This is none of your business Mr Adair please leave immediately," Mr Amador says turning bright red.

Mark sighs then kisses me on the cheek, "My house in 20 yeah?"

"See you there" I smile wondering how he got in. The door slams shut.

"I'm sorry Miss Starr I understand this seems ridiculous but I have been asked by the school council to question you. Everyone was very embarrassed. You're free to go. It's impossible you could have orchestrated such a plan," He sighs. "Thanks Mr Amador I'll see you on Monday" I say giving him a quick smile. "Goodbye Willa" He says giving me a wave as I pick up my bag.  I walk out as quickly as possible and almost run to Mark's house.

I knock on the door and Mark's brother Lewis answers. "Oh hey Little Starr how's it going?" He grins. "Alright thanks. I'm pretty tired though," I tell him. He laughs before responding, "Well I think I would be too after having to talk to Mr Amador for an hour about something I didn't do. Come in I'll get Mark". "Thanks Lewis" I smile.

Lewis is in the same class as my older brother Alessio, that's how I got to know Mark. The first time we met he said, "But you're so little! You're brother's huge!"  That was when we were 7. These days the difference is even more obvious with my brother being 6,3 and me a tiny 5,4. That's why everyone calls me Little Starr.  "Hey how'd it go?" Mark asks as he comes out of the kitchen with two glasses of milk and some biscuits. I dump my bag and coat on a chair in the front room. "Okay, he let me off pretty quick after you said that. How'd you get in the classroom?" I ask. "That's for me to know and you to dot dot dot" He says with a wink.

We go into his room and he closes the door while I turn on the television. "Now what I'd really like to know is how you managed it," He says seriously. "I don't know. I went over to the piano and I was feeling nervous. I closed my eyes and did that thing how you imagine everyone in their undies and then when I opened them again the whole audience was in their underwear!" I tell him. "So whatever you imagine comes true? Wow make something happen!" He says excitedly. I imagine the biscuits going from plain to chocolate but nothing happens. "I think it only works when I'm emotional," I tell him. "I can make you emotional" He says giving me a wink.

He caresses my face with his fingers slowly and smiles. I remember the first time he did this to me and how perfect it was. I close my eyes and imagine his room exactly how it was. We were dressed in shorts and t-shirts because of the hot weather and glasses of lemonade were on his desk as he told me he loved me. "I have no idea how you do that but that is so cool!" He says excitedly.

While still on the emotional high from the memories I manage to turn the biscuits into chocolate ones and put the room back to normal. "You amaze me every day. First that speed thing, now this? There's something weird happening but it's so amazing!" He tells me. "I'm a bit worried about it actually. I mean it's cool, but it's not normal. Do you think there's something wrong with me?" I ask him. "Willa Starr. You are the most wonderful person I have ever met. How could anything be wrong with you," He says quietly. Then he kisses me slowly and I kiss him back. I put my arms around his neck and we kiss for a while before there's a knock on the door. "You two? Can I come in?" Says Mark's Mum from outside. We quickly separate. "Yeah come in Mum," Mark says.

"Sorry to break up the party. Willa can I talk to you please?" Mark's mum asks me. "Not now Mother" Mark says giving her a cold glare. "What's this about?" I ask him but he doesn't answer he just stares at his Mum waiting for a response. "I'm not arguing with you about this Mark she needs to come now.  Please Willa just come with me for a little while. I'll have you home before your curfew. Just do as I say and stay calm," She says sincerely looking me straight in the eyes. I look at Mark and he sighs and I can see he's trying not to cry. I get a big lump in my throat and I'm about to ask him what's going on again but then Mrs Adair tells me to go get my school bag.

As I get up Mark does too so he can come with me but his Mum stops him. I grab it as quickly as I can and then go back to the room and I can hear them arguing inside. "She's 16 Mum! She's not old enough. You won't let me go so why Willa?! She'll get hurt. She isn't ready for it please just leave it for a few more months" Mark pleads. "Sweetheart she's more mature than you. Believe me she's been ready for months, I've only been letting her stay for your sake. She'll be with you again one day. I'll let you two say goodbye. I'll come back in an hour, I have some jobs to do," She says leaving the room. 

I walk in and hug Mark who's shaking. "I don't understand any of this what the hell is going on?" I ask him. "You're a conjurer. I'm sorry I wanted to tell you sooner but I didn't know how," He murmurs.  "What's a conjurer?" I ask. "Please just ask Mum about this later she'll give you all the details. After tonight we can't see each other for a long time. I don't even know how long. It could be 2 months, it could be 2 years, I don't know. This stuff messes everything up," He says unhappily.

I don't know what to say so I just hug him tightly. I'm a conjurer and because I'm a conjurer I can't see the person I love the most. "Can't I just stop being a conjurer?" I ask. He lets go of me and just holds my hands. "It's not something that just stops and starts. You're born with it in you and then when you turn about 17 or 18 the powers start coming in" He moves one hand to my face. He's still shaking. "But I'm barely 16, my birthday was last week" I say confused. "Yeah I know and these started a few months ago for you. Normally they don't take people till they're around 18 but apparently you're developing too fast and the elders wanted you months ago. Mum's been trying to make excuses and now she's... she's run out" Mark says and his voice breaks as he bursts into tears. I hug him tight. "Wait stop I forgot to give you this on your birthday I need to give it to you now" He says getting up quickly. He runs over to his wardrobe and pulls outs a box covered in blue wrapping paper. "Open it later. For now just come and sit down on the bed and we'll watch some TV till Mum gets back," He says in a normal voice. I realise he's trying to act like this is any other day. "Okay" I say and give him my usual lazy smile.

So I sit down and he turns on the TV. He comes and sits down with me and we do what we normally do. We take some cute photos together on our phones, laugh, kiss, cuddle and just act normal. But towards the end of the latest episode of our favourite show he starts holding me a bit tighter and I play with his dark hair between my fingers.

"You have to promise me something," He whispers.

"Anything" I respond.

"Don't forget me. When you can see me again come straight away," He says.

"Of course. As long as you don't forget me either" I smile.

"Never" he says in a voice that is barely audible.

He kisses me hard and I can feel his tears on my face as I kiss him back. He holds me tight, like I'll disappear. I have one hand on his face and the other on his waist. I don't know how long we've been kissing for when Mrs Adair announces her presence by a cough. We don't bounce apart like we normally would but instead just slow down and stop. His dark brown eyes look into my bright green ones and he hugs me quickly before letting go. "Don't forget your box. I'll... I'll see you later" He says. "Bye Mark" I say quietly. "See ya little Starr," He says smiling sadly.

I grab my bag and the box and put on my navy coat. I look at him again but he won't look at me. His eyes are filling with tears again. My heart breaks for him as his mother puts a hand on my back and directs me through the house towards her little black car.

Towards the Conjurers.


Thanks for reading!

Please leave me some comments I want to know what you think :)

ConjuredWhere stories live. Discover now