Choices, Love, and Magic (Complete)

chapter 29

I didn't know what I was doing here. I didn't even know why I left in the first place. But I did know this:

I was home.

I advanced, slowly at first, but speeding up until I was running! I ran right to the door and through it, sprinting straight up the stairs and dumping my bag. Then I ran back down the stairs, colliding at the bottom with the exact person I was looking for!

I stopped both of us falling and hugged her tight, barely letting her register who it was before I whispered thickly,"I came back. I wish I'd done it sooner." I pulled gently away and looked into my mother's conflicted and shocked eyes as I declared strongly,"I'm home, Mom. And I don't plan to leave anytime soon."

It was silent for a minute before my mom's face softened, holding nothing but love now. "Welcome home," she whispered, and happy tears leaked from both of our eyes as my mother pulled me into a hug that felt like it would never end.

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When my sister walked in the door later, she found me and mom curled up on the couch as I filled her in on everything she'd missed. Both me and my sister froze, and I expected her to shout at me again.

Nicole surprised me, however, when she ran to me and dragged me off the couch and into a hug, muttering,"This better not be a dream. If it is, I swear I'll-"

"It's not a dream, sis," I laughed as I pulled gently away. I looked into my sister's joyful eyes and informed her,"This is real. I'm home."

Then we laughed together and all of us sat back down on the couch as I filled them in on everything they'd missed. When I was done, Nicole asked,"What happened to that Clarissa girl? Aren't you supposed to be like her guardian or something?"

Both her and mom studied me with curiosity as I hunched over and whispered sadly,"Not anymore." Then I straightened and informed them strongly,"Clarissa is better off without any interference from me."

Mom nodded understandingly, then happened to look at the clock. "I think that it's time to go to bed, girls," she ordered,"It's 9:30." I agreed gratefully and started to exit the room, stopping just before I left and telling my mom,"I'm going to set my alarm, so you don't need to worry about waking me up tomorrow." Both family members looked confused, so I clarified,"I'm going back to school."

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The next morning, I felt like my head would explode if I heard one more of my mother's worried comments interrupting my breakfast. And, as she was opening her mouth to speak for the millionth time, I interrupted jokingly,"Mom! I will be fine! Quit smothering, please."

Then, giggling at her surprised face, I went upstairs to get dressed. I ended up in black skinny jeans, a form fitting royal blue V-neck t-shirt with short sleeves, black flats, a high pony tail, and a sleeveless black leather vest. Looking in the mirror, I nodded and went downstairs, giving Mom a quick kiss on the cheek before going out the door. I used my magic to get another black motorcycle and pulled on the helmet. Then I climbed on, speeding off to school.

Pulling into the parking lot, the first thing I noticed was that everyone was staring at the stranger on the motorcycle. Laughing slightly into my helmet, I pulled into an open spot and revved the engine before shutting it off and swinging my leg over so that I was standing. Then I pulled off my helmet.

Everyone froze, staring at me in curiosity. I laughed aloud and called out,"The freak is back! Get over it!" I laughed again and walked past my shocked classmates into the school.

I had just reached my locker (which, surprisingly, still had its lock on) when I heard an excited shriek!

"Katherine!"