The Opal Witch

Chapter Eighteen: Better Days

Training made the days pass quickly. June gave way to July in a blaze of red, white, and blue. Sweetwater didn't have many things to boast about, but the town's Fourth of July picnic was one of them. The sweet tang of barbecue hung heavy in the humidity, and as the long summer day turned dark, it would coalesce with the sulfur and smoke from fireworks, both big and small. Even Audra was infected by the atmosphere and she agreed to give the Circle a break from training.

If anyone expected the girls to spend the holiday together, they were sadly mistaken. Training wasn't the only thing the girls needed a respite from. While their skills improved, attitudes didn't. Regardless, Lux was excited about the opportunity to spend the day alone with Kitty and Travis. Away from Sara Elizabeth's snark, Audra's bossiness, and Ruby's depression.

And Declan's indifference.

"What are you wearing?" Kitty asked, lying on her stomach flipping through the latest fashion magazine. Strange how something that used to be so mundane now felt like a special moment to be cherished.

"I can't decide between a dress or shorts. A dress will be cooler, but I like the freedom of shorts."

"I mean, we're seventeen now. What do you plan on doing in shorts that you can't do in a dress?"

Lux pulled out the red sundress she'd purchased at a boutique with the Fourth in mind. The color would make what was left of her tan pop, and the length would show off her long legs without giving her mother a heart attack. She eyed the plunging back and couldn't stop the errant thought Declan might have a heart attack when he spied the expanse of skin she'd be exposing. They'd kept their distance from one another, but she knew he still desired her. This dress was the perfect revenge.

"When you put it that way," she told Kitty, holding the dress in front of her for inspection.

Kitty dropped the magazine and rose to her knees. She made give me hands at the dress, her blue eyes bright and carefree. The sight made Lux feel giddy and reminded her of better days. If the dull, constant ache in her chest disappeared, she could almost pretend this 4th of July was just like that last year's, and that meant she could be last year's Lux too.

"Is that the dress that was in the Sew Fabulous Boutique? Girl, that dress is haawt."

Lux stepped into the dress, loving the way the soft cotton felt against her skin. The hem swished about her mid-thigh as she spun to look at herself in her mirror. "The bra will have to go," she worried.

Kitty shook her head. "The front is blousy enough that it will hide any nipping."

"Really?"

"I'm sure. Besides, it's not cold outside. Then again, it won't be cold turning your high beams on tonight."

"You're four," Lux chastised until what Kitty said sunk in. "Wait, what are you talking about?"

"Declan. He's coming with us tonight. I thought that's why you were wearing a dress sexy enough to give Travis a boner."

"Kitty! Do you know how freaking awkward it's going to be having him wandering around with us all night?"

While they didn't chat like they used to, Lux couldn't keep the details of her heartbreak a secret from her best friend. Well, most of the details. She didn't tell her the truth about the consequences a relationship between Declan and Lux would bring. She was too afraid Kitty would side with him- the girl was developing a no nonsense approach to magic. In everything else, Kitty sought to buck the rules, but not where magic was concerned. She studied hard and took everything at face value.

So Lux spun a simpler story. One any teenage girl could get behind, and Kitty didn't disappoint. Like a loyal friend, she consoled her, fed her fattening foods, and offered to mess up Declan's pickup truck. In the south, it didn't get much more loyal than messing with a man's ride.