Spelled

Chapter Ten

Jess's POV:

When Charlene's frightening figure appeared in my doorway, my breath caught. That was one provoked princess. All of a sudden, I was glad that she had banished me from her presence. A small, oddly familiar figure who was trailing behind her appeared. Charlene's chin held high, she said, "Touch," and gently prodded the small person with her towards me. Afraid to anger the future queen more than she already was, I stood and walked towards the small figure until our fingers brushed. A memory enveloped me into itself.

"Why did you do that to her?" Willa asked coolly, staying calm an obvious struggle.

"Do what?" I exclaimed, throwing my hands down by my sides.

"Oh, I think you know," Willa was beginning to loose her battle for calm.

My eyes widened as I leaned forward, "I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW. If it would just make you, Char, and Amanda TALK TO ME again."

"You really wanna go there?" Willa looked disgusted with me.

"Yes! Maybe then I'll find out why you guys are so angry with me!" Calm down, I thought. She's your friend, whether she's being reasonable right now or not.

"YOU KISSED HER BOYFRIEND OF FOUR YEARS!" Willa thundered, causing everyone else in the bowling arena to turn to look at us.

"HE KISSED ME FIRST!" I hollered back.

Willa gulped down what I guess was supposed to be a cleansing breath, "That's not relevant. You kissed him back, knowing good and well how much Charlene liked him. She finally recovers after being rejected by Finn time and time again, finds someone she likes even more, and has her heart broken again. The only thing that's arguably in that situation is who hurt her worse. Maybeck, or you, Jezebel?" Willa turned on her heel and stormed out of the arena.

"Low blow, Willa!" I shouted loud enough for her to hear me, "Wait, you know I'm your ride, right?"

She looked back over her shoulder at me, her eyes full of unleashed fire, "I'd rather die than be near you for one more minute," before turning back around and storming out the door.

As my eyes opened, I saw Willa recoil from me, retreating back to where Charlene stood in the doorway. As Willa's 5'2 frame leaned on Charlene's 5'5 one, they wrapped their arms around each other.

"Wow," I breathed, and, looking at Charlene, "So that's why you banished me from your presence."

"You should be glad that's all I've done," If looks could kill, Charlene's steady gaze would have put a hole in my chest, "I could have you hanged if I have the slightest displeasure with your existence," Charlene laughed, "A war's awfully unfair when it's a fugitive against a future queen."

And with that, they were both gone.