W.I.T.C.H.: The Bloody Throne

Part 10

            Will couldn't be more relieved when the bell rang at the end of the day; now she only had to endure another hour or two before she could return to Meridian and hide in bed. Unfortunately, Irma insisted on keeping her promise to Danny and visit to properly welcoming her to Heatherfield. Secretly, Will hoped that Irma didn't have a full party planned; she wasn't sure her stomach would handle it. As expected, when Will reached the lockers, her friends were waiting for her and, as promised, Hay-Lyn hadn't spoken a word about their secret. Irma was leaning against the lockers with a slightly sour expression. Taking a deep breath and swallowing the gall rising in the back of her throat, Will approached the group. "Hey, guys. Irma, why do you look so down?"

               "I ate a bunch of lemons." Muttered Irma and kept her eyes on the floor. Luckily, Taranee was there to explain with a tired sigh.

               "Irma's cousin ran out the minute the bell rang. Irma wanted to walk Danny home, so that is why she has such a sour look."

               "Hey, cheer up Irma." Said Hay-Lyn with a small smile and gave her friend a playful nudge. "You and Danny aren't attacked at the hip. Besides, you'll see you later and tomorrow at school."

               "I wish there was a way to attack myself at the hip to Danny." Replied Irma with a small smile as her demeanor beginning to lift. "Admit it guys, we are practically the same anyway."

               "Not quite." Replied Taranee and playfully jabbed her friend in the side with her elbow. "Danny still has all her marbles together. You don't."

As the girls exited the building, Will took a lungful of the chilled outside air in the hopes to settle her cooking insides. The air tasted fresh like cold water with a hint of dead leaves. Still weak from getting sick earlier Will walked slowly, falling a few feet behind her friends. Hay-Lyn noticed this and slowed her pace a bit to walk beside her red-haired friend, while Taranee and Irma walked ahead. In a quiet voice, the air-witch asked.

               "Are you going to be alright?"

               "Yeah, just questioning what I got myself into and hoping I don't spill my guts before getting back to Meridian." Replied Will with a smile and quickened her steps to keep you with her friends. Soon, the girls arrived at the shabby house that Danny and her family called their new home; now, with some paint of the door and the porch swing straightened, it appeared a little less run-down. If anything, with fresh snow beginning to fall, the frosty windowpanes, and warm light shining through them the house appeared very inviting. Irma, with fresh found energy, rushed ahead of her friends, jumped the three steps to the property, and fiercely knocked on the old door.

               Before the rest of the group could reach the front door, Ella opened it with an annoyed glare in her eyes; she didn't look any better than the previous day despite having had a shower and a proper bed to sleep in. She was going to be late for work and needed Danny to watch Jack since Roger had wandered off. With a tired sigh, she asked. "What do you want, Irma?"

               "We just wanted to properly welcome Danny to Heatherfield, since we didn't get the chance yesterday." Replied Irma with an oblivious smile directed at her cousin.

               "Danny hasn't shown-up yet. I think she is getting a job at that pet shop she mentioned earlier right now. However, I could use you for a while until Danny gets her butt here. I can't leave Jack alone or Gwen when she shows up." Just as Ella was opening the door to let the group in, Gwen and Elyon came running down the sidewalk as if the devil was after them; nearly knocking Ella over as the two girls rushed in. In the distance Ella saw her little sister Danny at the end of the block, but before Ella could open her mouth to shout at the calico-eyed girl. Gwen pipped up.