CHAPTER 9- LOXLEY
RUSHING HOME AFTERmy job interview, I shuck off my tie and boot up my Hot Water video game console. My shoulders sag in disappointment when I see that Coldblooded hasn’t messaged me back. I knew I shouldn’t have pressed to visit him. Everything was peachy until I asked him where he lived over a week ago. Discovering that he’s not far from Cosmo made my heart jolt with interest. It was like hypnosis; my hands were compelled to type and ask him out. Just because I don’t know what he looks like doesn’t mean I’m not interested in forging a connection in real life. He doesn’t know that I’m a skinny dude with glasses who can’t talk right. Every fiber of my being is telling me that he wants to build a real-life relationship, be it friendship or something romantic.
My heart yearns to meet with Coldblooded. But judging by his radio silence, he’s not interested.
After taking a deep breath, I slowly unbutton my fancy shirt. I couldn’t even focus during the job interview, making my speech impediment flare up even more. Sure, they know about my disability, and I’m applying for a coding job, but I doubt I impressed them. Chatting with mortals to try to get a gig isn’t even a priority in my witchy life.
Shucking off my shirt, I stare at my reflection and flex my tiny arms. I wonder if Coldblooded could be interested in skinny, shorter, White boys with wavy brown hair? On that note, I wonder if Gordy is?
With another long sigh, I get dressed as I dwell on the other potential connection in my life. Being near Gordy Lee is equal parts frightening and thrilling. The other day, without a word, our magic flared to life, intertwining on instinct. If I had even a modicum of that mystical energy, I would have passed the competency exam with flying colors. It felt sublime to tap into my magic for the first time. It was like I was a real, competent witch.
And it’s all thanks to Gordy. He left our training session early, and he seemed upset. I can’t be too mad, because I considered that a win; we conjured magic!
I can’t stop thinking about every one of our interactions. In his tall, built, Chinese dude form, he’s handsome, brooding, and intimidating. But in his turtle form, he’s somehow even more sexy. That shell…that tail…
The magic in my bones longs to be near him, but he’s not my familiar. He’s a man, at least half the time. He deserves a say in whatever relationship he wants with me. Right now, he barely tolerates me. He can’t be my familiar, and I need to accept that disappointment.
Clearing my throat, I finish changing into my sweats and then peer out the window. As expected, there are guests in the yard again. Auntie is really milking this new outdoor grill setup for all its worth, but this time, it’s for a Memorial Day celebration.
If that’s the case, then why are these new Union members, relative strangers, at our house?
With a hefty dose of anxiety, I make my way to the backyard. “Loxley, darling!” Auntie says. She beckons me over to where several others are seated with various drinks. Anika is at the grill, and it seems all the guests are already eating burgers and hot dogs.
“You remember your friends!” Auntie beams at the magical folks sitting at the table. I recall Declan, Sally, and the two brothers, but the rest I don’t know. However, I recognize them all as local witches about my age.
Most of them passed the Union competency exam, and I was hoping to never see them again. No such luck.
“Hi,” I greet as I sit down.
“Are we really friends?” Declan asks with his signature air of superiority.
“We could be!” Sally says.
“We don’t really know you all,” one of the two brothers, Shugo, says.
“We got mystical parchments inviting us here for some mixer?” the other brother asks.
“I was under the impression it was for competent witches only,” Declan says, almost leering at me. The others I don’t remember all nod and murmur about receiving mystical parchments.
I frown. “I…l-l-live here.”
“Yes, I sent you all memos to introduce you to our coven,” Auntie says, trying to get everyone’s attention. “I wanted to get to know you all at this open house.”
Ah, so that’s what this is. Auntie proceeds to discuss how we have openings in the coven, but they’re free to leave after eating if they’re not interested. Shugo, Kenta, and Sally ask polite questions. Auntie answers them, and several others gravitate to the grill to get more food.
I use this opportunity to go to the drink table. There’s no beer, which sucks, so I take my time preparing a large soda. After downing my sugary concoction, I stare at the empty cup. Beer can’t be that complicated, can it? Focusing my attention, I try to conjure beer. Think of the bubbles and yeast…
Nothing. It’s probably just because it’s sunny out, and witches pull magic from the moon. Yet, it was sunny when I practiced with Gordy the other day…
“Hey!” Sally’s voice breaks me from my train of thought.
“Hey,” I reply.
“Where’s your friend? The big broody one?”
The sheer memory of Gordy’s face has my mouth dry. “Um…unsure. He’s…already…part of…”
“The coven?” Sally asks.
