Page 65 of The Soulmate Bakery

Last summer – mid-August

Orion’s going-away party was one week before the summer came to a close. Raven was arriving on the day, and his friends had planned the whole thing. I’d picked a pretty outfit for the night: a pale-blue sweater with my favourite dark jeans, and I was going to don an assortment of gold rings on my fingers. But my outfit and the accessories I had chosen didn’t matter. Because tonight I was going to cast the spell, and then I’d walk into Orion’s party and he would finally see me – not his sister’s best friend, not the girl he used to hang out with, not just a friend, but someone worth staying for.

‘Maya!’ Rani called from downstairs. ‘Mum and I are going over to the Hawthornes’ for the party – are you riding with us?’

‘No, no,’ I shouted back, slipping the rings on to my fingers. ‘I’ll meet you guys there.’

Rani called some sort of agreement back. I heard Mum’s laugh, and then they were both out the door. I waited until I heard the rumble of Mum’s car speeding down the street before I left my bedroom.

With the eye-of-the-beholder charm written on my palm, I was on the hunt for the perfect mirror to complete the spell. I wasn’t sure whether the size of the mirror impacted the spell. My best choice was going to be the one we had in the attic. I pulled down the staircase that led up to it, irritated at myself for not splurging on a full-length mirror for my bedroom. I found it in the back. It was dusty and covered with a white cloth, and it was heavy, which wasn’t ideal. I was going to need to levitate it down.

Wonderful.

I infused my voice with confidence as I pointed my finger at the mirror. ‘Grip, and lift this fragile mirror here, following my finger for the path is near.’

My finger shook as the mirror rose, the weight of it appearing heavy even to my magic. Still, I steeled my jaw and descended the staircase. A light sheen of sweat was on my back, and my cheeks were red by the time I got it to the living room.

I moved the sofa to one side, the coffee table to the other, and then rested the mirror on the floor. Slightly breathless, I kneeled in front of the mirror, placed my right palm against the cool surface and looked at myself. My heart was racing; my stomach twisted in knots.

I sat back on my knees, keeping my palm against the cool surface. I let my eyes flutter shut and my magic rise to the surface of my skin.

‘Make me pretty, twist the mind, make my image fit each and every design.’

My eyes flew open, and I watched as the mirror rippled once before turning solid again. I was still kneeling, my heart alight in my chest. According to what I’d read, all I needed to do now was keep my palm on the mirror and look at my reflection, and the spell would take effect.

I took one more deep breath, intending to lean forward so my reflection joined my palm, but my phone buzzed. Loud and annoying. Letting out a frustrated breath, I pulled my phone from my back pocket. I saw a message from Raven. Well, several messages that I’d missed.

RAVEN

I’ve portalled back!! Where are you?

RAVEN

OK your mum and sister are here but YOU aren’t. This is not good best-friend behaviour. Where exactly is my welcome-home banner?

RAVEN

I’m mingling with people I barely like, and Orion. So, this is what you’ve left me with.

RAVEN

OK, so I’m not really sure what happened? I was talking to Orion, said something that triggered him, and now he said he’s on his way to you??? I don’t know what’s happening.

On his way to me? My fingers flew across the screen.

MAYA

On his way here? Why? What did you say?

But I never found out what Raven said. As soon as I’d sent the text, there was a knock on my door. Panic flooded me, and I looked around the room, wondering how obvious what I’d been attempting to do was.

Another knock hit my door, and there wasn’t enough time for me move the mirror. Instead, I hurried to the door and opened it a little.

Orion stood on my porch, decked in his usual jacket, but donning a very confused look.

‘Reverie,’ Orion said, slowly, gaze narrowing. ‘Why do you look like you’re hiding a body behind that door?’

‘I’m not!’ I said, but my voice was a squeak. I coughed and straightened against the door. ‘Nothing – I was just getting ready.’ I pointed at him. ‘For your party. What are you doing here?’