Page 56 of Elmwood Inclusive Magic Academy

Without thinking, I reach for it, running my fingers along the smooth rim of the ring.

“You never told me where you got your necklace,” I say. “Was it your parents?”

She frowns, not meeting my gaze. My stomach tightens. Why did I ask? I didn’t want to complicate things.

“It’s just an old trinket,” she says, smiling tightly. “I don’t like to talk about my parents.”

“That’s ok! I…I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”

“It’s all right…I want you to ask me anything you want to ask. I’m sorry if it’s hard…for me to open up sometimes.”

“I understand,” I nod, pulling the blanket closer.

She closes her eyes again, and puts out her arm for me. I nestle into her chest, bathing completely in the moment.

It’s amazing how quickly priorities can shift. A few months ago, all I wanted was to be at John Johnson with Timothy, to finish my first year at Elmwood as quickly as possible. Now, there’s nowhere I would rather be than right here, in Rae’s arms. A bittersweet pang echoes through me. Like a premonition. I have a strange, sudden urge to…protect this moment. Protect the way that I feel right now, so I don’t lose it.

Then I think of something.

“Hm…stay here,” I say, swinging my legs out of bed.

“What is it?” she asks.

I cross over to my altar, moving jars of salt and candles out of the way.Where is it?

“Going to put a spell on me?” Rae smirks, her dimple deep in her cheek.

I rummage through my clothes on the ground, until I find my cardigan. I go through the pocket. There!

“I have something for you,” I say to Rae. I turn and hold the amulet out to her.

“Oh…um, thank you…”

“You don’t have to take it if you don’t like it!” I say, quickly. I hope she doesn’t think it’s weird, or too fast.

“No! I like it,” she takes it from my palm, running her fingers over the round, ancient clay.

“I wanted you to…have something. Something from me. Something to keep you safe.”

She gives me a small smile, her eyes twinkling. “Thank you. This means a lot to me, Maggie.”

I slide back into bed with her, and bury my face in her hair. I’m happy, but there is a new heaviness to the moment that I’d like to ease.

“Can I ask you another…personal question?” I ask, not sure if I’m pressing my luck.

She cocks her head. “Maybe.”

“Your name, Rae…is it just Rae? Or is it short for something?”

She wrinkles her nose and whispers something.

“What’s that?” I ask, “I didn’t hear you.”

“It’s,” she sighs. “Rafaela.”

I beam. “That’s beautiful!”

“Yeah, yeah…don’t youdaretell anyone!”