fifteen looming legacies

(electrifying!)

☆

A SENSE OF ELATEDNESS FILLED EVANORA. She felt free, higher than she had been in a long time, like she was floating above the clouds. Smiles came easy as they portrayed her mood towards the world exactly, and her shoulders which usually felt heavy with burdens felt lighter, like there was less to worry about. Though threats still loomed in the air, they didn't seem so burdening to her anymore.

         Maybe it was because the precautions were made, that she was protected against the demon hunting her and the cult trying to induct her was leaving her alone finally after her final message. Or, more likely, this feeling came from the fact that she had fully decided to take charge of her fate for the first time.

         Though she rebelled against her mother, she knew inevitably she would fall victim and do exactly as the woman planned. Evanora Hathaway was going to replace Juliana in the Council and would become an Elder even though she despised them. She would continue her mother's legacy, forget living her own life and chasing her own dreams, because how long could she fight her mother before she became tired of the cause?

         Even after her death, it still felt like that was the plan. It didn't matter that Juliana didn't retire from her position late in life, handing it to her daughter graciously with frail and wrinkled old hands; the Council would always find her and tell her to continue the legacy, ensuring that she would be theirs with the work of Colleen. She still couldn't escape that fate even when the one who pressured her into it in the first place was long dead and buried.

         But now – now – she finally cut ties to that life. There would be no looming legacy to protect and continue, there would be no Council forcing her to join them like another cult, there would be no pressure. Evanora Hathaway was not going to follow the path of her mother; she was going to forge a new path for herself.

         It was time for spring to come and for her to be reborn, with great leaves from her own life – not from the life of her mother. Juliana Hathaway was dead, and with it was her expectations for Evanora. She was truly her own person now.

         "You're different now," Maggie commented one day, studying Evanora's face with intent.

         She shrugged it off, because it wasn't like she could launch into a full explanation of how her life had dramatically changed – at least internally – over the course of the week. She finally concreted her relationship with Colleen as a friend and a guardian rather than an annoyance she had to live with, she finally put her foot down and decided to make her own destiny, and wasn't just Juliana's daughter anymore.

         Nothing in her life, externally, had changed. She still went to school, she still hung out with her friends, though she found herself inching ever closer to Maggie because she couldn't help but be drawn to the girl. Maggie was beautifully enchanting, so easily magnetic and Evanora found herself unable to stop the pull. She wanted to fall towards Maggie, to stop fighting her feelings, but when she blinked and realized what was happening, she always pulled away first.

         "I guess I'm just happier," Evanora offered her a smile, hoping that it would be enough to distract Maggie.

         "Anything happen?" Maggie raised her eyebrow, because of course she knew there was more there than what met the eye. She always had the keen way of knowing how people felt, in tune with it and always knowing where to push and prod to really know in depth how others were feeling.

         It annoyed Evanora as much as it enthralled her. She supposed this was her magic seeping through, because even before Evanora had full control over water, she felt the pull, the way it spoke to her in a small whisper. She was in tune with it far before she could control it, so maybe that happened with Maggie as well.

         Evanora pondered about what to answer for a second too long, because when she shook her head, Maggie didn't look like she believed her. "Not really," she still went on to say, "I guess I'm just settled more now."

         "You've been here for months now," Maggie laughed shallowly, and it was clear that she was entirely skeptical of Evanora.

         "Doesn't mean I've been fully settled, though," she countered, "Whatever, it's not like that matters anymore, though. I'm really happy here now."

         Maggie smiled brightly, and maybe it was because Evanora's eyes couldn't help but look at her when she mentioned her concreted happiness in this not-so Halloweentown. She was being too obvious now, she knew that, she should look away before it started to become too intense or creepy, but the radiating happiness – like rays of sunshine – made it so she couldn't look away.

         "Do I make you happy, Nora?" Maggie teasingly asked, her tone so light and innocent. If only she knew...

         "Of course," Evanora didn't hesitate, and maybe she should've. She jumped the gun with that, but her heart skipped a beat and her mouth worked before her mind did, and it was already out and she couldn't take it back.

         (If she could, she didn't think she would.)

         Maggie blinked in surprise, but Evanora wasn't sure if it was because she agreed or because of how quickly she answered the teasing question.

         Panic rose in her now, thinking she had fucked up, so Evanora rushed to cover herself with, "I mean, you're my friend. Of course you make me happy...I mean, why else am I friends with you?" It was an awkward beginning coupled with an awkward finish. For some reason, she just couldn't be eloquently spoken when Maggie was involved.

         She watched as Maggie nodded slowly, a small frown forming on her lips and eyebrows ever-so slightly furrowed, almost like she was disappointed by the addition to her answer. But as quickly as Evanora saw it, it was gone, and a smile replaced it.

         "Duh, I mean, why else would we be friends?" Maggie repeated. She tried to use her joking tone from earlier again, but this time it seemed strained.

         Maybe she should leave it alone, let Maggie be, but Evanora was always too curious for her own good, so she couldn't help but lean forward. "You alright there?" she asked, concern dripping through her voice and she didn't that none of it was covered up.

         "Hm? Oh yeah, I'm fine," Maggie tried to cover herself, but Evanora immediately raised an eyebrow at it.

         She should probably stop, leave it alone for another day, but sometimes curiosity just got the best of her, and she couldn't help but lean forward. "No, come on, share with the class," she teased. But Maggie hesitated, and in that hesitation, Evanora's eyebrows lifted a little, realizing that maybe this was deeper than a little light teasing.

         She shouldn't have pushed, she shook have just ignored it and accepted that she didn't want to talk about it and leave it there. They could move onto something else, like their upcoming English test or the weather, but no – she had to keep going.

         "We're friends, right?" Maggie started off, newfound nervousness around her that Evanora didn't like at all. Maggie was confident, sometimes a little nervous when talking about Brian and their old love affair, but overall sure of herself – she wasn't anxious or hesitation, didn't ask for confirmation.

         "Yeah," Evanora agreed, "I said that earlier."

         "I'm just making sure...and, well, no matter what, we'll always be friends?" Maggie asked another question which puzzled Evanora.

         "What's this all about?" she asked instead of answering but Maggie shook her head.

         "Just say it. Please."

         The plea was enough for her. "Of course. How could I ever not be friends with you now?"

         Maybe that was a bit too far, maybe she offered a little bit too much into how much she actually cared for Maggie Vera and her doe brown eyes and natural innocence, her kindness for everyone and everything, and how much she drew Evanora in. It was probably too much, but she didn't regret saying it.

         Maggie nodded, holding herself with a little more confidence and assurance now, biting at her lip for a moment before continuing. "It's just – well, what if I don't wanna just be friends?" there was a pause, and Evanora almost fell over from shock, "Nora, I've never felt like this before. Like – Like you catch my breath and make me feel alive. I was so scared to say anything because we're friends and I like you too much to lose you just because I feel this way, but...but I don't wanna keep denying it either."

         There was another break, and Evanora was too shocked to say anything. Maggie sucked in a breath before uttering, "I really like you, Nora, and I hope that you like me too."

         She didn't know what to do, or what to say, or anything at all. All she knew was that Maggie was sitting in front of her, and that Maggie looked incredibly pretty, and Maggie liked her. So, instead of stumbling over words or wasting more minutes trying to find the right ones, Evanora pressed forward, grabbing Maggie's cheeks and drawing her in for a kiss.

         For a minute, Maggie didn't respond, and she panicked, but then her lips pressed back, and she felt only utter relief. There were no fireworks, but it still felt every bit just as electrifying.

☆

         EVANORA WALKED MAGGIE TO THE DOOR, HELD HER HAND AND KISSED HER GOODBYE, AND WATCHED AS SHE DROVE AWAY. She crossed her arms, biting her lip slightly, watching as Maggie vanished from her sight, before a large smile swept across her face.

         "Touching," a voice called from close by, and immediately her head snapped to see another figure on the porch. Dark with electric eyes, lip ring, and a slack stance. "Ah, young love."

         "Who are you?" Evanora asked, uncrossing her arms, ready at any given moment to attack if needed. Spells ran through her head, and for once she was glad about all the lessons Colleen made her do.

         "Oh, don't be like that. I'm not here to hurt you," the woman rolled her eyes, "Name's Jada. I'm apart of the Sarcana, the people you are so ready to antagonize."

         "And I'll do it again if you don't leave," Evanora threatened, "I already told Prue to leave me alone. I don't want anything to do with you guys."

         "But you'll deal with the Council, who you hate," Jada countered.

         She shook her head. "Not anymore. I'm done with the Council, I'm done with demons, and I'm certainly done with your cult. I'm just Evanora the teenager now."

         "You'll never be just as teenager," Jada laughed.

         Evanora hardened, jaw clenching. "Watch me," she hissed. Magic was supposed to be her future, but that future was dead now. Juliana Hathaway died, and her dream of Evanora being an Elder did too. Now, she was just another teenage girl trying to find her destiny, her purpose in life. That was a completely separate issue from magic.

         Of course, she knew that she would have her magic forever. She had chosen to be a witch, after all, but that did not mean she had to use it. Plenty of witches went throughout their lives barely using magic, and Evanora was determined to be one of them. Joining a cult full of witches would defeat that purpose.

         Jada watched her with a sort of pity, only causing her to hate this witch more. "You're special, Evanora, and not only that, you're a witch. The day will come when you can't just pretend to be human anymore, and you'll have to chose. Stand with the Council, or against them. We only want what's best for witches."

         "Then leave me alone. The best thing for me is to be human, not a witch," Evanora stared at her before muttering, "I'm just a teenager, after all..."

         Jada sighed, looking down because of the last comment, then nodded. "We'll always be here, if you need us."

         "I won't," Evanora told her, sure that she would never ever need the help of some cult lurking around town trying to recruit her. She watched as Jada disappeared right before her eyes, and she blinked. She was sure that was a move only whitelighters could do, yet...

         Never mind, she shouldn't be thinking about that. She shook her head and turned back to go inside,  and when Colleen asked her why she stood at there for so long, she grinned and lied, because Jada didn't matter at all.