R=7 L=6

Lilac

"What's primary school like?" Roxi asked me and I shrugged. Daddy and I move around a lot and from what I've learnt is that every school is different. So I'm always surprised...

"It's ok, since now we're in year six it's our last year of it." Unless of course dad makes us repeat it on our next move. I never know when we move but I finally understand why, dad explained to us everything about his monster hunting. Werewolves, vampires, goblins, zombies, ghouls, witches, wizards everything! He's going to teach us to fight them after school and I can't wait! However he won't let us use a gun but that's only because grandma said no.

"Alright dears time to get to your class." Grandma said holding our hands and walking slowly to the classroom. Everything was bright happy and... Yellow. It's not that I hate the colour it's just I'm not a huge fan. It's all bright and cheery to others but to me it's also the colour of vomit. The classroom was thankfully not yellow, but a bright red however covered by childish drawings and educational posters, the tables were grouped together so it was six at every table.

"Hello this must be Lilac and Roxi." A Lady said looking a little like a mouse, all she needs are whiskers. She wore big glasses, has very thin lips and mouse like teeth, a pointy nose and her blond hair is tied back in a bun to show her big ears.

"Say hello darlings." Grandma said so we looked at each other and I knew from Roxi's look  that she was thinking the same thing as me.

"Hello I'm Roxi." I said.

"And I'm Lilac." Roxi said and we silently giggled. Grandma squeezed my hand gently and I squeezed back. She nodded then looked at grandma.

"Class has already started." She practically told my grandmother to push off so I decided that she's not a mouse she's a rat.

"Oh I know dear but since it's their first day I say let them off the hook." She responded sweetly but her eyes shot daggers. She didn't wait for the teacher to answer back she just turned around and walked out of the classroom. "Rat face." She mumbled and both Roxi and I giggled deviously then rat face looked at us suspiciously and we both shut up.

"Why don't you find a seat?" She said in this snobby tone of voice.

"Have you hidden them?" Roxi asked pretending to act dumb and the class giggled.

"Go sit down." She barked and we looked around the room to find seats together. Unfortunately there are none, there's one seat at a table full of girly girls who looked at me venomously and the other is at a table full of boys. Roxi ran to that seat then poked her tongue out at me so I did it back and reluctantly sat next to a girl with long curly red hair. She chose to ignore me so I did the same however I noticed a blond and brunette whispering to each other and giggling while eyeing at me. "Just because you're new here does not mean you get special treatment. You're just like every other student here." She said going behind the desk. "I'm miss Fowler." Roxi and I looked at each other at the same time biting our lips to stop our giggles. "Everyone say hello to our new students." She gestured to me. "Roxi." Then gestured to Roxi. "And Lilac." And before the class could greet us Roxi spoke up.

"No miss foul I'm Roxi and she's Lilac."

"It's miss Fowler and I apologise Roxi."

"No wait..." I started. "I'm Roxi."

"That's right I'm Lilac..." She smiled. "Right?"

"No I'm Lilac." I said.

"Then I'm Roxi."

"But I'm Roxi." I exclaimed.

"Then I'm Lilac."

"Of course there is a fifty percent chance that I could be Loxi."

"Or Rilac."

"Alright! So which are you Lilac or Roxi?" She snapped at me and I smirked.

"Neither." I answered and she scowled.

"Yeah she's Bob, I'm Ben and we're the the flowerpot men." The whole class burst out laughing and so did I.  Roxi you brilliant evil mastermind.

"If you both don't give me your real names I'll give you a detention." Miss Fowler threatened and we both huffed and gazed at each other. Shall we or shall we not? We discussed mentally.

"I'm Lilac." I said.

"And I'm Roxi... Performing in front of a live studio audience."

"And a very wonderful audience indeed." I exclaimed.

"Enough." She screeched and I swear my ears popped. "Anymore words out of you two and you'll be eating your lunch in class." How is this woman a primary school teacher? She's mean and threatens us. But alas we stayed silent so the rat face cold teach us maths so I just stuck to drawing on my new exercise book. I drew Roxi and I holding swords on the last page then wrote at the top in bubble writing wild warriors. I dressed us up in black armour and before I could draw the full moon behind us the red head beside me snatched my book and stood up.

"Miss Fowler Lilac is drawing!" Everyone stared at me while Roxi and I glared at the girl who told me off. The foul woman glared at me over her glasses and I feel like I'm gulping down a frog.

"Thank you Ivy." Ivy of course, I once touched poison ivy and I was itchy for days and now it's creeped it's way back to dob me off. "Lilac strike two. No smart remarks Roxi!" She said then turned back to the whiteboard and I snatched my book back from Ivy's freckled hands.

"Dibber-dobber." I mumbled and her snapped my way.

"What was that?" She growled.

"That was me talking now I'm going to do an imitation of you." I snorted like a pig and she shot daggers at me.

  ✨💫✨

Roxi

We sat high up in the tree looking over all the other students on the playground. Lilac kept her eyes glued to the red headed poison Ivy.

"I can't believe she dobbed me in to that rat faced witch." Lilac complained for the third time.

"Don't worry about it, lets just enjoy our break time before we have to go inside." I said trying to calm her and she huffed in annoyance. "Just think about how we're going to be hunters, we'll be warriors of the night." I said then leaped off the tree landing perfectly on the dirt ground on all fours. "You can be the warrior princess." I said curtsying and she giggled then climbed down and facing me with a big grin.

"What will you be?"

"I'll be a knight, or a spy and I'll have a pet wolf." I said patting the Snow White wolf beside me.

"Cool, we'll live in a huge stone made castle, with wolf guards at every door. We'll ride on Pegasus's."

"And have our own indoor pool!" I yelled.

"And there will be princes." She whispered blushing and I scrunched my face up disgusted.

"Princes?" Why do we need boys involved.

"Yes we have to have secret admirers. Plus if I'm a princess I need my Prince Charming." She said dreamily and I almost vomited.

"You can have your Prince Charming I don't want a guy."

"Why?"

"They're gross." I simply stated as a matter of fact.

"Not all of them are gross." She said but I shrugged finding it hard to believe as I'm watching some year four boy picking his nose. "Ew."

"Told ya!" I exclaimed then I saw red haired Ivy with her gang coming our way. "Lilac lets head for the slide." She came and stood beside me and we started walking away looking down at the ground.

"Hey Lilac!" She yelled out.

"Don't look at her." I whispered.

"I wouldn't want to, her face isn't exactly the most flattering thing I've seen in my life." We giggled evilly as we climbed up onto the top of the monkey bars. We stayed up there and I shot daggers at the boys who unfortunately I'm stuck sitting with as they ignored me and stared up at Lilac. They look so stupid, they're just watching her acting as if they've never seen a girl before. Lilac hasn't noticed she just kept talking excitedly about being night hunters, she even said she would find a wolf for me like I wanted.

"Don't you at least want a werewolf boyfriend?" She asked I laughed.

"No way! Your dad dislikes me enough. Imagine what he'd do if I came home with a werewolf boyfriend?" He'd probably point the gun at his head instead if mine. It's awkward between him and I, we can't really stand being in a room together without Granny or Lilac. If we are we stay silent, I'm afraid I might say something dangerously stupid and he'll attempt to shoot me again.

"As if you could get a boyfriend in the first place." Someone said below us and I was about to snap at the red head but she grabbed ahold of Lilac's ankle and pulled her off the monkey bars so she crashed into the tam bark letting out a whimpering cry. I growled at the red head and leaped down to shove her into the ground. She stared up at me horrified as I snarled at her then she slammed her palm in my face causing me to fall back "Freak!"

"How dare you touch her!" Lilac screamed pulling her Ivy away by her hair. My blood feels like it's boiling through my veins and I badly want slap that girl. Two other girls grabbed ahold of Lilac and I lost it, I jumped up at the time as Ivy and she tackled me to the ground. "Stop it!" Lilac yelled out so I bit into Ivy's shoulder she pulled back and I swung my fist square into her face, amazingly she flew off crashing down far onto concrete. I heard everyone gasp including myself as she sat up staring at me in real horror, she's petrified. And I'm surprised at my own strength, I can't believe I just did that.

"What is going on here!?" The snotty rat faced witch screeched like an old banshee standing beside Ivy and helping her up and all the while glaring at me through her glasses. Lilac ran to my side and helped me up and I clutched her hand tightly sort of shaking. Not from fear from adrenaline, that sudden rush that hit me when I saw Lilac hurt.

"Miss Fowler they kept on hitting me, and I when I tried to fight back they shoved me I to the ground." Ivy whimpered tharen burst into tears.

"You liar!" I screamed coming at her but Lilac pulled me back.

"That's enough! Both of you can go to the principals office." Miss foul barked and I stared at Lilac who stared down at the ground with pure worry.

"Dad's going to kill me." She whispered. No he's not, he won't kill his own daughter. But he sure will kill me.

"It was nice knowing you." I whispered back.

Lilac

"Detention on your first day." Grandma said as Roxi and I sat together on her cream coloured floral couch. Not being able to look at her in the eye. "Listen I won't tell your father if you both promise that this will never happen again." We looked up at her and nodded.

"We promise... It wasn't even our fault." I said.

"It was self defence." Roxi added and grandma shook her head.

"You talk things out, not bash people up." She said but she can't understand she wasn't there. I hated how weak I was being held back by those two stupid girls while Roxi fought my fight. I've never really been in physical fights but I have had girls pick on me because I'm different. Dad doesn't understand female bickering and verbal abuse. He's only helpful for fist fights so I could never tell him. Now I have Roxi who is like my guardian angel.

"We're sorry but it really wasn't our fault." Roxi said almost pleadingly but grandma sent us to our room. I curled up onto the bed yawning silently and Roxi lay down beside me.

"I hate it when she's upset at me." I admitted feeling her disappointment weighing down me, my stomach did a funny twist and I huffed.

"Don't worry about it, you're going to be fine. Besides look what I ripped off." She opened up her palm and there lay a lock of the poison Ivy's fine red hair. I gasped and sat up admiring at how pretty it is. Then stared at Roxi who was smiling deviously. "Shall we?" She's referring to the black magic spell book grandma keeps in her dresser.  We're forbidden to use it but grandma will never know, it will an innocent payback curse.

"I'll get the book you get something like a cauldron." I said and jumped off the bed opening the door slightly to peek through.

"She's in the kitchen."

"How do you know?"

"I can sense it." Roxi answered. Ok good I can slip into her room without her knowing, and  she'll never know. "What will use as a cauldron?"

"Umm.... Maybe just get a bucket from outside." I answered back so she walked away from and I watched questionably. She opened the window and leaped out. "Smart girl." I slipped thought the door, discreetly walking across the hallway treading softly on the creaky floorboards. I can do this, I can do this. I jumped when I heard grandma start randomly humming, so I panicked and ran straight to her room. Alright in! I crept over to her dresser and tried reaching for the top draw but I'm too small. I huffed then noticed her old wooden rocking chair with a flower carving on its head board. I pulled it around with a lot of struggle because I'm so weak and climbed up on to it. I pulled the draw out and saw the dusty old book. It has no heading just a star then thorn covered vines creeping all over it. I tried reaching in for but the chair leaned over with me I froze holding onto the dresser tightly and balanced the chair by shuffling backwards. Then I quickly snatched the book out and closed the draw, climbing down off the chair and pushed it back in its place. I skipped to the door but her grandma's footsteps heading this way. "Uh oh." I looked around the room for an escape and only found the window. I blew a strand of hair off my face and charged straight for it. I pushed it open and threw the book outside. I jumped a little so I could manage to sit on the windowsill but when I looked out I realised how high I was. It's a one storey house minus the attic but it's still high for a small girl like me. The knob slowly turned so I gulped down my fear and jumped down landing on my hands and knees. "Ouch." I whispered.

"Oh dear I don't remember leaving the window open." I grabbed the book and ran to the other side of the house where my window was wide open. I threw the book inside and heard a big thump.

"Ow! Lilac!" Roxi complained but I ignored her and climbed inside rolling across the ground and landing sorely on my ass.

"Lets do this quickly before grandma suspects something." I said and she plonked a green bucket filled halfway with water. "What spell are we doing?" I asked her and she shrugged.

"Lets look in the book." She suggested opening it up but the door swung open with grandma standing there looking worried. She saw the book and scowled ripping it from Roxi's grip and holding it tight.

"You girls should never mess with magic unless you know what you're doing." She growled.

"We're sorry..."

"Sorry isn't good enough Lilac. You could easily get yourselves badly hurt if you mess up one thing, what were you planning on doing?" I looked at Roxi who just shrugged. Might as well tell her.

"Revenge." I mumbled.

"On that poison Ivy!" Roxi exclaimed and grandma gave her a stern look.

"Oh girls I understand your trouble but magic can't solve everything. There will be lots of mean people out there, but you can't just cast such a dangerous spell that may cost something dearly to you."

"We weren't going to choose something life threatening." I assured.

"Yeah we were just thinking of a little spell like maybe...." We looked at each other then beamed. "The chickenpox!" We yelled out at the same time. And grandma burst out laughing.

"Well you don't need this then." She placed the book on our bed and stared at us so amused. "Or the bucket of water. Come to the living room and help me find some candles." We did as she asked and placed the lit candles around us in a circle. We sat down cross legged while grandma sat back on the couch. "Now girls stay calm this may scare you a little." She closed her eyes and we waited patiently, actually more anxiously. I bit my lip nervously as the nothing happening continued on. I glanced at Roxi next to me and she just shrugged unsure what to do.

"Grand..." The flames on the candle grew tall and then circled into one big flame surrounding us.

"Don't be afraid." Grandma said but I'm not I'm awed by this. "Offer the fire her hair." Roxi looked at the hair unsure but again just shrugged giving it to the fire which is now warming up my skin. The disintegrated and the fire formed little dancing fire creatures that circled around playfully giggling.

"This is so cool." Roxi whispered.

"Sh!" Grandma snapped her eyes still shut. Then the fire people morphed together to become... Ivy!?

"Oh great the freaks!" The fire Ivy spat crossing her arms over chest and I just sat there dumb founded. "Oh and is this your ugly grandma! This wrinkled up old shrimp."

"She is ill mannered. Well girls say your line." Grandma said and Roxi and I stood up.

"Ivy, you mean wicked girl! Will soon feel our wrath." I yelled.

"Ooh what ya gonna do!"

"Punish you! Ivy..." I looked at Roxi and she nodded so we grinned cruelly at the fire. "We curse you with the chickenpox!"

"Seriously? That's all you got!"

"And may you wake up with poison ivy up your nose!" Roxi screeched then the fire girl disappeared. We turned around to face grandma who looked sternly at Roxi.

"Too far Roxi that was too much." Grandma stated and Roxi guiltily stared at the ground.

"So she's going to have the chickenpox?"

"Wait and see tomorrow."

"Grandma." I whined but she ignored me and stood up.

"Go find something productive to do." She said walking out towards the kitchen and I looked at Roxi.

"What shall we do?" She asked and I shrugged. Dad is supposed to be here to teach us about monster hunting, why isn't he home yet? I don't even know why he's not home in the first place. Where would he go in the daytime? Grandma goes grocery shopping, so that's a big N-O. Maybe he's day hunting?... Maybe we should do what usually do when we're bored. Get creative.

"Lets make your wolf." I said.

  ✨💫✨

"I cut out the ears." Roxi passed grandma the white fabric ears while I sewed on the big sparkly purple eyes.

"It looks so cool!" I yelled and gave Roxi a high five. Grandma taught me sewing since the day I could hold a needle, it's not my favourite thing to do and I'm not entirely good at it but it's way better than doing chores. I'm just trying to pass time so dad can come home sooner. I want to learn how to fight, I want to be able to protect myself and Roxi. I want us to be the hunters of the night, that'd be epic! Maybe I could use a gun...

"A gun Lilac what are you saying?" Grandma questioned surprised. Oops said that out loud.

"Nothing.... I'm just excited about monster hunting." I said and her old eyes widened in shock.

"I'd rather use a sword. Wouldn't that be awesome." Roxi exclaimed.

"Yeah! Wow that would be so amazing!"

"Girls stop! Who said you were going monster hunting?" For an old woman she sure can yell, her distressed face somehow became wrinklier.

"Dad said he was going to teach us so we can defend ourselves." I answered and she mumbled something to herself while standing up and walking away from the sewing machine.

"Defend alright but he will not take you out hunting with him. Not on my watch." She growled then started mumbling again. Suddenly the front door burst open and we heard thundering footsteps stomp down the hallway. Daddy appeared in the doorway sweating in his black long coat.

"We're moving, now." We're leaving? I looked at Roxi but she stared away from us probably trying to avoid daddy's gaze. They've never really liked each other and I have a feeling they never will. "Pack up your things. We leave in an hour." He said then as Roxi and I packed up daddy copped it from grandma. I can't exactly hear what they're saying but I know it's about us being hunters, I wish she would stop. I don't want her convincing him anything. I scurried upstairs, packed a few blankets and pillows piling them into the trunk making room for our suitcases and then ran back upstairs packing my clothes. I packed my own sewing kit so we can complete the wolf when we move to our next home. An hour later Roxi and I were in the backseat waving goodbye to grandma.

"Where are we going?" I asked but he didn't answer so I didn't push it. It's late he's probably tired and we might have a long trip ahead of us.

"Do you think he was out hunting?" Roxi whispered to me and I shrugged. Possibly...  Then I yawned silently and my eyes became half closed. "Get some rest I'll keep watch."

I nodded then sleep take over me.

Roxi

She snored lightly and I concentrated on watching the moon following our car. Her dad scares me, so we both didn't bother with conversation and that's why the car ride was so awkward. Even with the country music playing on the stereo. We finally drove out of the woods and met very nice houses, the typical white fence and pretty gardens. Which is why I don't think I like them very much. Pretty, happy and bright then you meet the people that live here who snotty, snobby and selfish.never act that way but I can sense their disapproval every time we're near them. We reached to a part of town where all the shops were lined up. Restaurants and boutiques, supermarkets and other places that we had never had much care for. But then when the dad stopped at a red light, I saw poison Ivy walk out of the restaurant with her parents.

"Lilac!" I exclaimed then nudged her with my elbow so she woke up annoyed.

"What?"

"Poison Ivy." Her eyes widened and she looked over me through the window to see Ivy itching like crazy. On her face, arms, legs and we cracked up laughing when she itched her butt.

"Ivy don't scratch there!" Her mother scowled.

"But mum I'm so itchy!" She whined and I gave Lilac a high five.

"What are they saying?" Lilac asked me, I have better hearing than her so explained what they saying and we both teased her as she and her family walked away.

"What did you do?" Her father questioned and my smile slipped away.

"Nothing..." Lilac responded deviously and we giggled menacingly. I stared out the window again and saw another family step outside the same restaurant. A fair, blond haired woman holding a bundled up baby in her arms, then there's the blond haired father  who carried a little female toddler, who also had blond but curly hair and looks absolutely adorable. But the one family member that really caught my eye was the boy who looked about my age. Blond, blue eyes and looked so bored. Be happy you have a family... My heart skipped a beat when he looked in my direction. Not because I like him because he shouldn't be able to see me, one it's late at night and two the windows are tinted but he straightened up and stared at me wide eyed. I felt myself blush... What he's never seen a brunette before. I waved at him for the hell of it and he blushed as well as wave back at me. "Who's that boy?"

"I don't know." The started again and I let out a relived sigh.

"Does someone have a crush?" Lilac mocked and shoved her.

"Ew no!"

"Liar."

"I don't!"

"Do to!"

"Na uh!"

"Ya huh!"

"Na uh!"

"Ya huh!"

"Would you both be quiet!" Her dad bellowed and we both yelled out. "Na uh!" Then started laughing hysterically.

"You like a boy."

"Shut up!"