Chapter Three (continued)

Mind Games and Torture

Her eyes fluttered open and Donovan was once again on the uncomfortable bed that Emma and Abbi had put up for her. Not to say that she was ungrateful, just uncomfortable. She bolted upright feeling a bit too jittery for what is was worth. What was that strange place that she had been transported to? It just didn't feel right for her to be trapped in such an insane place and have no idea where she was. Donovan looked around her friends' dorm room, realizing that she was alone. They had probably left for their first period class. She checked the time, taking note that it was only thirty minutes into first period. She had plenty of time before her class to relax and think things through.

It was at this point that she realized she had forgotten to pack outfits and such, which meant having to return to her dorm. Donovan wasn't sure if Jo would still be at their dorm or not, but what was she supposed to do? Just not return for her things at all? Gathering up her courage, Donovan stormed out of the door, locking it behind her thanks to her wand, seeing as she wasn't left a key from either friend. The walk to her dorm was long and windy, but it helped to clear her mind a little. Maybe she had overreacted when Jo had told her about her and Mark.

Or not.

Either way, she should probably just swallow her pride and talk to her friend. What is the worst thing that can happen? She and Jo had been friends ever since their first year and had gone through just so much together. Life without Jo would be like not having gone to Delawell at all. It's just not something that could be comprehended. She felt guilty for not completely hearing Jo out – it wasn't fair to her or her friendship, but caught up in the moment, Donovan was just so angry.

Upon arrival at the dorm, Donovan was completely and utterly nervous. She peered through the windows of the dorm, but didn't detect any light source, meaning that Jo was not there. It wasn't possible that Jo would be sleeping either for she was an early riser. The door was pushed open and Donovan fluttered inside it. She looked around the dorm and found it empty – wonderful. Their dorms were all little cottages that they were assigned during their freshman year and kept all the way through. Everyone has their own little building, which was a nice sense of privacy secured to it.

The empty dorm seemed a bit sad, but all the more relaxing. She tiptoed over to her bed and rifled through the drawers that she had installed underneath it. This organization system was far more effective than just stuffing things under your bed, as Jo does. She pulled out her shower equipment and ran into the bathroom, preparing for a good half hour of relaxation and refreshment.

She allowed for the cool water to splash down her body, at first giving her the chills, but then she became accustomed to the chill. It soothed and relaxed her body to the point where she almost forgot why she was angry at Jo. The water had always made her feel so Zen, which was many people were surprised that she was a witch and not a mermaid. In all honestly, Donovan would not have minded mer-abilities, since she was so fascinated by them! She did, however, fully enjoy being a witch.

Donovan changed into her outfit once her shower was finished and exited the bathroom humming a random tune. That was often a habit of hers, which annoyed some people, but she didn't care. It was calming to her, if anything. It was sort of like chewing on the end of a pencil – annoying but an addiction.

Her feet stopped cold as soon as she opened the bathroom door. There on her mattress sat none other than Jo H., whose last name had never been revealed to Donovan. There was an awkward tension between both parties, and Donovan made the first attempt to break it. "I'm just grabbing some things, then I'll be out." Her voice was colder than the shower she had just taken, but the tone felt right. How else should she speak to her friend under the circumstances?

Jo sighed. "You don't have to leave, you know?"

"You're right. Why don't you just move in with Adam?" Donovan scoffed. She grabbed her sequined duffel bag from the closet and began tossing everything in sight in there.

Jo laughed and stood up. "Okay, give it up! Donny, he never really liked you, and there are guys out there who are way better for you. So, why don't you just suck it up and move back in with me?"

This time, it was Donovan's turn to stand up. She rolled her eyes. "There are friends way better for me." With that she grabbed whatever was in her duffel bag and left the dorm. Perhaps she didn't grab everything she needed, but she would be able to return later when Jo definitely wasn't there.

Deep inside, Donovan felt guilty because she knew that's not how she wanted her talk with Jo to go down. Some part of her knew that she wanted Jo and her to just make up and become friends again, but it didn't seem like that was going to happen anytime soon. Sometimes both parties want to mend a relationship and each have plans of doing so, but when they're brought together, everything just falls apart.

It's only human nature, though.

Donovan dropped her things off at Emma's dorm and then walked over to Delawell, determined to get some productive work done this morning. Her feet tapped against the cobblestone in a rhythmic pattern. It never ceased to amaze her how the cobblestone sparkled with every footstep. It was just part of the magic of Delawell. Caught up in the magic, she felt the push of something against her body. She fell to the cobblestone with a thump.

"Hey!" she cried out of aggravation. When she looked up, she saw none other than Adam looking down at her with a helping hand.

"Donovan!" he said with concern. "Sorry, didn't see you there."

She grabbed his hand and hoisted herself back up. "Yeah, well, it happens." She brushed off his words like they meant nothing to her and continued on her path.

"Donovan!" he called. She could hear his footsteps coming closer and closer to her, in an attempt to catch up. She sighed, knowing that this will be the day she has to face him and that it probably won't end up well.

"Hey, what are you running from? Do you have class right now?" he asked, now by her side.

She bit down on her bottom lip, only wanting to remain civil. "No. Don't you have somewhere to be?"

He shook his head. "No, I don't have class until sometime after lunch."

"Yeah, well, shouldn't you be meeting up with Jo? She is free now, isn't she?" Donovan's face twisted in an attempt to prevent it from pouting. It was quite evident given her nature that she failed miserably, her face resembling an upset puppy.

Adam let out a howl. "Why on Earth would I be hanging out with her?"

Donovan furrowed her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"Jo is a nobody and I'd much rather hang out with someone like you."

Her heart seemed to stop all at once, nothing seeming to matter at all. She pursed her lips together, wondering what she was supposed to do with this proposal. "I thought that you and Jo were dating, though?"

At this, Adam's face seemed to lose all color. It took a moment before he full out began laughing. "Dating her? Why on Earth would I be so stupid as to do that?"

"But she said..." Donovan's voice trailed off, trying to make sense of what was happening. "Wait, I thought the two of you hung out and played the other day?"

"I invited her because I thought she'd extend the invitation off to you. I just wanted to get closer to you, but I was too timid. I mean, you're absolutely stunning, Donny! Anyways, she walked to the court with me and then left me. I don't know what was going on with her." Adam shrugged his shoulders, trying not to say anything against women and how they're "so confusing".

"So you two aren't dating, then?" Donovan scoffed.

"No..." Adam shoved his hands into his pockets.

"Jo said that she hung out with you on the court the whole day, which is why she skipped all her classes that day. She later came home saying that she and you were now a couple!"

Adam laughed. "I assure you that that is far from the truth."

"Why would she lie?" Donovan threw her hands into the air, about ready to strangle her friend. She had every right to do so, in all honesty.

"Well, I am single, and we've lost eight year, Donovan." Adam looked at her with nothing but love pouring through his eyes.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" He bowed down on one knee.

Donovan giggled, but sobered up with just a warm smile. "Yes."

They linked arms and walked towards Delawell. As they approached the gate leading to the school, they spotted a certain lying witch – Joanne H.

***************

Author's Note:

Hi friends!  How is everyone doing today?

I'm currently stuck with my only form of technology being my lovely laptop - wonderful.  Long story, but yeah... 

Hope you enjoyed this later chapter!  If you did, make sure to give it a vote and leave a comment!  I enjoy reading all of the comments that you leave, haha.

See you soon with another half of a chapter, ha!

Lots of love,

Ali xoxo