Morana

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I felt a weird mixture of emotions the next day while working. Partly I was happy. Happier than I could ever remember being. I had gotten quite a few answers about what I actually was and I'd made a friend. Not just any friend, but a person I could be completely myself with and who wasn't bothered by whatever it was that was wrong with me.

But then I also felt unnerved simply by what Alejo had told me about myself. Or more specifically, about my magic. The fact that there truly was something that was wrong with me. That there was something off about my magic that he didn't seem to understand. It made it feel even more foreboding, whatever it was. Like if even a witch who knew magic could feel something was wrong with me and didn't understand what it was, then it had to be something very bad. But I forced most of those thoughts away, knowing it would do me no good to dwell on it.

What confused me most, though, was the sadness. I wasn't even sure that was what the feeling was, but there was something counteracting the happiness I felt. I felt like something was missing, I guessed. But that also made absolutely no sense.

"Is something up?" Dereck asked as we closed up the store.

"Huh?"

"Has something happened? You've been very quiet today."

He had worked on putting away the cash for the day, but now he focused completely on me where I stood holding a mop that rather made the floor more dirty than clean.

"It's nothing, really. Just a lot on my mind."

I gave him a quick smile and continued cleaning the floors. I frowned a bit at the mop before putting it into the water to try to make it at least only as dirty as the floor.

"Like what?"

"Ehm... I've been thinking about moving." It wasn't a lie technically, and it wasn't like I could tell him the truth. I wrung water out of the mop and continued the task, now making the floor slightly cleaner with each sweeping motion.

"Oh yeah? To a bigger place?"

"No. More like moving to somewhere else. Miami perhaps."

"What?!"

His loud outburst made me jump and drop the mop.

"Why would you? Don't you like it here?" he continued.

"It's not that. I've just been thinking that it might be time to move on." I shrugged and picked up the mop again.

"But... You're the best colleague ever! What would I do without you?"

I laughed lightly at him. "Don't worry yet. I haven't made up my mind. Besides, I'm sure there are better ones out there."

He snorted at that. "Promise to tell me when you decide, though. And with plenty of time ahead, so I can convince you to change your mind if you decide to move."

I just laughed as a response.

We finished in silence and walked out together.

"Got any plans for the rest of the day?" Dereck asked while locking the door.

"No. You?" I answered and let my eyes wander around the street. I knew Dereck answered me, but I didn't listen because my eyes had found something that made my whole face break into a huge smile.

There were a couple of parking spots just a little down the street and in one of them a motorcycle stood. I did like motorcycles, they were fun. But what really made me smile was Alejo looking at me while leaning against it. He looked straight at me as well with an equally big smile as the one I felt on me.

"Hello! Earth to Morana," Dereck said next to me and I snapped my head back to him.

"Sorry. I just..." I looked back to Alejo and saw that he made his way over to us. To my surprise, though, his smile had faded, and I didn't seem to be his focus anymore. Instead, he looked at Dereck.

Dereck followed my gaze, and a frown appeared on his face. "Who's he?"

"Dereck, this is a friend of mine. Alejo," I started the introduction as Alejo took the final steps towards us. "Alejo, this is my colleague. Dereck."

I watched as the two men shook hands. It looked like they both used a firmer grip than what I would call normal.

"Nice to meet you," Alejo said and forced a smile onto his lips.

"Likewise. Though I'm surprised Morana has never mentioned you," Dereck replied.

"Well, she can't share every aspect of her life with you," Alejo answered, and something weird happened as he spoke. It was like he created an aura of power around himself.

Not like, I had to remind myself. He probably used his magic somehow. And whatever he did, it made Dereck shudder a bit and look away from him.

"You're also off work tomorrow, right?" Dereck asked, with all his attention on me.

"Yeah," I answered and at that realized I had become sharper in my tone. A sure sign that I was uncomfortable.

"I was thinking about hitting the beach. You can tag along, if you want."

Before I had time to answer, Alejo spoke. "Actually, me and Morana have plans."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Could you remind me of those plans again?"

"We're going to see the person I know that can help you with the problem you mentioned yesterday." He had a huge smile on his face again, but I rolled my eyes.

"I cannot recall you saying that. Was that before or after your little magic trick?"

The comment was meant to be hurtful and a bit vicious. Anger and bitchiness were my only coping mechanisms, and I was thoroughly uncomfortable by Alejo and Dereck's weird interaction that seemed like a competition in dominance. But I regretted the words as soon as they were out of my mouth.

Alejo's smile disappeared at once, and sorrow took over. Obviously, he still felt bad over having made me touch the poster. Though I completely understood why he had. Honestly, if I could make people take a similar test, I would use it on everyone I met.

I sighed. "Come on. Let's get going," I said and took a step towards Alejo before turning back to Dereck. "I'll see you on Wednesday, okay?"

Dereck nodded, but I could see the tightening in his jaw as he looked at Alejo.

I grabbed hold of Alejo's hand and walked half a step before him back to his motorcycle.

"Morana. I..." Alejo started as soon as we were out of earshot from Dereck.

"Stop it," I interrupted him. "You've already explained and apologized. I shouldn't have brought it up. Let's just go to your apartment. I got a million questions for you, you know."

I winked at him and a smile slowly returned to his face.