Chapter 1
Daniela wiggled uncomfortably in the stiff office chair as she looked around the room – her academic advisor, Dr. Milanos was a tall woman with blonde hair, blue eyes, and an affinity for odd trinkets. Her office was filled with knick-knacks shaped like objects that did not correspond with their typical use but were otherwise cute; Daniela’s eyes landed on a banana shaped candle as its wick flickered on and off as Dr. Milanos stared at her transcripts.
The silence was long. And uncomfortable and stiff as the chair she sat in. She twiddled with her fingers in her lap, doing another look-over of the office. It was painted a navy blue and filled with pictures of her advisors family and loved ones, some of which waved at her as she glanced at them.
She took a sip from her water bottle, the liquid replenishing her as soon as it touched her lips. Her nerves were through the roof.
“I might say, Daniela,” Dr. Milanos looked at her through her cat-eye shaped glasses and said, “Your grades are fantastic.”
“Thank you,” Daniela muttered out, her voice soft as she spoke. She could barely hear herself over her heartbeat thumping rapidly in her ears.
“We’ll have to see about that internship sometime later this semester, after you’ve started your research course,” Dr. Milanos said as she tapped a red finger against the wooden desk.
“Wait,” Daniela said, sitting forward in her chair, her eyebrows scrunched. “I thought I could apply for the internship at the beginning of this year?”
“Unfortunately, the requirements to be an intern at Mystic Willow Incorporated have been changed for this year,” Dr. Milanos explained. “They want to see their interns to show promise in research and now require a signed letter of recommendation from Dr. Morgan.”
Daniela let out a heavy sigh as she nodded, her heart sinking in her chest. She had worked hard the past two years in college for this internship opportunity ever since she had heard of it her freshman year. Mystic Willow was one of the top ten companies on the Witches Digest for the past five years. If Daniela were able to score a spot in this company, it would make her life plan easier to accomplish: graduate from college, secure a well-paying job, make six figures. She had already pictured buying her mom and dad a new home – a brand new one that came with a fresh coat of paint and marbled floors, instead of one that chipped in the doorways and was beginning to rot in the wooden planks of the porch.
“Why don’t we set another day for us to review your transcripts and resume?” Dr. Milanos said lightly, as if she sensed Daniela’s unease. “We can make a plan for you to stand out.”
Daniela nodded, blinking back the frustrated tears that formed in the corner of her eyes. She said, “Any date and time works, really.”
Dr. Milanos smiled at her gently, her blue eyes shined at her warmly. “I’ll set you up for an appointment in a few weeks to check-in with you on your research project. In the meantime, I’ll see what other things you can accomplish that would stand out. How does that sound?”
“Perfect,” Daniela nodded, feeling a tiny sense of relief in her chest. “I’ll do anything.”
“Of course, sweetheart.”
“Thank you,” Daniela nodded before standing up, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
“And, Dani?” Dr. Milanos looked her in the eyes. “Remember to take care of yourself this year.”
Daniela gave her a small smile, though it felt weak against her face.
⟡⟡⟡
“Should I wear this one?” Her friend, Claire, asked as she held up a pink sweater over her red bra before holding up another pink sweater as the other option. “Or this one?”
“They look identical,” Daniela blinked at Claire, who rolled her eyes.
“Are you insane?” Claire squeaked, looking at her wildly. She pointed at the first sweater and said, “This one is soft and fuzzy, which is a nice contrast against my denim skirt.”
“Okay, what about this one?” Dani pointed at the other option.
“This one is a crewneck. It’s more casual,” Claire shook her head. “I swear, Dani, you’re going to be the death of me.”
“Shut up,” Daniela cracked a smile as she rolled over into Claire’s bed, staring up at the ceiling of her friend’s dorm room.
“Spill it, Vallejos,” Claire said as she dressed herself in the fuzzy, soft pink sweater. Although, to Daniela, it looked identical to the second option but she didn’t dare say that to Claire again. Otherwise, she’s convinced that Claire would put her in a psychic-induced coma. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“Nothing,” Daniela sighed before closing her eyes.
“Don’t make me peer into your mind,” Claire threatened, her red-hair shining in the sunlight as she opened the curtains of her room. Daniela looked up at her again before rolling her eyes.
“Honestly, it’s easier if you just do that,” Daniela said, leaning back as she felt Claire’s magical signature in the back of her mind – Claire’s presence felt soft in her mind, as if she was running her finger lightly against her arm. She pushed through Daniela’s memories from this morning as if they were a picture-book, gently moving each page forward until she saw the moments in Dr. Milanos’ office.
“Oh, Dani,” Claire said, her voice soft as she spoke. “That sucks, I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine,” Daniela said as she checked her phone for the time. She had finished her morning classes before coming to hang out with Claire. She had always liked to split her classes this way to give herself a small breather but she always ended up spending it with Claire – who was the opposite of relaxing, though she loved the girl.
“It’s not fine,” Claire said as she stared at herself in the mirror, putting on a swipe of lipgloss and some mascara. “You worked really hard for this.”
“Yeah, I guess I’ll just have to keep proving myself,” Dani said as she snuggled into Claire’s comforter. The blanket enveloped her as she sank into the soft cushion of the bed, feeling the weight of her body become lighter. “I need a nap before class.”
“Make yourself right at home, why don’t you?” Claire smirked at her as Dani smiled. “What’s your next class?”
“Capstone,” Dani let out a small laugh as she realized the irony in her statement. “What class do you have now?”
“Techniques of Therapy: Magic Infused,” Claire stated.
“Oh that sounds like fun,” Dani said as she snuggled deeper into Claire’s bed. “Tell me all about it later.”
“Don’t leave my bed a mess,” Claire warned her, pointing at her through a stern expression - Dani giggled as she saw Claire’s brow raised at her, her lips tightened into a straight line. Though, it didn’t look at all serious from her perspective.
“Roger that,” Dani said as she flipped over onto the other side before closing her eyes. “I’ll lock your door and everything for you.”
“Perfect, love ya!”
