I haven’t been able to sleep very well the past few weeks and last night wasn’t any different. I can’t get the idea of being a witch out of my head. I kept asking myself-questions like what does it mean to be a witch and how will my life change? So at eight o’clock in the morning when Hayden crashed through my bedroom door and started jumping on my bed, I wasn’t very happy.

“Hayden! Stop! Bouncing!” I yelled at him in between bounces. He dropped down beside me bouncing me into the air once more.

“Happy Birthday Lilly!” he yelled loud enough to wake up the rest of the world.

“Will you relax? It’s only eight in the morning and you’re going to wake Mom and Luke.”

“No, I won’t. They’re already up and gone. They were getting ready to leave when I pulled in. they told me to keep you company for the day and to show you a good time.”

“Oh. Well, where did they go?”

“I don’t know, they didn’t say,” Hayden said before tickling me. “Now go get ready we're going for a ride.” I got up from the bed and jumped when Hayden smacked me on the butt. I looked over my shoulder at him and gave him my I can’t believe you just did that look. Grabbing a change of clothes I headed for the bathroom. I decided to take my time in the shower, feeling the need to pamper myself a little with special soaps that I only pull out for certain occasions. After drying off I put on lotion and braided my hair into a long French braid that hung down to my waist. I slipped into my jean shorts and a black tank top that corseted with ribbon in the back before heading back to my room; I was surprised to find it cleaner than I left it. Everything was organized, the vacuum had been run, my laundry had been picked up and put away, and even my bed had been made.

“Hey sunshine, took you long enough,” Hayden said as he walked up the steps and into my room.

“Did you clean my room?” Hayden shrugged.

“I got bored. So are you ready to go?”

“Where are we going?” Hayden smiled. Every time he flashed that smile of his my toes curled.

“You’ll see.” I followed him down the steps and out back through the kitchen. “Wait, I almost forgot,” he said and went over to the kitchen table. He pulled a large box out from under the table and handed it to me, it was wrapped in colorful Happy Birthday wrapping paper. Excited to see what he had gotten me I quickly ripped off the wrapping and opened the box. In side under a bunch of blue tissue paper was a pair of black leather, boots with three studded belts wrapped around the ankle.

“Oh, Hayden I love them.” I slipped on the boots and we went out to his bike. Hayden had bought me my own helmet when he bought his motorcycle. He wanted to be able to ride with him and he thought it would be cool if we had matching helmets. They’re nice with a bluetooth head piece built in so we could hear each other when we talked. He sat on the bike and revved up the engine, I threw my leg over and sat down on the small seat behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Now are you going to tell me where we're going?”

“Nope,” he said before peeling out of the driveway and onto the street. We live out in the country where it’s all grass and open roads. It’s about ten miles to the nearest town, five miles to the nearest gas station and so much space between the neighbors we never tripped over each other. I like the country; open spaces, open roads and a clear sky. Not knowing where we were headed I just closed my eyes and hung on, letting the breeze carry me. We drove for a long time before coming to the town closest to my house. We parked on the side of the road close to all the little shops and restaurants. We shopped for a little while looking at the little trinkets that were being sold in the windows before stopping for lunch at a nice little Italian restaurant. Before leaving town and heading back home we visited a shop called Wicca. Inside the small shop crystals hung from the ceiling; wands, stones, and glass, copper and stone sculptures were placed on a black table clothed tables around the room. Shelves with potions, powders, soaps, and creams were placed along the walls. The fairy, dragon, witch and animal statues were beautifully made. I didn’t know where to start looking, everything was so beautiful. Hayden walked over to a table that had bracelets, necklaces, and earrings placed on it. He picked up a bracelet that had seven beads on it. Each bead was of different phases of the moon. Light blue mixed with black beads were placed around the silver moon that was positioned in the middle of the bracelet, it was beautiful. A woman dressed in long black pants that moved like water when she walked, dark red pumps and a tight red shirt with a V-neck neckline. The shirt has long sheer sleeves that came down to a point on her hands; came walking out from the back of the store.

“Find something you like?” the women asked. Her voice was like silk, smooth and dark. A chill ran down my back when she spoke.

“I would like to buy this.”

“Hayden why do you need a bracelet, I don’t even think that will fit around your wrist.” he grinned and walked with the women over to the counter to check out.

“It’s for you. So you can wear it every day and remember me every time you look at it.” I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him hard, I know now how hard it will be for both of us. Hayden paid for the bracelet and clasped it on my wrist. We thanked the red haired women and walked back to the bike. Hayden tossed me my helmet and hopped on the bike. By the time we arrived home, it was dark out, the only light was from the hundreds of stars that sparkled in the sky and the full moon that filled the night sky. When we pulled into the driveway and headed to the back of the house. I hadn’t known what my parents had been up to all day but when I found out my breath was taken away. My parents had hung white twinkle lights all over the back yard. A table sat in the middle of the yard, it was covered by a midnight blue table cloth and moms good china. Four candles sat in the middle of the table, they were all different colors. There was pink, yellow, green and blue. They were so beautiful, the flame of the candles matched the color of the candle.

“It’s so beautiful,” I whispered to Hayden. I felt like if I said it any louder it would all disappear.

“Honey your home.” Mom and Luke came walking down the steps from the house.

“Mom this is so amazing. I can’t believe you and Luke put this all together.” I walked over to them and hugged them both. “Thank you so much.”

“I have something for you, honey.” Mom said and handed me a long box. I opened it up and smiled.

“I’m going to run up to my room and put this on.” I ran up to my room to put on the gift Mom had gotten me. The dress was beautiful and I couldn’t wait till I put it on; it’s an almost white lace covering the pale pink solid underneath part of the dress, strapless that stopped at my knees. What I loved about it was because of the black lace corset and bow that tied at the waist of the dress. I slipped it on and put on my black lace flats. I took my hair out of the braid and let the curls tumble down my shoulders to my waist; when I got down to the backyard soft music played. My parents danced, holding each other close while Hayden sat at the table. I walked over to the table and watched my parents dance. Over the past few weeks, I’ve gotten to know my father and I think I can forgive him for the past sixteen years. He explained what happens when a witch is put on lock down and isn’t allowed to leave until a period of time has passed. The contract he had signed with my grandparents had been a type of spell that binds the signer until the guidelines have been filled. After the slow song ended my parents walked over to me.

“My beautiful daughter you are growing up so fast.” I leaned into my mother as she wrapped her arms around me. I love being hugged by my mother. Being wrapped in the smell of her perfume and warmth. It reminded me of when I was a small child, she always makes me feel loved.

“I will remember this night for the rest of my life,” I told her, resting my head on her shoulder. Luke held out his hand to me and asked for a dance. He twirled me around the yard and laughed as I tripped over my feet. As we danced he told me how happy he is that he has gotten to know me over the past few weeks and that he is able to be here for my most special birthday. Mom called to us when dinner was ready to be served. As we ate Hayden and I listened to sorties about what the school was like when Mom and Luke attended and how much fun they had had. After dinner, I opened the gifts I was given. They had bought me a whole new wardrobe and jewelry, books and some stuff that looked like some of what I had seen at the Wicca store, for school. The most wonderful gift I was given was a necklace; three moons hung from a silver chain, two crescent moons both facing away from the purple full moon that hung in the middle. From the full purple moon hung a silver chain that held a purple tear drop, it was beautiful. Luke helped me put it on; it rested in the middle of my chest. I rested my hand over the pendant and smiled at my parents, they had given me so much, I couldn’t ask for anything more. Around midnight Mom and Luke cleaned up and headed to bed. I walked out into the middle of the yard and looked up the stars. “Today has been so wonderful. Thank you.” I looked at Hayden. He put his arm around my shoulders and looked up at the sky.

“You don’t have to thank me. It’s your birthday, you’d have done the same for me… Oh, I forgot to tell you. I have another gift for you.”

“Do you now? And when am I going to get this gift? My birthday ended already.” He smiled and looked down at me. His big brown eyes made me want to melt.

“Oh, you won’t get it for a few months. But don’t worry you’ll love it.” Hayden looked down at me and smiled. I couldn’t help but smile back at him.

“If you say so.” Time passed by and it started to get cold, so Hayden and I headed in. He spent the night in the guest room like he usually did on late nights. Mom didn’t mind if Hayden spent the night, he’s been doing it for years but he has to stay in the guest room. Mom doesn’t like Hayden riding his bike home at night. She doesn’t think it’s safe. Over the years we have kind of became his family, his mother died when he was five to cancer and when she passed his father broke down and became an alcoholic. Over the years Hayden’s spent most of his childhood with us. We said goodnight and I headed to my room. I slipped into my new silky summer Pj’s and climbed into bed.

The weeks flew by and I was sad at how fast it really went. I was glad that it had been summer break because I was able to spend all day every day with Mom, Luke, and Hayden. Today is the day before I leave and all I’ve been doing is packing. I packed all the new clothes Mom bought me, photos of everyone and some of my favorite things. Luke’s given me a credit card to use so I can get any extra things while I’m living on my own. I looked at all my packed suitcases and sat down on my bed.

“Sigh” I’m excited to go, to visit a new place and meet new people. A chance to travel, see the world. I just hate to leave everyone behind. The day went by way too fast. I finished packing and Hayden came over to eat dinner, we spent the rest of the night cuddling and watching all my favorite movies. I fell asleep early resting my head on the arm of the couch and putting my feet in Hayden’s lap. I woke the next morning in my bed. My alarm Beep, beep, beeping at me to wake up at six o'clock in the morning. I rolled out of bed, showered, and dressed in my favorite yoga pants and vintage T-shirt. I looked around my room for a final time. I know it’s stupid but I’m going to miss my room.

“Honey?” I looked over at the door way to see my mom leaning against the door frame her arms crossed over her chest. “Are you ready?” I smiled at her. It wasn’t really a happy smile or a sad smile but more of and I’m going to miss you smile. She straightened from the door frame and held her arms out to me. I practically ran into her arms and hugged her tight.

“I miss you so much, Mom.” I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. She hugged me close and ran her fingers through my hair.

“Shh, Shh. I know I’m going to miss you to my beautiful baby girl. Just remember as long as you carry the ones you love in your heart you will always find light in the darkness.” I wiped my eyes and we headed downstairs. Luke and Hayden were loading the luggage into the van when we walked out of the house. I hugged Luke and Hayden, never wanting to let go. With a sigh, we piled into the van, next stop the airport.

Why is it that when you’re on time everything else is late? We arrived at the airport at eight, checked in, checked our bags and went through security. Surprisingly all this only took twenty minutes. So now we’re waiting on a plane that is running an hour late. What is it stuck in traffic? I can just picture planes flying through the air stopping for red lights and other planes to pass. I looked out the window, the sky looks gray and ugly making me feel tired and lazy. I opened the school pamphlet and looked it over. It seemed interesting enough, the place seemed quite large. How many witches are in this world? Our gate was called and we lined up to board the plane. Hayden took the seat next to mine while Mom and Luke sat behind us. I slept most of the time or tried to anyway the seats were so cramped I kept tossing and turning trying to get comfortable. I guess at some point Hayden got fed up with all my moving around. He propped a pillow agents the window and had me put my back agents it. Then he put up the arm rest that was between up and put my legs in his lap. I smiled at him and slowly fell asleep.