14 years later….

Agatha brushed my teeth, got into pajamas, and headed to Diamonique’s room. She sat straight in her bed, reading a book. “You’re such a bookworm, and I don’t blame you I was too,” joked Agatha.

“Oh, yeah, I was reading this book series,” said Diamonique, holding up the book she was reading. Agatha read the cover. The School for Good and Evil.

Why did that name sound so familiar? “Moniqa, can I see that book for a second?” Agatha asked her daughter.

“Sure, mom, why do you look so serious all of a sudden?” Diamonique asked.

“Oh, um reasons,” she said, flipping through the book. She stopped when she saw the first page. Sophie. Her best friend and twin. They didn’t look alike, but they were the halves to their whole.

She stopped when she saw another name. Tedros. Her true love and husband.

When she saw other names, her eyes grew wide. Hester, Anadil, Dot, Kiko, Hort, Ravan, Mona, Arachne, Beatrix, Reena. All of her friends’ names. How could this be? It was probably just a coincidence.

“Where did you find this book?” Agatha asked her daughter.

“Um, in the library, duh,” Diamonique giggled.

“How do they describe Hester?” she interrogated.

“That she’s a never, it means that she’s evil. And she has her other two closest friends, Anadil, and Dot. They’re called the Coven,” smiled Diamonique.

“Interesting,” Agatha whispered, so low only she could hear.

“Do you think you could write me a summary of the whole series when you’re done?” she asked.

“Sure mom,” she replied, knowing better than to question her mother twice.

“Goodnight hon,” Agatha murmured, kissing the top of Diamonique’s head.

“ ‘Night mom,” she smiled.

Agatha tip-toed back to her room, Tedros, looking at his phone on the bed. Her eyes were wide. “What happened Aggie? Are you ok?” Tedros asked his wife.

“I’m not sure. Diamonique is reading the most interesting book series?” she said.

“Oh? What is it about,” he questioned.

“Well, for starters, it has all of our names in it. Like me, you, Sophie, Hester, Anadil, Dot, Hort, Beatrix, Reena, and Kiko,” she said, eyes getting wider, “they all go to a school for good and evil. Sophie, Hester, Anadil, Dot, and Hort are in evil, me, you, Beatrix, Reena, and Kiko are in good.”

“Ha, Sophie in evil that would make sense,” snorted Tedros. Agatha glared at him.

“I have always felt as though we belong in something bigger than California, you know? Like, we’re supposed to be off, ruling an enchanted kingdom or something. It sounds crazy, but I’m always inclined to that thought. Don’t you sometimes think about something like that?” sighed Agatha.

“Sometimes I guess. But it’s probably just our dreams getting to us. We can’t believe everything we think is true,” said Tedros, hugging her. “You’re probably just stressed, that’s all.”

“I want to believe that’s true,” she sighed.

~~~~

They woke up in the morning and Agatha trudged to the bathroom to get ready. She found her daughter’s book on the sink. She thought about stifling through it, just to take a peek. In the forest primeval, lies a school, for good and evil, two towers like twin heads. Try to get out, you will always fail, the only way out is through a fairy tale. That saying sounded so familiar. Why did it? She did not like all these feelings coursing through her like a storm. So many mixed emotions, in one confused body.

Diamonique came into the restroom, and saw her at the sink, reading her book. “Oh, I was looking for that!” she sighed in relief. “Do you like it? Have you been reading it?”

“I only saw a bit of it. I may buy the whole series for you if you want,” Agatha said.

Diamonique’s eyes lit up. “REALLY?? THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFEEEEE. But wait, can you buy me Keeper of the Lost Cities too?” she asked. “Actually, I think I’m getting my hopes up.”

“Yeah, you are,” Agatha smirked, ruffling her daughter’s hair.

“NOOOO NOT THE HAIR NOT THE HAIRRR,” Diamonique yelled. She was obsessed with her hair, just like her father.

“Oh, you’re just like your dad,” Agatha laughed. “Let’s head out and see what he made for breakfast. Let’s just hope he didn’t burn anything.” Her daughter laughed.

~~~~

After eating breakfast, Diamonique stood up, and got her things for school. “Are you ready to go?” Agatha asked her.

“Yep, and I can walk from here. Thanks for breakfast dad, I’m surprised you didn’t burn the house down,” she laughed.

“That also surprised me too. Have a good day at school. Your mother and I will pick you up when done,” said Tedros.

“Ok, thank you, see you then,” Valencia said.

“Wait!!” exclaimed Agatha. “Before you leave, I forgot to tell you, by the time you come home, your books will be on your desk. I’ll probably read the first one, since you have the library one, so yeah, have a good day at school!” Agatha pecked her daughter on the cheek.

The rest of the day, all she could think about was the series.