(tw: slight cursing)

 On the way back to my house Eef asks me a whole lot of other questions.

 “So is there a school for magic? Like did you visit Hogwarts?”

 I seriously look into his eyes. “You do know that Harry Potter isn't real?”

 “Well, yeah, but something similar at least?”

 “There are schools for learning magic,” I admit, “but those who don't want to go there don't have to. Mom wanted me to have a normal childhood, so she taught me spells and tarot.”

 “Oh. And where does your magic come from?”

 I purse my lips. “You mean if it has a core somewhere?”

 “Something like that.”

 “Our magic comes from within. It's settled in our souls, where it leads us forward to living a fulfilling life while serving Fate.”

 “So if I get this right. Witches are just updated versions of people?”

 I have to laugh. “Yeah, basically. We're the rare kind amongst the basics. Don't take it personally though.”

 He scoffs. “Please, wouldn't even think of it. So does your magic have its limits?”

 “Tarot generally doesn't have limits, it can answer any questions. But it's the person's job to actually know to read into the details. But spells do. It isn't that magic has its limitations, however the person. Every witch has their own body and soul limits. It depends on their strength and will.”

 “Huh…but you'll know when you'll be eighteen. You can't use spells until your eighteenth birthday?”

 “It's not impossible, we can use them before, but it comes with consequences. If I were to use a spell right now, my body could go through abnormal changes. It could even kill me. Since I'm almost eighteen, it isn't very probable. But sixteen year olds are still at risk.”

 “So eighteen is like the age?”

 “Yeah. To prevent kids from using spells and harming themselves, Fate released a rule that says no one under eighteen can use spells or will be punished depending on the seriousness of the spell.”

 “Seriousness?”

 I nod. “Yes, there are three types of spells. First ones are the ones that don't include any people, second that include only you and the third that include other people as well.”

 “So what punishment could you get?”

 “It could be just an admonition or full on jail.”

 “Shits real there huh?”

 “Yeah but we don't kill each other,” I glimpse at him and he bows his head in acknowledgment.

 “Fair enough.”

 We get to my backyard and he hugs me. “Take care, okay?”

 I smile into his shoulder. “Okay. We'll meet at Mom's place after school. I have to ask Father if I can sleep over now. If he won't allow it…” I bite my lip, thinking.

 “You can just tell him that we have to do a project and we have little time so you have to sleep over?”

 I back up. “Okay, I'll try.”

 He nods and smiles. “And if he won't allow it.. we'll arson him alive.”

 I laugh. “Okay, we'll arson him alive. See you tomorrow.”

 I climb up the wall to my room and silently shut the window. I look at Eef sneaking through the forest so Father won't see him.

 I sigh with my lips curved and rub my eyes. This weird feeling I have never felt suddenly slowly spreads through my heart to the tips of my fingers. It makes me want to giggle uncontrollably and hide my face behind my hands.

 That feeling leaves when Father shows up. “What do you want for dinner?”

 He always pretends nothing happened. As if we had a normal relationship. As if he had cared about what I want for dinner, or breakfast, or lunch. As if he had cared about something more than my grades. As if he had cared about me.

 “What do we have?” I ask and sit down on my bed.

 “Not much. I can make ham and eggs.”

 I nod. “Yeah, that sounds good. Can I have just two?”

 “Okay,” he says and turns to leave, but I stop him.

 “Can I sleep over at a friend? We have to do a big project quickly because it's due on Monday.”

 “For how long?”

 “The weekend.”

 “Okay. Why didn't you start sooner, though? Are you this lazy?”

 Without letting me answer he leaves without touching the door.

 I fight sighing and get up to close it.