Few days later....
It was a Friday that smelled like freedom - warm pavement, jasmine in the air, and the promise of a weekend untouched by monsters, magic, or realms that breathed.
Keisha slung her bag over her shoulder and waved off Zenid's offer to train. "Not today," she said with a grin. "I'm off-duty."
She didn't say where she was going. She didn't have to.
Nora, Zelda, and Mandy were already waiting outside the school gates, clustered around a bench like they'd never left it. Nora was sipping bubble tea, Zelda had a tote bag full of thrifted books, and Mandy was scrolling through her phone with the intensity of someone decoding a prophecy.
When Keisha approached, they all lit up.
"Look who finally remembered she has other friends," Mandy teased, standing to hug her.
Keisha laughed. "I've been busy."
"Yeah, with your new coven," Zelda said, waggling her eyebrows. "What's the deal with the tattooed girl and the one who looks like she eats lightning for breakfast?"
Keisha waved a hand. "They're just… intense. You know how group projects get."
Mandy snorted. "That's not a group project, babe. That's a cult."
They all burst out laughing.
"so what are we going to do for the rest of the afternoon" Keisha asked quite excited.
"was thinking.. Shopping. It's been a while since we last hang out at the mall, you know" Nora suggested.
"well the mall it is then.."Mandy said already packing her stuff...
They hit the mall like a storm - first stop: the vintage shop Zelda swore had "the best chaos energy." Keisha tried on a velvet jacket that made her look like a 90s vampire. Nora found a pair of boots that made her two inches taller and ten times more powerful. Mandy bought a ridiculous pair of sunglasses shaped like hearts and refused to take them off.
They wandered through racks, tried on things they'd never buy, and took mirror selfies like they were thirteen again.
"Okay but seriously," Mandy said, holding up a sequined crop top, "if I wore this to school, would I get expelled or crowned?"
"Both," Keisha said. "Simultaneously."
After the intense shopping, feeling famished they decided to look for something to eat.
They ended up at their favorite café - the one with the mismatched chairs and the lemon cake that tasted like sunshine. They ordered too much food, spread it across the table, and talked with their mouths full.
"So," Zelda said, leaning in, "spill. Any cute boys in your study group?"
Keisha rolled her eyes. "No."
"Liar," Mandy said. "You've got that look. The 'I'm pretending I'm not into someone but I totally am' look."
Keisha opened her mouth to protest — and then her bracelet buzzed.
Just once. A sharp little zap against her wrist.
She flinched.
Nora raised an eyebrow. "You okay?"
"Yeah, just-static shock," Keisha said quickly, rubbing her wrist.
Inside the bracelet, Illario's presence simmered. She could feel it - a little storm of jealousy, all heat and huffing silence. He didn't like being ignored. Or teased. Or the idea of her talking about boys with other people.
She smirked.
"Anyway," she said, loud enough for him to hear, "there is this guy. Tall. Broody. Kind of annoying. Probably thinks he's mysterious."
The bracelet buzzed again - this time with a low, sulky warmth.
Zelda grinned. "Ooooh, do go on."
Keisha leaned back, sipping her iced tea. "He's got this whole 'I'll protect you but also emotionally confuse you' vibe. You know the type."
Mandy cackled. "So basically every fictional love interest ever."
"exactly.. Anyway. Let's do the last rounds of the mall, then we can call it a day"
.....
They wandered the mall until the sun dipped low, arms full of bags, cheeks sore from laughing. It felt good. Real. Like the part of her life that hadn't been swallowed by magic and monsters still had roots.
As they waited for the bus, since non of their chauffeurs were coming to pick them up , Nora nudged her. "You okay? You've been… different lately."
Keisha smiled. "I'm good. Just figuring stuff out."
Zelda looped her arm through hers. "Well, don't disappear again. We miss you."
"I won't," Keisha said. And she meant it.
The bracelet pulsed once - not jealous this time, but gentle. As if Illario understood. As if he was listening.
And maybe, just maybe, he was smiling too.