Cerato1

CoventryHill

Andaboveall,watchwithglitteringeyesthewholeworldaroundyoubecausethegreatestsecretsarealwayshiddeninthemost
unlikelyplaces.Thosewhodon'tbelieveinmagicwillneverfindit.

RoaldDahl

******************************
[Recording:16:23:08]
Itallstarted,asitusuallydoes,withaglance.Justkidding,itwasactuallyahex.But,theyre
practicallythesamething,right?
Wyatt,youreahorriblestoryteller.LetLilatellit.
Areyoukidding?!Shellturnitintoafrickingreport!
That
is
thepoint,isntit?
Youguysarehopeless.
Ill
tellit.
YeahIva,were
totally
gonnaletyouturnthisintoCSILesbianEdition.
Likeyouwerentgoingtotrytomakethisallabout
your
supposed

epicromance,inwhich
youallegedlybangedMacy24hoursaftermeetingher.
Iresentthat.
Guys,Imsittingrighthere!
Oops.
Tobefair,thisisntevenyourproject.
Screwit,thisistakingforever.Imgoingsoeveryonebequiet.
...
...


Cerato2

...
WhatWeDidOvertheSummerByLilaDavis,IvanaKovalski,andWyattClark
...Isthatseriouslywhatyouretitlingthis?
Shutup,itsnotlikeyoucouldthinkofanythingbetter.
HowaboutThesummerinwhichMacyAtwoodchangedCoventryHillforthebetterwithher
horribleparents,dazzlinggoodlooks,andnormbutsmokinhotbod.
Wyatt,no.
Howaboutjust
CoventryHill.
******************************
Yes,Iadmit,aglanceandahexarenotthesamething.Butitshardtosaywhereexactly
ourplotbegins,andIveneverbeenthebestwithstorytelling.Lilawouldsayitstartedatthe
diner,Ivaattheconcert,mewithahex,Macywithaglance.Isupposethatshowlifegoes
though,doesntit?Allstorieshaveinfinitebeginnings,facetedpointsofview,andnoendings.
ButthereIamgettingofftrackagain.Fornow,Ivegotmybeginning,andImstickingtoit.
WherewasIagain?Ohyeah,thehex.IdstolenitfromLilasBubbe,whichwasabad
decisioninretrospect.Inmydefense,Imerelythoughtitwassometopqualitycannabis,and
beingtheinnocentlambthatIam,Iswipedit.CanthaveourdearLilagettinghookedonthat
stuffcanwe?ButIshouldveknownnottotakeherbsfromaplantmage...foronethingtheold
haglabelseverythinginHebrew.
Ofcourse,notbeingabletoreadthelabelplusthefactthatImayhavebeenmildlyfaded
reallydidntleadtogoodchoices.And,longstoryshort,Iendedupbentoutawindowretching


Cerato3

uptoadsontothepavementbelow.Whichdidntfeelsogood,mostlyduetothefactthatthe
frogswerealiveandmoving.Onlythesatisfyingsplatsonthepavementofthesmallamphibians
thathadpreviouslybeenhoppingaroundinmystomachkeptmefromcompletelyregrettingmy
decision.That,andwhatIsawasIwaspukinguppolliwogs,whichbringsmetothesecond
beginningtheglance.
Acarhadturnedontoourstreet,trailedcloselybyamovingvan.Incrediblysuspicious.
IdneverseenamovingvaninCoventryHillinmyentirelife,evenwhenLilaandIvamovedin
duringyearspast.Peoplewerealwaysflowinginandoutoftheneighborhood,emigratingand
immigratingtofollowjobsandambitions.Butthis,thiswasjustweird.Yousee,youdontjust
goandbringnorms(suchasmovers)intoaplacelikeours...itsincrediblyrisky.Maybemy
lovelynewneighborswereillusionists,buttheywereprobablyjuststupid.Hopefully,they
werentstupidillusionists...theresonlyroomforoneofthosearoundhereme.Justkidding.But
still,thewholescenariowasprettystrange.
Iburpeduponefinaltoad,whichhitthegroundwithasatisfyingsmack,andleaned
furtheroutthewindow.Thetruckwasparkedamerehundredfeetdownthestreet,andthere
werecountlessnormsswarmingaroundit,carryingfurnitureandboxesthatlookedquiteheavy.
Yep,definitelystupid.Whythehellwouldyoubringnormsintoaneighborhood
for...well..peoplelikeus,whentherearesomanyother
safer
options?Theyareprobably
countlesscharmsyoucouldgetcheap,metamorphmagiforhire,basically
anything
else.
IfoundmyselfgettingangryattheidiocyofourlovelynewneighborswhenInoticed
her.Shewasjuststandinginthemiddleofthechaos,staringslightlyoffintospace.Maybeshe


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wasawixenandwasjusttryingtogetreorientedtothecity?Ididntknow,andIreallydidnt
care,untilsheglancedoveratme.
ItwasatthatmomentthatIrealizedIwashangingoutathirdstorywindowwiththe
corpsesofmultitudesoftoadsbelowme.Shit.Couldnthavethenormsseeingthatcouldwe.
Although,thinkingaboutit,
anyone
seeingthiscouldleadtounwantedquestions.
Ileanedbackintothemustyapartment.Think.Thinkkk.Thiinkkk.Thinkwasafunny
word,Ithought.Itsalllikethhhhhandthenink!Think.Heh.
Wyatt,focus,Itoldmyself.Ohright,thetoads.
Ipeeredoutthewindowagain.Belowme,afrogmassacre.Ilookeddownthestreet
again.Thegirlwasstillstaringatbothmeandthemanyamphibiansinamyriadofconfusion.
Understandable.Alsoinconvenient.Tisasmallneighborhoodafterallshedblab,andLilas
Bubbewouldprobablyhexmeagain.SoIdidtheonlythingIknewhowto.
Igaveherawink,andlookeddownatthetoadsagain.Inhindsight,Iwasluckyit
workedwhenIwasntsober.ButIlookedbackatthegirlwhenIwasdoneandIknewIhad
succeeded,Fromwhatshesaw,thetoadshadallsuddenlydisappeared
...Andofcoursetheyhadnt.Thetoadswerestillthere,butshedidntseethem.Which
meansundertheinfluenceIhadactuallypulledoffwhatIwashopingtodo.1pointtoWyatt,0
pointsformarijuana.Imgettingofftopicagain,arentI?Eitherway,thatshowMacyandmy
storiesgotstartedwithahex,andaglance.
******************************
[Recording17:04:38]
Wyatt,youidiot.Youdidntevenexplainwhatyoudid.


Cerato5

Yes,Idid.
No.
Yes.
No.
Yes.
No.
Ye
Stopityoutwo!Wegetit!Wyattcastanillusionbecausehesjustsooocool,andIwasa
stupid,totallyimpressednorm!
DoIsenseatoneofsarcasm?Asagirlfriendthatsabitbelowthebelt,isntit?
Shutit,youpieceofshitstoner.
.....
Anyway
.Wyatt,accordingtoyou,yourstorystartedwithahex.AndMacy,yoursstarted
withaglance.CanIvaandItellourbeginningsnow?
Yes,wecanandweregoingto.Yougofirst,though.Afterall,thedinerwasjustaboutaweek
later.
Alrightthen.
******************************
DoIstartoffwithanintroductionhere?Wyattsaiditwasntareportbutitstillfeels
awfullyinformal...Well,anyway,ImLilaDavis.ImaSagittarius,aFiremaoops.Lookslike
Imnotsupposedtogiveanintroafterall.IguessIlljustjumpstraighttothedinerthen.
WeweresittingintheBlackKettle,amerefewdaysafterTheToadIncident,aswelater
namedit.Businesswasasusual,forthemostpart.Therewerethecustomaryneighborhoodkids


Cerato6

scatteredthroughoutboothsandtables,tryingoutspellstheyfoundonoldnapkinslitteringthe
floor.Icouldspyanexhaustedlookingcollegestudentdejectedlysippingwhatlookedlikea
lovepotion(poorgirl).Icouldhearsomemiddleschoolboysatthetablenexttoustryingto
convinceSiritofindthemthebloodofananemicsalamander(Ididnotwanttoknow).Allwas
well.Exceptthattherewasathinlayerofillusionlayingovertheentirediner.
Itturnedoutthatthetoadglancinggirlwasnotawixenorillusionistatall,butanorm.
Yes,anorminCoventryHill.Anentirefamily,infact.Thepastfewdayshadthrowntheentire
communityintoaloop.Itwasonethingtointeractwithnormsatworkorintheinnercity,butto
havethemlivinghere?Ridiculous,preposterous,andfrankly,verydangerous.Sincetheyhad
arrived,thingshadbeenablurofconfusion,proposedsolutions,andmostlyalotofworkforthe
illusionists.
IcouldtellthatWyattwastiredandagitatedfromconstantlylendinghisenergytoa
groupinvocation.Hewasbitinghisnailsagain,andhadsomehowgottenhishandsona
selfrefillingcoffeemug,whichIhadnotseenhimputdownsinceIvaandIhadmetupwithhim
severalhoursbefore.Eitherway,wewereallirritated,andsohadgatheredforoneofhisclassic
schemingsforvictory.
Noneofushadyethadthemisfortuneofcrossingpathswiththenorms.However,we
hadheardplentyaboutthemfromalltheconversationsthatadultsthoughtteenagerswerent
payingattentionto,butactuallywere.TherewasonethingCoventryHillhadunanimously
agreedonsincethebanonDarkMagykafterthe70sthenormshadtogo.


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ThethreeofusIva,Wyatt,andIwerebusydiscussingpossiblemethodsfromcharmsto
potions,whenthedinerdooropenedwithafainttingling.Itgrewstrangelyquiet,andweall
lookedup.TheGirlwashere.
Shestood,almostunsure,onthethresholdofthediner.Althoughshecouldntseeit,
therewasabarrierthereforthespecificpurposeofdiscouragingherfromentering,Itwas
activatingitselfaswesatwatching,puttingabitofachargeintotheair.Wyattletoutasmall
sighandwatchedhiscoffeerefillasthebarriersappedabitmoreofhisenergy.Icontinuedto
watchthegirlasIvareachedoverandrubbedhisshouldersympathetically.Then,tomysurprise,
shesteppedthroughthedoor.Thatwasntsupposedtobeabletohappen,wasit?
IlookedoveratWyatt,whohadgrimacedandclutchedthemugtighterassoonasshed
walkedthroughthedoor.Poorguy,theillusionshadtobeevenstrongernowthatshewas
actuallyinside.Sheseemedoblivioustothestaresofthefellowcustomers(nottomentionthe
flurryofeveryoneattemptingtohidevariousquestionableitems),asshewalkeduptothe
counter.
FromthesecondIvaturnedtolookatmeIknewthattheideaIwasabouttohearwas
probablycrazy,irrational,andpossiblyillegal,asperusual.Sheopenedhermouth,andof
course,Iwasright.Andtherebeganourstory,atleastforme.
*****************************
[17:59:14]
Oh,comeon.Itwasnt
that
bad!
Iva,youroriginalideawastoattempttoburyherbeneaththeEmpireStateBuilding.
Yeah,Iva,Imprettysurethatcountsascrazy,irrational,andillegal.


Cerato8

....YouweregoingtoburymeunderneaththeEmpireStateBuilding?
....no.
I
did
eventuallycomeupwithalessillegalplan.
Iva,stoptalking.ItwasWyattsideaandweallknowit.
Yeah,Iva,itwas
my
idea.
Shutit,straightboy.

Anyways,
weeventuallyformedadifferentplan.
Yeah,inwhichyoudtakemetoaconcertandshankmeright?
Wewerentgoingto
shank
you.
Yeahwewerejustgoingto.persuadeyou.toleave.
Yeah,youweretotallygoingtoshankme.
Well,wedidnt.Youknowwhy?
Becauseyouguysdecidedyoulikedme?
No.BecauseWyatthadtogoandfallinlovewithyou.
*****************************
Hellotheredearestlisteners,Ivahere.AndheresthestoryofhowWyattruinedallofour
livesbyfallinginlovewithanorm.Notactually,butitsurefeltthatwayatthetime.
Ithadbeenmyidea.Therewasaconcertthatweekendintheemptylotafewblocks
down.Ithought,whereelsewouldbebettertoscareawayanormthanaloud,angry,
punkillusionconcert?ItwastechnicallysupposedtobeadatebetweenLilaandI,butWyatt
wasprobablytaggingalonganyways,somaybehecouldscareheroffjustbybeinghim.Atany
rate,itwasworthitjustforthelookofpureconfusiononthegirlsfacewhenweaskedher.I


Cerato9

couldntrememberhername.whatwasit,Mary?Marie?Whoknew.Eitherwayshewas
comingwithusandhopefullywedbeabletohavesomefun.
AsIsatonmybathroomcounterwhenthedayfinallyrolledaround,Istartedto
regretinvitingthenorm.Foronething,IfeltbadaboutkillingthedatewithLila.Itturnedout
Wyatthadntbeenplanningongoingatall,soIdjustruinedthebiggestdatewedhadinafew
months.
Istaredintothespeckledmirrorandmadeaface.Well,severalactually.Icouldn't
decidewhichonetogowith.JustasIwasdecidingbetweenmyregularbleachedhairorashort
blackchop,frecklesornone,andeyeshape,IrealizedthatIwasbeingidiotic.Thegirl(what
washername?Mabel?)hadseenmyeverydayfacewhenIdinvitedher.Icouldntgoand
changeitnow,shewasanorm!Dammit,thisnightkeptgettingworse.Iwatchedmyreflection
shiftbackintomydefaultlookindefeat.IwasjusthuntingformymascarawhenIfinallyheard
thedooropen.
Icanstillrememberhowshelookedthatnight.Callmearomantic,butIdontthink
shedeverlookedsobeautiful.Shewaswearingthisoldleatherjacket(wait,wasntthatmine?)
overasoftgreentshirt.Icouldntstopstaringatthisonecurlofherhairthatcurledsoftly
aroundherneckWait,thisisntrelevanttoourstory.Illkeepthosetomyselffromnowon,
sorry.
WearrivedattheconcertalittlelateafterthattofindneitherWyattnorthenorm.I
chalkedituptoourentranceintothevenue.Itsalwaysabitdisconcertingtopassthroughthe
layersofnoisecancellingspellsandillusionsintoagiglikethat.Idalwayslovedillusionpunk
though,thesuddenshockoflightandsound,theblaringmusicandfloatingcolors,andthe


Cerato10

atmospheretotallyfreeofallcaresintheworld.Well,Iguessthatcouldbechockeduptothe
weed,butstill.Thefeelingwasagreatone.
Astheinitialassaulttomysenseswasover,IstartedtoactuallyattempttofindWyatt
andcompany.Icouldn'tspottheminthecrowd,andIcouldntevenfindoneofWyatts
signatureillusionsintheairabovethehordeofpeople.Itwaspureaccidentwhenwefinally
foundthem.Andwow,werewesurprised.
*****************************
[19:01:48]
Areyouguysreallygoingtoleavethisparttome.
Really?

AwcmonMacythisstoryISaboutyou.
Andsoyouregoingtohavememakemyintroduction
here?
Wecouldnthavechosen
any
othertime.

Hey,itdidlooklikeyouwereenjoyingyourselfquitealot.
IvaIhateyousomuchrightnow.

Ow
.Thatwasrude.
Yourewelcome.
Areyougoingtointroduceyourselfsometimesoon?This
is
duetomorrow.
Fine.
*****************************
Iknowtheothersdidntdoanintroductionhere,butImightaswell.Hello,ImMacy,
theinfamousnorm.NomatterhowweirdtheotherssaiditwaswhenIgothere,dontbelieve
them.Itwasevenstrangeronthisend,trustme.


Cerato11

MovingtoCoventryHillstarteddifferentlyfromanyothermoverightoffthebat.Ina
blur,Ihadgonefromhostileglaresfromeveryoneintheneighborhoodtoattendingaconcert
withthreepeopleIdidntknow.Andman,whataconcertitwas.
Wyatthadpickedmeupalone.ApparentlyitwasoriginallyadatebetweenLilaandIva,
sowewouldmeetthemthere.Idwonderedwhytheywerebringingmeifitwastheirdate...I
didntevenknowthem.ButIdshruggeditoff.Iwasntabouttoturndownsomekindnessat
thatpoint.
Buteitherway,WyattandImetunderthecornerwiththefaultystreetlamp,andthen
continuedonourway.Hewasaninterestingguy.Heseemedtohaveagoodsenseofhumor,and
startedtotellmeabitabouthisfourbrothers.Heseemedtobeinabettermoodthanhehadbeen
theprevioustimeIdmetthem,whichwasagoodsign.Hehadbeensogrouchyatthediner.
Thediner.Istillcouldntquitewrapmyheadaroundtheeventsthathadhappenedafew
daysprevious.Ifoundmyselfzoningoutashestartedonabouthismomssurrealismart
(somethingaboutspraypaintedchickens?).
Irememberedstandingatthecounter,waitingformyorder.Honestly,Idbeenscaredto
gointhefirstfewdaysIwasintheneighborhood.Everyoneseemedtohatethenewadditionsto
thecommunity(i.e.us),andIwasntentirelyeagertohaveallthoseeyesonmeinoneplace.I
reallydidntunderstandthebarelyconcealedhostilitytowardsmyfamily.Imeansure,
I
hated
them,butwedidntevenknowanyonehere.Theneighborhooditselfwasincrediblydiverseas
well,sothatcouldntbeit.Iwasutterlyconfused.
AsIwasponderingmyunpopularity,Ifeltaquicktaponmyleftshoulder.Surprised,I
turnedtofindatallgirlstandingbehindme.Icouldntmakeoutherexactfeaturesatfirstthe


Cerato12

lightseemedtocausethemtoalmostshift.ButIsoonfocusedonlightblondehairinaretro
pinup,brightgreeneyes,andawickedredsmilewithstraight,whiteteeth.Stunnedatthe
conceptofhumaninteraction,ittookmeamomenttorealizeshehadintroducedherself.
Seeingmyexpression,shejustlaughed,andtoldmeagainthathernamewasIvanna,or
Iva.Istammeredoutanapologyandanintroductionaswell,andshejustchuckledagain.Before
Iknewit,shewassteeringmetowardsthetableinthebackcorner,occupiedbya
grouchylookingasianguyandaslightdarkhairedgirl,whoIwouldsooncometoknowas
WyattandLila.
Bringingmyselfbacktothepresent,Irealizedwehadactuallyarrivedattheconcert.We
weresurroundedbybright,flashinglights,screamingpeople,andwerethosehologramsinthe
air?Andhowthehellwasthisconcertescapingthenoticeofthepolice?Itwasinthemiddleofa
parkinglot!
IturnedtoaskWyattthemillionquestionsthatwereexplodinginmyheadtofindhim
staringatmewithapeculiarexpression.Iopenedmymouthtospeak,andbeforeIknewit,he
kissedme.
*****************************
[19:23:58]
Areyouseriouslygoingtoendthere???Youreboring.
Thereisntmuchelsetosay!YouhavetorememberIwasthoroughlyconfusedthisentire
time.
Youwerentveryconfusedwhenyoukissedmeback.
Wyatt,Isweartogod.


Cerato13

Dude,why
did
youkissheranyways?
Iva,shedliterallyjustgonethroughagiantassbarrierofcloakingspellswithoutasingle
reaction.HowcouldI
not
?
RememberthefirsttimeIvawentthroughawalllikethat?Shethrewup.
Liareyou
seriously
sidingwithWyattrightnow??
Yes.
Ugh,youguysallsuck.
Anyways,Imcurious,whatdyouguysdowhenyousawus?ImeanIwasstilltheinfamous
normatthetime.
Well,wedidtheonlylogicalthing.
Whichwasafireball?
Obviously.
*****************************
Ivahereagain,Ihavetoadmit,thesightofWyattsuckingonthefaceofanormwas
severelyshocking.ImprettysureIscreamed,andthencontinuedtoscreamasWyattsjacket
lightonfire.Ihadneverbeenmoresurprisedinmyentirelife.Inmyconfusion,mynose
probablyshiftedabout15differentways.Lila,ofcourse,wasntsoluckyastohaveatalentthat
stayedonherface.HenceWyattssuddenlyflamingclothing.
Itwasnowtheirturntoscream,astheyquicklydisentangledandWyattflungoffhis
coat.Inanaveragecircumstance,Iprobablywouldvemadesomewittycommentonthefact
thatWyattwouldvetakenitoffsoonanyways,butthiswasntanaveragesituation.Thiswasa
norm.


Cerato14

ItwasntlikeitwasthefirsttimeIdcaughtWyattinthemiddleofamakeoutwhen
yougrowuptogether,theretendstobealackofboundaries.IvewalkedinonWyattdoing
anythingandeverything(straightpeoplearereallyweirdsometimes,mightIadd),butsomehow
thiswasworsethananythingevercombined.Wehadcomeheretoscareheraway,foronething.
Nowshehadareasontostay!HerewasWyattagain,ruiningeverything.Somebestfriend.
*****************************
[20:01:49]
Yourerevelinginthis,arentyou?
What,talkingaboutyourfailures?
Yeah.
Thenyes,definitely.
Ughhhhhh.ItslateandImtootiredtodealwiththis.Macy,backupplease.
HowaboutLilatakesoverfornow?
WyattIsetyouonfire.
Yeah,butyoureaniceperson.
Imnotsurewhethertobeoffendedorflattered.
Both.Nowtalk.
*****************************
Well,needlesstosay,weweredefinitely.surprised.IwouldliketosayIremained
calmerthanIva,butwehavealreadycoveredmylittleflameproblem.Eitherway,theypulled
apartprettyquickly.Wyattsfacewasamixofhappinessandguilt,withatouchofhisusual


Cerato15

smugness.Macy,ontheotherhand,lookedcompletelymortified.Luckilyforus,shewasso
flusteredshedidntcatchIvasfacechanging25+timesinthespanofaminute.
WhenIvafinallycalmeddownenoughtosettleherfaceandstopcroaking,sheletloosea
streamofprettymuchconstantprofanity.ShewasstillsounnervedthatsheslippedintoRussian.
AndalthoughitsalwaysfunnytowatchasouthernspeakinggirlswitchovertohardRussian
swearing,IimagineitwasextremelyunnervingforMacy.Itwasatensethirtyseconds,theonly
soundsfillingtheawkwardsilencebeingIvas.
Finally,Wyattclearedhisthroat.HeandMacyexchangedembarrassedglances.He
openedhismouthtospeak,butnothingcameout.Ilookedathimclosely,hadhe.?
Heshookhisheadno,andIrelaxedatinybit.Ifhehadnttoldher,weweresafe(ish?)
fornow.Thenagain,we
were
atanillusionconcert,sowewerentintheclear.Thischanged
everythingthough.Weneverplannedtoactually
like
her.Butitlookslikewedneedanewplan.
Asfornow,thebestcourseofactionwastoprobablygether
out
.
*****************************
[21:19:04]
Ohyeah,youguysgotmeoutofthererealllllquick.
Youhavetounderstandthough,IvaandIstilldidntknowyou.
Yeahthewaywesawityouddestroytheneighborhoodforsure.
WellIclearlydidnt.
Wellyeah.
Wait,sothatsallofourbeginningswhathappenednext?
Wellwestalkedyouobsessively.


Cerato16

*****************************
Andwedid.Stalkherobsessively,thatis.Itwas,eventhen,extremelycreepy.Itwasnt
likeitwashardIvacouldchangeherappearancetoemulateliterallyanyone,andasimple
aversionglamourwaseasytopulloffforLilaandmyselfifshewashelpingme.Soforthenext
fewweeksofthesummer,wetrackedhereverymove.Itwasprettydepressingtobehonestwe
weretheonlyfriendsMacy(briefly)hadinCoventryHill.Afterwedumpedheratherhouse
followingtheconcert,wehadavoidedheratallcosts.Sorta.Exceptforthestalking.
ButIhadtoadmitit,Imissedher.Shewassuchadreamer.Evenwithalltheweird
thingsgoingonaroundher,shehadmanagedtostayathomeinherhead,ifthatmadeanysense.
Shewassocaughtupinherthoughtsthatshehadntevennoticedwhenwedcrossedtheillusion
barrier.Andyes,Imissedkissingher.Itdefinitelywasntsimplebutitwasnice.Anditwas
somethingIneeded.
Theavoidingatallcostscampaignwasgoingstronguntilaboutmidaugust.Atthat
pointithadbecomealmostroutine,common,maybeevenalittleboring.Illadmititwehad
becomelazy.Yeah,westeeredclearofMacy,butthenagaineverybodydid.Itgrewexhausting
tokeepupa24/7fullscaleglamourforthreepeople,soweeventuallydowngradedtoasimple
discouragementspell.Itgrewtothepointthatwehardlysawheratall,andevenallthe
precautionstheneighborhoodhadbeguntotakebecameasteadypattern.Until,asusual,I
colossallymessedupeverything.

Theday,asIrememberit,hadbeenaweirdone.Iwasinaparticular.um...stateof
mindthatmorningwhenIhadabadruninwithaweatherwitchfromoutofstatevisitingthe
covendownthestreet.MylovelydaycontinuedasIwasrainedonfortherestofthemorning,


Cerato17

whenIrealizedthatmyphonewassoakingwetinmypocket.BynoonIwasgrumbling
excessivelyasImademywaybacktoIvasplace,windalmostbuffetingmeintothestreetat
everycorner.
ItwasherethatIfailedtorealizethatIwastakingtheroutedirectlypastMacys
apartmentwithoutevenbotheringtoformatanysortofillusionwhatsoever.Tobefairatthetime
Iwasgrumpy,wet,andhighbutstill.Itmayhaveworkedoutonanyotherdaybutattheexact
wrongmomentshesteppedoutintothestreetanddirectlyintomypath.
*****************************
[21:58:49]
Andboydidyoucallmeoutalright.
Wellyoudeservedit.
IthinkIparticularlylikedtheinsultsYoucrapcoatedmailboxflagandYousoggy
lampshade
Dude,impressive!
Ivadont
highfive
her.
Whaat?
Okay,butWyattIwaspissed!Youguystotallyditchedme...exceptforthestalking,Iguessbut
Ididntevenknowwhy!!
Well,nowyoudo.
Nothelpful.
Okay,buteitherwayyougotWyattsoturnedaroundthatheinvitedyoutohangwithusthat
nextnight.


Cerato18

Whichwasinconvenient,consideringwewereavoidingyou.
*****************************
Soafteralotofshoutingallaround,acoupleofparticularlynastyfacesfromIva,andan
impromptufireball(mostlyunintentionalIpromise),wedecidedtogiveinteractingwithMacy
anotherchance.WeweresittingonthefloorofmyBubbesplantroom,enjoyingthewarmair,
whenweheardthedooropen.Toolazytomove,IwasabouttoshoutoutahellowhenIva
clampedherhandovermymouth.Itwasherdad.
StrainingtohearthemurmuringvoicesIfrowned.ItwasntthatBubbeandMr.Kovalski
didntgetalong,itwasratherthatIhadneverheardtheminaoneononeconversationbefore.I
hadnteventhoughttheywereonafirstnamebasis.Frowning,Iquietlygotupandgathereda
fewherbsfromaroundtheroom.AtWyattsquestioningandsomewhatapprehensiveglance(I
vividlyrememberedthetoadstory),Imouthedthatitwasasoundenhancementspell.Hoping
thatIrememberedtherightwaytodoit(andthatIdgrabbedtherightplants),Islowlycrushed
theminmypalm,thensetthemablaze.
Immediatelyitwasasiftheconversationwastakingplacenexttomyear.Iguessour
hallwaywasntwardedverywell...IlookedatIvaandmadeamentalnotetoincreasethe
protectionsonmybedroomassoonaspossible.
Itseemedthattheywerediscussinghisjobasaninvestigativedetective.Thatwas
strangeBubbedidntusuallytakeinterestintheutilizationofmagicinnormculture.Shewas
oldfashionedthatway.Iwasabouttoquenchtheburningleavesinmyhand,whensuddenly,I
heardMacyslastname.Nexttome,IcouldfeelWyattstiffenandsitupstraighter.


Cerato19

Itseemedthatwehadntbeentheonlyonesconductingresearchintothelivesofthe
lovelynewresidentnorms.ApparentlythecouncilitselfhadappointedMr.Kovlskitotrackthe
AtwoodsintheirlivesoutsideofCoventryHillandwhathefoundwasntgood.
WeallknewgeneralinformationabouttheAtwoodsatthispoint.Wyattobviouslyknew
themost,sincehehadbeen...well...
closest
withher,butweallwereinformedroughlythesame.
Mrs.Atwoodwasanadministrativeassistant,exprayercircleleader,winemomextraordinaire.
Macywas...Macy.AndMr.Atwoodwasanalwaysatworklegaladvisortorealestatemongers.
Theperfectlittlecookiecutterfamilywhoonlywishedtomoveintoaquaintlittleneighborhood
tobeclosertowork.Butthatwastheproblem.
Inthetruespiritofselfobsessednuclearparents,theyhadhardlynoticedthethinly
veileddisdainthathadpermeatedtheneighborhoodeversincetheyhadarrived.Inspiteofallof
ourbestefforts,theylovedithere.AndnowMr.Atwoodhadagrandideatomovehisentire
circleofrealestategobblingnormsintooursecludedlittlesafehaven.Thiswasobviouslynotan
option.
Afterafewmoreminutesofeavesdroppingontheirtenseconversation,Igotupand
scatteredtheashesintothewastebasket.Wehadheardallweneededtohear.
*****************************
[22:09:53]
Youguysneverquiteexplainedtomewhattheyweretalkingabout.
ItskindofcomplicatedMace.
Andmorallyshaky.
Guysss.


Cerato20

Fine,basicallywhattheyweretalkingaboutdoingwastoperformaWype.
Awipe?
No,a
Wype
.Amemoryone.
Wowthanksthatexplainseverything
perfectly.
ThanksIva.
Noneedtoberude.Lila,explainit.
OksoaMemoryWypeisagroupmagicalsequencethatessentiallyerasesanymemories
associatedwithacertainevent,place,person,etcetera.Inyourcasetheywereplanningtoerase
anymemoryorassociatedmemoryrelatedtoCoventryHill.
Oksoamemoryspellthen.Youcouldvejustsaidthat,Iknowaboutthose.
No,becauseaWypeisawaybiggerdealthanthat.Ittakessuchlargescalepowerbecauseit
alsoerases
anyassociatedmemories
.Thatmeansinyourparents,butalso
anyoneelsewhothey
mayhavementionedCoventryHillto
.
Holyshit.
Yeah,thatswhyittakessuchatremendousamountofpower.
Wow.
Soobviouslythatwasgoodnewsforus,butnotsomuchforyou.OrWyatt.
YeahitwaskindofamegabummerthatthegirlIlikedwouldntevenknowIexistedinafew
daysfromthatpoint.
Yeahthatwouldvebeenunfortunate.Butwewerealreadyplanningonhangingoutwithyou
thatnightbeforeithappened,soitwasntlikeyouweregoingtorememberifwescrewedupor
anything.


Cerato21

Soofcoursewedecidedtodickaroundasmuchaspossible,becausewhocared?Itwasntlike
youdrememberformorethanthenextfewdaysanyways.
Except,WEIRDLYENOUGH,Iseemtorecallallofthis!
Wellnoshit,youknowwhathappenedthatnight.
*****************************
Sowethoughtallwaswell.SureaWypewouldconfusethenormsquiteabit,andthey
mightforgetsomethingimportant,likeaproblematwork,butwevieweditastheperfect
solution.ItwouldalsogetMacyoutofourhairifweeverhappenedtocrossheronthestreetin
anotherpartofthecityshedhavenoideawhowewere.Andofcoursetheywouldbemoving,
consideringtheywouldhavenoideathatCoventryHilleverexisted.
Wyattwas,ofcourse,poutingaboutit.Imean,itwasnecessary,buthecouldntgetover
hisschoolgirlcrushtoconsiderthesafetyofthecommunityforonesecond.Tobefair,Iwasa
littlebiased.WyattandIhadbeenbestfriendseversinceIdlivedhere.8yearsoffriendship
mademeprotective.Itwasntjealousysomeoneonceaskedmeifweweretogetherandmy
extremelygayselflaugheduntilshecriedextremelygaytears.
Becauseasmuchaswe
thought
weknewaboutMacy,wedidntactuallyknowmuchat
all.Wedidntknowwhattypeofpersonshewas,whatheropinionswere,whatshelikedor
didnt.Noneofusweregiftedinmindmagic,soitwasntevenlikewecouldknowwithout
spendingtimewithher.Thatdidntmatterthough,becauseshedbeoutofourhairinafew
daysatleastwethought.
Eitherway,wereluctantlypreparedforourfinalbattlewiththeTeenageNormof
CoventryHill.ItwouldntbeabigthingWyattsbrothersweregoingwithhismomandher


Cerato22

boyfriendtosomethinginNewJerseyfortheweekend(Ithinkitmighthavebeensomeart
show?IhadntreallybeenlisteningwhenWyatttoldme),sowehadhisapartmenttoourselves
forthenight.
AsforaplanforhowtodealwithMacy,wehonestlyhadnoidea.Shewasprobablystill
hurtingoverheronlyfriendsabandoningherafterjustonenight,sowefiguredwewerepretty
screwed.Ouronlyhopewastogetthroughthenightinonepiece,withoutsomehowmessingup
everything.Ifwewerelucky,alcoholandothersuchverylegalveryresponsiblesubstances
wouldcalmdownthenightenoughtomakeitbearable.Andaftertonight,wedneverhaveto
dealwithMacyeveragain.
*****************************
[22:15:03]
Listeningtothisstoryalwaysmakesmefeelsoloved
Shushyou.
Hey,werealmostatthebestpartthough.
Yeah,thischapterofourstoryisalmostattheclose.
WowyoualmostmadethissoundlikeanactualEnglishprojectforasecond.
Heywevebeenrecordingthisforlike6hourswerelegit.
Okbutwetooklike4snackbreaks.
Guys,focusmaybe?Likeyousaidwerealmostthere.
Oh,right.
SowefinallysawMacyagain,andthatswheneverythingchanged.
*****************************


Cerato23

IdistinctlyrememberthemixedemotionsIhadthatnight.Itwasafeelingyoudon't
easilyforgetoneofinsecurity,anger,sadness,andapprehension,butalsoexcitement.Iwasstill
gettingovertheembarrassmentofthefactthatmynewfriendshadditchedmeafteronenight,
butIwasalsostillpissedandhadhonestlybeenprettydepressedforthepastcouplemonths.But
atthesametime,mixedwithapprehension,Ifelt...excitement?Ididntknow,despiteallthathad
happened,Istillreallylikedtheoddtriothattheymade.
WhenIfinallygotupthecouragetoknockonandopenthedoor,Iwasimmediately
greetedwiththeirpresenceontheflooracrosstheroom.TheywereexactlyhowIremembered
them.Lilawassittingcrossleggedunderthewindow,theradiatorbehindhercausingherdark
hairtofloatwithstaticaroundherclosedeyes.Ivaslegsweredrapedoverhersassheflipped
throughthechannelsontheTVontheoppositewall(Inoticedsheeventuallystoppedatthe
HistoryChannel).AndWyatt,sprawledacrossanarmchairnearby.
Eventhoughithurtespeciallytoseehim,Ihadtoadmitit:IdmissedWyattalot.He
wasthesameasIdremembereddarkcirclesbutbrighteyes,acrookedbuteasysmile,andthe
faintsmellofcigarettesmoke.Somehowthough,hedtastedlikerainratherthanash.
IputthatthoughtoutofmyheadasIshutthedoorbehindme.
Aftercautiouslycrossingtheroomandsittingdownontheadjacentcouch,therewere
severalmomentsofawkwardsilence.AndthenLila.SweetlittleLila,askedinasmallvoiceifI
wantedanyvodka.
Ifthiswasareportaboutpositivelifechoices,Iobviouslywouldhavevehemently
declinedandwalkedrightofthestory.Butitsnot,andIwasrelievedenoughtohavesomething


Cerato24

todothatwouldntrequirethinking.Abadchoiceforbadreasons?Yeah,butitturnedthenight
intosomethingfardifferentfromwhatIimagined.Itturnedthenightintosomethingmagical,
*****************************
[22:26:15]
Somoralofthestoryismakebaddecisionsanditllturnoutokay?
Yes.
Shushyoutwoofcourseitisnt.Youknowwhatshemeant.
HeyLilayoureonetotalk,
you
theonewhoofferedherillegalshit.Iwasassurprisedasshe
was.
Sheisrighthere.
Sorry.
YeahbutIdontreallyrememberwhathappenedbetweenthenandabout1AM.
Iva,thatsbecauseyouwereabsolutelyplastered.
Hm.True.
*****************************
Solongstoryshort,wegothammered.Thisstoryisabsolutelygoinginthedirectionyou
thoughtitwould,isntit?Butthisisrelevant,Ipromise.
Becauseinthehazyaftermathofthespirits,westartedtotalktoMacy.Reallytalk.For
thefirsttime,wewerentanalyzing.Wewerentcompilingdata.Wewerentholdingour
tongues.Itwasoneofthoseconversationsthatstickswithyouforyears.Wehadreachedthat
sweetspotbetweendizzinessandinhibition,wherethewholeroomwassoftontheedgesand
happinesscameeasy.


Cerato25

BeforeIknewit,IwastellinghereverythingthingsthatIhadonlytoldIvaandatsome
pointsevenmorethanthat.Ihadneverhadsomeonelistentomesointentlyinmylife,andthe
moreItalkedthemoreIwantedtotellher.Andinreturn,shetoldmejustasmuch.
Soontheconversationswelled,envelopingIvaandLilaintoitssafespace.Notopicwas
leftundiscussed.Traumaticexperiences,baddecisions,parents(therewasa
lot
ofgroundto
coverthere),childhood,etc.
ItwasasshewastalkingsoanimatedlywithLilaaboutherfavoritebooksasakidthatit
hitmeinafewdays,Iwouldneverbeabletotalktoherlikethisagain.Inafewdays,the
scatterbrainedgirlwiththosestarryeyeswouldneverlookatmeagain.Thethoughtmadeithard
tobreathe.
ButasItriedtogetthesuddenlyspinningroomtostaystraight,asnippetofMacyand
Lilasconversationfilteredinthroughthehazearoundmybrain.Magic.
Itunedbackinimmediately.Macywasevenmoreexcitedthanbefore,ifpossible,asshe
talkedaboutallthemagicalfantasiesshedhadasakid.Outofeverythingweddiscussedthat
night,sheseemedthehappiestassherememberedherdaysofdreamingofspellsandfairiesand
potions.Fromthewayshedescribedthem,Icouldalmostpictureherasalittlekidwavingsticks
andtryingtofly.Ofcoursethosedayswereovernow,sincesheknewthesedidntexist.Butof
course
*****************************
[22:37:23]
Iwassoconfusedwhenallthreeofyoujustfrickinlefttheroomatthesametime.
Ohyeah,whatwasourexcuseagain?


Cerato26

Thatyouallhadtogothrowupatonce.
Eventhoughwehadallprettymuchsoberedupbythen.
HeyIwasonthespot.
Sure.
ButIhadtogetthethreeofusalone.
Wethoughtyouwerecrazyatfirst.
Yeah,Imeaneventhethoughtoftellinganormanythingwasjustso...taboo?Iguess?
Yeah.
Butyoureallyreallywantedtotellher.Youkeptsayinghowmuchshedeservedtoknowabout
it.
Weallknewitwasonlybecauseyouwereinlovewithherthough.
Aww.
Butevenso,weobviouslycouldntdivulgeanyinformationlikethattoyou.
Exceptforoneproblem.
Whichwas?
Weallreallylikedyou.
Really?
Ofcourse!Otherwisewewouldnthaveeventhoughtabouttellingyou.
ButIguessthenightwasright,ourbrainswerefuzzy,andwehadnocareaboutconsequences.
Anditfeltsoright,yaknow?Tellingyoufeltmorenaturalthanhidingitfromyou.
SoonethingledtoanotherIguessand.
Andyouchangedmylife.


Cerato27

*****************************
Sosolemnly,wereturnedbacktoaveryconfusedMacy.Itwasallincrediblyserious,as
Wyatttookherbythehandsanddirectedhertothefireescapebythewindow,leadinguptothe
roof.IcouldpracticallyhearIvasheartbeatnexttomeasthefourofusclimbedthecreaking
staircase.EventhoughitwasAugust,thenightwascoldandstill.Theimperfectmoonhung
halfobscuredbythecloudsaswereachedtheroofofthebuilding.
Thewholeneighborhoodwasquiet.Asidefromastraydogbarkingorasinglewindow
beingilluminated,thenightwasunchanged.Thatis,untilthethreeofusstoodtofaceMacy.
Nothingwassaidforseveralmomentsasshelookedatusquestioningly.
Finally,Ivatookadeepbreath.Andshechanged.
Notjustasubtletweaktotheshapeofhereyesornoseeither.Instantlyshewassomeone
wehadneverseenbefore.Andthenshewassomeoneelse.Andthensomeoneelse.Againand
again,eyesconstantlyshiftingblue,green,brown,black,grayandbackagain.Nosesand
eyebrowsandlipsofalldifferentshapesandsizes,hairgrowingandshrinkingbackintoher
headandchangingfromcurlytostraighttowavytothintothicktobrowntoblacktoblonde.
OverandoveragainIvachangedherface,untilfinallyshewasme.ThenWyatt.Andfinally,
staringbackatMacylikeamirrorimageherself.
Macyhadbeenstruckspeechless,hermouthagapewiththenearinfiniteamountof
questionsandreactionsshehadswirlingaroundinherhead.Butbeforeshecouldsayordo
anything,Iscrapedmyknuckleontheconcrete.
Well,notmyknucklemorespecificallymyring,whichhappenedtohaveaconvenient
pieceofflintsetintoitssimplegoldloop.Itonlyeverproducedthetiniestofsparks,butthatwas


Cerato28

enough.Icaughtitinthepalmofmyhand,anditgrew.Iwasholdingarawballoffire,whichI
shapedintoablazingflower.UnderMacysastoundedstare,Iblewgently,andtheflower
dispersedintosmallpetalsofflame,whichdisintegratedintosparksupontouchingthehard
ground.
WeallknewMacymightexplodefromtheshockherentireworldviewwastaking,but
Wyattstillsteppedforward.Helookedatherforafewseconds,tookadeepbreath,andthen
closedhiseyes.
Themoon,whichhadpreviouslybeenlayingshroudedbehindathinlayerofclouds,
turnedabrilliantglowingelectricblueashadethatwouldbeimpossibletomiss.Ontopofthat,
itssurfacebegantocrack,likeaglowingluminescenteggshell.
Buttherewerenosoundsofdisbelieforoutragethroughoutoursleepingcity.Nolights
flickeredonasneighborscalledoneanotherinfear.No,thenightstayedthesameasitalways
hadforeveryone.Exceptforus,withourslowlycracking,glowing,moon.Ofcourseitwasjust
askillfullydoneillusion,butWyatthaddoneagoodjob.Itlookedrealandbeautifuland
terrifying,oneofhisbestworks.
Slowly,Wyattletouthisbreathandthemoonfaded.WeallturnedtofaceMacyonce
again,expectingexpressionsofmoreshock.Ofanger.Offear.Butweweresurprised.
Ihadneverseensomeonesmilethatwide.
*****************************
[22:53:59]
Itwasthebestdayofmylife.
Really?


Cerato29

Ofcourse!Itwasallmydreamscomingtolife,plussomekickassnewfriends.
Aw,thanksMace.
Yourewelcome.
...
SothatsprettymuchtheendIguess.
No,ImeanwestillhadtodealwiththewholeWypething.
Imeannotreally.AllwereallyhadtodowaspetitiontothecounciltoexemptMacy,go
throughanentiredebate,detailthelegallogistics,figureoutwhereshewasgoingtolive,andall
thatothercomplicatedshitSoyeahIguesswedidactually.
Letmerephrasethenthatstheendoftheendofthebeginningofourstory.
Wellinthatcase,Iguesswerestillwritingit.
Wait,therewasoneotherimportantthingthathappenedthissummer!
Youmean
after
wewentthroughallthat?Imprettysurewecoveredmostoftheimportant
stuff.
Nothisisdefinitelyveryimportant.
OooohIknowwhatitis.ANDitsmyturntonarrate.
Ivathisdoesnteveninvolveyou.
Butitsmyturnnnn.
Fine,whatever.
Yess.Alrightkiddosthisishowbabiesarema

Iva
.


Cerato30

Ughfine.Okay,timetotellthefinalchapterofourstoryHowWyattManagedToFallIn
LoveWithANormAndSomehowNotScrewEverythingUp.
Howromantic,thanks.
*****************************
Fastforwardseveralmonthsovertheboringpoliticalhoopswehadtojumpthroughto
getMacytostay,andthingshadprettymuchquieteddown.NowshewasstayingwithLilaand
herBubbetheyhadplentyofroom,andLilasBubbealwaysappreciatedsomeonewhowould
acceptthequestionableremediessheprescribedforthemostrandomofailments.
HerparentshadobviouslystillbeenWyped.Itcouldntbeavoidedtheyposedaserious
threattoallofus.TheystillrememberedMacy,buttheythoughtthatnowshewaslivingwith
hercousininManhattan.Thatpartofthespellhadbeenalittlebitmorecomplicatedtoarrange,
whatwithallthemovingpartsinvolvingseveraldifferentpeople.Butinthatdepartment,allwas
well.
Forthefirsttimeallsummer,everythingwascalm.Themassillusionhadbeentaken
down,muchtothereliefofitscastors.Kidswereracingfrogsinthestreetagain.Thegraffitiwas
movingandshimmeringonthewallsoncemore.Andthestreetlightshadreturnedtotheir
mysteriouscrypticwhisperings.Lifewasbacktonormal.
Exceptforonething.
Wyattwaspoutingagain.Despitethefactthateverythinghadworkedoutinhisfavor,he
couldntseemtoworkupthegutstodowhatweallknewhereallywanted.Whichwastoask
outMacy.


Cerato31

Stereotypicalending?Yeah,Idthinksotoo.Butasmuchasitpainedmetosayit,the
twoofthemjustmadesomuchsense.Theyweresimilar,butdifferentenoughtofittogetherlike
twopiecesofapuzzle.Soitwaspainfullyawkwardtowatchthetwoofthemstumblearound
eachotherinsteadofmakingamovethateveryoneknewtheybothwanted.
Thetwoofthemtiptoedaroundeachotherfortherestofthemonth,anditwashonestly
drivingmecrazy.WhenIdecidedIwantedtodateLila,allIdhadtodowaskissherandthat
wasthat.IfIcoulddoit,Wyattdefinitelycould.
Itallworkedoutintheendofcourse,butforthatspanoftimeIcouldbarelyfightthe
overwhelmingurgetolocktheminaroomtogetheruntiltheyfiguredthingsout.Buthey,thisis
onepartofthestorythatisntmine.
*****************************
[23:08:12]
Youreactuallywillinglypassingthemicofftosomeoneelse?Whoareyou,andwhathaveyou
donewithIva?
Shutityou.IcanttalkaboutsomethingIwasnttherefor.Plus,Macystartedthisstoryits
onlyfairthatsheshouldfinishit.
Wowthatwasstrangelyconsiderateofyou,thanksIva.
Itmightalsobebecauseitsalreadyelevenatnight,wevebeenrecordingforsevenhours,and
Ivawantstogoonourdate
SmoothLi,thanksforbackingmeupthere.
Anytime.
SoImendingthisthen?


Cerato32

FinishusoffAtwood.
*****************************
LikeIvasaid,thosecoupleweekswereawkwardones.Alltheusualsymptomsofthat
strangestageinbetweenfriendshipandsomethingmore:clumsyeyecontact,miscastillusions,
stammeredsentencestheusual.Wemadecountlessexcusestonotbealone,andthetimeswe
werefilledthemselveswithtensesilences.
Finallythough,thedaycamewhereIvaandLilaleftthetwoofusbyourselves.Wewere
allbackonthatfatefulroof,testingacharmwehadfoundunderLilasbed,whentheyrealized
theywerelatefortheirdate(adoublewithIvascousinandawarlockwedidntknow).BeforeI
knewittheywereclimbingdownthefireescape,leavingWyattandmealone.
Wesatthereontheedgeoftheroofjuststaringateachotherforawhile.Nottalking,just
looking.Eventuallythatstrangetensionwedhadforweeksbegantodissolve.Ismiled.Thenhe
smiledback,andinstantlyeverythingwasfinebetweenus.
Heseemedtothinkforaminute,andthenheclosedhiseyesagain.Likethatfirsttime
justafewweeksback,themoonstartedtoglow,turningfluorescentandcracked.Icouldtell
he'dbeenpracticingthoughtheimagewasevenmoresolidthistimearound.Itreallywas
beautiful.
Thestarshadchangedthistimetoothough.Muchtoofarclosetogethertobereal,the
illusionslowlycollectedtorevealashapemadeofshimmeringlights.
Aheart.Justasingleheart.ButthatwastheonlygoaheadIneeded.Smilinglikean
absoluteidiot,Ikissedhimknowingthatforonce,Iwasn'tmakingamistake.
Anditwasmagical.


Cerato33

******************************
ThereistheheatofLove,thepulsingrushofLonging,theloverswhisper,irresistiblemagictomakethesanestmango
mad.
Homer,
TheIlliad