Chapter Text
Magic was my first love. So shiny and bright! To me it was the most perfect thing in the world.
There wasn't a single thing in existence that pulled me in more.
It was only natural I dreamed of becoming a witch, right?
I…I didn't mean to hurt my mom. Really, it was the worst mistake of my life.
All the other spells in the book had been relatively harmless minus the occasional fire here and there. I never could've expected my mom would have ended up–
No! I mustn't get held up on my mistakes!
That's what she told me after all.
Oh wait-!
I should backtrack, shouldn't I? Or is it fast forward?
I'm not sure, but as for where I was going with this…
Right! So, after the accident, Master Qifrey had been kind enough to take me on as an apprentice so that, one day, I can hopefully save my mom.
He enrolled me in the Great Hall, the biggest magic academy in the world! I may or may not have gone completely crazy for a solid hour when I first saw it…maybe six.
It was really cool, okay? It's entirely underwater too! All that powerful magic needed to let us stay under there…incredible!
Magic is so cool! I love it!!!
Wait–! I'm getting off track again, magic school uhm…yeah!
Unfortunately, I'm not staying inside one of the academy dorms, but I'm staying somewhere way better!
Master Qifrey's atelier!
He was already housing three apprentices, giving them private lessons, mentorship, and a more traditional school-home life, and so he was happy to let me stay with them.
Well actually…I didn't even know the academy had dormitories until I was already moved in so I guess I wasn't really given a choice? But that's alright because I love it!
Master Qifrey is always so patient and kind with us, Mister Olruggio—our Watchful eye— is just a big softy in disguise, and my housemates are the best!
If I had to describe Tetia in one word, it'd be “pink” for sure! She's always so bright and cheerful, she inspires me everyday to wake up and face the world with a smile on my face.
Richeh seems a bit aloof at first, but she's actually very gentle and caring. The way she draws such small glyphs so fast…it's incredible! And they're so neat too! The precision! The speed! One day I wanna be able to draw that fast.
It'll happen, just you wait!
And then my final housemate, my roommate actually, Agott Arklaum, the smartest apprentice our age.
We didn't get along at first. In fact, I'm sure she hated my guts...ahaha...
She yelled at me a lot...a lot a lot!!!
And I won't lie, some of it, most of it actually, really hurt.
Her words echoed in my nightmares for days…
But then something changed! Agott, she…she looked at me like I was the sun itself.
When we made eye contact, her eyes were so bright, she looked so innocent, so at ease, so hopeful, staring at me of all people!
And when I collapsed from a fever, Agott was the one who went flying to get help. Tetia and Richeh said she looked as if the world was going to end. She was really worried about me.
And, even if it comes with complaining, she always helps me with my spells when I'm struggling. No asking required! She doesn't do that for anyone else, in fact, she prefers to ignore everyone when she's practicing magic.
She's kind.
Last week, when I woke up from a nightmare, Agott was kind enough to sit with me until I calmed down.
When I told her how guilty I felt about my mom, she said something new. Instead of telling me it was my fault again, she picked up my drawing hand, held it gently in her own, and then said something I'll never forget.
“Yes, you shouldn't have meddled in things you knew nothing about, however, you're not the one to blame. You made a mistake because you were set up to make one. You had no way of knowing. Now, all you can do is learn from it. Don't focus on the mistake, Coco, focus on what you learned from it and how you're going to fix it. You're going to fix it, Coco.”
I can't remember what I replied with, if I said anything at all.
All I could think of was how soft her hand felt, how beautifully her eyes shone in the moonlight, and how lovely her voice sounded.
And suddenly, I wasn't afraid anymore.
Agott's presence was comforting, but, not only that, she…she made me feel special.
Her words meant more than anything else ever could've.
I felt that draw again, the one I felt when I first saw magic. That indescribable pulling of my heart, and the compelling urge to chase after it for as long as I lived. The need to keep it close to my heart and never let it go.
Except it was stronger, more powerful than anything I'd ever felt.
And I felt it– I feel it about Agott.
She hasn't left my mind even once since then. Every waking hour she lingers in the back of my mind, and in my dreams? Well, Agott seems to have made her home there too.
I smile so much now, even more than usual. I feel like my face might fall off! And it's all thanks to her.
Serious and prickly, yet kind and gentle, Agott. With her beautiful, black curls that shine purple in the light, and her striking violet eyes that could reflect the entire universe in them.
I'm not dumb, I know these aren't normal feelings to have about your friends.
I don't think of anyone else the way I do Agott.
This is deeper than just liking or caring, this is love.
I'm sure of it.
And if I interpreted that look in her eyes correctly, if she really did look at me like I was the most important thing in her world, then maybe she loves me too.
I won't know until I try, and I'm going to try my best. I didn't give up on magic, and I won't give up on Agott either!
If my mom was here, I know what she'd tell me. Probably something along the lines of...
“Now, Coco, don’t get your hopes up too high, there's always a chance things won't go as you hope. It doesn't mean you shouldn't try though. If it's really important to you, then go for it, Coco!”
And I will! I'm going to make all my dreams come true, just you wait.
...this is nerve racking though!!!
I'm scared...
Wait what was that tactic Tetia showed me for confidence building again?
Oh, right! Affirming who and what you are! ...or something like that!!!
I'm actually not too sure but... I'll do it anyway! Yeah! Confidence!!
Hello, world! My name is Coco, I'm twelve years old, I love magic, I'm training to be a witch, and I'm hopelessly in love with Agott Arklaum! ♡