Ms. Lorraine's face held sadness. It didn’t look like she couldn't contain herself any longer. She stepped forward and pulled Runebelle into a tight, heartfelt hug. “This is my fault,” she whispered.

  Runebelle stiffened. “Wait, hold on—how?”

  Ms. Lorraine pulled back just enough to look at her. “I drove her away, Runebelle. I—I said things I shouldn’t have. Pushed her too hard. And now she’s gone.” She let out a ragged breath. “I lost my best friend… my sister.”

  The raw grief in the woman pierced through Runebelle’s own numbness. Ms. Lorraine’s pain wasn’t just something to observe from a distance. It was right there, wrapping around them both.

  Runebelle led her inside. The house felt emptier than it ever had.

  They sat down in the living room, silent for a long time, but Runebelle knew she had to take the initiative here. She swallowed hard. “Tell me… what happened?”

  Ms. Lorraine wiped at her face. “I thought I was helping,” she murmured. “I told her she needed to…that I was going to…”

  Runebelle’s eyes widened slightly. “Okay… what were you going to do?”

  Ms. Lorraine took a deep breath. “I knew your mother was struggling, Runebelle. I offered to help. I told her I would give her some money and she didn’t even have to pay me back.” She let out a bitter laugh. “I thought she’d be relieved...”

  Runebelle swallowed. “But she wasn’t…”

  “No,” Ms. Lorraine whispered. “She looked like I had insulted her down to her bones.”

  Runebelle could picture it. Her mother, normally so soft-spoken suddenly turning cold. But anger? That wasn’t in her…was it?

  “One second, Rune was crying. The next, she looked ready to tear me apart,” Ms. Lorraine continued while shaking slightly. “And then she just—”

  She swallowed hard and gripped her own arms. “She looked ready to destroy me, Runebelle. I had never seen her that way before. It was terrifying.”

  Runebelle’s breath hitched. “Mom…?”

  Ms. Lorraine nodded. “I got scared. I—I didn’t mean to, but I said something I shouldn’t have.”

  Runebelle stared at her. “What did you say?”

  Ms. Lorraine looked away. “I told her… maybe it was no wonder he left.”

  Runebelle winced. The girl didn’t even realize her fists were clenched. “Why would you say that?”

  Ms. Lorraine’s face crumpled. “I was scared, Runebelle. Rune was looking at me like I betrayed her. And I just—I didn’t mean it.” She exhaled shakily while beginning to sob. “I knew it was wrong the second I said it, but I….I couldn’t take it back.”

  A silence came between the two of them that stretched with both in thought.

  Ms. Lorraine finally looked at her with eyes of guilt. “I’m so sorry, Runebelle.”

  Runebelle’s breath hitched. Her mind struggled to keep up with the words.

  Ms. Lorraine’s was filled with both sorrow. “I can’t leave things like this, Runebelle,” she said. “I failed your mother. But I won’t fail you.”

  Runebelle’s fingers curled against her lap. Nothing could undo what had already happened.

  Ms. Lorraine took a deep breath. “Since Rune is gone… I have to do the sisterly thing. I have to take care of you. You’re still just a child,” Ms. Lorraine continued somberly. “You need someone to look after you and make sure you’re safe. You can’t stay here alone, and your mother…” She hesitated, but the words came anyway. “She’s not coming back.”

  Runebelle felt the room tilt slightly. She knew. Deep down, she had already known. But hearing it out loud—having it confirmed—made it real in a way she wasn’t ready for.

  Ms. Lorraine reached for her hands. “I want to adopt you, Runebelle. I won’t let you go through this alone.”

  There was suddenly a knock at the door. The door slowly opened and a young woman stepped inside. She had warm brown skin and long red hair that cascaded down her back. Ms. Lorraine introduced her with pride, " Ah, sorry. I told her to stay in the car… Runebelle, this is my daughter, Milaca."

  "Wait a minute," Runebelle thought to herself from her mindspace, "I met Milaca for the first time in college, not when I was in high-school. This doesn't make sense…"

  Runebelle tried to push aside the confusion and focus on the present moment, where Ms. Lorraine and a teenage Milaca stood.

  Milaca crossed her arms and let out a sigh. “Mom, I told you—I wanted to draw something today, and it’s getting late.” Her tone had a distinct impatience, but there was no real bite to it.

  Ms. Lorraine gave her a look. “Milaca, this is important.”

  Milaca huffed but then glanced at Runebelle. She tilted her head, studying her with mild curiosity. “So, you’re Runebelle? Mom’s told me about you before. You look different than I imagined.”

  Runebelle blinked.’ Before? Ms. Lorraine mentioned me to her? That’s strange...’

  Milaca didn’t seem to notice Runebelle’s hesitation and continued, “So… are you moving in with us or something?”

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Runebelle barely managed to keep up. The sudden presence of Milaca was too much. Something about this moment was wrong.

  Her mindspace swirled with contradictions.’ Milaca’s not supposed to be here. This meeting shouldn’t be happening. This isn’t how things went….’

  Runebelle forced a response. “I… don’t know yet.”

  Milaca shrugged. She turned back to her mom. “ She don’t look like she’s coming with us, Mom. Can we go now? The light’s gonna be all wrong for my sketch if we wait too long.”

  Ms. Lorraine sighed. “Give me a minute, Milaca.”

  Runebelle eyed Ms. Lorraine with a frown. “Can I… think about this?”

  Ms. Lorraine softened. “Of course. How about a week? You can call me anytime if you’re ready, but you have to decide by then.”

  A week. That seemed fair. Runebelle nodded again. “Alright.”

  Milaca was halfway out the door when Ms. Lorraine gave her a sharp look. “At least say goodbye properly.”

  Milaca stopped mid-step with her shoulders tensing. “I don’t wanna stare too much.”

  Ms. Lorraine raised an eyebrow. “What are you going on about?”

  Milaca turned around with a noticeable blush creeping up her face. She looked at Runebelle, then quickly looked away while scratching her cheek. “That hair… those eyes… that face…” Her speech turned to a mumble. “She’s… like… you know…”

  Ms. Lorraine’s face shifted with a A small, knowing smirk coming to her lips.

  Runebelle blinked. “What?”

  Milaca covered her face. “Nothing! Never mind! Bye, Runebelle!” And with that, she bolted out the door.

  Ms. Lorraine chuckled. “She’s, uh… just being Milaca.”

  Runebelle wasn’t sure what to make of it. But for the first time all day, something almost felt…right.

  One week passed.

  Runebelle found herself standing in front of Ms. Lorraine with a lump in her throat. “I’ll do it,” she said quiet but firm. “I’ll live with you.”

  Ms. Lorraine exhaled. “You won’t regret this, sweetheart,” she said and then pulled Runebelle into a gentle hug.

  Just like that, things changed. Runebelle was transferred to Milaca’s high school, stepping into a new life she hadn’t expected.

  The first day at her new school was overwhelming, but not unbearable. Milaca stuck close to her, guiding her through introductions and helping her navigate the confusing layout while fending off too many curious stares with casual but firm words.

  By the time they got home, the weight of the day had settled into something manageable. Now, the two of them sat in the living room, playing some game with cards and stray objects they had found on the table.

  Milaca’s attention, however, kept drifting. Specifically—to Runebelle’s long, blue-and-pink hair.

  Runebelle caught her staring. “You’re really mesmerized by my hair, huh?” she teased.

  Milaca blinked, then sheepishly grinned. “I mean, can you blame me? It’s kinda unreal.”

  Runebelle smiled. “You can touch it if you want. It’s not something you see every day, I guess.”

  Milaca let out a short laugh. “You’re silly.” She reached out and gently ran her fingers through the strands. “I can see it anytime I want now, you know.”

  It was a simple statement, but the way Milaca said it… there was warmth in it.

  Runebelle thought, ‘Yeah. Maybe this isn’t so bad…’

  As days went on, Runebelle and Milaca engaged in various games and activities together. They laughed, shared stories, and discovered common interests, all under the watchful eye of Ms. Lorraine, who observed them with a smile of satisfaction.

  Inwardly, Ms. Lorraine thought to herself, ‘They've become fast friends. Runebelle and Milaca have a unique bond forming, one that I hope will only grow stronger with time.’

  As night fell, Milaca and Runebelle found themselves sharing a bed. Runebelle's room wasn't quite ready yet, and Ms. Lorraine always had to leave for work. Before she departed, she would always have leaned down and gently kissed both of their foreheads and say, “Goodnight, my dears. Sleep well, and I'll see you both in the morning. “

  One day, the two girls were in the midst of sharing a particularly happy moment when suddenly, Runebelle felt an odd sensation. Milaca seemed to sense it too, and they both stopped and stared at each other.

  However, before they could speak or act on this, the sound of Ms. Lorraine alling them for dinner interrupted their thoughts.

  "I don't get it," Runebelle thought to herself, "How do those childhood memories connect to what happened in college, or the fact that Milaca and I seem to have forgotten each other entirely? It just doesn't make any sense."

  The realization settled in Runebelle’s mind like a slow-burning ember: The answers weren’t just going to come to her. If she wanted to understand—if she wanted to figure out how her childhood memories lined up with what happened in college—she needed to watch.

  And so, the scene shifted.

  It was morning. The sunlight streamed through the windows as Runebelle and Milaca got ready for school.

  Just as they were about to head out the door, Milaca suddenly groaned and clutched her stomach.

  “Ughhh…” she moaned while bending over. “Ooooh… bathrooommm…”

  Runebelle smirked and eyed her with her eyes half-closed. “Told you you ate too much.”

  Milaca, mid-sprint toward the bathroom shouted, “Shut uuuuup—!” before disappearing inside.

  Runebelle chuckled. From the other end of the bathroom door, she called out, “I’ll meet you at school then.”

  A muffled “Yeah, yeah—!” was the only reply she got.

  Runebelle made it to school and waited at the gate. Hours passed, and Milaca didn't show up. The bell rang for class to begin but Runebelle was still out there, growing anxious.

  However, she soon saw a group of girls, led by the one who resembled Risebelle and Roselle with yellow hair that walked forward. Hey, waitaminute… she transferred schools as well?!

  The yellow-haired girl spoke with arrogance, “Like, what's your deal coming here, huh?”

  Runebelle’s breath hitched as the yellow-haired girl’s gang closed in around her. She recognized every single one of them. She hadn’t expected to see again, especially not here.

  She tried to keep her tone steady. “Why did you transfer schools? Wasn’t your old school treating you just fine? You were getting good grades there, weren’t you?”

  The yellow-haired girl scoffed and folded her arms. “None of your business.”

  That tone. That arrogance. It grated against Runebelle’s nerves, but something else was gnawing at her gut.

  A little further back, partially hidden behind the crowd of girls, stood Milaca.

  Runebelle’s blood ran cold.

  Milaca wasn’t moving. She wasn’t saying anything. She was just there, standing stiffly.

  ‘No…’

  Runebelle’s heart pounded as a sick feeling I came to her stomach which grew worse by the second..

  ‘No, no, not again...I’m going to lose something to this….friend stealer again...’

  Runebelle clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. Fire came to her eyes.

  The yellow-haired girl flipped her hair back with a scoff. “Ugh, like, you better not try anything funny, Runebelle.”

  Runebelle’s fists tightened and spoke with her voice high. “Let Milaca go. Now.”

  The auburn-haired girl in the gang let out qa gasp and nudged one of the others. “Ohhh snap, check out the pair on her now. Where was all this fire when we were back at that other school?”

  The yellow-haired girl smirked and took a step foward. “Ohhh, so someone thinks they’ve got a backbone all of a sudden? That’s cute.” She turned slightly. Her smile sharpened and her gang snickered behind her. “I think we need to, like, teach her what happens when she messes with us.”

  The girls shifted. They were getting ready to put a beatdown on Runebelle, but she wasn’t the same person she was back then.

  She wasn’t going to stand there and take it.

  She took a slow step forward and locked eyesonto the yellow-haired girl’s. “You’ve already made your first mistake long time ago, and that was deciding to mess with me and everyone that tried to be my friend. This is your last strike!”

  Project Mage