𝐅𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐘 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃

24. 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲, 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝘆?

Wanda teased as she walked away, giggling to herself. Eszter's jaw dropped, appalled that Wanda would suggest such a thing. Calling hanging out with Wesley as a date wasn't what Eszter would call it; Eszter doesn't see Wesley in the line of light because she still has strong feelings for someone else, but Wanda is sure that Eszter likes Wesley.

"It's not a . . ." Eszter started when she realized Wanda was walking further away; she clicked her tongue as she slapped her hands at her sides. "Date."

"See you later, sweetie!"

Eszter pressed her lips in a soft grimace as she shook her head at the thought of anyone referring to her and Wesley as anything but friends--sometimes, Eszter has a hard time considering the boy as a friend. Nevertheless, the teenager didn't dawn too much on it because she was walking down toward the street and practically followed Wanda into town; she'd occasionally glance at her sister with subtle expression taking over her features, but not once did Eszter speak up. Instead, the girl basked in the silence.

Along the way, Eszter couldn't help but smirk at an intrusive thought; she wondered to herself, believing that power had never tasted so good. Eszter was proud of herself for being in control of this kind of situation that she never could. After the position S.W.O.R.D. put Eszter in, she had this overwhelming sense of confidence fill her veins, and the teenager hasn't let the thought go. However, whenever Eszter praised the new confidence she released, the witch felt a hint of regret peeking through the cracks and resurfacing.

Eszter might've made a breakthrough for once, and with the help of Agnes, Eszter can go about her day without Hayward breathing down her neck. While back in Westview, Eszter could go back to her simple life in the roleplay Wanda created for herself, where Eszter inserted herself in. But if Eszter were to leave Westview, nothing would be the same, not really; her life is practically a shit-show after this whole fiasco.

By the time Eszter got further into town, the witch had paused to watch Wanda head home, occasionally greeting their neighbors as they passed by; Eszter watched their interactions before they would continue with their merry way, smiling like it was nobody's business. Putting everything in the back of Eszter's mind, the witch continued walking down the sidewalk until she found the familiar house couple of plots before Wanda's. Although the house outside looked normal and similar to the many homes on the block, Agnes' place didn't have the same feel as Wanda's.

Eszter remembered when she first entered Agnes' house, she was uncomfortable and felt like it was lacking the homey sensation, but the girl didn't dare to judge the woman's taste in decor; by the looks of it, Eszter could tell Agnes had no idea how to decorate her house to make it feel like someone was actually living there. Agnes rarely had photos of the small family anywhere--nothing with her and her husband or Wesley. Not that she was looking purposely, but Eszter couldn't help but notice it when she felt how dark and lifeless the house felt, though she was in no place to judge someone else's home while Eszter was still finding hers.

As Eszter approached the front door, she racked her knuckles against the wood for a couple of knocks before pulling away. The teenager turned her attention toward the street to keep her busy, casually watching some of the neighbors mingling among themselves, spending some of their time in their garden. Eszter watched on with a strange expression like she was lost in her thoughts, wracking her brain around while she wondered what it was like before she arrived. As much as she tried to ignore everything and fake it till she made it, Eszter couldn't help but wonder if she should do something. Eszter had always felt the disturbance in the atmosphere, but not once did she interfere.

The door unlocked loudly before springing open with a swish, revealing Wesley on the other side.

"Eszter?" Wesley said as he widened the door, looking over his shoulder briefly. He glanced at Eszter again, brows furrowed. "What are you doing here?"