October Night

            She watched the leaves fall off the trees, comfortably wrapped up in a blanket, a book open in her lap. She couldn't concentrate on the story; it had been days since she had been able to focus on anything. She didn't try to fight it. She knew she couldn't. These days—sometimes weeks—when she felt empty... they just happened. She let them wash over her because she couldn't do anything else.

A black cat jumped on her bed and curled up against her feet. The ghost of a smile hovered on her face. She pet Prince with her toes, and the spoiled little thing purred loudly. Everyone chuckled when she said her familiar was a black cat. She didn't really mind being the perfect witch cliché with her long red hair, all-black clothes, black cat familiar and passionate love for autumn. She should have been happily bouncing outside, disturbing the tranquillity of the village with her mischievous laugh and all the spooky tricks she had perfected over the years. She hoped she got in the season's mood before Samhain. Feeling bad during Samhain wasn't an option.

Prince jumped when the front door slammed open. The witch didn't move, her eyes still focused on the dance of the autumnal leaves on the other side of the window. She should have been running to welcome her guests, but she couldn't bring herself to move.

"We're here!" Gwen screamed. The witch winced. The house was small and the walls were thin, and it felt like Gwen yelled right in her ear. Prince hissed lightly. He hated when people disturbed his nap. "Willow? Babe?"

She looked at her bedroom door, waiting for her girlfriends to enter the room. Sure enough, barely ten seconds later, the two girls were crowding her personal, private space. If it had been any other two people on Earth, she would have been furious. Right now, she felt relieved.

The tall, muscular girl with long black hair and light brown skin immediately threw herself on the bed next to Willow, kissing her cheek and nuzzling her neck. Gwen put an arm around Willow's waist, and the witch felt tiny and fragile in her girlfriend's firm embrace.

The third girl laughed at Gwen's eagerness, and Willow glanced at Alina. Her second sweetheart wasn't what you'd expect for a fairy. Alina did have pointy ears and translucent, shiny wings with bright blue and green highlights, but that was where the stereotype ended. Her dark black hair was cut short, she was covered in tattoos from head to toe, and her lower lip and nose were pierced. Today she wore tight leather pants, heavy boots, and an oversized shirt with Bad Bitch written on the front. Her parents still weren't over the fact they had raised a rebellious, angry girl who'd rather ride her motorbike than just fly.

"Gwen, don't suffocate her, will you?" Alina joked.

"I'm not!" the werewolf exclaimed, her mouth just under Willow's ear, making her wince again. "It's because I love her so much and I missed her!"

Willow had a small smile. "We saw each other three days ago."

Gwen lifted her head to look into the witch's clear brown eyes. "Three days is fucking long, Will."

Alina sat at their feet, her back to the wall, lifting Prince and putting him on her lap while the spoiled beast purred louder than a vacuum cleaner. He loved Alina but had a harder time with Gwen—probably since he still identified her smell as big dog, bad thing. "How are you, hun?" the fairy asked.

Willow's answer was interrupted by Gwen's death glare at Alina's feet. "I love you, Lina, but are you wearing freaking boots in a bedroom? How many times did I tell you two that's not a thing people should do? My parents would literally kill you."