Liar

Chapter 13

My legs weren't moving by will but by want. Was I crazy? Yes. Black walls and beige flooring passed me but It was like I wasn't seeing anything. There were pictures lined along the walls full of life and vibrancy yet I couldn't bring myself to care or react. I wanted to hold her pale and delicate hand. That was all I cared about. The room was well lit and decent sized. There was a curvature to my right, where there were about 20 or so chairs. A circle in the center and on the ceiling, perfectly aligned. One by one people came in, only in two's, and never more than that. The chairs that were spaced apart by a few feet or so were filling up and I stood to the side next to her...

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" H-how do you know my name?" I asked shakily, my jaw slightly quivering from the cold rain.

She looked at me straight " Because Michael told us ahead of time who you were so we were aware of your arrival." We stepped into the sleek black car that had stopped and parked in front of us.

I slid the door shut and settled into my seat. There was a black screen between the drivers and the back seat, so the only windows visible were the already dimmed windows to my left and her right. Comfy seats and buckles that nobody ever used. The rain fogged everything. The world passed me by and I could just barely make anything out.

A hand snaked over my own and I jumped, my face flushing thoroughly. She chuckled and laughed at me, which made me flush even harder. " You're so desperate, gosh at least keep your cool." I nodded. I kept very far from her. Everytime I looked at her and all I wanted was a kiss. Her lips looked so cushiony and sof- STOP thinking about her! I was way too infatuated already.

" I'm Mina. It was so rude of me to forget to introduce myself."

I let it slide. It wasn't intentional. I swiped at the condensation on the window. Freezing. There was a short river nearby and a lot of greenery. Not the same, but similar. I saw a few girls running through the rain. From? I don't know. I needed to have a lot more control over my feelings. Falling in love at first sight hurt a lot. That did a lot to me before... I was here and I wanted to start something a lot better....
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The drive was interesting but I needed to be focused. All of the seats were filled but everyone was still waiting... Mina stood next to me, examining the faces to our lwft and waited next to me. I glanced at the people there... And old man.... In a suit? I saw him in the cafe! Koko's? I mean the chances that Rinako was Koko was a stretch but I was here and so was he so it had to mean something. The old man smiled at me endearingly. I gently smiled back, relieved to see a friendly smile.

Chunky heels hit the floor with perfect pacing. I looked in her direction and was shocked. It was the same young girl that served me. Almost like a different person all together! She wore very pink glam at the shop but now she wore a black dress with chunky boots and a dark look in her eyes. She looked in my direction, meeting my eyes. I turned a little to face her.

She was much younger than me but I knew she knew far more than I could imagine. " Everyone, this is Naehyun. She'll be joining us from today on. Treat her well and teach her rather than humiliate her." My heart sunk. She knew I wasn't a very good witch. I had a very long way to go. And all she had to do was look in my eyes. Everyone stood and gave me a short bow.

I thanked them and waited until they finished. I felt like I had to introduce myself or something. But Rinako cut me. " Before you say anything, know that we don't keep secrets here, so everyone is well informed of you and your situation. Not just you but also your family." I nodded, affirming. " Hi, I'm Naehyun. I deal with demolition and a little bit of spell casting." The air changed. Not hostile, but uneasy. Rinako was much more intimidating than I thought. " You are a good demolitionist. But you are not a good witch." I cast my eyes to the floor.

Her tone changed, softer " But that will change while you're with us, Naehyun." I nodded. Rinako lifted her pale wrist and took a wicked dagger, slicing it open. She didn't even wince. I took it and did the same. She interlaced her bloody fingers in my own and everything became a different color. I wasn't certain of what was happening. I closed my eyes and focused. We shared memories and things we didn't even want to share. We just knew each other. She slowly let go and I backed away, shamefully. I wasn't proud of anything I shared. I wasn't great like anyone I knew and it hurt. My face turned red and my chest felt heavy. She pulled me into her arms. And held me there. I was weak. And not just Rinako knew but everyone. I stifled my cries in her shoulder. They knew everything. I felt so disgustingly vulnerable. Everyone gathered around me and embraced me. They held me like I was their own. Mina knew as well. Her touch was the warmest to me. I didn't know what this was. It felt like family it felt like... home already. They knew me and they didn't care. " We accept you for you, Naehyun. You're with us." I heard her. A connection? That quickly? My face was heavily flushed but my heart felt a million times lighter. They let go and we all stood close together. " I'm Rinako, your priestess. I'm here to help and guide you when you need it. I'm here as your shoulder to lean on and I'm here to discipline you when you step out of line. I'm here for not just you, but for all of us." This was what I needed. This was what I had been looking for. I nodded, accepting.