THE MOMENT
"Uh oh...," Alicia realized her mistake as soon as he opened her purse. But, she made the effort to dig through it just in case her card was tucked away somewhere. It wasn't. She sighed and shook her head at the cashier. "I'm sorry, I've forgotten my card. I'll have to come back. Will you hold these for me?"
"Sorry," The cashier, Lynndolyn, shook her head. "I can't hold anything; but, maybe they'll still be here when you get back." Lynndolyn's voice did not give Alicia any confidence. And, she knew better. As it was, she was lucky to find the last jar of powdered dragon scales. Along with the strands of unicorn hair and vampire blood, her basket was full of popular items. They would be gone within 15 minutes; she lived half an hour away.
"Not likely," Alicia sighed. "Nevermind then, thank you." She turned away to leave, but she was interrupted.
"Excuse me," Someone spoke up behind her. Alicia turned and saw a pale, dark-haired teenage girl that appeared close to her son's age; he was 16.
"Yes?" Alicia asked. She looked past the girl; but, there was no one else waiting in line. The other patrons moved on to other lanes when she began searching for her card.
"Are you a real witch?" she asked.
"Yes...," Alicia nodded with slight confusion. Everyone in the market should have been.
"If I pay for those...," the teen nodded at the items. "Will you teach me what you're using them for?"
"You want to learn magic?" Alicia asked. She had already given up on the items and she doubted the teen even knew how much was involved. But, the idea of an apprentice did strike her as interesting. Her son was her whole world. But, now that he was in school he started spending more time with his friends and living his own life. She liked the thought of having someone else she could bond with.
"I already know some..," the teen shrugged. "I'm picking things up from whoever will teach me. I'll be happy just learning about those items."
"I doubt you can afford those; but, how would you like to learn more?"
"Oh no, I can," the teen nodded. She handed her node to the cashier. Lynndolyn accepted the glass card and swiped it. The purchase went through.
"What's your name?" Alicia asked with mild surprise. She grabbed her bag while the girl accepted the receipt.
"Dara," she replied.
"I'm Alicia," the woman introduced herself as they left the market. "Do you go to school, Dara?" Alicia asked. She was already trying to organize a schedule for Dara's lessons.
"Uhuh," Dara nodded. "I got to Toku-high."
"The Nexus Academy?" Alicia asked. "My son goes there. Do you know Alexander? He's very popular." Dara shook her head.
“I don’t know anyone named Alexander,” she said.
“You haven’t heard of Alexander Royce Kingston?” Alicia seemed surprised.
“OH! You mean, Ark?” Dara giggled for a moment; then, she remembered Alicia. “Sorry, I forgot his name was Alexander. He’s your son?”
“Does… everyone call him Ark?” Alicia asked. Dara was half-afraid to answer. But, she nodded.
“How sweet; He’s so popular he has a nickname,” she smiled. Dara decided against pointing out that everyone used it specifically because he hated it. “Well, I suppose we should get going if I’m going to teach you a few things,” Alicia said.
“Can I ask something?” Dara asked as Alicia.
“Of course. You may consider me your tutor for all things witchcraft until you decide you’ve learned enough from me.”
“You’re Ark’, I mean, Alexander’s mother. I know he’s half unicorn and half vampire…are you…,” Dara let the question hang. She didn’t know how to ask which one Alicia was without sounding rude.
“I am a vampire,” Alicia smiled.
“Why are you buying unicorn hair and vampire blood?” Dara asked. Alicia sighed.
“His unicorn father hasn’t been in the picture since he was born,” she said. “And as for the vampire blood…,” Alicia shrugged. “Needles hurt.”