Page 81 of Pocus
“Thank you so much for helping me out here, Abby,” I say with a grateful smile. “I know that Knix isn’t big on birthdays and all that shit, but I just feel he’d be happy to share a meal with his family on this special day.”
“A feast, you mean.”
I laugh a little self-consciously. “I did outdo myself, didn’t I?”
“You know that those men out there will polish off every last bit, right?” Abigail asks, gesturing at the covered platters of food on the kitchen counter. “There’s absolutely no cause for alarm.”
“Really, thank you,” I say more earnestly this time.
Abigail shakes her head and flashes me a pleasant smile. “You don’t have to mention it.”
I smile softly, slowly taking off the mittens on my hands in a bid to sort my thoughts. I set the mittens aside and raise my eyes to look at Abigail, who’s checking the pot on the stove. I busy myself with peeling the potatoes that have been set aside on the island, inconspicuously studying Abigail from beneath my lashes. I’m glad for the budding friendship between us. At one time, I used to wonder what kind of relationship I’d have with whichever partner my brother chose to be with. Most times, I’d picture the faces of the Barbie-faced big-breasted club sluts that used to frequent the clubhouse; Carina, Rosetta, Cassandra, Emilia, Joanne… There was an endless list of them. And I always cringed at the thought of Pocus falling in love and settling down with one of them. The chances were low, but the possibility was always there. Of course, Abigail is nothing like these women who seem to think they can cover their flaws with makeup and sail smoothly through life by flaunting their blown-up boobs and fluttering their lash extensions. Abby is indeed a good person, beautiful inside and out. It takes absolutely no effort to love her. She’s got an admirable wit and grit that instantly sets her apart in a crowd. Maybe it’s why the men love her and respect her opinions without question, a proper fit for the Alpha.
“I mean…,” I start slowly, drawing her attention from the pot on the stove. “I wasn’t only thanking you for helping me out in the kitchen like this.”
Her eyes light up with her smile. She turns away from the stove and rests against the counter, brows raised inquisitively. “Really? What else.”
I shrug hesitantly. “For being my friend,” I searched her face, trying to gauge her reaction to my words. “We’re that, right? Friends?”
Abigail’s smile widens. “Of course,” she says immediately. She purses her lips and lowers her eyes from mine, but not before I catch a look at the tears in her eyes.
I quickly walked over to her. “Abby?” I call, searching her face worriedly.
She dabs at her tears and chuckles lightly. “Silly me. I’m sorry.” She sniffs loudly and smiles up at me. “It’s just…you’re my first ever girlfriend. And…um…I mean…uh…thank you for considering me your friend.”
“Oh, Abigail.” I wrap my arms around her, pulling her in for a hug. “You don’t know how honored I feel right now.”
Abigail laughs quietly and wraps her arms around me, returning my embrace. I bet she doesn’t know how happy I feel right now. Before I met Knix, I’d always felt invincible. I wasn’t, and still am not one to make friends in a flash. I don’t find it easy to connect with other people – and they usually don’t notice me. Things have gotten better since getting together with Knix, but most times, I still prefer to stay true to my name, Evanesce.
Friendship with Abigail feels so natural, though. It’s like we connect on a deeper level than the physical.
“I have one more thing to be thankful for,” I say, slowly pulling back from the embrace to smile teasingly into her face.
Abigail chuckles. “There’s more?”
“Pocus,” I say, leaning back against the kitchen counter with a teasing grin.
Abby’s face furrows in a slightly confused frown. “Pocus?”
“Yeah,” I reply with a shrug. “I mean, you changed him. He’s a different person now – a better person.
“You know, he used to walk around like the weight of the world rested on his broad shoulders. He never gave himself a break, like he thought he didn’t deserve one. He was always quick to take care of others, but he never let anyone close enough to truly empathize with his pains. He carried his hurt around like an emblem, intentionally letting the demons in the past drag him down. But with you, he’s a different person. Lighter. Happier. He hasn’t even had a single episode in almost a year. I understand that Graveyard’s treatment approach is great and all, but honestly, girl…you are the reason. Pocus is trying to be the best of himself for you, and I can’t be happier to witness the transition.”
Abigail lowers her eyes with a breezy laugh. “You say that like I’m responsible for any of it, but really…he did that himself. Your brother. We both decided to let go of our hurts and start on a clean slate. Pocus taught me the value of love and showed me just how beautiful it can be. Now, I have countless reasons to be thankful every day.”
I chuckle quietly, genuinely happy for my brother, who found true love at a turbulent point in his life, and for my girlfriend, who seems happier than ever. “I guess you two are made for each other then. I’m just so glad you found each other.”
The oven starts to beep. I grab the mittens off the kitchen island and head over to the oven, tugging them over my fingers as I go.
“Me too,” Abigail says. “He makes me so happy that sometimes I’m scared it’s all a dream.” She takes the pot off the stove just as I place the batch of freshly baked buns on the island. “And if it does turn out to be a dream, I’d rather remain in it forever.” Abigail turns off the stove and looks at me, a big smile on her face. “That’s how much I love the life I have right now. It’s how much I love Pocus.”
“I call dibs on godmother spot!”
Abigail burst out in laughter. “Oh, my god! What?” she shakes her head at me. “That was so random.”
“Not so much,” I reply with a shrug. “I mean, you guys have been together for almost a year now, right? And you both practically eye fuck all the damn time, even with people in the room. You know, I’m glad Pocus’s room is soundproof.
“Jesus, Evanesce,” Abigail says with a bashful laugh. A rosy blush climbs up her cheeks, making me want to tease her further.