The pencil falls out of Ellie’s grasp with a decided sigh. She raises her feline eyes, meeting mine. “Even without the frost, you’ve always been a stubborn one. Wanting to do whatever you want, never following the outline I curated for your life. That’s why Jack could manipulate the storyline because I couldn’t get a good grip on you two. But I figured it out, and it’s a different feel for a story than I normally do, so I’m determined to see it through. Deal with it.”
“What if I refuse to comply?” I’m not sure I have free will or if the story is truly permanent, but Ellie’s agitated stare at this question suggests that maybe faeries have a different definition of the word permanent, and I have some say. “I still have some free will, don’t I? I’m not just a character device.”
“Yes,” she sighs. “There’s still room to mess up your beautiful story, which I don’t recommend. So, tell you what, girl. I’ll make a deal with you.” Her lips tip into a crooked grin. The hairs stand on edge on the nape of my neck. My gut screams that I shouldn’t make deals with a faerie, but right now, I have little actual power, so I might as well listen to her.
“I’m listening.” I pick at an imaginary piece of lint and pluck it off my shirt to Ellie’s condescending snort. “What?”
“Nothing. You reminded me of another pain in my ass who bumbled around his soulmate, too. But never mind, here’s the deal. Get that boy Seth to fall in love with you again before you return to your world on Christmas Day, and I’ll give you ten minutes of your actual life to redo.” She reaches for something behind the counter, placing an hourglass on the wooden slab. A miniature house and a frosted fir tree sit inside on a mountain of white glitter.
“A blizzard will start when you win back his heart.
The past, it will take you for one ten-minute redo.”
“You will fart when you eat a gluten-filled tart.” I mimic the enchanting lilt of Ellie’s voice and fidget at the ridiculous nature of all of this.
“What?'“ Ellie snaps her head up as her hand circles the top of the hourglass.
“Uh, nothing. I’m just considering your deal.”
“And you make jokes when you’re uncomfortable instead of biting people’s heads off now. That’s right. Forgive me, I forgot.”
“That’s fine… I guess…” I pull at my fingertips. Could I even do anything within ten minutes? It’s not like that’s a tremendous amount of time. But maybe it’s enough to stop Seth from entering my room. Without him there, Connor wouldn’t have broken up with me, and then we’d still be together for the formal.
And I wouldn’t lose everything I’ve worked so hard for.
Honestly, what do I have to lose except some alternate reality dignity? It’s not like anyone else here is even aware that there’s a world with another Maddie who would be mortified to see and do any of this.
“Ellie, you have a deal,” I say, extending my hand for a shake. Oh, on second thought, I retract my offer. “I have one condition, though.”
“Always the pain in my ass. What is it, child?”
“I need you to take it easy on these feelings. I can’t seduce Seth if I’m a nervous wreck whenever he’s around.”
The bells on Ellie’s festive sweater jingle with a decided shake of her head. “I can’t control the intensity of your feelings, dear. Every soulmate bond is different, but you two have a special one. You’ve just never felt it without that frost in your heart. That’s why you’re having such a hard time.”
“Then why isn’t this Seth falling at my feet, too? Shouldn’t it go both ways?”
“Had Jack put some frost in him. Just enough to teach you a lesson. You can’t have everything easy here. You were a piece, you know. But don’t worry. Get it to melt, and he’ll be a goner like you.”
Captain Pretentious, with tattoos and a six-pack falling at my feet? Really fucking tempting.
A sharp pain twinges on my left side, it’s been stabbing me since Seth and I were intimate yesterday, which isn’t a complete surprise. I always flared after Connor and I did that sort of thing, but where it didn’t hurt too much while Seth and I were intimate, I was hoping maybe I’d be okay after as well.
Apparently, I’m not. And the pain is getting to where I can't ignore it.
“Okay, but did you have to give this to me in this life, too?” I ask with a crunch.
“Yes, unfortunately.” Ellie frowns, peering at me without any judgment or malice. “Human bodies are different. I can’t manipulate them as easily as the soul. That is a part of you in every reality. All I could do was encourage this Maddie to stay up on her pelvic exercises and write Seth so he knows how to be intimate with someone with your disease. You're welcome for that.” She peeks up, a dance sparkling in her eye, and—lord, this is uncomfortable.
“Yup. That’s my cue to get the hell out of here! Thanks for making this awkward as always!” I grab the magical hourglass thingy and step back on my heel, heading toward the front door.
“Yes, I’ve stalled you long enough. Now is the perfect time to leave.” She claps her hands to my worrying frown, and I bust out the door to the frigid New England air.
Thelocalcoffeeshop,Cup of Cheer, has the world’s best salted caramel hot chocolate. That’s what the sign on the window boasts, anyway. And I’m desperate to try the beverage of choice I consume in an alarming volume in this reality.
Boughs of pine hang along the black iron rafters, sheltering a wooden ceiling. Edison lights dangle at various heights, shining bright against an otherwise dark brick wall.
“Here you go, Maddie.” A college student smiles behind the counter, a dimple winking on his cheek. Zach. His name is Zach.
