Plants of all shapes and sizes sat on every surface, their green leaves adding warmth and life to the room, and a black cat with piercing green eyes weaved between Ivy’s legs, purring contentedly.
“And this, is Salem,” Ivy introduced, scooping up the cat with a smile. “He’s my little guardian.”
Salem blinked lazily at me, his eyes narrowing as if assessing whether I was friend or foe. “Hey, Salem,” I greeted, reaching out to scratch behind his ears. He responded with a soft purr, settling comfortably in Ivy’s arms.
I took off my boots, and we made our way further into the house to the living room. Deep purples, rich greens, and warm earthy tones blended together, and the flickering light cast dancing shadows on the walls, enhancing the mystical ambiance.
Vintage and modern elements were blended in an eclectic mix, creating the living room itself. A plush couch covered in soft blankets and cushions beckoned me to relax. An array of snacks and a couple of wine glasses were set on the coffee table, alongside a bottle of red wine ready to be poured. A large, worn rug covered the wooden floor and, in one corner, a low wooden bookshelf displayed books on various mystical subjects. Atop it, more plants sat beside a few well-placed crystals.
“Make yourself at home,” Ivy said, gesturing to the couch with a warm smile, and I sank into the plush cushions, the fabric soft against my skin.
“It seems we had the same idea,” I laughed, reaching into my bag to pull out the snacks and wine I’d brought.
“You can never have too much wine,” Ivy chuckled, grabbing a bottle opener. With a practiced twist, she popped the cork, and poured us each a generous glass. The deep red liquid glistened in the soft light as she handed me a glass, then took a sip of her own. “I thought we could have a classic horror movie marathon tonight. It’s been ages since I watched some of these. We can have it on in the background while we chat.”
“Yes! I loveScream! It’s one of my all-time favorites!” I exclaimed, already feeling the nostalgic thrill. I took a sip of the wine, savoring its rich, fruity taste.
Ivy grinned mischievously. “Scream? I’mobsessedwith Ghostface! There’s something about that mask . . . it’s creepy, but also kinda sexy, in a weird way. It just gives me chills!”
I was in the middle of another sip of wine when her comment caught me off guard, and I snorted some out of my nose, which only made us both burst into laughter. “Seriously? That mask?That’swhat does it for you?” I asked, wiping my face with a napkin, still chuckling.
“Hey, don’t knock it till you try it!” Ivy teased, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
As the first movie played, we settled into a comfortable rhythm in front of the flickering screen, chatting and laughing about everything, from horror movie tropes, to our favorite scenes, the wine flowing free and easy.
Ivy leaned in with a playful glint in her eyes. “So, spill the tea—what’s the deal with Ethan? Are you excited for your date tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I am,” I admitted, a shy smile tugging at my lips. “We’ve been texting a lot and, honestly, it’s been really nice. I mean, he’s just . . . different. And not in a bad way,” I said, biting my lip as I tried to put mythoughts into words. “He’s genuine and kind, and I don’t feel like I have to put on a front around him.”
“And . . .?” Ivy prompted eagerly.
I blushed, the warmth of the wine spreading through my cheeks, and the tipsiness loosening my tongue. “Okay, fine!” I laughed, covering my face with my hands. “I’ve been thinking about him inthatway, too,” I admitted, giggling nervously.
Ivy squealed with excitement and grabbed a handful of popcorn. “Tell me more!”
“It’s just . . . there’s something about him being a teacher that’ssohot,” I confessed, feeling my cheeks heat. “I keep imagining him in his element, being all smart and confident, and it just drives me crazy. And then I wonder—would he be as soft and sweet in bed as he is in person, or is there a wilder side to him?” I admitted, laughing nervously. “I can’t help but let my thoughts wander, especially since we’ve been texting all day. It’s like, the more I get to know him, the more intrigued I am.”
Ivy grabbed the bottle of wine and refilled our glasses. “Youareallowed to think about that stuff! There’s no shame in it, at all,” she said with a playful grin. She leaned back, looking thoughtful. “But really, have you even everhadthe chance to just . . . be wild? Like, let loose, and do whatever you want?”
I shook my head, frustration and nostalgia washing over me. “Not really. I’m so used to the physical part of a relationship being a big deal. With Sebastian, that was a huge part of what we had. And honestly, I miss that. It’s been four months, and I’m definitely feeling a bit . . . frustrated.” I laughed, but the sound came out more strained than amused, and I took a big gulp of wine, trying to drown out the lingering memories ofSebastian’s touch.
“I totally get that,” she said, her voice gentle. “It’s understandable to miss that intimacy, and to feel frustrated. It’s a natural part of being human, after all.”
I nodded, feeling a little lighter having said it out loud. There was a moment of comfortable silence, filled with the soft sound of the movie playing in the background. Ivy looked at me, her eyes curious but kind. “What exactly happened with Sebastian? You haven’t really talked about it.”
I hesitated, the memories rushing back and weighing heavily on my heart. I sighed, taking another sip of wine to steady myself. “It’s a long story,” I began. “Sebastian was . . . complicated. He had this way of making me feel special, and then tearing me down, all in the same breath. It was like I was constantly trying to prove my worth to him, and when things were good, they were really good. But when they were bad . . .”
Ivy gave me a sympathetic look, then brightened. “You know, it’s a full moon tonight,” she said with a playful smile. “There’s this old tradition in Hallow’s End, where you write down everything you need to let go of, then burn the paper and scatter the ashes outside. They say the town’s magic helps resolve it, sometimes in ways you don’t expect. It’s usually done on Hallow’s Eve night, when the veil between worlds is thin, but hey, it’s the intention that counts, right?”
She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper as if sharing a secret. “The idea, is that the act of burning your burdens transforms them, releasing their hold on you. And ashes scattered into the wind are carried by the town’s ancient ley lines. The lines amplify intentions and, under the light of the full moon, the magic becomes even stronger. It’s like a mystical cleanse, helping you move forward and embrace new possibilities.”
The way she described it, added an enchanting, almost otherworldly, quality to the simple act of letting go. The notion of tapping into theunknown felt strangely fitting, like this was the perfect place to initiate a new beginning and relinquish the past. Ivy’s blue eyes sparkled with excitement, and I could feel the allure of the ritual.
“That sounds . . . kind of perfect,” I admitted. Even though I didn’t truly believe in magic, the process made sense. The idea of physically writing down and burning my burdens felt like a tangible way to let go of them.
“So, why not give it a try? Let it all out, burn it, and see what the town’s magic does? Who knows? Maybe it’ll help you let go of Sebastian, and everything else that’s been holding you back,” Ivy said, her expression earnest. “You can tell me what happened while I gather the supplies.”
As I began to recount my past with Sebastian, Ivy moved around the room. She picked up a stack of paper, a few candles, and a pen, setting them on the coffee table. Her actions were calm and deliberate, comforting me as I delved into the memories.
