"Musical Magic" A Quick Short Story

A quick short story just for fun. This was written for my writing group. The theme was music. Hope you enjoy! =)

Musical Magic 

By Melissa Francisco 

Theresa marched away from her house after slamming the door. “And we are off again to
another highly productive session of musical magic class” She said aloud. She watched the tips
of her boots as she walked in lengthy strides down the brick walkway. A tall man on a beautiful
black stallion waved at her as he rode by, she waved back and her stride softened slightly. Up
ahead she could see her best friend, Jake, waiting for her. She shook her head. Jake had the best
voice in class and he could also play the flute. He was a musical genius and it sometimes puzzled
her why he even liked to be around her.
“Hello Theresa,” he said cheerily. She smiled as he looked at her side long. “Mad huh?”
he said.
“Yeah, same old story” she replied. The Theressa tilted her head as he suddenly got a
little nervous expression. He shuffled his foot and then began walking.
“If it helps any, I am sure glad they make you come.” he said awkwardly. Theresa smiled.
“It does help.” she said. She could feel her mood lighten with every step now. He looked
away for a second as if he wanted to say more. Theresa knit her brow.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Well I sort of, wanted to ask you something…” he said. Again she noticed is
awkwardness returning. This wasn’t like him.
“Yes?” she said.
“Well… There, I mean you know this but, the ball next week.. or that is to say…” he
paused and they both stopped walking. He was looking at his feet.
“The ball next week” Theresa repeated, feeling her pulse quicken. She was hoping he
would..
“Would you go with me?” he said in a release of breath.
“You’re asking me?” she said with a smile.
“I know I don’t deserve to ask you but…”
“YOU don’t deserve it??? I am the one who would be lucky. I would love to go with
you!” she smiled at her own frankness. Then she impulsively threw her arms around him and
hugged him tight, kissing would have been ridiculous at that point. She felt a warmth in her body
as his young yet already powerful arms wrapped around her as well.
**************************************************************************
Class was worse than ever that day. Theresa kept smiling and thinking about Jake’s arms
being around her. She usually had a hard time concentrating on music but with something like
this on her mind it was nearly impossible. Jake would look at her and smile every once in a while
and that was almost more than she could stand, in a good way. She had never thought he would
like her in that way but now that he seemed to, at least a little, she realized how much she liked
him.
“Theresa” The teachers voice made her jump.
“Yes umm?” She said, her cheeks coloring slightly.
“Can you sing the fifth spell from your songs to spells book please?” Theresa inwardly
groaned. She could stay on key fine but musical spells had never resonated with her, she just
couldn’t feel them right. Not like writing spells, they were much more fun.
“Theresa?” the teacher said again.
“Yes umm,” she said. She pulled out her book and opened it to page 26, spell five. The
title, which had never struck her before, sparked new interest as she read it aloud.
“Incantation to reveal Affection,” she read stealing a glance in Jakes direction, “This
spell, when accomplished, will cause a red light to swirl around the singer if they have affection
for someone nearby. If not, it will swirl gray smoke.” Here goes she thought. Then she started to
sing.
“If near me my lover affection i’ll show,
I’ll be encircled if quick, by a reddish glow”
For a split second after she stopped singing nothing happened. Then a red swirl of light
spun around her and shot toward the roof of the stone building. Everyone was silent. Jake had an
impressed look on his face. Theresa was smiling shyly. It was the first time she had connected
with a music spell.
“Well done,” the teacher said. Everyone clapped. A girl in the back shouted something to
the effect of “who is the lover?” but much to Theresa’s relief the teacher had obvious intentions
of avoiding that point. She continued on with the lesson asking other students to demonstrate as
well. Theresa glanced at Jake again, unable to stop herself, he smiled broadly at her and winked.
She felt her cheeks color again. This was a very interesting day.
*******************************************************************
After class Jake walked Theresa home, like usual.
“I was really impressed with your spell today,” he said, his eyes dancing.
“Thanks,” she said. “It seemed easier… I mean I sort of.. well,” she felt her cheeks
coloring again but pushed on, “I connected with it more today.” Jake smiled again. She liked the
way his smile seemed so open and genuine.
“That’s the trick” he said, stopping to look at her, they were near his house so they would
separate here. “All you have to do is learn to connect with each spell, even if you don’t have an
easy way to.” He paused. “I don’t feel every song down deep inside because I haven’t had each
experience happen to me. But, when I read the spell I imagine that it has.” he looked at her with
meaningful blue eyes. “Its a lot like a daydream to me.” Theresa felt the warmth again as Jake’s
eyes remained locked on her own. She smiled
“I think I can understand that now,” she said softly. Jake swallowed and stepped slightly
closer,
“So we are still on for the ball?” he asked.
“Yes, very much,” she said. She could see his chest rising and falling a little more
quickly.
“Do you have your Songs to Spells book with you?” he asked. Theresa’s eyebrows
flicked together,
“Yes…” she said.
“When you get home, try spell 11.” he said. Then as she looked down at her book,
curious now, he turned and ran toward his house. Theresa looked up, now thoroughly confused.
Looking back down she opened Songs to Spells to page 31, spell 11. As she read her eyes began
to dance and she smiled more full than she had in a long time. This really was an interesting day.