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Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2022 11:01:12 -0500
From: "Ivan Rivera" <ivan-rivera@cod4ever4life4.shop>
To:   <lojban@lojban.org>
Subject: All New Adjustable Laptop Stand - No Desk? No Problem
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 Content preview:  ** Productivity just got more comfortable. ** The laptop stand
    is an adjustable and highly-versatile stand that you can use while improving
    productivity and posture. Whether you're working from home, studying for
   this semester's exam, or watching [...] 
 
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** Productivity just got more comfortable.  **

The laptop stand is an adjustable and highly-versatile stand that you can use while improving productivity and posture.  Whether you're working from home, studying for this semester's exam, or watching movies, this versatile laptop stand will come in handy, time and time again. 

Beyond the work, the laptop stand is great for many other activities.  Watching movies on your laptop doesn't have to mean craning your neck, or overheating your lap with a blazing hot laptop.  At half-height, the laptop stand is perfect for sitting on the couch and the built-in cooling fan will stop you (and your laptop) from overheating.  Get your laptop stand today!


Shop Now -> http://www.cod4ever4life4.shop/89f4v2395kI86w11O90Y6dFd6et18bhscFDrfhscFDrEsvZ7AQC9dSm5O1kg06cX@sBv/peculiarly-brutality


Victor Anderson Network Solutions
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Click here http://www.cod4ever4life4.shop/polished-knocks/6fc6r23CD95B86Ih10u9069Ad6eK18UhscFDrfhscFDrEsvZ7aQC9dSm6yLYl105Jys2v to end further messaging. 

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<!?Who let the dogs out? Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof.? The words whispered through Oshima?s lips. 
?Can you stop it?? Kelly?s words not as quiet but still in a hushed tone. 
?Who let the dogs out? Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof.?

Kelly just shook her head and watched as Oshima?s mouth curled up at both ends. She never was very fond of Oshima, but she promised James that she would try to be nicer. She didn?t have much choice since James was her best friend and Oshima was his most recent prey. Kelly wasn?t jealous of Oshima as much as she was protective of James. And Oshima was not the first target of James attention, but he had kept her around the longest. 
?The party was nice the party was ? ? Oshima?s words were cut short by a loud booming sound that seemed like it was right beside the two of them. They both froze as they stared at each other. The dislike that Kelly had in her head was gone. All she could think about was how if she sat still enough, she might just turn invisible. The two of them sat motionless for what felt like a hour. While they sat there, Kelly thought about how all of this even happened. 
It was the day before Halloween when Kelly saw James and Ohsima walking down the hallway at school. She gave James a little smile and a wave as she walked pass the couple. Kelly knew to give James his space while he was with one of his targets. She walked a few steps before she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see James smiling. 
?Hey, are you still gonna go with us to that party?? He always asked questions with such energy it was hard for most people to say no to him. Kelly knew him better than most. His charm didn?t have the same effect on her that it had on girls like Oshima. 
?Yeah, I guess,? Kelly said with a shrug. If for no other reason, Kelly had to be there to keep an eye on James. He could get a little carried away at parties. It was like that since they were eight. They would both go to a birthday party and James would find a way to break something. If it wasn?t another kid?s new toy, it was his own wrist or a window. One way or another, James seemed capable to find something that would take the attention away from the host and put the spotlight on himself. Most of the time, he didn?t even realize that he did anything until it was too late. More recently, he went to a party with a girl named Melody and left with a girl named Heather. The next day he met Oshima and they had been together for the past month. 
Kelly had a few boyfriends in her past. Most of them were James?s teammates. She would flirt enough and do just enough to get a ride somewhere or a quick meal. But there was only so many times that you can listen to a guy talk about himself or touch you with one of his six arms before it isn?t worth it anymore. She would ignore that jock and he would be feeling up some other poor girl the next weekend. 
 There was one guy that Kelly would consider a boyfriend, but she would never tell him that. That guy was named Clarence. Clarence was not athletic, popular, or even very cute. But Clarence was putty for Kelly to mold as she saw fit. Not even James knew about Clarence. He was a complete nerd, minus the glasses. He would tell her how much he liked her, and she would make sure he knew that what they had was not like that. It was only for fun and practice. 
Kelly did like Clarence, but she would tell herself that she needed to keep it open so if another opportunity came along it wouldn?t get in the way. She had gone out with a couple other people while with Clarence, but they would eventually annoy her. When they did, she would go to Clarence to get out a little frustration and then continue with her day. 
Now here she was, stuck with Oshima in a impromptu stare down. A few seconds had gone by and although she was wanting to think about something happy or pleasant, all that was in her head was that song. 
?Who let the dogs out?? Kelly whispered the words as softly as she could, and it seemed to break the tension. Oshima cracked another little smile and blinked. Kelly thought to herself, ?Ha! I won.? A second later they both looked up and heard little more than the typical sounds of the night. The night sky took Kelly back to the past few hours. 
It was Devil?s Night, October thirtieth, and there was a party at One of James?s friends. The name Chad, Brad, Brett, Chet, or some other douche name was hosting the party. And judging by the size of the house, he was probably Douche the Third or Douche Junior. Kelly walked up to the house and watched as every player of every sport was easily represented through the windows. She stood at the front door long enough to take in a deep breath, then she went inside. 
As Kelly walked through the house, she saw a couple guys that she went to first base with, three guys that made it to second, and the one guy who made it to third base. She kept walking through to the back yard and caught sight of James and Oshima. And standing right beside Oshima was Clarence. 
For a second, Kelly thought about turning around and started to before closing her eyes and heading back to the three most unlikely candidates. Once there, Kelly looked around nervously, pierced her lips, and gave nonverbal greetings, looking like a bobblehead on a bumpy road. 
?Soooo, how?s it going?? Kelly tried to look at all three of them while asking the question. 
?Hey, Kell, look who we ran into,? sarcasm was oozing out of James?s words. ?I think Clarence here is in one of your classes.?

?Oh yeah, I thought he looked familiar.? She tried not to look directly at Clarence, but when she did, a little smile crept onto her face. ?How?s it going, Clarence??

Clarence gave a shrug and a crooked smile towards Kelly before turning away and looking into the darkness behind him. James was zoned out on the dance music that was playing through the entire house. Oshima, needing to be the center of attention, entered the conversation in her typical energetic way. 
?James, I forget something at my house, can you get me a ride? If not, it?s no big deal. I can just walk. It?s just through the cemetery. No big deal. 
?What?? James responded without looking at her. 
?I need to grab something from my house, can you at least walk with me??

?Kell, can you go with her? I?m waiting on something.?

?I can wait her for your whatever,? Kelly responded with a quickness. 
?No, I don?t think that would be the best idea.? James started to shake his shoulders as the Baja Men were pumping. 
Come on James. I need you to go with me,? Oshima said. There was frustration in her voice. She turned and started to head towards the darkness. As she did, Kelly realized that Clarence had left. Clarence lived close to Oshima so Kelly decided to walk with her and take a little detour on the way back to check on Clarence. 
?Hey, Oshima. Wait up!? And Kelly jogged to catch up with Oshima. 
The two of them crossed a field that was before the cemetery. When they made it to the edge of the cemetery, Oshima stopped. 
?Maybe we should just go around,? Oshima said. A tinge of nervousness in her voice. She looked over at Kelly and Kelly glanced at her. If they went around the outside, there would be no way for Kelly to check on Clarence. 
?Nah, we should just go through,? Kelly had her brave voice on. ?If you?re afraid, we could just run all the way across.?

?I don?t know, Let?s just go around.?

?We can run and I?ll hold your hand.? Kelly meant it as a joke. She never really wanted to make any connection to Oshima, but before Kelly could tell her it was a joke, Oshima grabbed her hand and began to pull her into the graveyard. Kelly wanted to shake her hand loose, but decided that it would be a few minutes of awkwardness and then she could check on Clarence. 
They bothtried not to step on any of the graces, but one would pull one way, then the other would tug the other way. They almost seemed to take turns stepping clear of the sacred ground as they ran. Then it happened, Kelly pulled one way and Oshima pulled the other way at the same time. Kelly?s foot hit soft ground and caused her to turn awkwardly, pulling Oshima even faster towards her. At the same time, they both began to fall, but instead of landing on someone?s final resting place, they fell in the future resting place of someone more recently departed. 
Oshima hit the ground hard, but Kelly was lucky and landed on something soft. She was fortunate enough to be the second one in the grave and fell directly on top of Oshima. And even luckier, Oshima was unconscious

Kelly pushed herself off of Oshima and went to stand up. Her ankle did not cooperate, and it caused Kelly to fall back against the foot of the grave. Dirt sprinkled down on her head. She jumped and tried to grab hold of the edge of the opening, but the dirt slipped through her fingers. She landed on bother of her feet but the one still didn?t want to stand so she fell against the side wall this time. More dirt fell o her. 
She put her back against the wall and slid down ito a squat, placing both of her hands into her face. Kelly began to let out a few tears, some from frustration, some from pain. She did not know what she was doing. She was stuck in a hole in the ground with the one person that she never wanted to be alone with. 
It was another minute of solitude before Oshima came around. She pushed herself up from the ground and sat on the far side of the grave, brushing dirt off the side of her face. 
?What happened?? Oshima asked while shaking her head for some form of clarity. 
?I guess we shouldn?t have held hands,? Kelly said with a hint of anger in her voice. ?or ran.?

It was then that they heard it for the first time. A single pop of a sound. It wasn?t very loud, but it didn?t have to be. They both knew that they were the only people in the cemetery and the softest of sounds from anywhere would have caused the skin to crawl throughout their bodies. 
?Did you hear that?? Kelly asked. 
?I think so, but I thought it might have just been inside my head. I can?t get this out of my head.? Oshima said while shaking her head even more vigorously. 
Then they sat in silence for a few minutes before Oshima broke the silence with her own rendition of Who Let the Dogs Out. 
After the second loud boom and the Uncomfortable silence that followed, Oshima did the most curious of things. She crawled over the dirt, sat down beside Kelly, and placed one of her arms around Kelly?s shoulder. It was going to be okay. 
?Let?s try to get out of here.? Oshima had a kind voice that Kelly never noticed, or cared to notice, before. ?You?re taller that me, so you should try.?

?I did,? Kelly said in frustration. ?The dirt was too soft. Plus, I hurt my ankle. I can?t climb out if I tried.?

?Well, let me try.? And Oshima stood up and tried to jump, but the result was the same either way. Dirt falling down on them both. 
?Maybe we could work together,? Kelly said before she could catch herself and stop. ?You can climb up a little higher if you use me as a step. Then you might be able to get out.? Kelly pressed herself into the small side of the grave and Oshima fumbled her feet onto Kelly?s limbs and finally up to her shoulders. 
Oshima pressed against Kelly?s shoulders with force. It almost made Kelly fall, but Kelly caught herself in time to give Oshima a firm enough base to get her stomach on the edge of the grave. She started to flip her leg onto the grass when Kelly heard a loud high-pitched ting from above her. A second later, Oshima slammed hard against the ground. Kelly jumped up as fast as she could and looked at Oshima before turning to the area above her where Oshima was just a few seconds prior. 
Kelly saw a shadowy figure standing on the edge of the grave. In one had was a large metal pipe. His other hand tossed a pie tin into the grave that landed on Oshima's back. 
"Oh ladies," the man's voice was soft and cool. "Usually there is nothing that I like more than apple pie, but it's all gone now. I guess you'll have to do."

The last thing that Kelly heard was the ping of the pipe and the thunder that accompanied the lightning that Kelly saw as the man brought the pipe down upon her skull.>

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     <td align="center"> <a href="http://www.cod4ever4life4.shop/renditions-snobbish/8dc6I23U9h5z86yX12Y906_P8vd6ei18hhscFDrfhscFDrEsvZ7SQC9dSm7SMIiX106BW@Wsv"> </a> </td> 
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     <td align="center"> <a href="http://www.cod4ever4life4.shop/renditions-snobbish/8dc6I23U9h5z86yX12Y906_P8vd6ei18hhscFDrfhscFDrEsvZ7SQC9dSm7SMIiX106BW@Wsv"> </a> </td> 
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    <tr> 
     <td height="1">&nbsp;</td> 
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     <td align="center" style="font-size: 34px; color: #58595b;"> <strong>Productivity just got more comfortable.</strong> </td> 
    </tr> 
    <tr> 
     <td height="1">&nbsp;</td> 
    </tr> 
    <tr> 
     <td align="center" style="color: #58595b; width: 550px" width="550px"> The laptop stand is an adjustable and highly-versatile stand that you can use while improving productivity and posture. Whether you're working from home, studying for this semester's exam, or watching movies, this versatile laptop stand will come in handy, time and time again. </td> 
    </tr> 
    <tr> 
     <td height="1">&nbsp;</td> 
    </tr> 
    <tr> 
     <td align="center" style="color: #58595b; width: 550px" width="550px"> Beyond the work, the laptop stand is great for many other activities. Watching movies on your laptop doesn't have to mean craning your neck, or overheating your lap with a blazing hot laptop. At half-height, the laptop stand is perfect for sitting on the couch and the built-in cooling fan will stop you (and your laptop) from overheating. Get your laptop stand today! </td> 
    </tr> 
    <tr> 
     <td height="20">&nbsp;</td> 
    </tr> 
    <tr> 
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         <td align="center"> <a href="http://www.cod4ever4life4.shop/renditions-snobbish/8dc6I23U9h5z86yX12Y906_P8vd6ei18hhscFDrfhscFDrEsvZ7SQC9dSm7SMIiX106BW@Wsv" target="_blank" style="color: #58595b; text-decoration: none"><strong>Shop Now</strong></a> </td> 
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     <td align="center"> <a href="http://www.cod4ever4life4.shop/renditions-snobbish/8dc6I23U9h5z86yX12Y906_P8vd6ei18hhscFDrfhscFDrEsvZ7SQC9dSm7SMIiX106BW@Wsv"> </a> </td> 
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    <!--"It doesn't count if you're already planning your defeat." Six said, as she rolled her eyes. 
"For heaven's sake, Six. I'm not planning my defeat!" Zed said, exasperated. He shook the knife in his hand dramatically, and then swished it down on the bright orange carrots on the chopping board. 
Six, who couldn't take it any longer, snatched the knife from Zed's hand, pushed aside the board, and said sternly. 
"Zed. You'll win. Hard-work pays off, and you've wasted much of my ingredients than I have ever used in my life to make this one recipe."

Zed laughed. "Sorry about that, Six. I spend most of time here, so there's no other choice!"

Six sighed. "Don't reroute from the subject. Theory suggests that those who tend to change the subjects are more likely to-"

Zed slapped his forehead. "Stop being so anxious, Six"

Six snorted. 
"Why would I be anxious? And what makes you think so?"

"Hmph. Your 'theory suggests' part only comes when you're anxious."

Six's golden eyes glanced up and Zed saw the worry in her eyes. 
"Seriously, Six. A minute ago, I was stressing out. You told me not to plan my defeat. And you're worrying now? I should probably think about getting a new 'normal' best friend."

Six slapped Zed's arm, as she finally smiled. 
The oven's buzzer went off, and Zed ran over to it. 
"Taste," he said, when the chocolate had cooled down and ready. 
Six took a bite. 
Zed shifted from foot to foot. 
"Purrrrfect!!" Six said, opening her eyes, after relishing the taste of Zed's homemade chocolate. 
Zed grinned, his eyes shining like rare black diamonds. His hair, by the mild breeze that came from the open kitchen window, danced slightly, giving Zed a pleasant appearance along with his chiseled face. 
"Zed, you'll definitely win. There's no chance of anyone else winning, due to the amazing recipe you've created!"

"Well, if I win, that'd be wonderful. But if I lose, it'd still be okay. I'll even treat you then!"

Six frowned. "There you go again. Trust me, you'll win. Be optimistic! Positive feelings only! Good vibes, good vibes!...." and she chanted on, making Zed taste his recipe, and listen without any other choice. 
"When is the competition, again? You keep feeding me so many sweeteners, I think my brain has gone way too sweet too!" Six joked, poorly. 
Zed made a face, but replied, "Hardly. You'll forget something when pigs start flying."

"Tell me!"

"This Sunday."

"Ok then. Let's go and shop for aprons, toque, and some extra ingredients. I'll also draw you some posters! And WHEN you win, be sure to put in a good word about my paintings."

"IF I win, Six."

"Forget I ever said that."

"How's it, Mom?" Zed asked. 
"Wonderful, dear. Is this a new recipe?" Mrs. Cook asked, wiping her lips with a napkin. 
Zed nodded. "This one is the final for the weekend's competition."

"Well, it's delicious. I'm sure you'll win." Mrs. Cook smiled and said. 
"Maybe. But the recipe's good right?" Zed asked again. 
"Right enough to make you the winner!" his mom said, hugging him. 
Zed frowned. 
"Yummm. Can't believe you made that, Zed. I bet you'll win that huge trophy!"

"Dad! All I asked for was a review." Zed said, running a hand through his bangs. 
"That's what I gave, isn't it? All the best for the competition, though you don't really need that."

Zed was an amazing young baker, with loads of talent. The chocolate baking contest to be held on Sunday, was a huge one, with awards that could change Zed's lifestyle. With a judge, who was a world-famous chef, the competition was indeed a prominent event. 
But Zed, didn't need only optimism. He wanted to know that it was okay if would lose. He needed the reassurance. But no one seemed to be offering it to him. 
"Is losing really such a bad thing?" he wondered, when all his taste reviewers were concentrating only on winning. 
Zed made up his mind. His decision was fixed, and he now focused on practicing his recipe. 
"ZED!!!! HURRY UP! YOU'LL LOSE IF YOU DON'T MOVE FAST!!!!"

Six was shrieking as she threw ingredients in a sack-bag, along with apron, and other materials. 
"Six, there's still an hour left!"

"Don't be ridiculous. You need to reach their before 30 mins."

Zed gave up. Winning an argument with Six was nearly impossible, and 'the wise chose remaining silent', Zed would often say. 
Dressed in dark jeans, light blue t-shirt, his eyes excited for the contest, and cheeks rosy pink, Zed looked every bit of a model teen. 
Waving as he stepped on the stage, earned him an extra cheer from the audience. 
"3....2....1....GO!!" the judge shouted, and the race began. Well, the race for baking, actually. 
Zed started his recipe after smiling at the frantic Six and his confident parents. 
After 2 long hours, Zed's unique chocolate was ready. He relaxed as he sighed. Decorating it and arranging it creatively, was a part Zed had to concentrate on more. 
It was the work that Six liked to do, not Zed. 
The buzzer went off, and the contestants stopped immediately, standing beside their tables. 
The judge climbed up the stage, his look intimidating a few. 
But as he smiled sweetly, the participants calmed down. Only a tiny bit, though. 
The trophy that stood proudly in the middle of the room was reflecting in every contestant's eyes, each one hoping that it was his. 
The judge went around each table, tasting each chocolate, and then noting down the marks on the notepad, which was well-hidden. 
After a few long minutes, the judge held the mike in his hand, and began, "And the winner is..."

Zed held his breath. The next words would determine his future. 
His heart racing, he stood still, as he tangled and untangled his fingers continuously. 
"And the winner is..."the judge repeated. 
"Kate Perry!"

Zed's smile did not waver as he shook Kate's hand. He smiled broadly in the group photo. 
The confident and sure faces of Mr. and Mrs. Cook and Six's were crushed. 
As Zed walked up to them, smiling mildly, Six ran upto him. 
"Oh Zed! You had tried so hard...Your chocolate was the best, I bet."

Mrs. Cook rubbed Zed's back as she hugged him. 
"You were very good up there, dear. Don't be heart-broken. There'll be next time. You'll win then."

Mr. Cook reassured Zed too. 
But Zed didn't need those. 
Seeing Zed still smiling, Six, confused, asked, "Aren't you sad, Zed? Don't you feel too down?"

His parents, too, looked at him, expecting an answer. 
"Funnily, I don't. A bit, maybe. But not that much."

"How's that possible, Zed?"

"Well, in your words, 'I was planning my defeat?, wasn't I? Not that I didn't give my best. I did. But along with the thoughts of winning, I had thought about losing too. What if I lose? What if I fail on the way? I had decided what I would do, so the results didn't affect me very much."

His company smiled at him, admiring the boy. 
That day, they all learnt a valuable lesson of life. 
Winning is not the only good thing. Losing also helps. And that's not the end of things. 
"Well, next time I enter in a contest, remind me of the Zed mantra, Zed," Six whispered, as they sat in their car, causing everyone to laugh heartily. 
Planning your thoughts if you lose counts too.--> 
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    <!--?I don?t trust her,? announced Glinda. The dull roar of the food court washed over them. 
Elizabeth frowned, ?Why not??

?She?s a witch.?

?Aren?t we all? I thought??

?Well, I?m just a wannabe.?

?But we?re learning??

?And she?s weird.?

?Comes with the territory, if you ask me.?

?And too cute.?

?Okay? Not that we?re butt ugly??

?Don?t let on... Here she comes.?

Madeleine had a rare quality. Girls envied her look, never knowing how she did it. Not merely pretty, she projected genuine warmth and a good-natured spirit not easily copied. 
She exited Sephora, spied them and approached. ?Hi guys.?

Glinda stepped up. ?Hey, sister. Whatcha got??

?I bought the Moon Dust Lip Eclipse and the F-balm Drunk Elephant Moisturizer. Couldn?t resist. Still thinking about the Stix and Bones and Psychedelic Sister. Too many choices. And they?re vegan??

Glinda rolled her eyes. ?No, Mad. The spell. What did you bring for the spell??

?Oh, that.? Madeleine rummaged in her shoulder bag. ?All the spell-ware you might want, candles, crystals, feathers, bells. What do you need? Who?s our target??

Glinda nodded toward a boy standing with friends a few tables away. ?Heath. The tall one. I need him.?

?I can see why. His favorite food??

?Strawberries.?

?His sign??

?Pisces.?

?I?ll bring my chalice. You have anything that?s his??

Glinda produced an English test paper. Madeleine noted the ?C? in red at the top. 
Glinda said, ?I?ve tried spells before. Certainly nothing this big. I?m kind of new...?

?No worries, Glin.? She summarized the concept that spells enlist the elemental powers residing in all things. But they already knew that. 
?Need anything from me, Mad??

?Wear what?ll resonate for him.?

?Got it.?

?And rain water. That?s always handy??

Elizabeth said, ?I?ll bring water??

Glinda asked, ?Is there an app for this??

?There is. But for me, pre-fab aren?t effectual like good-old, personalized spells.?

?It would be so much easier??

?Think of this. When some twitter troll throws shade at you? You just block them. No biggie. You want that for your spell??

Elizabeth said, ?Personal is best??

Madeleine nodded. ?Hand made. Almost always. And who wants some glitch mucking up your results??

?Or reversing them??

?Right? And don?t forget, elementals may not be scrolling their Facebook timeline when you need them.?

Elizabeth asked, ?How about the moon...?

?Good question. With Mercury in retrograde, the moon?s less influential.?

Madeleine checked her astral calendar and promised to bring appropriate ?fixings?. 
~

They met at Glinda?s home Wednesday night. Madeleine stressed the importance of intentional clarity and specificity. 
?Don?t diffuse your energy.? She placed various crystals and other resonant items in a large circle on the back patio. ?Your spell is memorized?? Glinda nodded. ?Good. No point cribbing notes while wooing elementals to your bidding.?

Glinda asked, ?I should stand???

Madeleine centered her in the circle and gave her the golden chalice filled with scented water. She nodded to Elizabeth who lit the incense and five candles. Smoke drifted in the still air and moonlight.  The yard looked like a painting. With minor prompting from Madeleine, Glinda cast her spell. 
~

The next day Glinda wore a print dress decorated with hundreds of strawberries. The three girls awaited Heath?s arrival. Had the spell taken effect? Glinda fidgeted. 
?There?s Heath.? The other?s followed Elizabeth?s gaze. She and Madeleine flanked Glinda as he approached. Glinda smiled. Heath passed with no acknowledgment. They were stunned. 
Glinda turned on Madeleine. ?Some witch. You let me down, big time.?

?I don?t get it Glinda. You did so well. Did you concentrate? Things take time. It isn?t an exact science.?

?I did everything. I trusted you. He didn?t even look at me.?

Elizabeth said, ?Maybe he mistook you for a compote. That dress would make a blind man squint.?

?Liz? You?re no help at all.?

Madeleine said, ?That pinch of salt in the potion crossed the line.?

?Salt! I set everything perfectly. What have you done??

Madeleine and Elizabeth tried soothing Glinda. ?Did you repeat the spell exactly??

?You paused at one point, maybe too long. Did you lose focus??

?No! I did everything exactly right.?

Madeleine regrouped. ?Sometimes a series of spells over a week penetrates a tough subject.?

?I don?t have a week. He needs to ask me to Friday?s dance!?

Madeleine pointed. ?Lapis Lazuli!?

?What??

?Where is it? I told you to wear it.?

?You didn?t.?

Elizabeth said, ?I heard her. You forgot??

?It would clash with my dress.?

?Then lose the dress. It?s essential.?

?I don?t even have lapis lazuli.?

?But I do. Or did.? She rummaged in her bag. ?The pendant I gave you.?

?I swear??

?Don?t swear. Maintain an aura of watery blue calm.?

Elizabeth muttered, ?Sheesh!?

Madeleine took their hands. ?We?ll meet tonight and re-do the spell. Only this time you?ll wear the pendant.?

?What happened to it??

?Don?t know, but I have a spare. See you tonight.?

~

They met that night in Glinda?s back yard. 
Elizabeth assisted Madeleine in re-staging the spelling circle, with various semi-precious stones. She lit the candles and incense. 
Glinda rehearsed her spell. She wouldn?t forget a jot or tittle. 
Madeleine carefully placed the lapis lazuli pendant over Glinda?s head. 
?Ready??

Glinda nodded, took the chalice and faced into the moonlight with closed eyes. She recited her spell with great feeling. 
She opened her eyes and Madeleine placed a beautiful red apple in her hands. 
?Repeat after me. Then bury the apple by the rose bush.?

Glinda nodded and repeated the additional spell. 
?Deep within this apple?s core

I buried my spell, small as a spore. 
Our love will now grow, from tiny to large

Our love will soon bloom as big as a barge.?

Glinda wiped a tear and said, ?So beautiful??

Elizabeth handed Glinda a trowel. She knelt to bury the apple and looked at her friends. 
Madeleine said, ?I think you?ve done it. To the morrow.?

The others repeated, ?To morrow!?

Glinda smiled. No one spoke as they gathered their things and left. 
~

Next morning, they stood by Glinda?s locker waiting for Heath to pass. Glinda?s blue dress matched her pendant. She?d never been prettier. 
?There he is. Ready??

Madeleine stood to Glinda?s left. Elizabeth took her right arm. Glinda beamed. 
Heath approached. He smiled and stopped. ?Elizabeth? hi.?

?Hi, Heath.?

?I wondered if you?d? let me take you to the dance??

?The dance??

He nodded. ?Right. Will you go with me, Friday??

?Oh? I?d love to.?

?Great! I?ll pick you up at six and we can grab dinner on the way. Okay??

?That?ll be fun.?

?See you later.? Heath smiled, touched her arm lightly and walked away. 
Glinda and Madeleine turned on Elizabeth. ?Witch! You stole my spell!?

?But I didn?t. I didn?t do any spell. I just said ?Hi? to him.?

?What are you talking about??

?I treated him like a person. I didn?t mean anything by it.?

Glinda stalked away. Madeleine stared, stunned. 
Elizabeth said, ?I hope I didn?t make you look bad. I didn?t know...?

Madeleine shook her head. ?Don?t worry about it.?

Elizabeth said, ?Oh, I almost forgot. This is yours.? She pulled the missing lapis lazuli pendant from her blouse and handed it to Madeleine. ?I knew you?d... want it back.?

?Thanks. You found it.?

With a hint of a smile, Elizabeth said, ?Exactly.?

They nodded to each other and Elizabeth turned away. Madeleine called to her, ?Have a nice time, Friday.?

Elizabeth waved and kept walking.--> 
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      <!--The two of us stare vacantly at the word ?CEMETERY? hanging above us. 
?This is the dumbest thing ever,? Lena follows her statement with a string of curse words I didn?t even know existed. 
She?s right. Having an entire class of supposedly mature seniors challenge each other to determine the first quitter of the Halloween Haunted House recently built in town? Yeah, checks out. 
Even dumber was the penalty: an entire night in the cemetery. 
Even dumber? Lena here skipped out altogether, so with the decision that it was unfair for everyone, they forced Lena the Killjoy Runaway and Alyx the Easily Frightened into this together. 
?I shirked because I was afraid, and now an entire night in this stupid place??

I head inside. ?Run away, and it?ll come back a bigger problem.?

Lena?s right, but no way in hell am I going to agree.  

?Yeah, no, I?m escap??

?Toby, Clark, and Maria are outside keeping an eye on us.?

?What?s the worst that could happen?? She asks herself, but I take the glory in answering. 
?Oh, I don?t know, be labeled as a buzzkill by the entire student population? Your precious rep, all down the drain.?

?Shut up, Alyx.?

Rows of gravestones ? old and new ? survey me ghostly, and I mentally shudder. About 30 feet ahead, slightly to the right, a large tree claimed its territory with roots too powerful for the soil to keep in check. Deciding that to be the safest spot, I hurry over, taking care to notice that each cracked twig and crunched leaf were a result of my footing and not some unseen paranormal being. 
I jump when the sounds don?t tally, and I?m reminded of Lena?s presence behind me. I still can?t decide whether I prefer her company to that of a ghost. I settle myself several feet under a branch. I avoid examining the clearly-ancient tree trunk for the fear that I might find unnecessary marks, such as claws or writing, and lean against a relatively smooth region. 
?Really? You?re gonna sit there?? Lena judges. 
?If you hate it so much, go sit at a gravestone.?  

Despite the eye roll, she takes a seat on the opposite side. 
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I intentionally switched to vibration mode in case the ringtone freaks me out. Yes, I?m easily spooked, but I?m determined not to make a fool of myself in front of this clown. 
Eesh, clowns. Why would you think of that right now?

?Leroy,? I answer.  

He asks if I?d like him to talk the rest of the class into letting us free, but I?d like to keep my face. Then, he double-checks the snacks and canned drinks in my backpack before hanging up. The sound of my Velcro strap is followed by Lena?s snort.  

I forgot? She has feelings for my best friend. 
?Wanna tissue to blow your snotty nose?? My sarcasm is rich. 
?Flirt,? she coughs out.  

I grind my front teeth and inspect the area. Just gravestones, nature, and possibly a few ghosts. No one?ll know if I murder her. 
I get to my feet and cross over to face her. ?Get up, I wanna punch you.?

Her brows raise challengingly, but I can see the slight discomfort in her fists. 
?Yeah, I thought so.? I head back to my self-proclaimed seat. 
?What?s your problem anyway? What the hell have I done to you??

?What?s your problem? You literally go around flirting with every. Single. Guy.?

It?s an accusation I?ve heard before, so it doesn?t faze me. 
?It?s not my fault the only thing you see in a guy are what?s in his pants. Unlike you, I can actually be friends with them.?

?Yeah, right.?

I crack the bones in my neck, reminding myself to keep my cool. I still have at least 10 hours left with this abomination. 
We transition into silence, and I begin to think bliss has greeted me. But, she starts again. 
?Well, clearly, Leroy?s the fool here.?

I blink a few times in disbelief. ?What??

?I mean, you and me. What?s the obvious pick??

I don?t reply, because I want to give her a second chance to live. Good thing I can't see her face or I would've already plucked out her teeth. 
?Dumbass. Leroy?s just a dumb-?

Before she reaches the end of that sentence, I spin around, pull her up by the collar of her designer tee, and punch her. She falls sideways, bewildered and hurt. 
?All these years, you?ve played things your way: rumors, social media slandering, instigation, lies.? I open my arms. ?Now, let?s play this my way.?

I gesture for her to get up, but she remains down, tears blurring her iris. 
?Sick coward. Before choosing enemies, reevaluate your strengths.?

I?m about to leave for a stroll around the graveyard (anything?s better than with this bug), but she stands up and goes for a slap. Needless to say, this is a daily occurrence, so it?s nothing new. I block it and shove her back. Violently. 
?You get so angry when someone hurts you, Lena, so why do you go around hurting others??

A tear rolls down the left side of her face. Then, the right. ?What about you? Why do you always feel the need to prove yourself to be better than me!?

I squint. ?Wha-hat? When have I ever??

?Ever since you joined in middle school. Marcus! When I fell in love with him, you flirted with him and took him away.?

I attempt to hold in my laugh. 
?Sweetheart, Marc?s heart belonged to Clarissa, and it still does! You, or me for that matter, never stood a chance. And he hung around me because his relationship with her was bloody toxic, and I was helping him realize.?

?Jake! Jake, when he joined, you ??

?Jake and I previously schooled together when he was a big jerk. He bullied me, made the boys bleed, and ? the point is that he was turning over a new leaf and wanted me to accept him. As a freaking friend.?

?Leroy ??

?Leroy?s gay, Lena.?

She blinks, and I curse. Then, I step closer menacingly, all the while internally beating myself up. 
?A single word, and I mean a single word about this conversation gets out, and, Lena, I swear on my life, you won?t have any bones left in your vertebrae for you to function.?

?Relax, goodness, I have enough sense to keep it a secret.?

?Also, they were my friends before they became your crushes. It was me before you, so shouldn?t I be the one to feel wronged here??

She attempted to retaliate, but I continued. 
?You discriminate me when I try to join your clique, and then when I go find people that actually accept me, that pisses you off??

?I never ??

?Designer bags, make-up, boyfriends. You and your friends were all so crazy about these things in seventh grade, but all I wanted to do was play basketball and study. Our interests were different, so you chose to outcast me. 
?Marc and Jake wouldn?t study even at gunpoint, but they didn?t make me feel ashamed about it. And Leroy? He was willing to hide himself because he wanted me to feel relaxed. They?re not my friends because they?re men; they?re my friends because they let me in.?

She?s dumbstruck, but I could go on for hours. 
Instead, I scoff. ?Shame. We could?ve been really good friends if you weren't so quick to judge me.?

I?m about to leave, but I want to put in one final word. 
?I?m not interested in romance, but I?m not bashing you for your interest. I like to think you would?ve had a chance with Jake, but it was too late for you. Seeing how you treated me so irrationally and impulsively told them, if not all the boys, what you were really like.?

I take an hour?s worth of break at the other end of the graveyard, and it was the most frightening thing I?d ever done. The occasional crow?s caw would send my heart into overdrive, and I was convinced I?d pass out before sunrise. 
But? I saw her crying into her knees, and couldn?t head back even if I wanted to. At around 2 a.m., my stomach rumbled, and I decided food was important than her privacy. Halfway through my cassava chips, I hear a similar package being opened on the other side. 
?Are you asexual, Alyx?? She asks softly. 
?I wish.?

?Bi? Gay ??

?Don?t make assumptions about me just because I?m hella tomboyish.?

?Do you really not like make-up though? Do you go to a salon??

?No.?

?Self-love??

?Is that why you do it??

?My life doesn?t completely revolve around boys, you know.?

A vague memory greets me, that of a rumor passed around in the chess clubroom: Lena was being abused at home. And from what I observed, her friends weren?t exactly non-toxic. Was the make-up a means of loving herself? Perhaps her desire to be cherished was expressed in the form of a need for romance?

?Mistake acknowledge and repented,? I admit.  

?Okay, but you really don?t ??

?Are you judging again??

She crawls around to look at me, and her face is genuinely curious. ?There?s no way you?re not doing your brows.?

?I?m not, these are natural.? 

She looks at me suspiciously but takes it when I continue stuffing myself. She disappears behind the trunk again, and it?s a few minutes before I hear from her. 
?I could teach you a bit about make-up if ??

?I don?t like makeup, for hell?s sake, Lena.?

?For? fun??

A minute past, I feel the guilt coming in. 
?For fun,? I finally say. ?I think I?d like that? And maybe I can teach you how to play ball.?

?That might be fun.?

?Yeah??

?Yeah.? 

A/N: Gentle reminder that everyone has their own story. Let's spread love, not hate.--></td> 
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