It was soon the weekend so Julia sat with her book to memorize some spells. She met some nice people at the scrapbooking club the previous day, and it was then she realized that stationery items were needed, and that meant more money spent. So, in addition to the classes, and club activities, it would be good to get a part-time job.

She wished there was something to understand, but it was all memorization. Her desk looked empty, it had a notebook and a pen alongside the guidebook. There was a shelf above the desk that was not only empty but also dusty. She came across a spell known as “Making a doll”. Julia thought it was a fun spell to make a fashion doll or a plush doll.

Julia checked her messages.

Cole : What are you doing today?

Julia: I’m studying. Why?

Aqua had sent her a personal message.

Aqua: Hi!

Julia: Hello.

There was also a good morning text from Silvio.

Julia: Morning.

Her phone beeped.

Cole: That’s good, keep it up.

She was done memorizing the spell for the doll. Julia then took a rag and swept the shelf clean.

After sitting in her room for fifteen minutes, she got bored. There was nothing to do. Julia searched for places to go, using the internet.

There was a park near the campus. Julia thought it would be fun to go there with all her friends. So she made a group chat. She put Sunny, Silvio, and Cole in that group chat.

Julia kept her lavender phone closed for two minutes before the cell phone beeped several times.

Cole: What’s this GC for?

Silvio: Hey guys.

Sunny: What’s up?

Julia: I wanted to go to Low Hill Park with you guys this afternoon.

Cole: Oh, alright.

Silvio: Lemme check my schedule.

Sunny: I’m in! I’m free anyway.

Silvio: I’ll be free from 5 pm onwards if that’s okay.

Cole: 5 pm is okay.

Julia: Great, see you guys there. We’ll go together from campus.

Julia then cooked and had lunch, and fell asleep all of a sudden. She woke up at 4:30 pm.

She rushed to get changed. She donned a white off-shoulder blouse with black paper-bag shorts. After checking the group texts, she emptied her pencil pouch, and put her wallet, phone, and ID inside. She locked the door, took the keys and headed downstairs to the entrance. Cole and Sunny were standing six feet apart.

“There you are,” said Cole

“Hi, there. Oh, you must be that guy,” said Sunny

“Which guy…?” said Cole

Silvio was behind Julia.

“Oh. Hi,” said Cole in a monotonous voice, hunched over and avoiding eye contact

“Don’t slouch homie, it’s bad for your health,” said Silvio

“Hi, Silvio!” said Sunny

Silvio was in front of them now. He was dressed in a black graphic t-shirt with the image of pixel art. He was also wearing blue jeans. Cole wore a half-sleeved shirt, khaki tweed shorts, and was carrying a drawstring backpack. Sunny wore a magenta romper.

They began walking.

“Wait, we’re walking? I could’ve brought my car,” said Sunny

The rest of three people exchanged looks.

“Walking is good for health, and the environment,” said Cole

“You’ve got a car?” said Julia

“I’d never board a car with you as the driver,” said Silvio

The three of them chuckled while Sunny frowned. It was supposed to be a fifteen minute walk.

There were some people selling street food, like chicken lollipops, rolled ice cream and crepes.

Sunny stopped in one place and was staring at the cotton candy. The three of them walked a considerable distance before noticing that Sunny wasn’t there. Julia looked behind and saw she was coming with two white cotton candies.

“This one is for Julia and me, and this one is for the guys,” said Sunny

“Thank you!” said Julia

The two men looked at each other and they both shrugged their shoulders, smiled and took the cotton candy.

They started eating while sitting on the bench near the road.

“So much for good health,” said Silvio

“Hey, at least it’s not artificially colored,” said Cole, taking another lump of cotton candy

The girls’ one was finished first. They threw the sticks and plastic covering in the trash and walked towards the park. The sky had no clouds, and the sunshine was harsh, and the weather was hot and humid. The walkway was made of red stone tiles. There was also a path for cyclists. They walked in silence for a while as Julia observed the rose bush, the tall trees, and random people jogging. A person on a bicycle fleeted past.

“Oh my goodness, it’s a cat. Oh wow, it’s a dog!” said Sunny, every time

She would run after every cat and pet every dog. Julia sat on the bench next to Cole, and Silvio sat on the other side at once. Julia started the conversation.

“I saw a spell for creating dolls today,” said Julia

“You mean like a voodoo doll?” said Silvio

“That’s the ancient doll spell,” said Cole

Julia looked into Cole’s glasses.

“Nope, it was called something like ‘Making a doll’.”

Cole put his hand on his chin and looked at the ground. She noticed that Silvio was looking at her. She stared back. Julia got embarrassed by his stare and started fumbling with her hands.

“Well then, let’s try it,” said Cole

He loosened the drawstring of his backpack and took out a wand.

“Do you remember the verses?” said Cole

“Yep,” Said Julia

“Are you guys insane, are you really going to do magic outside the school?” said Silvio

“It’s not against the rules,” said Cole

“Oh,” said Silvio

They watched as Sunny was running, no, frolicking in the field of grass and flowers.

“You can use my wand,” said Cole

Julia wondered if it would work if she used someone else’s wand.

“The mystery of dolls, appear now!” said Julia

Silvio had his eyes shut tightly and he was facing the other way, with his arms crossed to avoid the magic sparks which may come into contact with him.

“Relax bro, the spell is over, sheesh,” said Cole

“This isn’t what I was expecting at all,” said Julia

In her hands there were three acrylic stands of the three of them. It was Cole in a sapphire blue warlock outfit with a black witch hat. He was holding a wand exactly like his. Julia was dressed in her strawberry witch outfit, and she was holding onto her hat with both hands. Finally, there was Mr. Box cutter, as in Silvio after transformation.

“How is it possible? Those aren’t dolls. Looks nice though, gotta admit,” said Silvio

“I suppose if the wand isn’t yours, then some disparities arise,” said Cole

She put them inside Cole’s bag and he said he’ll give them to her once they return.

It was dark outside already. Julia found herself wishing that she would have a friendship that would continue to grow, regardless if she ever develops feelings for anyone.

They returned to the campus at a fast pace. Silvio gave her a hug before he left. Upon seeing this, Cole gave Julia a tight hug. He returned the items to her. Silvio left by that time already, as if he was in a rush. Sunny patted Julia on the head before she jumped and walked away.

“I’m not a dog, you know,” said Julia

Julia returned to her room, kept the stands on the shelf and hopped into the shower to wash her hair.