Page 80 of The Neighborhood Witch

Three rows of elevated teenage hockey players faced the camera with solemn expressions. A staple of all team photographs. They were adorned in their black and royal blue jerseys with an emblazoned, screaming blue jay on the front—the high school mascot.

“Why does everyone have this real, mean,seriouslook?”

“That’s what you do,” Hugo stated, shocked this wasn’t common knowledge. “You’ve got to look mean and serious for the opponents.”

“That can’t be you,” Alice exclaimed with a teasing, Cheshire cat like smile. “He looks way cooler.”

Hugo chuckled. “That’s me, all right.”

“Look at that hair!” Alice said. “So moppy and long and wild. Iloveit.”

Hugo tugged on his black leather jacket and puffed up his chest. He ran his fingers through his neatly combed, coifed hair. “You have to have the flow going if you’re a hockey player.”

“You should grow it out that long again,” Alice said as her gaze found Hugo. “It’s a good look on you.” She winked.

He smiled and took her hand in his. They held hands as they proceeded toward the sound of music and merriment echoing down the hallway. They readied themselves for the approaching new year.

There, at the end of the glass showcase, was a memorial for the school’s fallen teacher. Her auburn colored hair flowed in curls behind her shoulders. Her hazel eyes glistened with happiness. Her smile was beaming. Elizabeth.

Her official school photo was memorialized in the glass case. A sign above read, “Gone, but not forgotten.” It was surrounded by notes from her students. Some notes mentioned how much Elizabeth was loved as a teacher. Other notes were sealed and meant only for heavenly eyes. Hugo lingered on the photograph. He’d seen it before, but only briefly.

“Are you doing okay?” Alice asked.

Hugo didn’t respond. He was committing the entire memorial to memory.

“We can leave if you want to,” she added.

“No,” Hugo replied. “I’m okay.”

“I thought we agreed to not use that phrase,” Alice responded. “Is it too much?”

He turned to Alice and grabbed both of her hands. He held them high as he moved closer. “I’m doing unbelievably well. I should be thanking you.”

“Thanking me?” Alice said with a shocked look on her face. “Why?”

“I was lost and numb and confused. I was broken, shattered into a million pieces. Then this purple haired witch moved in next to me, and my life changed. I… I started to feel things again. I felt happy.” Tears welled in his eyes. “I wanted to be like my old self again, but I couldn’t. I didn’t know how. I wanted to find joy, but I only found torment. And then… and then you gave that to me. I was in a bad place before I met you.”

“You’re making me cry.” Alice pulled one hand back and wiped away tears flowing down her face. She grabbed his hand again.

Hugo motioned to Elizabeth’s picture with his head, not wanting to let go of Alice. “I loved Elizabeth. I will always keep her in my heart and mind and never forget her. But my heart is big enough for more than just her,” Hugo said.

Alice smiled through her tears at the anticipation of what was coming next.

“I love you, Alice Primrose.”

Alice let out a small, joyful, laugh through her tears. “I love you too, Hugo Dodds.”

They hugged, burying their heads into each other’s shoulders to hide their tears. They held each other for an eternity before pulling back. Hugo leaned in and kissed Alice on her soft, sweet lips. They were lost in bliss.

Hugo knocked off Alice’s hat during their embrace. He picked it up off the floor and returned it to her head. “I need my purple haired witch looking the part before we go in there.” Hugo adjusted it a few times to get it right.

“You’re not embarrassed to be seen out in public with a witch?” Alice asked with a wide smile.

“Embarrassed? No,” Hugo replied with a wink. “I want them to be jealous.”

They locked hands and ventured down the hallway.

The gymnasium was decoratedwith brightly colored banners welcoming in the new year. A table of refreshments was set up in front of the recessed bleachers. A few bartenders handed out drinks for a nominal fee. All proceeds went toward repairs of the high school, of course. A net of balloons hung above the revelers. Music blared through a set of speakers set up at the far end. The DJ played a mixture of pop classics.

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