In Year Seven, she warned her friends that this boy would one day be her husband.
Emily had told her classmates back in Year Seven that Matthew was her boyfriend and that when the time came, they would surely marry. None of her friends argued with her.
Now, her friends were even afraid to look at Matthew, because Emilys grandmother was rumoured to be a witch. She lived in her village, practising her dark crafts, while Emily studied the occult in the city, occasionally visiting her grandmother.
As for Matthew? He barely noticed Emily. He spent all his free time in the yard with Lily. Lily had been disabled since childhood and used a wheelchair.
No one knew why, but it was Lily who had captured Matthews heart. Maybe it was her kindness or her quiet strength, but something about her enchanted him. Besides, Lily was sharp-witted, and Matthew found her fascinating. They had spent every spare moment together for years.
One day, as Matthew left his house to join Lily in the yard, Emily blocked his path.
“Hello, Matthew,” she said.
“Hi,” he replied, trying to step around her.
“Fancy a walk into town?” Emily asked.
“Not a chance today,” Matthew said. “Sorry.”
Emily pressed her lips together, watching as Matthew greeted Lily, their laughter ringing out. A wave of dark jealousy flooded her heart. She wept when no one was looking.
A year passed. Matthew now took Lily everywhereto the river, the woods, the fields dotted with daisies. They spent every free moment together.
Emily had transformed into a raven-haired beauty. Every boy couldnt take his eyes off her, she was so striking and graceful. But in Matthews heart, there was only Lily. Their love had deepened, no longer childlike as before.
Then one day, as Matthew walked to meet Lily, Emily stopped him again.
“Hello, Matthew. Off to see your crippled girl again? What do you even see in her? Take me instead. Youll only be happy with me. You know Ive loved you since school.”
“I know,” Matthew said. “But I love Lily.”
“Whats so special about her, that legless hen?”
“I dont know. But I know shes better than you.”
“Matthew, you know I could make you love me without lifting a finger. My grandmothers the most powerful. But I dont want that. I want you to choose me. Tell me what to do. Ill do anything.”
Matthew paused and turned to her.
“Make Lily walk. Then Ill marry you,” he snapped.
From that day on, Emily spent all her time with Lily. She arrived at dawn and left late at night. Soon, Matthew barely had a moment alone with Lily. And Lily didnt protest. She drank herbal brews, rubbed ointments on her legs, and pushed herself through gruelling exercises.
Watching Emilys efforts, Matthew began to realise how deeply she loved him, if shed go this far.
Four months passed.
One evening, as usual, Matthew walked into the yard where Emily was helping Lily. He noticed nearly the whole street had gathered on their balconies, watching intently.
Emily, holding Lilys hands, guided her further and further from the wheelchair. Today, both girls were the happiest in the world. Exhausted but joyful, they collapsed onto a bench. Matthew approached, stunned.
“Matthew, can I have a word?” Emily said, stepping away from Lily.
He walked over.
“Is it time?” he murmured, lowering his head.
“What time?” she asked.
“The wedding,” he said softly.
“No, Matthew,” Emily laughed. “I wanted to apologise for my stubbornness. Magic is powerless against love.”
In the end, magic changes nothing if the heart doesnt want it.
Now, Lily and Emily are the closest of friends. Lily and Matthew have a daughter. Emily found herself a man she cant stand, one she never shows to anyone. She says hes a pilot.
