Chapter Text
Evangeline drew a thin soft line over her eyelid with an eyeliner of a delicate shade of pink, matching her freshly dyed hair. She was humming under her breath, to the melody of «Pink in the Night» by Mitski that was playing from her phone, she couldn't possibly do anything without music blasting from any device she could reach.
Marisol, her step-sister, used to complain about it since her room was next to Evangeline's back at their house in the small city of the Meridian region, but now it wasn't a problem, since her roommate, Aurora, was constantly out, not forced to listen to the sounds of music and Eva's melodic voice trying to keep up with the lyrics.
«And I hear my heart breaking tonight..» Evangeline mused, applying white mascara to her eyelashes, today her makeup was as outstanding as always, only a little more detailed. All because today, after college, she had a date with her absolutely beloved boyfriend, Luc.
They met all the way back at her small city, while she was running her father's shop. The shop was basically a perfect place for a witch to stop by. Little trinkets, minerals, extraordinary books, all kinds of such goods were sold there. Mostly the customers were tourists who wanted to take something interesting home, not just a magnet or a keychain. Though there were also a few regulars, and these people were the main reason the shop was still working, despite all the threats from Agnes, Eva's step-mother, to close this 'wicked place'.
This shop was basically everything to her after her parents' passing, the only reminder of her magical childhood, or how her parents made it that way. So she felt like it was totally destined for her to meet Luc, the love of her life, at this place.
Everything started from the first time he visited. «Out of curiosity,» he claimed as the reason why he decided to go there, which was understandable yet not quite believable. Luc was popular at their school, almost the most popular guy, he was shiny like a trinket in a crow's eye, pretty and smart, all at once. So it was such a surprise when he started visiting Evangeline's shop almost daily. At first he was trying to convince her it was still out of curiosity, just to check out the stuff she was selling, but the more he stopped by, the more it was obvious that his interest was directed at her.
It was hard to believe, honestly. The most gorgeous guy she's ever seen and he was trying to win her over. She could tell, from how he looked at her, how he spoke to her with incredible tenderness in his voice, how he longed to touch her at every opportunity. His little flirty jokes, his lovestruck eyes, it was all so flattering, she felt like she was in a fairytale about true love. She felt butterflies in her stomach, a pleasant tingling in her skin at the places of his small touches, the twinkle in her eyes when she looked at him betrayed all her feelings.
It wasn't too long till they started dating. Secretly. «I want to keep it between us so no one can disturb our happiness,» he told her, and she believed. He couldn't possibly be ashamed of dating her, could he? A thought of it made her chest tighten in the most unpleasant way so she never actually wondered about it. She chose to believe him, to trust him, to love him. And she had never once regretted this choice.
Their bound grew even stronger when one person actually found out about their relationship. Her step-sister, Marisol. She walked into the shop one day, right when Evangeline and Luc were hanging out there. It was like a month ago, right before they all got in the same college, the main city of Magnificent North region welcomed them with it's whole mightiness. Since then everything have been even more magical than before, because the three of them made the best trio known to a man. They've been going out together, playing games on Discord together, doing a lot of stuff, basically glued to one another. Sometimes Eva missed the times when there were just her and Luc, but it was so much fun she couldn't even complain. She didn't even notice how close Luc and Marisol became, before today.
She felt her heart drop to her toes with a loud slam as she saw the scene before her. In the auditorium where their lesson was supposed to be carried out Luc stood. Beside Marisol. Holding her by the waist, kissing her cheek gently. Evangeline didn't think twice before approaching, her tone dry, her throat sore with tears that were threatening to spill.
«What's going on» she said firmly, frowning at them as she saw Luc's face light up.
«Oh, Evangeline! you're in time, i was just announcing the good news» he said with a smile on his face that made her want to throw up. «After a long time of hiding our feelings for eachother, we finally decided to date officially!»
Evangeline felt something crumble inside of her, almost literally. She felt a crack spreading across her heart, acrid streaks of blood poured over it, as it crumbled into pieces. Heartbreak. This is what it felt like. Evangeline have never felt so bad in her life, maybe after her parents' death, but it was different kind of pain. Her legs grew weak, her eyes filled with tears, she looked at Marisol who seemed genuinely apologetic, and it made everything even worse. How could he be so proud of it, after all that they've been through? This wasn't happening, was it?
«Evangeline?» Marisol said, as Eva stepped back, with pure despair in her face. «Evangeline!» she shouted as the girl run.
She run and run, she didn't care if she skipped a lesson, she couldn't possibly be in the same room with these two. Tears streamed down her cheeks, eyes crystal-broken, as she run into an empty auditorium.
She crushed into one of the desks, falling to her knees. it couldn't possibly be true, it just couldn't. Marisol did something to him, she was sure. He loved her so much, he was looking it her with awe in his eyes, the memory made her sob harder. Words spilled from her mouth as she choked with tears.
«Dear Fates, if you hear me-» she mumbled, putting her hands together in a prayer. «Please, make it so that it's not true, make it so that he is bewitched, he's under a spell, he still loves me..» she sobbed and sobbed, hoping that someone up there could hear her.
But instead she heard a voice from behind.
«What a pathetic prayer» the voice, cold and dry, as if the guy was crying not so long ago too.
She turned around as her eyes landed on him. Beautiful. This was her first thought of him. Angelic kind of beautiful, it felt like the Fates heard her and sent an angel to help her. His striking blue eyes, soft, wavy blonde hair, sharp lines of his face. Everything screamed help and danger at the same time, and she couldn't quite comprehend why.
After staring at him for a moment, she finally remembered his words, his tone. Rude.
«You don't get to tell me that!» she lashed out, not intending to be so loud at first, the words echoed through the empty auditorium.
It only made him smile. Wicked, wolvish type of smile, showing off his dimples. Evangeline frowned at that, her fists clenching, anger that she felt more about the situation with Marisol and Luc now was redirected at this impudent stranger.
«Oh, c'mon, don't be so mad» he smirked wider, stepping closer to where she was sitting on the floor. «Your guy, whoever he is, is not bewitched, magic doesnt exist.»
He chuckled. «He's just an asshole»
Evangeline felt furious with him, she tried to stand up, she wanted to show him his place, but legs gave up, too weak.
«Ah, but I understand» he murmured, getting closer, crouching in front of her. «Let me guess, your beloved boyfriend found himself another toy, am I right? Who is she?»
Eva wasn't sure whether to answer, including that she was still mad at him, but after a few seconds of consideration, she finally spoke: «My step-sister»
His laugh seemed almost genuine, yet she could feel it was joyless. «Are you fucking serious? You can't be»
«I am» she muttered, and he snickered, she could tell the shock on his face was insincere.
«Alllright..» He stood up. «I think we could help eachother out then»
«How?» He gave her a hand, and even if she was reluctant to accept it, Evangeline slowly gave in and he helped her up. His hand lingered on hers for a moment, before pulling away.
«You're heartbroken, you want him back, and i get it» He started, resting his hands on his sides. «And you know what's the best way to bring someone back? Right, make them jealous»
«I don't follow, what do you want?» she arched a brow, wiping tears from her cheek. He reached to take a lock of her soft pink hair between his fingers, which starled her for a bit as she winced.
«Date me» he said simply, and she could feel a blush appearing on her cheeks.
«Excuse me?» she took a step back, her hair slipped out of his touch.
«Not for real, of course» he laughed again, and she could feel something twist in her stomach at the sound. «We can pretend to date eachother. In the best case it'll make them come back to us, in the not-so-good one, we'll at least seem like we've moved on and piss them off with that»
'Them', so he was heartbroken too, huh? If not the faint redness of his eyes, she would never believe that. She was still stunned by his bold suggestion, but after his explanation, it made sense. She wanted Luc back. Or at least she didn't want to be seen all pathetic, and feel lonely. This guy was awful, laughing at her heartbreak, but maybe she could work with that. Evangeline always tried to seek for good in every person she met, and if there was at least something like that in him, it could be tolerable.
«What is your name?» She tilted her head to the side, taking him in.
«Jacks Hollow» he shrugged nonchalantly. «Yours?»
«Evangeline Fox. We'll need a story if we want to follow this plan»
«Don't worry, we'll make one, Little Fox»
She tried to remain casual about the nickname he already came up with. He reached his hand to her once again.
«What will you say, deal?»
For a bit she hesitated, but then shook his hand. «Deal»