iv. my lips are sealed (magically.)

Colette took a deep breath and steadied herself. Magic was something that she was born with, and she was completely comfortable casting it on herself, but it felt like a violation to use it on someone else. However, if Marisol consented, then Colette truly believed this was the best option for them.

Magic felt like a warm liquid, filling her insides and flowing through her body as she casted it. When she was younger, she likened it to the feeling of hot chocolate settling in her stomach. Colette felt the warmth building in her body, reaching to her toes and fingertips. Once she felt it consuming her, she pushed the energy out through her hands and to the woman in front of her. She could feel Marisol's hands twitch briefly when the magic made contact, but there was no recoil. For a brief moment, their bodies were indistinguishable from each other, connected by several loops of imaginary thread tied around their hands.

Colette willed the magic to do as she desired. Bind Marisol to secrecy. Keep me safe. Colette could feel an otherworldly click, and the warmth slowly faded, the energy retreating from Marisol's body, and then fading from Colette's.

Colette opened her eyes and pulled her hands back, but Marisol tightened her grip and held on, eyes still closed. Colette tugged one more time and Marisol's eyes shot open and she let go, flinching back.

"Oh, sorry," said Marisol.

"It's alright," Colette responded, "Magic is a comforting feeling, it's natural to want to hang on."

Marisol cleared her throat, ignoring Colette's comment and averting eye contact. "So, did it work?"

"Yes, it did," she said, "You can test it on your roommate, if you'd like."

Marisol nodded, standing from her chair. She opened her bedroom door. While she wanted to go test the spell, she also needed to get away from Colette for a moment. The magic felt so cozy. It made her feel as if she had a strong connection to the witch she just met, and she needed to shake it off. She walked out to the living area, where she saw Nevada. They were on their computer setting up a camera, most likely getting ready to stream.

"Hey, Nevada."

They looked up, giving Marisol a smug smile. "Hey, womanizer," they said, "I had my headphones in, so I didn't hear anything, if that's what you're wondering."

Marisol shook her head. "Hey, did you know that Colette is a -" Her words stopped, her mouth sealing against her own accord. A witch. She tried to say it again, but the words refused to leave, her mind not letting her. The spell worked.

Nevada looked at her, an eyebrow raised. "A lesbian?"

Marisol rolled her eyes. "I was going to say a famous actress," she lied.

"I already knew that, remember? I pulled off her glasses." Nevada leaned back in their chair and crossed their arms. "I was hoping that you found out which way she swings."

Marisol shook her head. "It's none of my business, and I'm not interested."

Nevada gave her a doubtful look.

Marisol ignored her friend's expression. "I'm going to return her to her manager now," she said, "And she's probably going to go back to France."

Marisol walked back into her bedroom to Colette. She closed the door, though she knew Nevada wouldn't be able to hear them anyway. Colette hadn't moved from her spot on Marisol's bed. Marisol settled back into the desk chair that she had moved. She crossed her fingers in her lap as Colette looked at her.

"It worked," Marisol said, "I tried to tell Nevada your secret, but I couldn't."

Marisol expected Colette's expression to be relieved, but instead, the look on her face was worry.

"Do you want me to release you from the spell?" she asked, "It's a weird feeling, I don't want you to feel trapped."

Marisol shook her head. "It's fine. It was odd, but not bad."

Colette nodded, finally allowing relief to take over her face. Her secret was safe.

Marisol leaned back in her chair. "You can go wherever you need to go now without worrying about me."

"Well I won't be going far."

Marisol tilted her head. "You won't?"

"I'm filming a movie in New York," she said, "I'll be here for a while."

"Oh," Marisol responded, "Good luck with that."

"Thanks."

The two of them sat there for a while, saying nothing. Marisol didn't want to be too rude, but there was no reason for Colette to stay in her apartment.

Marisol stood. "You should get back to your manager."

Colette nodded. "I suppose I should," she said, standing from her spot on the bed. Together, the two of them walked to the front door. Marisol held it open for the woman to let her leave. Colette stepped through the door, and Marisol let it go, letting it close behind them. However, before it could fully close, it swung open again.

Colette stood nervously behind the door, shifting her weight in her designer boots. She looked up at Marisol, almost frantic. "Can we hang out sometime? While I'm in New York?"

Marisol wanted to say no; she was usually one to take her time off to herself, but the pleading in the witch's eyes pulled her in. "Yeah, sure," she responded.

A smile bloomed across Colette's features. The young star fished her phone out of her pocket and thrusted it towards Marisol. "Here, put your number in."

Marisol took the phone, which was opened to the contact page, and quickly typed in her number. She entered her name as Marisol (From Queenly) and handed it back. Colette put the phone back in her pocket.

"I'll see you again soon," the taller woman said, waving. She turned and walked away from the front door.

Marisol sighed and finally let the door shut. She walked past Nevada, who was now yelling into their mic and mashing their keyboard furiously, and back into her room. She collapsed onto her bed, ignoring how part of it was warm from where Colette was sitting. It had been a long day, and she was ready to put it all behind her. However, a ring from her phone was a jarring reminder of how long it would be before everything went back.

Unknown Number, 6:06 PM: hey! it's colette!