Mandy was fast asleep when the dream began. She felt a pull at the core of her power. Someone or something was trying to steal her power. A small amount of energy flowed out, escaping her body.
Good. She hated her stupid magic. She hated her life, her fake life, and her fake friends. She hated wondering if anything she'd ever had was real. Even her own twin hated her so much that she'd come at her with a knife the other day. So take it! Take it all! She didn't want any of it. Instead of fighting against the invasive force, Mandy's dream-self pushed the magical essence out.
As Mandy relinquished her power, she was overcome with relief. It felt like a long-needed catharsis. Mandy cleansed her soul of the gift that had become a pervasive poison. She continued to expel the power from her body and was not satisfied until the last drop was gone.
****
The following morning, Mandy knew something was different. Even with a full night's rest, she felt drained and exhausted. Getting out of bed seemed to be an insurmountable task. Mandy reached inside for her magic and felt nothing. Not the usual simmer. Not even a slight tingle. Weird. What was going on?
She vaguely recalled the dream from the previous night. It couldn't be real, she convinced herself. It was just a dream. Surely her powers would return soon. Maybe these things just happened randomly sometimes. It was easier to stay in denial, to believe it wasn't real.
This never happened before, a nagging voice reminded her.
Mandy forced herself out of bed and got ready for school. After laboring to do her hair and makeup, she was still dissatisfied with her appearance. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't get her hair to fall just right. The horn blasting repeatedly outside made her realize that Giselle was becoming impatient. Mandy rushed into Giselle's sleek car, pulled down the sun visor, and stared at the atrocity in the mirror. Her shoulders slumped, and she felt riddled by insecurity, wondering how many other high school girls felt that way this morning.
****
Rather than clearing the way, students bumped and jostled Mandy in the crowded hallways. It's okay, Mandy thought, holding her head high as she approached her locker. She wanted to see her friends' reactions, but now that it was real, cold sweat beaded along her hair line. Although she wanted to know the truth, she was afraid. When their feelings were revealed, would she find out that no one liked her? What if, in fact, she wasn't good at anything?
As expected, Chad waited for her. "Hey babe," he said, leaning in for a kiss. She wondered if the kiss felt the same for him. All those times she yearned for the ability to turn her powers off, and now she was desperate to turn them back on. Over and over again, she searched inside and still found nothing.
"Good morning." Her voice quivered.
"Hey, Mandy." Penny stood beside her. "You ready for tonight?"
Oh, no. The big softball game. Tonight. This can't be happening. Her powers had to be back by then. Outwardly, she feigned confidence. "Is that even a question?"