Es: Reducio

Artie: Reducio

Tyler (left) and Damien (right): Reducio

Lyss Reducio

Amelia Reducio

Estelle couldn't wait to see Artie again! It had been almost a year but it felt like only yesterday that they were swapping book theories and chasing each other around the playground. They had been best friends during primary school and she hoped their friendship won't have been too damaged by them switching schools.

Estelle's mum drove her to the party. Es was nervous, talking quickly and excitedly about what she hoped it would be like. They passed through familiar streets until eventually they reached Artie's house.

Estelle stepped out of the car, holding Artie's present. She had bought him a special edition pack of magic cards (a card game - the cards weren't actually magical) that she knew he had been wanting forever.

She took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

"Es! I'm so glad you could make it! It's been so long!"

Estelle was almost knocked over by the force of Artie's hug. She smiled, so glad that her best friend hadn't forgotten her.

"Come inside! Let me show you my friends from my new school!"

Estelle smiled. Artie seemed so much more confident than the last few times she had seen him.

Es walked into Artie's living room. It was decked out with sleeping bags and pillows, ready for the sleepover. She sat down and chose a blow-up mattress as Artie introduced her to his friends.

"This is Alyssa (known as Lyss)." he gestured to a girl with dark skin, brown eyes and beautiful brown, curly hair. She had gold hoop earrings, a pink top and seemed effortlessly cool.

"This is Amelia." Amelia seemed shy, hiding behind her mousy brown hair. She smiled nervously as she was introduced.

"And you already know Dami and Ty."

Estelle stood up at the moment Artie mentioned his name. Damien had bullied both her and Artie for most of their primary school, only stopping after Estelle used her magic on them.

Why would Artie invite him?

Noticing the look on Estelle's face, Artie began to defend them.

"Es - he's changed. I swear he has. Please, just give him a chance."

Estelle weighed it up in her mind. Artie did truly seem like he'd made peace with it all. Estelle didn't to lose her friendship with him over this and truly hoped that he had changed for Arties' sake. She knew that people could change and frankly, a year can do a lot to someone. That didn't mean that she wasn't ready to call out Damian if he so much glanced at Artie in the wrong way.

"Fine. I will give him a chance."

---------

The evening continued without incident. Damian and Tyler arrived a little later. Estelle watched Damien secretly, waiting for him to make a mistake and reveal his true personality. Nothing. Maybe he had changed.

The group played a furious game of magic cards, won by Lyss, and a Dungeons and Dragons session run by Artie which Estelle thoroughly enjoyed. Soon, the sun had set and everyone settled into bed.

Estelle finally drifted off to sleep, only to be woken by a sharp prod.

She groaned and sat up, coming face to face with a grinning Damien.

"Looks like the ickle damsel thought she was safe. How wrong she was. Where's a knight in shining armour when you need one, eh?"

Estelle glared at them.

"I'm not some damsel in distress, Damien."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that."

Estelle looked down. Tyler's pet tarantula was on her leg. She was about to scream but Damien clapped a hand around her mouth.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. I'm sure it's sensitive to noise."

Damien laughed and headed back to his bed.

"Don't let the bed bugs bite."

Estelle sat there terrified to move, lest the spider bite her. Silent tears ran down her cheeks as fear overwhelmed her.

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At some point, Estelle must have drifted off because the next thing she remembered was the dappled light drifting in from the curtains.

She bolted upright and stared down at her lap. The tarantula had gone.

"Hey, are you alright? You're shaking."

She glanced up at the voice. It was Artie.

"I-I think Damien."

She took a deep breath.

"Damien put Tyler's tarantula on my legs last night. He wanted it to bite me."

Artie turned to Damien.

"Is this true?"

"Of course not. You were sleeping right next to me. If I had moved, you would've been woken up."

Estelle glared at Damien. He looked completely innocent, and even Estelle began to wonder if it had been a dream.

"I think Estelle was just a little worried. It must have been hard leaving all of your friends to go to a new school. If I were her, I'd probably feel like a damsel in distress, craving the attention of others."

Estelle gasped and felt her eyes fill with tears. It hadn't been a dream.

"Es, you're probably just a little stressed."

He had actually fallen for it. Artie had fallen for it. She doubted anything she did or said would do much to change that.

"Artie, it's been lovely to see you, but I'm afraid my mum's driving me to summer camp and I need to go."

"Don't get your hair in a knot, Rapunzel. Stay a little longer."

"I wasn't talking to you, Damien."

Estelle grabbed her stuff and headed out. That two-faced snake had played Artie and there was nothing she could do.

"Bye, Artie. Maybe we could meet up at some point later this summer?"

"I'd love to, but Dami is taking all of us to his family's place in France after you get back from summer camp."

Of course he was.

"That's a shame. I'll see you around sometime Artie."

"See you around."

Estelle said goodbye to everyone else, then gave Artie a final hug. She turned and left, not letting him see the tears in her eyes. She had lost her best friend.

WC: 1017 words