Maeve awoke in the familiar embrace of her own bed, momentarily puzzled about how she got there, yet certain that Cassandra played a role in ensuring her safe return.

Sitting up, she reflected, "A sorceress from another world, who would've thought."

As her surroundings registered, an alert on her phone captured her attention. Picking it up, Maeve discovered a flood of missed calls and text messages – a realization that prompted her to mutter, "Crap! Seb."

With a sudden surge of urgency, Maeve leaped out of bed, slipped into a pair of crocs, grabbed the closest thing to a jacket she could find, and swiftly exited her dorm room, not even worrying about her appearance.

Hastening down the corridor, engrossed in her phone, she inadvertently collided with someone walking in the opposite direction, resulting in a clash of foreheads and a shared descent to the floor.

"Ouch," the girl voiced the collective discomfort.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going at all," Maeve apologized earnestly.

The girl, recovering swiftly, stood up and extended a hand to help Maeve up. In that instant, as their eyes met, Maeve saw exactly who she had run into.

The girl before her embodied the epitome of attractiveness – a portrait of perfection. Her short, purple hair coupled with her slender frame, and her statuesque height, added an air of grace. She adorned herself in casual streetwear, resembling one of those impeccably dressed mannequins showcased in clothing stores. It was an aesthetic so flawless that it seemed almost unnatural.

"I should be the one apologizing; I ran into you. Here, take my hand," the girl offered, her demeanor exuding a warmth that matched her appearance.

Maeve, torn between courtesy and her inner monologue, reached for the girl's hand and rose to her feet. "Who is this angelic creature!? No stop it Maeve, I shall not be swayed; my heart already belongs to Cassandra."

"Thank you. Again, I'm so sorry," she uttered hastily before rushing off.

Left behind, the girl sighed, "Damn, I didn't even get her name," a whisper of regret lingering in the corridor.

Still rushing through the dorm hallway, Maeve scrolled frantically on her phone and called Sebrina. The phone rang only once before Sebrina answered, a wave of concern in her voice.

"Maeve where have you been? I've been calling you all day! I even came to your room but you weren't there. I thought you got kidnapped or something. I was minutes away from forming a search party. Where even were y-"

Before Sebrina could finish her impassioned rant, Maeve interjected, "Seb, just breathe. I'll explain everything. Where are you right now?"

"I just stepped out to get some coffee. I'm by the old water fountain across the street," replied Sebrina.

"Don't move! I'm on my way," Maeve assured, determination in her voice, as she hastened towards the rendezvous with her friend.

* * *

Maeve reached the water fountain, sitting down by the waterside in a dressing gown and crocs was her best friend, Sebrina, sipping on a recently purchased beverage.

As Sebrina rose, a glance at each other revealed an unexpected synchronicity – they were both clad in the exact same outfit, dressing gowns and crocs, resembling a pair headed for a slumber party. The absurd coincidence prompted simultaneous bursts of uncontrollable laughter, echoing through the bustle of students going about their night. Once their laughter subsided, they found a spot by the edge of the fountain to sit.

"Girl, where on Earth have you been? I haven't seen you for two whole days!" Sebrina exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, I was planning to call I swear, but when you hear what I've been up to, you're gonna forgive me instantly," Maeve assured, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Sebrina raised one eyebrow, setting her coffee down beside her and crossing her arms. "Oh yeah? Okay then, let's hear it," she challenged, ready for the unraveling tale.

"Okay, just... keep an open mind," Maeve cautiously prefaced.

"Mind opened," Sebrina replied, leaning in with a subtle skepticism.

Maeve rose, positioning herself in front of Sebrina, and uttered the words, "Magic... is... real," while gesturing with her hands in a mystical manner. Sebrina, expecting a profound revelation, sat there unimpressed.

"Seriously? That's what you're going with? Magic? You know if you're seeing someone, you can just tell me," Sebrina said.

"Well, in a way kinda, but no, not really," Maeve clarified.

"I knew it! Who is he? Oh, or better yet, who is she?" Sebrina playfully jested.

"So you remember how I had that thing for Miss Davis back in high school?" Maeve began.

"Oh, you mean the totally unhealthy romantic obsession you had with our homeroom teacher? Yes Maeve, I'm very aware," Sebrina interjected.

"Yeah, well—" Maeve was cut short.

"No way, don't tell me... did you? With Miss D?" Sebrina quipped.

"I wish, but no. Sebrina, you're not listening to me," Maeve grabbed Sebrina by both shoulders, standing her up, and looked into her eyes, unwavering. "Sebrina. Magic. Is. Real." There, in that silent moment, an unspoken understanding passed between them. As if the years of their friendship had honed their ability to discern when the other was being truthful.

Sebrina finally came to the realisation that Maeve wasn't joking, "Wait, you're being serious right now."

"Yes! I have so much to tell you, and most of it is so out of this world you'd think I was making it up," Maeve said.

Sebrina interlocked her arms with Maeve's, grabbed her coffee, and the two of them headed back towards the dorms, ready for a night filled with revelations and magical tales.

"This calls for a girls' night. We've got catching up to do, and it's the weekend tomorrow so we've got some time to kill. Tell. Me. Everything!"

Their chatter echoed into the distance drowned out by cars passing by and disembodied chatter scattered across the courtyard. In the cool blue hue of the night sky, a bond between two friends grew ever stronger.