Goddess at the Window

It had been nearly three months since Emily had heard the knock on her window. She sat up in bed, running her fingers through her wavy brown hair. She waited in the dark, staring towards her window. A light rain drizzled down the glass. That was a good sign. She stood up and walked over to the window, then glanced at her alarm clock. It was already past midnight. She sighed and walked back to her bed, slipping back under the covers. She turned to look at the window one last time. This time, a grinning face pressed up against the glass.1

Emily hopped out of bed, ran over to the window, and pulled it open. “What took you so long?” she whispered to the girl outside. The girl’s pale blond hair hung down in half a dozen braids around her bronze face, and she hovered twenty feet above the ground.2

“Sorry,” the girl said, shaking the rain off her black and green wings before flying in. “I had to wait until Thunder went out hunting. That cat is always tattling on me.”3

“Amy, where have you been?” Emily asked. “You only emailed me like twice while you were gone. Why won’t you tell me what’s going on?”4

Amy sighed, refusing to look her human friend in the eyes. “I’m not supposed to say. My dad took me to the island where he was born, and he showed me where he used to live. But that’s all I can tell you.”5

Emily scowled. Amy’s dark, fiery eyes gazed around the room, and she fiddled anxiously with the sleeves of her black hoodie. “I thought best friends told each other everything,” said Emily.6

“I’m sorry, ok?” Amy said, finally looking Emily in the eyes. “I would, but my mom said this is one of those things I can’t tell any human, not even you. You already know more about our world than you should. I’ve already been in trouble with the Council twice. They almost banished my mom for what she did when your mom was a teenager.”7

“She saved my mom’s life! I don’t care if she gave my mom crazy powers, and I don’t care what your stupid Council says! What was it, some type of secret Bat Mitzvah for you gods? Is that what it was?”8

Amy laughed. “No, no. We don’t have initiation ceremonies like you humans do. Plus, I’m thirteen. I already know what I can do, and I’ve been a god since the moment I was conceived. I don’t need some sort of special coming-of-age ritual.”9

“Lucky you,” Emily sighed. “I wish I was a god too. I can’t make it rain, even though my mom can. All she has to do is think about it, and it happens.”10

Amy sat down on Emily’s bed, dangling her bare feet above the floor. “Your mom didn’t know how to do that at first. My mom had to teach her. It took a few years, since you humans aren’t in tune with yourselves the way we are. And it’s hard for us too. I mean, when we’re young and, uh, can’t control our powers…” Amy glanced off to the side. “Well, nevermind.”11

Emily sat quietly by her friend, fiddling with her hair. She stared at the cloud pattern on her pajama pants, then scooted over and put her arm around Amy. “I just miss you, that’s all.”12

“I miss you too,” said Amy. “But now that I’m back home, we can hang out more often. How many more weeks of school do you have?”13

“Just two.”14

“Then we’ll have all summer.”15

“Except when I go to camp for two weeks.”16

Amy winked. “We’ll see about that.”17

“Just don’t go running off to any more of your super-secret god training missions or whatever without telling me first, ok?”18

Amy rolled her eyes. “Fine, but it’s not like I can contact you when I’m out in the middle of nowhere.”19

Emily smiled and hugged Amy. “As long as I know when you’re coming back.”20

“Got it,” Amy grinned, wrapping her arms around Emily. They held each other close for a few minutes, then Amy gently pulled away. “You should probably get to sleep now.”21

Emily shrugged. “I don’t really want to.” She pulled Amy back into another hug. “Don’t go just yet.”22

“Something wrong?” Amy raised an eyebrow.23

“No, I just… like being around around you.” She bit her lip and glanced away.24

Amy looked confused for a minute, then giggled. “Oh, I get it,” she said. “I think I know where this is going.”25

“Good,” said Emily. She leaned forward and kissed Amy gently, her heart pounding in her chest. Amy pulled her closer, running her fingers down Emily’s spine. 26

As they kissed, Emily felt Amy’s skin growing warmer and warmer. The rain pounded against the window, and she heard thunder off in the distance. Amy’s skin felt searing hot, yet it didn’t burn. Lightning struck outside the house, and suddenly every smoke detector in the house went off simultaneously.27

Amy wrenched herself away from Emily. “Shit!” She muttered, her eyes glowing red and yellow. “I am so busted!” She ran towards the window and yanked it open.28

“Wait!” Emily ran after her, but Amy dove out and flew behind the house.29

Emily’s mom opened the bedroom door and poked her head in. “What’s going on? Are you ok?”30

“Uh…” Emily searched for an explanation. Her cheeks burned, and she felt a little dizzy.31

Her mother glanced at the open window. “Oh,” she said.32

“Everything ok in here?” Emily’s dad said, standing behind her mom. 33

“False alarm,” said her mother, as the smoke detectors ceased their beeping. She shooed her husband away and came into the room, closing the door. She walked over to the open window, looking out into the rainy night.34

“Next time you talk to Amy, tell her to stop by during the day and use the front door, ok?” Emily’s mom smiled and patted her on the head. She shut the window and sighed.35

“I’m sorry, Mom,” Emily whispered.36

“What’s wrong, Em? Did you two get into a fight?”37

“No, we’re… good. We’re really good,” Emily smirked. 38

Emily’s mom nodded, then laughed a little. “Oh, I think I know what set her off.” She nudged Emily’s arm playfully. “You’re blushing.”39

Emily tried to stammer a response, but her mother just grinned. “Hey, don’t worry, I understand. It’s ok. Look, I know you two like each other. You always have. Just… be careful. I don’t want either of you to get hurt. Especially since she’s… you know… a god.”40

“You… know what happened?” 41

“Well, I can guess. When I was younger and had a hard time controlling my new powers, sometimes I’d unintentionally summon storms when I felt strong emotions. I’m just glad Amy didn’t set anything on fire this time.”42

“Is it going to be weird now? You know… between Amy and me.”43

Her mother nodded. “At first, yes,” she said. “It will be weird and crazy and confusing. But, you know, it just might be worth it. Just promise me you’ll be careful and put your friendship first.”44

“Ok… but Mom, promise you won’t tell anyone.”45

“Your secret is safe with me.” She reached down and hugged Emily. “Now get some sleep. You’re lucky this isn’t a school night, or you’d be in trouble.”46

“Thanks,” Emily said, crawling back into bed. “Night.”47

“Goodnight,” said her mother, closing the door.48

Emily lay in bed, staring at the window. The rain still pounded outside, and her lips still burned. She closed her eyes, her mind replaying the night over and over.49

Outside, Amy huddled behind a tree, shaking. She was drenched, and the water steamed off her hot skin. A strong gust of wind blew by, and a short, pale woman with shimmery light green wings appeared. “I thought I’d find you here, Amy,” she said.50

Amy sighed. “I know, I know. I shouldn’t be sneaking out like this. I’m sorry.”51

“Do you want to talk about what happened?”52

“Do you know what happened?”53

“No, but I can guess. Come on. Let’s get you home. You know how your father worries.”54

“Right,” Amy sighed. She glanced up at Emily’s window for a moment before taking her mother’s hand, flapping her wings, and flying up into the sky.55