My mother’s spell gave me the power to split myself in two. I was able to go with Wes to STR and be with BJ at the internship. As long as nothing happened to either of my halves, I’d have been able to merge back into my whole at the end of summer. Optimistically, I assumed I’d also keep any memories that either of my selves created.

On Tuesday, June 2nd, I woke up at 9 in the morning still together as a whole, and by 9:30, I did the split. By ten, my other half, let’s call him Pitch 2, went to the internship, while I, let’s call me Pitch 1, left the house around 10:30.

I was on my way to Wesson’s house. I felt dirty for using my mother’s spell, knowing where it likely came from, but “choice” was becoming a growing enemy. I wanted to make the best decision that would let me be with my friends.

Wes and I weren’t leaving for STR for another couple of days, but only one of my halves could continue to live at home. Having two rabbits coming and going would have led to my dad discovering what I’d done eventually.

I had to wonder, did my father use the same magic?

Mom said he used it when I was a baby. What if her spell allowed him to work two jobs in the present? I never understood how he put in so much overtime at a car garage and a fast-food joint, but my mother’s magic would have made it easy. However, the thought didn’t seem likely. My dad wouldn’t conceal something like that from me, right?

Either way, I had to stay with Wesson’s family until it was time for us to leave for the festival. I expected to have a tough time explaining why I had to live with him, but he was fine with it. He was a friend if ever I had one. He was happy to have me around, so when I showed up at his door that Tuesday morning, he only had one question.

“Want breakfast?”

He invited me inside, and after following him through the house, I smelled his mother’s cooking in the kitchen. I tried my best not to be seen glancing over at her. She, like her husband and son, never wore clothes or tried to cover up. We could have hung out downstairs, but my eyes couldn't avoid the sight of her bending over to take something out of the oven. Somehow, Wesson was completely oblivious. Out of respect for my friend and his family, I suggested that we kill time in his bedroom. He thought I was shy and tried to convince me his mother wouldn’t care if I stole a few glances. No matter what Wesson said, it didn’t feel right. Eventually, after he rolled his eyes at my prudishness, we went upstairs.

“So then I climbed down, and she was just standing there like I did something wrong,” Wes said as we entered his bedroom.

“You peed in her sink,” I said

“Well, I couldn’t get in the bathroom, and people lose their shit when you pee on a tree.”

I laughed, and so did Wes. He was still packing his things, getting ready for the trip. There was no rush, but I tried to help since I was there.

“When is your cousin supposed to make it here?” I asked.

“By tomorrow, I already asked if he’d go with us,” Wes said

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“And?”

“And he said yes.”

“Great, I can’t wait to spend the next eight weeks out in the desert.”

I didn’t mean to sound sarcastic, but it came out that way.

“I can’t tell if you mean that or you don’t want to go anymore,” Wes said, somewhat confused, it seemed.

“Sorry, sarcasm has been my default for a while.”

“Well, the festival is only four weeks, so we should make it back before the end of the break.”

“It’s only four weeks?” I asked.

“Didn’t you look at any of the stuff I sent you,” Wes said as he took out his phone to show me an online flyer he texted days ago.

“My phone was wrecked in that troll orc fight last week.”

“Oh. Well, yeah, it’s only four weeks, and they’re supposed to have a different band headlining each couple of days.”

“I’ve never even been to a concert before.”

My dad and I could never afford to buy tickets, but even had we, I doubt I would have gone. Even though I had been a half-breed for years, I didn’t feel comfortable leaving the house unless absolutely necessary. The only exception being the time I spent with Wes and BJ. Even when I hung out with them, it was away from other people.

“Trust me. You’ll have fun. I heard Fire Bird is supposed to be there by the second week, that’ll be reason enough to go,” Wes said, trying to convince me.

“Whose Fire Bird?”

“They’re a band of guys who used to live in Daybreak. They even went to our school for a little while. After they graduated, they went to Europe and blew up. Now everyone knows who they are.”

“Everyone but me,” I corrected.

“Well, yeah, but that’s because they’re more popular in the Fae community. You still see yourself as human, so you probably haven’t looked into them.”

“I am human,” I said.

“Dude, you’re a talking rabbit, with the worst luck in the universe. I’m more human than you are... literally in some ways,” he said jokingly.

“Whatever, about the band, though, you know a lot about them. You must be a pretty big fan?”

“Dude, if I get anywhere near them, I’ll,” he said before pausing.

I think he was playing out the scenario in his mind.

“You’ll what?” I asked, teasing him further.

“If we’re lucky, we’ll both get lucky while we’re there.”

“Come on, Wes. It won’t be anything special for you.”

I had a hard time believing my friend needed to leave town just to get some tail.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked, as if he didn’t know.

“A few weeks at a festival won’t be anything different from a Monday for you,” I said.

“Well, thanks, buddy, that’s some high praise, but I’ll have you know I’m still waiting for the right dude.”

It might have been nothing, but what he said caught me off guard.

“What?” He asked.

I suppose it must have visibly caught me off guard too.

“It’s nothing,” I said.

“You gave me a look there. What was it?” he didn’t seem offended, but he continued to push.

“The way you said that,” I paused before I continued, “it’s just you made it sound like you were saying... you’re gay?”

“Bi actually.”

“Oh...”

Oh, shit was more like it.

“Yeah?” He said.

There was that awkward air in the room again, but he wasn’t even naked that time around.

“Is something wrong?” He asked.

“No, nothing’s wrong,” I said, attempting to reassure him.

“It feels like something’s wrong.”

“I didn’t realize you were...”

I couldn’t say the words for some reason.

“Most of my kind are,” he added.

“I thought that was a stereotype, like how you’re all supposed to be pacifists.”

“To be fair, we only know the difference between gay or straight because of humans. It’s not important to us, or most of the fae community, come to think of it.”

I was beginning to feel like an asshole, so I cut him off before he could continue.

“It’s not important to me either. I get it. I just... I guess I never thought... because you don’t seem like... I mean, you never said,” I stumbled.

“If it’s a problem?”

“No! It’s not a problem. It’s just... new,” I stammered like an idiot.

“But it’s not a problem?”

“Wes, it’s not a problem. I promise.”

Wes had come out to me, but somehow, I made things awkward. Thank God his mom called us downstairs to eat when she did; otherwise, I might have made a bigger ass of myself.