Alexander woke to a buzzing in his head. After a moment, he realized it wasn’t actually in his head, but under it. Sunlight pooled in from the windows, pale and milky in the early morning. He’d fallen asleep in front of his door and was using his shopping as an impromptu pillow. It was his phone buzzing in his messenger bag that woke him.

Fussing, he sat up and rummaged through his bag. Luckily he found it before it went to voicemail. “Ev—nn,” he mumbled, groggily rubbing his eyes. The corners red from crying himself to sleep.

“Hiya, Cookies!” came Evan’s usual greeting. “Did I wake ya?”

“Mmnmm,” Alexander mumbled incoherently. “A little. What time is it?”

“Probably about seven for you, Biscuit.”

“I see…”

“How’re things there? Made any friends yet?”

Alexander’s heart caught in his throat. Van had straight up said last night that he was his friend. Van’s father had also said that. “I…” Alexander bit his lip.

“Is everything alright, honey?”

Alexander shook his head even though she couldn’t see him. He stifled a sob. “I—I’m sorry…” he said softly.

“…”

“I really miss you,” he added, sniffling and wiping his tears on his bandages. “I know it’s only been three days…”

“Oh Cookies, don’t be like that,” Evan cooed through the phone. “You’ve never been away from me for longer than a school day since I brought you home. I understand completely. You don’t need to apologize for anything.”

“Mmn…” he drew his knees up to his chin again. “Yes ma’am.”

“I’ll tell you what, I was thinking of putting together a care package. Is there anything you need?”

Alexander shook his head again. “No…” he said meekly.

“Aleeex,” she said drawing out his name ever-so-slightly with warning. “What happened?”

If he could curl up any more, he’d turn into a meat bun. “My bad luck,” he mumbled.

He could hear her sigh on the other end. “Tell me what happened.”

“I—I…” he sucked in a breath. “You know that witch we talked about?” he said hesitantly.

“You didn’t!”

He frowned.

“Oh my little biscuit, you have the worst luck ever,” she sighed. “Are you okay?”

“I just got a few burns is all…” he informed. “I-it’s nothing too serious!” Alexander added quickly.

“Baby, you’ve always been terrible at lying.”

Alexander made a noise like a wounded puppy. “I’m sorry, Evan,” he said again, tears streaming down his cheeks once more. “My luggage was destroyed and I lost everything in it…” he explained lamely.

“And?”

“I—I had to buy some new things last night using the student credit system…” he continued.

“And?” she added more sternly.

“I—I,” he choked. “T-the w-witch burned my arm pretty badly. I m-might have some pretty bad scars…”

Evan let out a breath she had been holding. “How did you manage to get out alive?”

At that, he flinched. “Some witch hunters…” he squeaked softly.

“…” Evan was silent a long time. Long enough that Alexander quickly checked his phone to make sure there was still a connection. It was a moment longer before she spoke again. “Do they look all surly, dress in black, and live in an old abbey downtown?” she asked finally.

Alexander’s mouth opened in surprise. “H-how did you—?”

“Stay far away from them. Don’t go anywhere near them, you got me?”

Alexander’s mind was reeling. Most of the world knew that witch hunter organizations were banned in Iropa—it was the only place that went that far after things calmed down. How did Evan know about them, much less where they lived? “E-Evan?”

“With how trouble follows you without explanation, they might think you’re a witch, honey. I need you to promise me you’ll stay far away,” she said firmly. He could hear fear creeping into her voice—which made him more scared.

“W-what if I am a witch?” he finally broke down, sobbing.

“Oh baby, if you were a witch, you would’ve alrea—.”

“Already lost my mind? Hurt someone? Nearly killed a classmate with a freak of a lightning strike!?” Alexander cried into the phone a little more harshly than he had intended. The floodgate had been opened. “Would have been banned from the school district!? Shunned by the entire city!? Driven to move to another continent just to go to school!?” He froze, terror washing across his face that quickly turned into pain. He covered his mouth with a shaking hand. “E-Evan… I-I’m so so sorry…” he muttered softly. “I d-didn’t mean to yell…”

He was shocked to hear her puff a soft laugh on the other end. “Oh Cookies, that’s nothing. Actually, that’s the first time you’ve expressed yourself so much before.” Alexander could practically see her shaking her head, smiling dismissively the way she always did when he thought he had done something wrong. Oh how he wished he could snuggle into her arms right then and hide away from everything.

“Evan…”

“Tell ya what—I’ll throw some of your favs into a box for you since you probably can’t get them there. Hrm?” her voice was cheerful but he could hear a little strain under her tone. “We’ll have to find you something else if Iropa doesn’t have sell them though,” she added thoughtfully.

Alexander blinked. He blinked again. “What?”

Evan laughed softly. “I never told you, but Iropa is my real home. You won’t be sad if I sell the house here, will you?”

“S-sell?”

“I was hoping to keep it a surprise longer, but I’ve decided to move home and take up a new job in Centralia. I know it’s still a ways away from North Covehunt, but you’ll at least be able to come and see me during holidays—,” she had started to babble quickly, “And also, since I’ll be home I can—I can…”

“Evan?” Alexander was used to her babbling when she was excited, but that extra undercurrent of hesitancy in her voice was scaring him a little.

“W-well, you know… You probably figured it out, but I’m not a Canadian citizen… So I—well I, I couldn’t properly adopt you…” There was a long pause.

Alexander’s eyes were wide, his breathing stopped inadvertently. It felt like his heart had done a sudden black-flip.

“Back then, things were desperate—so many kids in the system—they needed anyone to take even just one off their hands, so even an international like me was allowed to foster—but, but… Now that you’re there, and I’m going back—i-if you—If you’re okay with—…” he heard her take in a deep breath. “If you’re okay with it, Cookies, I would like to formally adopt you when everything is settled.”

Alexander choked on a sob, nodding frantically as his heart swelled. “Mhrm!” He could only manage a stifled but excited acknowledgement. “Yes! Yes, please, Evan! Please!” he sobbed and laughed at the same time.

On the other end, he heard her relieved, heavy sigh. When she spoke next, he could hear that she had been holding back her own tears, but he knew they were ones of relief and happiness. “Good, good. Good,” she had to say it three times before she felt convinced enough herself. “I should have a place in the capital by Christmas. I’ll keep you informed, okay?”

Alexander nodded frantically again, “Y-yes, of course! I look forward to it!”

“Good, good. I’ve already filed the papers electronically in Iropa. It’s just a matter of waiting for a response now, kay?”

“Mmhrm! Evan, thank you so so much, for everything. I—I love you.”

“Oh sweet biscuit, I love you too. But listen—I’ve gotta head out to work now. We can talk more later, alrighty?”

“Mmn! You have a good day, Evan!” Alexander didn’t have the heart to bring up what had happened yesterday, or that the school was closed today.

“Alright then, cya Cookies!” she blew him a kiss over the phone and hung up, just like that.

Alexander lowered his phone to his lap, staring at it warmly, smiling softly. “Evan…” he drew his knees up to his chest again, still cradling the phone. “When I see you next time, is it okay if I call you mom?” he asked the silent device as he placed his forehead on his knees. He wanted to ask her, but he couldn’t just yet.