December 2025 Short Story of the Month

You know when even the things you dislike about a person make you love her even more? Well, that was Mary. On the one hand, she had more magic in her little pinky than I did in my entire body, but she rarely used it.

It drove me crazy. We’d been best friends our whole lives. Our mothers were best friends before us. We were also the only magical families in our town. Growing up, she was the only one who understood the challenges of being a witch in the modern world. But, at the same time, she didn’t get what it was like to be me. She could conquer the world with her power if she wanted. I would be lucky to bake a pie with my magic.

As we grew up, Mary was better at everything, even things that didn’t involve magic. But no matter what, she was still my friend. She didn’t care about popularity or hanging with the cool girls. It was just the two of us.

At least, it was the two of us until she met Devon.

Devon was Mary’s first love. I get it. I do, but he was the worst. It wasn’t just that she didn’t have time for me anymore, but she also didn’t act like herself anymore. I could tell what Devon was when they first started “dating.” He was a blip. He would be a part of her life one minute and gone the next.

I did my best to ignore him and not let him bother me. I knew if I waited, eventually Mary and I could go back to the way things were.

They dated the first time for almost three months. Then the rest of high school, they were an off and on again thing. When they were off, life was good again. When they were on, he drove me crazy.

The last time they dated, Mary swore it wouldn’t happen again.

“I don’t think I believe you,” I said.

“Don’t be so negative.” Mary smiled at me and shoved me a bit. “I know you never liked him, but he has his charms.”

“Please don’t start talking about his good qualities. Let’s focus on our trip. In two days we are going to see the old country. Are you ready?”

Mary nodded. “I’m ready.”

****

Two days later we were flying to Europe to go on a whirlwind trip with our mothers. They wanted us to meet our distant European magical relatives. Our mothers always referred to Europe as the old country. I was so excited that I’d barely slept that week.

Mary and I had just graduated high school. She’d broken up with Devon, and now we were on our way to see the world. Things were definitely looking up.

Our first stop was a small village in rural England. Both of my parents’ families were from there. When we arrived at my Great Aunt’s house, there were about thirty other family members there to great us.

It was overwhelming and wonderful at the same time. Mary was in awe, and all of them were in awe of her. That was the thing about Mary that she failed to understand. If you had even an once of magic, you could sense her. Her magic came off her in waves.

I was happy to introduce her to everyone, but before long, she was the center of everything. She was telling them all about her plans for college and about the next steps of our trip. They were hanging on her every word.

After entertaining them for several minutes, one of my morose cousins asked her to cast a powerful spell.

“Absolutely not,” I said.

“Why not?” Asked my cousin. “She has the power. It’s up to her how she uses it.”

I shook my head. I grabbed Mary and pulled her aside. “Don’t. The magical council is much stricter here in Europe. They might not like a visitor performing something like that. It’s bound to be on their radar.”

Mary nodded. She looked up at my cousin. “Sorry. Not today.” She flashed him a smile. He scowled and slunk off.

Luckily the rest of our visit was uneventful.

****

Our next stop was Mary’s family in Spain. Her family had immigrated to the United States two generations before my family did, so her family in the old country were even further removed than my own.

When we arrived at her family’s villa. It was old, really old. The connections to her family back in the states was three or four times removed. But there was a family resemblance that was hard to ignore.

Almost every member of her extended family was almost as powerful as Mary — almost. She still out shone them, but not by much. They were all very welcoming of her and her mother. They even seemed to like my mother, but they didn’t care for me.

After we’d had a day full of family meals and loud talking and story telling, Mary and I were left alone in a spare room to get some rest.

“I am exhausted,” I said.

“I don’t think they like you,” Mary said and snorted.

“Why is that funny?” I asked.

She was laughing so hard she was practically falling over. She laughed and laughed. Finally, she found some composure and wiped the tears of laughter off her face. “I’m sorry, but it’s just funny to me. My family loves me, and YOUR family loves me.” She started laughing again.

I rolled my eyes.

Then I threw my pillow at her. It hit her in the head.

She just kept laughing until she was laughing so hard that she was crying.

“You’re ridiculous,” I said. I wasn’t mad. When she finally calmed down, we went to bed. Both of us were grinning.

****

College was different than high school in so many ways. Of course, the classes were more challenging. Being away from home was new and exciting. Mary and I were room mates. We had the best time.

Devon and Mary never dated again after high school, but her choice in men was often questionable. They all kind of reminded me of Devon.

I dated too, but I didn’t fall in and out of love the way she did. I was more reserved.

Mary rarely used her magic, but I used mine whenever I could. I joined a group on campus of “witches.” Most of them weren’t actual witches, but they longed to be. I understood that. I longed to have the kind of power that Mary did. Mary was actually the only person I’d ever known who didn’t want more power.

****

Today I am standing somewhere I never thought I would stand, or at least not for many, many years.

Today I am at Mary’s funeral.

Her death was not remarkable in any way. She was in a car accident on an icy day.

As I stand there, I think there had to be a moment when she could have saved herself. She had so much magic. I can’t believe something as ordinary as a car accident would be the end of her.

I also thought we would grow old as best friends. I honestly can’t imagine what my life will be like without her. She is the only person I’ve laughed to tears with. She is the person I call when I have news, no matter how small.

The world is literally less magical with her gone, and my time will be less meaningful without her.