The Witch of Vanity

The Witch of Vanity
(Bards Hall Contest: October 2007)

The Witch

Violet Sharming looked into her floor length mirror. The mirror showed half of her simple wooden bed with the clean yellow sheets. It showed the other half of her dresser complete with another large mirror. On the wall were more mirrors.

Other girls in Violet's school had pictures of friends and posters of bands on their wall. Violet's wall was covered with mirrors. In her small closet resided something mysterious. A pagan altar to the Goddess Aphrodite, the Goddess of beauty. Indeed, Violet was not like other girls.

She was not thinking of those things at that moment. She was staring at herself, pointing out all her flaws. Her hair, though a shiny auburn, was straight, thin, and flat. She had a crooked smile that only she seemed to resent. The sight of her legs made her cringe for they were too large. "Thunder thighs" she called them. Despite her supposedly large thighs her fingers were long a bony. Her chest was non existent, something the twins reminded her of everyday. Her nose was pointed and crooked and she swore her eyes were uneven.

Violet sighed in aggravation and dressed herself for school. She pulled her hair into a braid knowing that wearing it down would be a nightmare. One last turn in the mirror and she made her way to the kitchen. Her mother, the epitome of beauty, was cooking breakfast. Her two older sisters were hurriedly talking about homecoming while her little sister was quietly listening.

Yes, Maggie. The only one who ever told Violet she was beautiful. Maggie smiled as Violet entered the room. Violet smiled back and sat in her chair at the table. Rachel and Stephanie did not notice Violet at all and continued to babble about what their dresses were going to look like.

Violet watched them talk. Their brown mousse hair was full of volume and life. They had the same electric green eyes that Violet had but theirs still seemed more lively. They had perfect teeth and shapely legs. Violet hated them. Not only were they more beautiful, they new it too. They made sure Violet new it as often as possible.

Violet turned her attention to Maggie, who was always smiling about something. Violet smiled at the girl and Maggie's smile grew wider. Maggie could always brighten Violet's day. She could never explain why. Maybe because they were both cursed with bad genes. Violet did not really care. She was glad to simply have a friend.

After breakfast, the only other two friends Violet had barged into the house.

"Vi! Let's go! We're gonna be late!" Shane yelled from the door. Shane was not the most handsome man around but he had a good heart, as Violet would say. His sparkled with some secret amusement and he always had a smile for his friends. His shaggy brown hair was always in his face but he refused to cut it.

"Come on sexy pants. Home room starts in twenty minutes!" Casi called.
It took a mere ten minutes to get to school from Violet's house but Casi was the punctual one of the group. Violet was certain that everyone would be late if Casi was not there.

Casi looked as if she could be the stereotypical cheerleader type. She had blond curly hair and the great body. She had perfect teeth and the perfect smile. Guys were constantly flocking around her, at least until they saw Violet.

Violet patted Maggie's head before running out the door behind her friends. They hopped into Shane's rusty, beat down mustang and squealed out of the driveway.

At school, the students bustled about the hallways talking with each other before class. Violet hated this time of the morning. Walking down the hallway was murder on her senses. She was certain they were whispering about how ugly she was but they sure did not move to let her pass down the hall. She hated people.

Shane and Casi followed close behind her through the mass of students to their spot – the corner at the end of the main hall.

"Vi, do you have a dress yet for homecoming?" Casi asked.

"Casi, homecoming is one month away." Violet said.

"So?"

Violet sighed, "No. I don't have a dress because I'm not going to homecoming."

Casi looked shocked. "Not going? But why? It's homecoming!"

"That's exactly why I won't go!" Violet snapped. She sighed and mumbled an apology to her friend before shoving her way down the hall.

Casi looked hurt but Violet kept walking away. Shane stood there flexing his fist, a nervous habit he had.

"Don't worry Casi. You know Vi feels like she isn't going to get a date or something. She never thinks positively."

"Yea, I know. I know."

Casi and Shane went to homeroom in silence. Violet was already there in the back of the classroom. Casi and Shane sat silently next to her, knowing her bad mood would pass in a few hours.

As planned, they were supposed to meet at Shane's car at the end of the day. Casi showed up first followed by Shane. Five minutes passed and still no sign of Violet.

"Where could she be?" Casi said scanning the front of the school.

"I don't know. It's Friday so she doesn't have track practice today. Want to go look for her?" Shane asked.

"Let's give her another few minutes and then we'll go look. Maybe she needed to ask a teacher something."

Violet walked out of the school two minutes later. She was wrestling with her gym bag and her back pack as she approached the car.

"Sorry guys. I had to get my gym bag. Gotta wash my track stuff this weekend."

"It's cool. What should we do?" Casi asked enthusiastically.

"I need to get home." Violet said. "I have a spell to work on."

"Another one? Vi, the last five haven't worked. When are you going to give that up?"

"I won't." Violet said seriously. She got into the car and slammed the door. Casi rolled her eyes and Shane shrugged before they too climbed into the car.

Violet believed her spells did work just not necessarily in the way she wanted. It angered her that Casi thought it was all a game or something that was not real. Violet sighed in the back seat as Shane drove through their neighborhood. She could not blame her friend though, some people just did not believe in magic. Violet believed and that was all that mattered. Saturday night was the full moon and Violet intended to use the power boost to work her spell. This time it was going to work exactly how she wanted. She had all the tools she needed. By the end of next week, she was going to be beautiful. Men were going to fall over themselves trying to be with her. She was going to be the most popular girl in school. Everyone was going to like her. Her skin tingled with anticipation.

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The Spell

Violet woke up late Saturday morning but did not get out of bed right way. Instead she went through the list of things she needed to work her spell that night. She was going to head downtown to the herb shop to pick a few supplies she would need.

She showered and dressed quickly and ran down the stairs. She could not remember the last time she felt this good. Violet knew this spell was going to work. She could feel it.

“Where are you off to?” her mother asked before Violet could reach the front door.

“Just going down town Mom.” She said.

“Be back in time for dinner.”

Violet nodded as she grabbed her back pack from the floor by the door. She went outside and hopped on her bike. She pedaled as fast as she could to the herb shop, anxious to get what she needed. The supplies were going cost her entire weekly allowance but she did not care. It was going to be worth it.

She walked into the herb shop and took a deep breath. She loved the way the shop smelled. Dried herbs hung from the ceiling and more were in baskets on the shelves. Books lined the wall and Violet’s favorite person sat behind the counter.

“Violet. How good to see you again. How are you doing today?”

“I’m great, Mrs. Raven. How are you doing?”

“Wonderful as always. What did you need today?”

Violet handed her a list of things she needed from her pocket. Mrs. Raven slid off her barstool and came around the counter.

“This is quite a list. What are you cooking up this time?”

“Just something I’ve been wanting to do.” She said. Violet did not want to lie to Mrs.
Raven but she also knew that the shop keeper would lecture her about being vain. Violet knew that Mrs. Raven knew what the spell was based on the ingredients on the list but could not bring herself to say it aloud to the woman.

“Okay. Let’s gather these things up.” Violet followed Mrs. Raven around the store as the older woman collected all the things that Violet needed. Violet paid for the supplies and Mrs. Raven wished her luck.

“Come back if you need anything. And I do mean anything.” She said in a serious tone.
Violet told her she would and left the shop. She put the bag into her back pack and pedaled to a small coffee shop down the street. Mrs. Raven statement seemed more like a warning to Violet. Suddenly she had a slight down about her spell. She shrugged the uneasiness away thinking it was just because the other spells had not worked before.

Casi and Shane were at the coffee shop like Violet had expected. She sat down next to them and ordered a vanilla bean frappicino.

“Why do you always get the same thing?” Casi asked.

“Because I like them.” Violet said simply.

“So what are we going to do today?” Casi asked, twirling her drink around with the straw.

“Who knows.” Shane shrugged.

“I gotta be home for dinner so…” Violet said.

They sat silently trying to think of something to do on a Saturday afternoon. Violet’s leg bobbed up and down. She was so antsy. She wanted to go home and work the spell right at that moment. Yet she knew it would be better to wait until the moon was up. She tried to think of something for her and her friends to do but nothing came to mind.

The three spent their afternoon at the coffee shop. Casi chatted on about homecoming with the occasional comment from Shane. Violet stayed quiet watching the clock. When it was time for her to go home for dinner, she almost ran from the coffee shop. She loved Casi but sometimes she got on Violet’s nerves.

Violet ate dinner wit her family but stayed quiet. More homecoming talk went around the table. Violet wanted to get excited about homecoming. She hoped she would be once her spell worked. Maybe then she would get a date and be happy to go to the dance.

Violet retreated to her room after dinner and decided to go ahead and set up for her spell. Locking the door made sure that none of her family would walk in and interrupt. Pulling the altar from the closet, she giggled in excitement. She set up the altar with candles and the herbs she had bought earlier. Then she dug around her purse to find her make-up and pulled four small pocket sized mirrors off her wall. The last thing she needed was her hair brush.

With everything set up, she had nothing to do but wait until the moon came up. To pass the time, she grabbed a book and settled on her bed to read. Her anticipation however prevented her concentration. She threw the book down and sat on the edge of the bed.
As the moon finally rose in the sky, Violet set about working her spell.

She lit the candles and sat still for a moment, focusing on her intention. Holding her hands over the mirrors, she began the Latin incantation.

"rapio decor per is vas
ex quisquis vultus in pars
servo decor in speculum
insquequo vicis est nox noctis "

She chanted this three times then moved her hands over the make-up and the brush.

"donum decor in vas
ut is turpis vultus of mei
donum of decor subsisto me
insquequo terminus of vicis"

Violet raised her hands above her head and chanted the words again. She kept her hands raised for a few moments before setting them gently in her lap. She meditated a few minutes before starting the incantations all over again.

It took most of the night, but Violet did not care. The cost and time was well spent. The mirrors would capture the beauty of anyone who looked into it. When Violet used her make up or her hair brush, she collected the beauty captured in the mirrors.

She fell asleep just after midnight. She smiled sleepily when she decided the first person who was going to lose their good looks.

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The Ugly

Violet woke up late the next morning feeling better than she had in years. She couldn't wait to test out her mirrors. Putting the mirrors into her purse, she headed down stairs. Her sisters were watching television, each with a bowl of cereal in their laps.

Violet went to the kitchen, made her own bowl of cereal, and returned to the living room. As she quietly ate, she thought about how she was going to get the twins to look into the mirror. Nothing quickly came to mind, but as she continued to think about it, ideas slowly came to the surface.

"Rachel, you've got something on your face." Violet said.

Rachel ran her hand across her face trying to brush the 'something' off.

"It's still there. Here." Violet reached into her purse and handed her sister one of the small mirrors.

Rachel glanced into it and Violet had to hide her smile.

"There is nothing there Violet." Rachel said, annoyed. "Leave me alone."

Rachel handed the mirror to Stephanie who glanced into it before tossing it back to Violet.

Violet could not believe her luck. Both her sisters had looked into the mirror without much effort on her part. She smiled openly but held back the maniacal laugh bubbling in her chest. She could not wait for school. Violet almost laughed aloud at the thought. She had never been excited to go to school before. However as she sat and ate her cereal, she wanted Sunday to pass by quickly so she could go to school.

Sunday passed by slowly, Violet reading in her room all day. As she went to sleep that night, she wondered what would happen the next day when her sisters woke up. She was not sure if they would notice their looks were gone or if only other people would. She anticipated their embarrassment either way. She felt a bit guilty for feeling that way, but her brain reminded her how cruel her sisters were to her. The guilt evaporated and she slipped into a peaceful sleep.

Violet was up earlier than normal, anxiously waiting for school. Rachel and Stephanie came down stairs and Violet had to hold back her gasp. Her sisters looked terrible. Their hair was dull and flat, their eyes no longer sparkled, and one seemed too skinny while the other was a bit chubby. They sat down at the table to begin their usual chatter about make-up or hair products. Their Mother turned from the stove and dropped the plate she was holding.

"Mom, are you okay?" Rachel asked, her melodic voice had turned into an annoying squeak.

"Rachel, have you been skipping meals again?" her mother asked.

"No. Why?"

"I just…" their mother did not know what to say. It was a shock to see her children so lifeless. She closed her eyes and shook her head. When she looked back at her children, she had a look of confusion on her face. "Never mind honey. Eat your breakfast." She said. She returned to the stove hoping she made the right decision not to worry.

Violet could barely contain her glee. Her sisters had no idea that they looked so awful even thought everyone else did. Her spell worked better than she had hoped.

As usual Shane and Casi showed up after breakfast.

"So how did the spell go?" Casi asked once they were in the car.

"Perfect." Violet purred. "Did you see Rachel and Stephanie this morning?"

"Nope."

"You will. Just wait." Violet giggled.

At school, Violet led them towards the hallway where her sister's lockers were. Shane and Casi looked for the twins but did not find them.

"I don't see them." Casi said.

"They're right there." Violet pointed, with a smile.

Casi's jaw went slack. She looked from the twins to Violet and back again. "What happened?" she whispered.

"The spell." Violet said proudly. She turned and walked away heading for her own locker. Casi and Shane continued to stare in shock before finally turning to catch up with Violet.

Violet opened her locker and hung one of the small mirrors on the locker door. This would capture the beauty of anyone who happened to pass by her locker.

"This is too easy." She giggled. "I wish I had thought of this along time ago."

"You, thinking! that's funny!" Mia taunted. Mia was captain of the cheerleading squad and the most popular girl in school – Violet's worst enemy.

Instead of saying something back, Violet moved her locker door. She did not have to move it much for Mia shoved her out of the way to look into the mirror anyway.
"A normal mirror." She said. "I thought you had a trick mirror that makes you think you're smart or something." She laughed and walked away. Violet smiled at her retreating form.

By lunch time, the school was in chaos. Everyone was confused and shocked only they did not know why. Each person had no clue what the others were talking about. Violet would catch snip-its of conversations.

"Mia what happened to you?" Rachel asked.

"Me? I don't know what you're talking about. Rachel, you need to put on some weight. You've been starving yourself too much or something."

Rachel would look down at her body only to shrug and look at Mia with a puzzled look on her face. The teachers had no idea what to do. The principal gave up and went home early. Violet was the only one smiling. Her luck had panned out and she had gotten most of the school to look into her mirrors.

Despite the confusion the day continued. During track practice, Violet had to hold back laughter as the other girls tried and failed to fit into their track uniforms. Some of the uniforms had suddenly become too small while others were too big. The coach had enough and canceled practice for the day.

Violet skipped the whole way home. She was so happy. Her spell had worked better than expected.

Tuesday and Wednesday passed by with the same confusion. Thursday morning, class was canceled. Violet was so disappointed. She had used the spelled make-up and the hair brush that morning. Now no one at school would see her beauty. It angered her to no end that her luck had run out.

She decided to go visit Mrs. Raven, since the herb shop always calmed her down.

"Violet, you look wonderful! Is that the result of your spell?" Mrs. Raven said.

"How did you know I was doing a spell?" Violet asked.

"I know alot of things, Violet. Did your spell work?"

"Yes. It worked better than expected!" Violet was so excited about it, she told Mrs. Raven everything.

"You stole the other girl's beauty?" Mrs. Raven asked slowly.

"Yes! Isn't it wonderful? Now I'm the most beautiful one in school. I'm the one men will be begging to have a date with. I've never been happier." Violet smiled.

Mrs. Raven nodded and forced a smile. Violet left the store and Mrs. Raven closed the shop early. She suddenly had something she needed to do.

School resumed as scheduled on Friday morning. The confusion that had been there before was gone. Violet walked the halls, wondering what was going on. No one seemed to notice at all that she was beautiful. Nothing had changed. She was still the outcast of the school. She could not understand it.

Casi and Shane were standing in 'The Corner' when Violet found them. Violet was shocked at their appearance. She had no idea that they had looked into her mirrors. She suddenly was filled with guilt.

"Hey guys, how is everything?" Violet said sheepishly.

Shane and Casi looked at Violet, and then walked away without saying a word. They acted like they did not know her at all. Violet stared after them confused. She decided that they were upset at her for the mirrors and gave them some space.

After school, Shane and Casi left without waiting for Violet. Violet sat on the edge of the curb wondering what to do now.

She did not understand where everything had gone wrong. It was as if someone had changed everyone's perception of beauty. Violet could not understand that. Beauty is beauty no matter how hard the therapists say it's the perception of beauty.

The principal walked out of the school at that moment.

"Violet, what are you still doing here?"

"My friends left without me."

"How come?"

"I don't know. I wish I did."

"Do you need a ride home?" he asked.

"No. But thank you Mr. Gorgian."

He nodded and left Violet sitting alone. Violet scanned the parking lot and saw Mrs. Raven standing there. She looked a little out of place, wearing her usual flowing dresses. Violet thought she would look better standing in a meadow.

Violet picked up her back pack and started to make her way over to Mrs. Raven.

"I had to make things right, Violet. What you did was wrong. You must pay the consequences now." Mrs. Raven called

Violet blinked and when she looked again, Mrs. Raven had disappeared.


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