I Am Totally a Real-Life Wizard (Not Clickbait, I Swear!)

Joe kept wailing all the way to the police car. Valeri looked on in satisfaction as the reporters eagerly filmed the story. “So, how long of a sentence do you think he’ll serve?”

Cody promptly hugged Khalil. “Not long enough. He can’t live long enough for that.”

Khalil stroked his hair. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

As Cody and Khalil embraced each other tightly, José and Guy joined the rest of the WANNABES. José hesitated, then asked, “What do we do now?”

Valeri tapped a finger on her chin. “How about you get a new name, for starters?”

Vendetta nodded. “That would be a great idea! You’re not wannabes. All of you are already amazing!”

José frowned. “But I’m not a wizard.”

“So? There are lots of other useful skills in this world other than magic. As for a name… how about something all of you like?”

The crowd had started to disperse after the dramatic arrest. A couple of people were attempting to dismantle Joe’s temporary stage.

The group looked at each other.

Vendetta smiled reassuringly. “Take your time. It’s alright.”

Dawn hovered in the air. “One more question: is there a place we can crash? The currently-unnamed group probably also needs a place, seeing as Joe’s been arrested…”

Cody and Khalil looked at each other. Cody looked back first. “Well, I’m assuming both you and Dusk would stay with Vendetta and Valeri.”

Vendetta nodded. “You better! We can’t lose our awesome talking weapon besties.”

Dawn shimmered a delighted pink.

Valeri glanced at Vendetta. “How many others do you think we’d have room for?”

Vendetta shrugged. “I mean, it’s just us. It’s not like Grandma is coming back.”

Khalil froze. “What?”

“Yeah, no parents either. We’re orphans, in typical Chosen One style.” Valeri huffed a small laugh. “We’re alright, though.”

Some kind of silent message seemed to pass between Khalil and Cody.

Cody cleared his throat. “Well, you could always come and live with… us, instead.”

Valeri’s eyes widened. “You sure? I mean, we wouldn’t want to intrude or anything…”

Khalil nodded. “We could be a family.” Xe smiled.

Cody grinned. “If that’s what you want, of course.”

Vendetta looked at Valeri. “Do… last time I made the important decision, we started working for a felon.”

“I don’t think that’ll happen this time.” Valeri smiled at Vendetta. “If you’re down for it, I am too.”