Trust

Veronica stood at the edge and looked down. Now is the time. If not now when? Veronica told herself. She backed up a few feet, took a deep breath and leaped forward, without a moment of hesitation. 

Two years ago, Veronica was an art student at Maple Leaf High School and like many other days, she was running late. As she shoved down her sketchbook into her bag and ran towards the door, she realized that she forgot breakfast. Well now is way too late, I better get going or I'll be really late. 

Veronica ran down the stairs, since there was no time to wait for the half-broken elevator, and sprinted to the bus stop. She was just in time to see her bus leave without her, and the chance of being only slightly late was driving away with it. 

Veronica sadly dragged her feet up the stairs. It's better to call in sick now. Otherwise, there is no way to avoid detention. At least I get a day off, told herself, Veronica, as she opened the door to her small apartment. She had nothing to do. All her homework was done, and she just finished the book she was reading, which she planned one returning to the library that day. 

There was one thing left to do though. She moved into the apartment a few weeks back but never got around to unpacking the last box that was filled with the things she didn't really ever need but did not want to throughout. 

Veronica kneeled down in front of it and tore off the tape. As the box opened, she saw just a large pile of junk and started second-guessing bringing over to her apartment. She dug through a small bag inside the box which was labeled "To Veronica". She was puzzled. Veronica had no recollection of packing it, but the bag was empty except a small notebook. It looked old, beat up, but the pages were as good as new. 

Veronica picked up a pen and doodled the word "Hello" in the notebook, just to keep her mind off the giant pile of junk she was supposed to go through. She put it down and started looking for the sketchbook in the box that she for sure remembered tossing in there. But she suddenly turned around when she heard the sound of a pen scribbling on paper. She walked towards the notebook which she didn't remember leaving open to find there is a phrase she didn't write. It read "Hello Veronica. I was waiting for you."

Veronica jumped back. What is this? She asked herself. She slowly walked to the notebook and wrote down "Who are you?"

There was no response for a minute, but then the words appeared. "That doesn't matter. You need to know something, but I cannot tell you. You have to find it. It will tell you everything you need to know. But for now, farewell."

Veronica reread the line over and over again. She had many questions that overshadowed the fact she was talking to a notebook. She frantically wrote "What is 'it'? Where do I find it? Why can't you tell me what is happening?"

But there was no response. Veronica inspected the notebook. The only clue she found was a return if found address on the back of the front cover. 

Even though she had no clue what she was doing, Veronica left her bag in her apartment and headed towards the location she found previously on a map after looking for that address. After walking for a quarter of an hour, she found the place she was looking for. A library? Veronica opened the door, but the whole building seemed to be empty. 

The only thing there was a single book. She opened it since there was nothing on the cover but dust and the first page was labeled "Witches and Wizards- The Power Of Trust". That didn't make anything more clear unless the notebook was implying she was a witch. Which was not possible. But again, she was just talking to a notebook that somehow appeared in her apartment. So at this point, anything was possible. 

Veronica sat down and started reading the book. The book was filled with stories of witches and wizards, where to find yourself a broom, and instructions for becoming a great witch. Veronica was so engaged in the book, she didn't realize how late it was when she paused for a break from reading. She had to hurry back to her apartment, but not before grabbing the book with her. 

After she got home, she resumed her reading. The book stated that a witch or a wizard, to perform any kind of magic had to believe that they could. That was it, no wand, no magical, just trust. 

Veronica spent hours reading that book after that day, and with every night she stayed up late reading it, the more the idea of trying out some of the spells grew on her. Of course, she knew that this was a children's book, just for fun, but it wouldn't hurt to try. 

So one night, after another hour of reading, Veronica decided to try out a simple spell- The Spell Of Levitation. She sat up on the floor and whispered "Fiat mihi resurgence", which was the spell she found in the book. Nothing happened. She tried again. Nothing again. 

Veronica gave up. Who was she kidding? This was so childish. But then she heard the sound of pen scribbling on paper and rushed to her notebook. The words this time read "You doubt yourself too much".

Alright, another try. This time I will levitate. I know I will. 

And she did. As Veronica opened her eyes, she saw the floor 3 feet below her and the ceiling so close! 

That was only the beginning, there was much more to come. Every day, Veronica learned new spells and became a real witch. There was nothing to stop her- but her fear of heights.

There was one spell she could not do. She could not fly. Even though she knew that if she wanted to she could, Veronica never could bring herself to jumping off a tall building as the book advised.

But she made a promise to herself. She promised herself she would do it on the first day of spring, which was also her 20th birthday. And now there she was, standing at the edge of the 100 story building, looking down at the streets and repeating the same words- "Ego gravitas qua ratione detester". Those words and trust would make her fly. But it seemed she only had half of what it takes. 

But she had no choice- a promise is a promise. Veronica stood at the edge and looked down. Now is the time. If not now when? Veronica told herself. She backed up a few feet, took a deep breath and leaped forward, without a moment of hesitation. 

She yelled out the words "Ego gravitas qua ratione detester" and closed her eyes. But nothing happened and she kept falling. Falling and falling. Veronica yelled the words out again and again until everything froze and she was hovering 5 feet above the ground- she was a real witch.