She can't really help it

I'm scared, but... look at her. Her green inhaler. Her green dress, brown hair done up all beautifully. Actually, I hadn't paid that much attention until now, but she was strikingly beautiful. I was actually glad Stacy wasn't here. She thought I was a lesbian and since I wasn't, I would really hated to hear those kind of jokes right now. I took a deep breath. She seemed stronger, but... she had help. She wanted to help me. I mean... I should at least listen, right?

"Okay," I said taking her hand.

"I wish, you could have been here three hours ago. I could have shown you the Kyoei No Senban. That... well. Hmm. It's okay..." Gemma paused.

I began wheezing a bit. We were in the middle of the shop. She was looking at a shelf of six books but touching an empty slot for a seventh. "That book, well. It was very precious to me. But, I ended up having to let it go today. I would have rather given it to you."

Just my luck, right... no. I shouldn't think that way. At least... not today. "Is it... well. I mean, looking around if I could get one, you could probably get another one."

She giggled. "Very sweet of you. But, right now, I want you to think of yourself. Not what you would give to me. What you would take from me. It is okay. I am granting you permission," she said holding my hands.

"What but-"

"Please. Just believe. Close your eyes, and listen to my voice. My hands are feeling warm right?" she asked.

"Yeah, actually," I said. I guess she just had warm hands.

"Focus. Anything physical in this store. Any item you liked, whatever it was. Just focus on it in your mind. Picture it please," she said. "I know it seems silly, but don't think of it as supernatural, just as meditation. Visualization."

Something inside this store I wanted. Well, honestly, her necklace was the most beautiful thing. I was certainly jealous of it. Her necklace, the pretty geode, the way it sparkled.

"..."

"Wait, what was that noise?" it sounded like radio static or something similar.

"Its done... oh, so that..." she began coughing a bit.

I opened my eyes. I felt... dizzy my glasses were... wait... I pulled them off. Maybe something got... I could... see? I felt something against my chest as well. It was my necklace.... wait... "Gemma. Why am I wearing my necklace. My... my... but it was mine."

She smiled but sat down her in a nearby chair, her breathing was a bit worse. "It is a bit confusing right? Trying to say something but can't," she paused and felt her the skin my necklace used to hang from. "Figured it would be easier to show you magic is real. I could see doubt for it in your eyes. As for your necklace. Well, that;s magic for you. I suppose I was a bit surprised. I didn't think you'd pick that necklace."

Wait! That necklace! Clever. "So this necklace has always been mine?" I went to touch the chain. I should... "Do you want it.... do you want it?" I realized I couldn't even say anything implied it had ever belonged to anyone else.

She shook her head. "That necklace..." she paused wheezing harder this time. "was found by the man I mentioned. It was nothing special, just something he picked up by a river before we even met. I thought it was so beautiful, and I still do, but its yours. In its own way, I think, that was the best thing you could have..." Gemma began coughing. Her labored breathing was getting worse. "Please, hurry. Some water."

"Yeah, no problem," I said running over to.... running? What! I.... I can ask her after I get some water.

She slowly drank down a glass and smiled. "Nice right? Your not out of breath either."

I felt my lips. She was right. "But... how?"

"Your health and mine. Combined. It lasts only twenty four hours. I can teach you the magic, but it takes time. Do you have money?" she asked.

"Huh? Yeah,. Oh, right, I guess I owe-"

"Nothing, but if you want to do me anything, enjoy your day, but you'll need fake glasses if you don't want to draw attention," she said.

I smiled. "Gemma stone, you are the best!"

"And Ginger Banks is unbound, but be careful, stronger isn't strong, and could you turn my sign over to closed?" She asked. "I need to lay down."

I nodded. "Of course."