Page 36 of Practically Magic

“Like I said,” I say, trying to hide how breathless I suddenly feel. “Nothing.”

And then I wait.

I clean a table where a kid puked after stuffing too many fries in his mouth.

I deal with Tom Callabra’s table after they have a ketchup fight.

I pass Justin a thousand times. He says, “Hi,” “How’s it going?” and “T-minus one hour till shift’s over,” but nothing about my note. I start to feel sick to my stomach. Even if he doesn’t like me, he wouldn’t just ignore the note, would he?

As I am bussing my final table, staring out the window and fantasizing about introducing Justin to my parents, I glance out the front window and there he is. My heart drops. His arm is around Emma Lansing, a senior at Mystic Hollow High. When he catches me staring, he raises a hand in a sarcastic salute.

They head to Emma’s car and she turns, giving me a dirty look.

I focus on the table, trying to hide how hurt I feel. Would he really read my note and not say anything? I’m not sure what to think. Then I feel a tap on my shoulder. And there’s Ashton.

“Don’t worry,” I say automatically. “I’ve been waiting the mandatory thirty seconds for the—”

Ashton slides my note across the newly cleaned tabletop.

I glance up in surprise.

“Where did you get that?”

“Found it in my apron pocket,” he says with a smile full of metal. When he gives me an exaggerated wink, his bowl cut flutters.

What did my magic do?

Ashton steps closer and raises his eyebrows suggestively. “I’m not usually interested in older women, but for you, I’d be willing to make an exception.”

14

Mystic Hollow Community Page

New post from Michelle Jarvus: Best Halloween gag I’ve ever seen: A skeleton at Witches Brew drinking a pumpkin spice latte that spills right through him!

Comment from Heather Verr: Wow! And I thought the bat I just saw “transform” into a woman in front of the dance studio was a great trick. Mystic Hollow has definitely upped their Halloween game this year!

Harry and I spend the rest of Wednesday night avoiding each other. Apparently, she thinks Eleanor was being very literal and has been disappearing to the basement and the outside of the house to check the foundation. Meanwhile, I know what Eleanor meant: the wards. I need to make sure we are ready to cast them, and by we, I mean me and Colton, who is clearly my true love. I fall asleep with my social studies book on top of me and wake up to daylight. My alarm clock is flashing 12:00 again so I find my phone. It’s 8:03 a.m.! I’m late for school!

I jump out of bed and rush into the hall to use the bathroom and crash into Harry coming out of her room at the same time. If possible, her hair has gotten frizzier.

“Sorry,” we say at the same time. “My alarm didn’t go off,” we add in unison.

Jinx! I want to shout like we always did as kids.

Mom said we’ve always had an uncanny ability to say the exact same thing at the same time, as if we’re reading each other’s minds. I thought that ability was lost, but now I wonder. I feel a glimmer of hope. Then Harry has to go and ruin it.

“At least I’m not late for school,” she says smugly.

I glare at her. “Thanks, Captain Obvious,” I say, my bitterness returning. I brush past her. “Get out of my way so I can get ready.”

“Well, I need to get in there too. I’ve got an important meeting soon.” Harry tries to squeeze into the bathroom we share, and we both get stuck in the doorjamb.

“What’s your meeting?” I ask. When Harry only blushes, I shriek. “Oh, who is it with? Who is it with, Harry?”

“Shut up, Kat,” she grumbles. “None of your business.”

“Then I get the bathroom first!”