Page 4 of Practically Magic

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Mystic Hollow Community Page

New post from Abe Henderson: I’d just like to say Necco Wafers were a huge hit in my day. But don’t worry, trick-or-treaters. My grandkids told me to buy Sour Patch Kids this year.

“I cannot believe this. I should not be in here,” Zach says for the tenth time this afternoon. “I did nothing wrong!”

The constant tap, tap, tap of Zach’s pencil against the desk should make me wince. But all I can think about is how Colton Croft looked at me. And winked at me. Scared you good, didn’t I? Does that mean he put on the Horseman costume . . . for me? Maybe he didn’t even want to partner with Zara. Maybe he was just being polite. After all, I saw him open her card and chuck it into the trash, and when Laney and I checked it afterward, it was a thank-you note from her mom to his dad.

Who cares if my spell backfired and I almost burned down the chemistry lab. No one was hurt, and I finally got Colton Croft to notice me.

“Hadley, what are you smiling about? This is serious and all your fault,” Zach grumbles.

“It was your Bunsen burner,” I argue. “Your responsibility.”

“This is why we should have worked together. As lab partners.”

“Both of you, quiet,” says Ms. Gagliano, who is grading papers at the front of the room while she serves as our detention monitor. Usually, the teachers rotate who proctors detention, but when Ms. Gagliano heard it was the two of us this afternoon, she burst out laughing and said, “This I’ve got to see to believe.” I don’t think she’s ever forgiven us for beating her at the teacher-student spelling bee in ninth grade. She really wanted that Spirited Books gift card.

Neither Zach nor I have ever stepped out of line in school before. We both hand in our papers early. We do all the extra-credit assignments. We volunteer for every fundraiser, pancake breakfast, and tutoring drop-in center the school runs. We aren’t late for classes. We never miss school. Why, I wouldn’t be surprised if we both get the perfect attendance record at high school graduation next year.

But it’s his own fault for meddling with me. He’s always meddling—asking me what I’m doing so he can copy me or poke holes in my logic. It’s bad enough that I have to compete with the ghost of a perfect older sister who is off at college. I didn’t realize I’d have to compete with Zach Powell too.

“I want to speak to Principal Aceste,” Zach says, not quieting down.

“So do I,” I chime in. Zach’s stare is molten. “What? I’m allowed to talk to him too. This whole thing was an accident.” A magical accident, I don’t add.

“Principal Aceste has to talk to the fire chief and the insurance examiner and calm down Mr. Ruth,” Ms. Gagliano says as she circles the top of someone’s paper in a fiery red marker and gives them a 75. Oof. “Tomorrow morning, I’m sure you’ll both get a chance to meet with him.” She smiles wickedly. “I bet he will even call your parents.”

My stomach plummets. I didn’t even think about that part. If Principal Aceste talks to my parents, my party is done for. Which means spending Samhain—the real name of Halloween—with Colton is also done for. I can’t let that happen. My spell would have worked perfectly if Zach hadn’t grabbed my hand, I’m sure of it. I glare at him. His mouth is set in a thin line.

He smells like smoke—we both do. There is still some foam in his hair from the fire extinguisher. My own red hair feels a bit sticky from getting caught in the crosshairs as well. “Can’t you ask Principal Aceste to meet with us after his calls? I’ll wait to explain what happened.”

“And what was that?” Zach snaps.

“You wouldn’t leave me alone. You shouldn’t have gotten involved, Powell. What I do is none of your business.”

“Mr. Ruth made me your lab partner, Hadley.”

“Really?” I don’t remember an assignment so much as a general suggestion.

Zach rolls his eyes in a perfect circle behind his square glasses. “I know you wanted to work with Colton—”

“And I would’ve, if you hadn’t stopped me.”

I hadn’t realized we were leaning in toward each other, and I’m uncomfortably putting all my weight into my elbows, until that same tingly feeling creeps up my hands, pins and needles like I’ve slept on them wrong. I shake them out, flexing fingers to try to get blood flow back.

“I was trying to help, Hadley.”

I snort. “Yeah, I bet. Help yourself.”

Thankfully, we’re both saved by the bell before I can do any more damage.

Ms. Gagliano puts down her red marker and looks at us. “You’re free to go, but I’ll see you both tomorrow. And the day after that. And the one after that one and . . .” She laughs to herself as we exit the room.

Zach and I take one look at each other and storm off in opposite directions. Laney is waiting for me near our lockers.

“Hey,” Laney says sympathetically. “Are you okay? How bad was it?”