Seven Magics Academy

"I've had several seriously sexual daydreams about the new guy. Have you seen him, Snow?" Cindy fanned her face with her hand while she spoke. "Cin, too much information. I don't need to hear about your boy crazy fantasies." We forced our way down one of Salem Academy's busy hallways as we spoke. Directly in our line of sight appeared Jesse, a guy from the football team. He was handsome, except for the fact that I'd known him since elementary school and knew he was a walking turd. He winked, and I blanched, thinking for a split second that he'd winked at me. "Cindy. Babe. Looking good." He made a point of checking her out. "Don't you know it," Cindy said, giving him a coy smile. He hadn't been winking at me but at Cindy. I wasn't wink worthy. Whatever. I was fine with that. I had plenty to deal with, and worrying about what guys thought of me wasn't one of them. Except that wasn't totally true. We exited the throng of bodies to my locker. I turned my combination and lifted t

I didn't have my driver's license yet. Two more months and then it was look out world, figuratively and literally. What I did have was an old purple Schwinn, which was what I rode to meet up with Cindy. The night air was clammy - the kind that made me wonder why I bothered to shower that day - and the sky sparkled with crisp stars and a full moon.The perfect night for magic, I thought only half wistfully and snorted. But I did live in Salem, after all. If magic were going to happen anywhere, it'd be in our town.Our regular spot was a movie rental place called Warehouse Video. Classic movie posters were plastered on the windows, and a neon sign hung along the top. It actually said AREHOUSE VID thanks to several missing light bulbs, but I liked it that way. It was "our house."The place probably would've closed up a long time ago, but the owner's son got the brilliant idea to add a coffee shop. The inside reminded me of what I thought a seventies disco would look like, and it sm

"Gatsby, c'mon kitty," I called quietly into the darkness that was my backyard. From my porch, I searched the night, waiting to hear the soft patter of his running feet. After five minutes, he still hadn't come. Obviously, he must still be upset with me over the screaming fiasco. I stepped back inside, shutting the screen door while keeping watch.Cin had left already with a quick hug and a promise to call Sunday afternoon when she returned from the Cape. The guys hadn't ever shown, and Gatsby didn't seem to want my company either. Stifling a shiver, I wrapped my arms around myself. I wasn't cold so much as unsettled. The disturbing dream thing, along with that scary movie, had me all messed up.Instinctively I searched the trees beyond my yard, studying between the low hanging branches that smelled of peppermint, their leaves soft as butterfly kisses. Would he be out there? The man who watched me in the dream.A noise like crunching leaves pulled my head in its direction. My pu

I stood beside Professor Pops and took another plate he handed me. It was hot, and I hurriedly dried it. "Not yet. My parents won't be back from St. Bart's for a while, so I'm not sure."He didn't say anything right away. I looked up. His jaw flexed, and his eyes were scrunched as though he had to concentrate on washing the plate.Professor Pops had thick gray hair. He was tall and lean. I figured he'd probably been very handsome when he was younger. As it was, I'd say he was distinguished. He had on a pair of tan slacks, a red and white checkered button-up shirt, and a tan sweater with dark suede patches at the elbows. On his feet were loafers, and in his left breast pocket were silver wire-rimmed reading glasses. He was the epitome of what I believed a Professor of Religion should look like. Well, a professor of any kind, really.After I put away the dried plate, I came back for the next one. "It isn't a big deal. Maybe I'll invite the guys and Cindy over to watch a movie. T

Heathcliff answered as though he'd been holding his breath. "We'd love to.""Excellent." Kenmei moved inside. "Apologies for the smell. It keeps away the undesirables." "No problem," Heathcliff said.After the four of us were inside, Hiro appeared seemingly out of nowhere and barked, "Take off your shoes," as he closed the door."I'll be right back," Kenmei said when he reached the end of the hall. "Show them into the dining room and get them some tea," he added, speaking to Hiro. Hiro bowed. "Yes, Grandfather."Kenmei disappeared.I rolled up my pant legs because the ends were wet and removed my shoes as I waited for my eyes to adjust to the dimly lit room. It'd been dusk outside, but for some reason, it seemed darker in here. I could barely make out that Gabe and the others were removing their shoes as well. "Follow me, please, and don't touch anything." Hiro shook his pointer finger at us slowly but seemed to be looking directly at me.Did I have "klutzy" stamped across my fore