Page 25 of Practically Magic

“Good plan,” Laney agrees. “Should we pull the fire alarm?”

“Noooooo! That will end the dance! Fire Chief Upton will never let us back in here.” I tap my foot trying to think of another idea. And that’s when my fingers start to tingle and the hair on the back of my neck stands up. I listen to the lyrics, and inspiration strikes. “I will do a spell to get him to notice me.”

Laney’s eyes brighten in the glow of the disco ball flashing on the dance floor. “Yes! A spell. You know one to use? I mean, can you actually do it?”

“Yes,” I decide, clutching the crystal necklace my aunts gave me for strength. I think hard about one of the intention spells I read about in my spell book. “I’m going to write Hunter’s name down on a piece of paper and burn it in a cauldron.”

Laney frowns. “So you’re going home? Or did you bring a cauldron in your bag?”

“I didn’t bring a cauldron! Though a pocket-size cauldron could be a good invention. I’ll use a sink. I just need paper and matches, and the bathroom all to myself, so I can say my intention and light the paper on fire without anyone coming in.”

“Won’t it cause a fire?” Laney is starting to sound anxious now. I’m a little bit too.

“That’s why I’m using the sink,” I say. “I’ll do the spell, then turn the water on immediately.” I purse my lips. “That won’t negate the spell, right?”

“How should I know?” Laney asks. “Ooh! But I know someone who will have matches. I’ll meet you at the bathroom in five.”

“I’ll get paper and a pen.” I pick up a napkin with the Headless Horseman on it. “This should work.” I hope. “See you in a few!”

I look over at Hunter again and see him and his friends whispering and laughing about something as they look at the dance floor. I feel a pang of doubt, but a wave of determination sweeps through me. This is the intention my aunts are always talking about. If there was ever a time to do a spell, it’s now. I head to the gym doors and Harry appears, blocking my path.

“Where are you going?” she asks casually. She blows a bright orange bubble with her chewing gum; it matches her tulle skirt that she’s paired with a black leotard and tights. “I asked Kevin to play this song just for you and it’s almost over.” She points at the far corner of the gym. “Hunter’s over there.”

I knock her hand down. “Shh!” Embarrassment rushes through me, a hot wave. “I can’t just ask him.”

“Why not?”

“Because—” Because what if he says no? What if he laughs at me? What if he leaves me standing there, all night, and I spend another Halloween alone?

“I know it’s scary, but trust me, you can’t say the wrong thing to the right person. If he’s a decent guy, he’ll be thrilled if you ask him. And if he’s not? Screw him.”

I flush. “No, Harry, it has to be perfect. I have a plan.”

“A plan?” Harry flashes her green eyes at me under her thick lashes. I decide to be honest. I stand up as tall as I can, only two inches shorter than my sister. “I’m going to cast a small spell. To get the woodsman to notice me so I can ask him to dance.”

Harry’s eyes flicker and I wonder what she’s thinking. “Tonight? In front of all these people? Have you even cast a spell before?”

“There’s a first time for everything,” I say stubbornly, waving the Headless Horseman napkin, which only confuses Harry more.

“Why do you need magic? You’re enough, Kat. You don’t need magic to get some guy to notice you.”

“Yes, I do,” I say stubbornly, crossing my arms, which feel cold and prickle with goose bumps—which is odd when the gym is so warm. I can feel my emotions getting the best of me. “I’m not you, Harry.”

“What does that mean?” Harry snaps, all knowing and acting wise when she’s only eighteen months older.

“He hasn’t noticed me yet. But tonight I’ll change that,” I insist. I look over at the bleachers and realize he’s gone. Where did he go? I have to act fast. “I need to go do this. I’ll talk to you after, or you’ll see us together on the dance floor.”

Her mouth twitches. “O-kay.” She sounds doubtful and I feel a flash of anger.

“Just go dance with Kevin the Great. I’ve got this.” I spin away from my sister and race for the gym doors. Along the skeleton display framing the entryway, I feel my skirt give a tug. It’s caught on something, but I can’t see what it is. I fumble to pull my skirt away from the skeletons and shove the doors to get away. That’s when I hear the sound of fabric tearing.

I give a small gasp. My skirt has a huge gash from the waist to the mid-thigh on my right side, giving the rest of the world a view of my Supergirl underwear briefs. I quickly clutch both halves of the skirt and pull them together. My eyes meet Harry’s. Help, I silently say, our disagreement completely forgotten.

She’s by my side in less than a breath.

“You can fix this, right? I have to do this spell fast,” I beg.

“Yes, yes, yes.” Harry pulls me into a darkened classroom. “Let me just think of the spell. Ummmm . . .”