A taste of magic, p.10
A Taste of Magic, page 10
“Russ,” Ms. Mo says. “Clever, but I noticed you used a modifier. Those were not the instructions.”
“But the modifier works more efficiently, to—”
“Following instructions matters, Mr. Watkins. A lot.”
He snaps his lips shut, sullen.
“Kyana, good job, but you finished right after time.” She pushes her mouth sideways. “Still, pretty good.” She turns to Ashley. “Simply superb, Ash.”
I sigh, shoving my spell book aside. First I fail at my big homework assignment and then I basically mess up on my Charms test.
Is that what I do—fail things?
Apparently.
What if I blow my chance and Mo thinks I’m not taking this serious and kicks me out?
With stations cleaned, a girl named Tiffany is up first to share her project idea. I resist the urge to bury my head in my arms on my desk and try to pay attention to Tiff and the others after her. But after Brandice’s invisible-braces idea and Leah’s grocery-gardening concept, my eyes glaze over. One presentation blurs into the next until—
“All right, girls,” Ms. Mo says, and all eyes are on me and Ash. “Kyana, Ashley, who’d like to go next? You two are the last ones.”
My time to think of something on the fly is up.
“Ashley?” Ms. Mo says.
Ash is probably over there about to have an anxiety attack about speaking in front of the class. “I’ll go, Ms. Mo,” I say.
Ashley smiles in thanks, savoring her last few minutes sans the spotlight.
“The truth is . . .” I’m not shy about public speaking and even I have bubble guts right now. “I didn’t have . . . I didn’t make time to do my homework. I don’t have any ideas of what my project could be yet.” I try to hold my chin up, but the look on Ms. Mo’s face casts my gaze right to the floor.
“That’s very disappointing, Kyana. I know how much this means to you, so I expected you to be putting your all into this opportunity.”
“Well, I mean—” Russ starts.
“No commentary from you is needed, Russell, thank you.” Ms. Mo cuts him off but doesn’t hide her disappointment.
Ash is up at the front and I couldn’t feel any more small. Magic is supposed to be my one special thing. Ash clears her throat and I try to at least artificially perk myself up to give her any confidence juju I have.
She taps a rolled-up scroll with her wand and it sprawls open, larger than the whiteboard. On it is a picture of what looks like a science lab: lab tables, microscopes, pipettes, and a Bunsen burner spring to life right there.
“So . . .” Her cheeks go rosy. “I’d really like Charms as a specialty so I can go into Summoning. And I think my idea makes a great case of why I’d be good at it.” She taps the presentation. “I want to create a bio research lab that can investigate and test all sorts of potentially hazardous diseases like that virus we had a while back, but using tethered Availables instead of people. That way the research staff isn’t at risk of getting infected. I’d like to tether spirits to microscopes, pipettes, vacuum pumps, glassware, centrifuges, stuff like that, and let it all operate hands-free.”
What a cool idea! Ash catches my eye and I point to my eyes, then back at her, to remind her about eye contact.
“Ashley, that’s an absolutely ingenious idea.” Ms. Mo beams.
Ash lifts her chin and addresses Ms. Mo. “Thanks. I’ve actually been able to hold an Available for a full seven minutes, but no luck tethering yet. I—I’ve been practicing every day.”
Ms. Mo checks off something on her clipboard. Okay, Ash is getting Charms. She has to be. Which means there’s one other spot. It can’t go to Russ—it has to go to me!
“Well, I can’t wait to see what all you do as a witch in our community, Ms. Ashley. I’m so impressed.” She turns to the class. “I think I’ve seen enough. Who’s ready for their designation?”
My stomach drops. The whole class gathers in a circle and Ash and I grip hands, fingers crossed. I even put one foot over the other so my legs are crossed and tangle my arms up. All crossables crossed, I await the news. Ms. Mo flips through papers on a clipboard once more.
“All right. Deep breaths. Remember, no area of focus is more important than any other. You’ll all come to love your skill. I tried to consider your preferences where I could, but the tests did weigh heavily in my decision. And in many cases confirm my leanings.”
I’m going to pee my pants from sheer nervousness. And probably fall over because standing cross-legged is harder than it looks.
“Tiffany Boyden . . . General Spells.”
Everyone claps. Russ makes a big to-do. Tiff looks genuinely pleased, smiling as she takes the paper Mo gives her.
“Is that what you wanted?” I whisper.
She nods.
“Congrats!”
Mo calls another several names. My surname is Turner, so I’m used to being last. Everyone’s gotten General Spells and most seem fine with that.
“Ashley Martinez,” Ms. Mo says, and Ash’s nails dig into my arm. I yelp.
“Sorry!”
“Charms,” Ms. Mo says.
“Ahh!!!” We jump up and down. There’s actual applause coming from somewhere, too.
“Geez, excited much?” Russ says. “Watch it, Turner, hanging out with Weirdo One is making you Weirdo Two.”
“Ignore him,” I say to Ash, who is so overcome with joy at her designation she’s hardly paying any attention to Russ. “He’s just jealous you did better than him on the Charms test.”
There’s a few more names before we finally near the Ts. The only people left are Russ, me, and one other girl who wanted General Spells, I’m pretty sure.
“Chassidy Rayne . . . General Spells.”
Chassidy thanks Ms. Mo and takes her paper.
And now it’s Russ or me.
Ash squeezes my hands and I squeeze back.
“Kyana Turner,” Ms. Mo says.
Please, oh please, oh please, say “Charms.”
“Potions.”
Russ snorts a laugh, takes his paperwork from Ms. Mo, and holds it up like he’s showing off a WWF wrestling belt.
Did I even hear right? I stare, sure it was a mistake. I didn’t get Charms? The one thing I wanted. It was my whole plan. I know my test wasn’t great, but he didn’t even follow the instructions.
“Kyana, I’m sorry,” Ash says. “You’re going to be great at Potions, though, I know it.”
I try to thank her, but the only thing that comes out is a squeak. I can’t cry in front of stupid Russ or anyone here. I kick the floor. Why would she give it to him? Why?
“Kyana?” Ms. Mo taps my shoulder. “Can I have a quick word?”
Ash gives my hand another squeeze and I follow Ms. Mo away from the crowd saturated with revelry.
“I know you’re disappointed, but listen . . .”
Cracks in the wood floor sure are interesting.
“Look at me.”
I sigh, but meet her eyes.
“I’ve never had a student show such an astute affinity for Potions. I couldn’t ignore that. Trust me when I say you will excel at many things. And Potions will only be one of them.”
She doesn’t get it. This isn’t about me excelling or making a name for myself like the bird lady or her Wriggly friend. This was for Momma. Everything’s foggy and I don’t want to talk anymore. I want to curl up with triple chocolate toasted-hazelnut brownies and vanilla ice cream.
“You can still learn charms here and there, too.”
“Here and there won’t land me a Charms job.” Or make me more useful around the house.
“Kyana.”
“Thank you for helping me do this at all. It is really special. I can see that. But I just . . . I’m so disappointed.”
Ms. Mo leaves me to my feelings. As class adjourns, she hands us another parent notice, probably announcing my specialty. I stuff it in my bag, not even trying to read it. Eric offers Ash a high five as she packs her bag. Everyone stops by her desk, congratulating her on such a cool idea. Except Russ. He doesn’t say a word when he passes. But I know I saw his jaw drop at her presentation. Mr. Arrogant doesn’t like when he’s not the center of attention.
“You are a friggin’ genius, Ash, seriously,” I say, trying to not sound deflated.
Her smile is bashful, but she manages to not thank her shoes this time.
“And congrats on Charms! You deserve it.”
She shoves her assignment paper away. “Thank you. I’m sorry, Kyana.” She hesitates before meeting my eyes fully. “I know how bad you wanted Charms. And you certainly deserve it more than that guy.”
“Yeah, no kidding.”
“You know, when you come over again, we can keep practicing. Even if it’s not your specialty, you can still work on charms. Get good at them for your mom like you wanted.”
The thought pricks my disappointment. I didn’t think of that.
“Oh, and here.” She pulls out Momma’s work shoes. “You left these. I went ahead and put the charm on them. So they should be good.”
“Oh, man, thank you so much.” I survey the shoes and I can already see Momma’s crinkly smile. “She’s gonna love these. Her feet are always hurting.” Maybe if I can still practice and use charms, like she’s saying, it won’t be a total bust? Assuming I can get better at them. And that’s a big assumption from the looks of it. That reminds me. “I was gonna ask, actually—my best friend, Nae, and I are getting together to plan a Nails and Mermaid Tails party. You wanna join?”
“Oh . . . uh, no. I—I better not,” she says.
“Ash. She’s really nice.”
“I’m sure. I just . . . no thanks. Maybe some other time.”
“Hey.” I throw an arm over her shoulder. “I understand.”
“You do?” She exhales. “Thank you.”
“I do.” I grab my bag and we say goodbye to the others. I don’t get nervous talking to people, but I know that feeling of thinking you’re gonna screw up somehow and never live it down.
Thing is, Ash is way more capable than she realizes.
Me on the other hand . . . screwup is my middle name.
CHAPTER 13
Home from magic school, I pull the envelope from my bag and slip the paper out, my curiosity getting the best of me.
PARENTS, I AM HOPING IT DOESN’T . . .
“Excuse me,” Momma says, taking the paper out of my hand. “That envelope said ‘parents.’ Get on up there and get your homework out.”
Memaw’s banging around in the kitchen, so I peep my head in before going upstairs. She has piles of celery, onion, and bell pepper chopped, which means we’re making some yummy comfort dish today.
“All right now, wash them hands and get me that mixer out. You’re on the dessert today.”
“I gotta get my math done first, Memaw. Then I’ll be down.”
I hurry upstairs. The worksheet I pull out has percentages and fractions on it and I go cross-eyed. My phone vibrates.
Ash: I got something official on Russ.
Oooo! I start typing back, but stop and set my phone aside. Gotta focus.
I huff an exhale and start. That’s the hardest part, but the minutes click by, my timer goes off, and I managed to finish eight questions. Not bad—I could only finish six last week. I check through the questions and by some miracle they’re actually right.
I change into more comfy clothes and hightail it downstairs, answering the scent of cinnamon calling me. The wood groans under my steps and I slow up when I hear talking—whispered talking.
“Earlene, don’t be getting in my business now.” Memaw’s words are stern.
“Mom, your business is my business. Did the doctor say it’s official?”
“He said that it’s not uncommon around my age. That—”
“Mom, enough!” Momma’s upset.
Goose prickles dance up my arms. I hold in a breath and ease down a few more steps to hear better.
“Enough beating around the bush. Is it Alzheimer’s, officially?”
Silence. I can’t see, but Momma sniffles and I hear Memaw’s voice softer now.
“It’s okay, baby. I’m just fine. Don’t you get to worrying. He said it can take a long time sometimes. So that’s what we’ll hope for.”
My shoulders sink. We suspected that’s what it was. Why’d this all have to happen now? I don’t want anything to happen to my family. I just . . . I want everything the way it was. Only a little better because I’m a witch now and I can help everyone. My eyes sting, but I blink back the tears.
If Momma’s sad, I gotta be strong. I clear my throat and join them in the kitchen. They break their hug and Momma smooths a finger under her lashes quick, turning her back to me. When I see her face again, she’s all smiles. But I know Momma.
“How’d it go?”
“Got ’em all right,” I say. “Did eight in ten minutes!”
“That’s my girl.” She grabs her bag. “I’m off to meet with your teacher, finally. Hope she will have some positive updates. Since you’ve been doing your practice.”
The knot in my stomach twists.
“Key, keep your eye on things in here. I’ll be back.”
By “things” I know she means Memaw. Seconds later, the screen door claps shut. I settle at the table and Memaw hovers over me, necklace dangling.
“Finished up this lil snack.” She passes me a slice of banana bread with extra nuts, just the way I like it. She slides a chair up to the table, tucking her necklace back inside her shirt.
She wears that necklace literally every day. Its leather strap is brown and tattered, and something hangs from it, but every time it falls out her shirt, she tucks it back in so quickly I can’t see what it is.
Her eyes follow my every move as buttery banana flavor melts on my tongue and a toasty nuttiness swirls all over my mouth. She always pops the walnuts in the oven a few minutes first. That’s the secret to the world’s best banana bread.
“How it taste?” She always asks. But she already knows the answer. She just likes to hear it, I think.
“So good! How about cobbler for tonight? Peach?”
“Oh yes, yes,” Memaw agrees. “Sounds good.”
With snack done, I pull over our mixing bowl and pile in canned peaches with the juice, flour, and sugar. Memaw is standing at the stove, staring blankly.
“It’s the crushed tomatoes next, Memaw.” I hand them to her. “Two cans.”
“That’s right.” She pours them in and the scent of savory goodness curls my toes. I grease my glass baking dish and slice my piecrust dough into strips for a lattice top, careful to keep an eye over my shoulder at Memaw.
“So how’s that magic stuff going?” She grabs a bag of shredded carrots and I quickly take it out of her hand, replacing it with a bag of cheese. She blinks a bit, stunned, then breaks into a smile. “Thank you, baby. That’s what I thought I had.” She piles the cheese into a casserole dish and adds steaming rice and broccoli from a pot on the stove.
“It’s going all right.”
“You don’t sound too excited.” She pops the broccoli-cheese casserole into the warm oven and tops up the étouffée on the stove, then covers it with a lid. “Show me some of the stuff you learning.”
“Uhm.”
“Don’t be shy now.” Memaw’s eyes are warm with a grin so big it could broker world peace. I can’t let her down. Especially not today, with the news she just got.
“Okay. I don’t know a lot yet.” The one charm I do know might go decent. I’ve done it a bunch of times, so I shouldn’t botch it. I hope. “There is this one charm I know.” I take the pot she cooked the rice in. “Ready?”
“Ready.”
I check my posture, steady my wand arm, and hold my wrist at the right angle. I aim and flick. “SKUH-REET-ZEE-LA-PLOO.”
The pot tries to jump out my hand, but I hold on tight. It sparkles clean.
“Well, I’ll say.” She plants her hands on her hips and the sun seems to shine brighter in our kitchen. “My grandbaby, a Charms witch,” she says, a lilt of surprise in her voice.
“Actually . . .”
“Key!” Momma rushes in through the door and my heart jumps. She wrestles me into a hug and waves a paper in my face.
I take it from her and realize it’s the last math quiz I took—with a giant red A at the top. “What? I got an A? On a math quiz?” I can’t be seeing this right.
“Your teacher said ever since she requested that meeting, you’ve been doing a lot better on your homework and quizzes. Your grade is officially passing again, baby. And not barely! A solid C, almost B.”
Oh my goodness! I think of Nae and the knowing grin she’d give me if she were here. I have to text her.
I was up until late reading my spell book. I skimmed the Potions section and actually found out that several of the ingredients needed for potions can be grown, like in a garden. Memaw loves her flower beds. I wonder if maybe we could try some stuff? I also managed to find a Charms spell for attaching relaxed auras to objects. I’m almost sure that’s why I felt so serene at Scooter’s. I practiced enunciating it over and over until my eyes wouldn’t stay open anymore. I’m going to try it out with my wand soon. If I could pull that off, attach it to the front door, Momma would flip!
But all that studying meant I woke up late. So late, I overslept and Momma fussed at me all the way to the library. “Being on time says something about a person, Kyana. You not ’bout to be out here embarrassing me.”
The library comes into view and I dash out the car. The building’s doors glow green and swish open. I wonder what sorts of secret magical rooms the library has? I tingle all over from the thrill as I squeeze between a cluster of people perusing the sale books and another line snaking to the snack cart. Groups wait for computers and I skirt around them to the return dispenser, craning for any sign of Nae. I texted her I was running late. She answered cool but something ’bout her one-word response made it seem like anything but.
I drop my books in the dispenser. It answers with a puff of glittery green smoke and spits out a receipt. I always thought that was some techy special effect, but I bet it’s someone’s community project.
