I got in about six hours of sleep before I had to wake up for school. Usually I couldn’t function on less than eight but emotions were running high as the Curse exam drew closer, and I was determined to pass it the first time around. A close family friend named Eduardo failed his curse exam, like, seven times. He was kind of a laughing stock in the wizarding world. I had to pass on my first try because I just knew that Kaydon was going to pass his.

He was a maestro with this stuff. I, on the other hand, usually ended up sans eyebrows, as you’ve noted. Kaydon could have got his license about three years ago but he insisted on waiting for me to turn seventeen (the ‘legal’ age to take the exam) so we could take the test together. So, when I finally celebrated my birthday last month, we began the preparations and booked an appointment for the same day at the Witches’ Council.

We are extremely close, Kaydon and I. Except for the teasing, he is an awesome big bro.

Meanwhile, at school I looked for a victim, er, I mean person to give the hexed chain to. But as I scouted a group of giggling girls, Jessica strode up beside me.

“Hey,” she greeted. “My first day at school. Glad to see a familiar face.”

I smiled politely but didn’t say anything. Maybe I could give the chain to her?

“So,” she said. “Found what you were looking for?”

When she saw the puzzled look on my face she said, “Last night. I saw you in the woods.”

“That was you? Did you follow me?!” I asked, outraged. “Why are you spying on me?”

“Relax,” she said, and gave a lazy laugh. “I’m not some stalker. I was just looking for my cat. She ran away. I reckon she’s not used to this place. But she will be soon. We’ll be staying here for a long time. Her name’s Ms Mittens.”

How original, I thought. “Then why didn’t you just come up to me last night? Why were you ducking in the bushes?”

“I wasn’t hiding,” she replied. “I started coming over when I saw you but then my sleeve got caught on one of the branches. By the time I got free you were gone.”

How convenient.

“I did get rattled and bolt,” I said, hiding my face with hair, seemingly out of shame. Did you … did you see what I was doing?”

“Not really. You were on your knees so I figured you were looking for something. I think I saw you picking up a chain?”

“Yes,” I went with it, thinking fast. “I did. Looking for my necklace. Found it.” I showed her the hexed chain that I created.

“Why aren’t you wearing it? I mean if it’s so special that you’d go searching for it at the graveyard shift …”

“I was rushing this morning,” I said quickly, starting to really get annoyed. This girl was asking too many questions, getting on my nerves. I gritted my teeth and put the chain on.

I was super careful with every step I took after that, but sure enough, at the first stairwell I came to, I tripped and ended up, face first, on the tiles.

It was a bittersweet moment for me. I was totally ashamed because everyone laughed at me. But also – my curse worked! And I couldn’t be prouder.

***

Tell us: Do you believe Jessica’s story about why she was out at midnight?