Kelly McClymer-Salem Witch 02 Competition's A Witch (24 page)

“We
are
going to beat you. Without even breaking a sweat.” Tara wasn’t afraid of making idle threats. She had the magic to back it up—not that that would be a good thing. But I don’t think she cared at the moment. I know I didn’t.

Chezzie said, oh-so-casually, “But how can you have time for new routines when you’re having to try so hard to pass your classes?” She smiled at Maddie. “Isn’t that what you told everyone? That Pru wasn’t doing well at her new school?”

I started a slow burn inside. Maddie had outed me? Sure, it was one thing to poach Brent when I wasn’t around. But to tell my secrets? The backstabber didn’t even have the grace to look ashamed when she asked, “That’s right, Pru, didn’t you say you were in remedial classes?”

I raised an eyebrow, thinking of how to deny Maddie’s
charges without outright lying. “I’m not in remedial classes. You must have misread my texts.” I flicked a glance at Brent. “Maybe you were trying to do two things at once and the text message got lost in translation.”

Tara had no compunction about lying. “Pru’s not only a great student, she’s a great cheerleader. I’m lucky to have her on my team. We’re going to win Nationals this year, so start getting used to the idea of second place. K?”

Chezzie was done with me. She and Tara were face-to-face—and neither face was happy underneath the fake, cheerleader smiles. “Have you ever competed before?”

Tara conveniently forgot our recent stinging loss. “In two weeks and five hours, we’ll be winning the Frozen Four Regionals.”

“Is that so?” Chezzie grinned, for real this time. “Then, no offense, I think
you’re
the one who ought to be getting used to the sound of second place—if you’re lucky.”

Tara raised her chin. “We’re not only lucky—we’re good.” Good liars, anyway.

I tried not to glance at Maddie, but failed. She looked back at me like I was a stranger. Then she hooked her arm around Brent’s waist. The look in her eye dared me to do something about it. Lucky for her I didn’t.

The voice over the loudspeaker announced that the judges were going to present awards, and called the teams to the floor.

Chezzie gave Tara one last glare. “Whatever. Watch real winners, and get a clue.”

The girls moved quickly back to the floor, lining up like the champions they were.

“It’s not too late for a tiny little earthquake, just under their feet.”

I stood and clapped when my old team won first place—as if it had ever been in doubt. “That’s not the way to win, Tara. That’s not what competition is about, not even for witches.”

I admit I regretted the thought a moment later, when Brent ran out onto the floor and gave Maddie another big smooch.

“So you’re just going to let her get away with stealing your routines and your boyfriend?”

“She didn’t steal my routines, I gave them to her.” But I hadn’t given her Brent. She’d definitely taken him without my blessing.

“Seems a shame you’re just going to let her walk all over you.” Tara was clearly unhappy with me. No doubt she would have created a spectacular failure for the team, if she’d been the one feeling the way I was at the moment. Not that that was much consolation. I thought Tara was a difficult person to get along with, but in this one case, I
so
got why some people called revenge “sweet.”

I watched Maddie and Brent walk away arm in arm. I’d
done this once before. I’d been invisible then, too, but not by choice. I’d wanted Maddie to see me, but I’d been too hurt, too scared, to face what that confrontation would do to me, so I’d become invisible without wanting to. Fear can do funny things to a person, I can attest to that firsthand.

Anger can, too, apparently. Because, without even thinking hard about it, I raised my arms in the air behind the departing couple and chanted:

“Love is fine
Love is grand
You crossed the line
Let your ire be fanned.”

“A breakup spell?” Tara chuckled evilly. “I didn’t think you had it in you. Good girl.” Tara was back to being happy now that I’d used my magic for revenge.

“It won’t break them up if they don’t mind fighting a lot.” I smiled. I’d cast the spell knowing it wasn’t a full on breakup spell. I couldn’t do that. A little trouble? Why not. Everyone knows that teen love is puppy love and that your first love never lasts. You could almost say I was doing them both a favor.

“Yeah, well, maybe when we win it you can deliver the final blow to that relationship without using a single whiff of magic.”

“Winning without magic is going to be tough, you know?”

Tara shrugged, her eyes following Chezzie, who was holding the trophy, hoisted up by her team to ride their shoulders in triumph. “Like you say, it will be worth it.”

Kelly McClymer was born in South Carolina, but crossed the Mason-Dixon Line to live in Delaware at age six. After one short stint living in South Carolina during junior high, she has remained above the Line, and now lives in Maine with her husband and three children.

Writing has been Kelly’s passion since her sixth-grade essay on how not to bake bread earned her an A+. After cleaning up the bread dough that oozed onto the floor, she gave up bread making for good and turned to writing as a creative outlet. A graduate of the University of Delaware (English major, of course), she spends her days writing and teaching writing. Her most recent novels include
The Salem Witch Tryouts
, and
Getting to Third Date
, which is part of the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedy line.

What’s life without a little …

⋆ A new series by Paul Ruditis ⋆

At Bryan Stark’s posh private high school in Malibu, the teens are entitled, the boys are cute, and the school musicals are extremely elaborate. Bryan watches—and comments—as the action and intrigue unfold around him. Thrilling mysteries, comic relief, and epic sagas of friendship and love … It’s all here. And it’s showtime.

From Simon Pulse · Published by Simon & Schuster