Rhymes With Witches by Lauren Myracle Page B

bar, nursing a Coke and her indignation.
    â€œHey, Alicia, it’s me,” I said after the beep. “I am so sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I swear. I fell asleep in the library, can you believe it? I’m a total loser, I know. So anyway, hope you had a great time. See you tomorrow!”
    I still had the taste of french fries in my mouth. It was making me thirsty.

    The next day I made a point of getting to my locker way early so that I wouldn’t run into Alicia, and I managed to dodge her between classes as well. After French, I met up with the Bitches. Me and Mary Bryan and Keisha and Bitsy. They didn’t say anything to me, just, “Right, let’s go.” When we got to Bitsy’s, it was like total déjà-vu. Same empty house, same white sofas. Although this time we had Perrier and soy nuts, so it wasn’t completely the same after all.
    I sat down on one sofa, and the three of them sat across from me on the other. I twisted my fingers in my lap.
    â€œYou know why you’re here,” Keisha said.
    I did, but I wasn’t so dumb as to say it out loud.
    â€œWe’re very careful whom we pick to join us,” she said, “and we’re impressed with your qualifications.” She ticked off points. “You’re a freshman. That’s essential, of course. You’re not in any remedial classes. Your looks meet the minimum requirements.”
    â€œWhich is to say you’re not a dog,” Bitsy said. She winked.
    â€œBut mainly, we like your attitude,” Keisha said. “You appreciate what we represent, and we know you’ll make us proud. Am I right?”
    â€œUm, yeah,” I said.
    â€œBecause we’ll be investing an enormous amount of energy in you, Jane. You’ll have to work hard to be worth it.”
    I felt silly, but I nodded anyway. “I will. I promise.”
    Bitsy leaned forward. “And everything we tell you remains secret. Do you understand?”
    â€œOf course.”
    She arched her eyebrows. “Once you’re in, you’re in. It’s a forever kind of thing, luv. So think about it before you give your answer, because you better be one-hundred-percent sure.”
    I gazed at their faces. They all looked so serious. Mary Bryan smiled encouragingly, but she was gripping her Perrier harder than she needed to. For no good reason I thought of cats. Of black magic and girls who were dead. Fear twanged in my stomach, and I had an out-of-body sensation of standing over a pit, about to fall in.
    Don’t you dare
, I told myself.
Don’t you dare wimp out now.
    â€œI want in,” I said. “I want to be a Bitch.”
    Time stopped. And when nothing happened, I had a moment of panic.
Is that it?
I thought.
What happens next?
    Keisha picked up her backpack from the floor and withdrew a small box. She walked to my sofa and stood in front of me. I stood, too.
    â€œIn that case, we ask you to be one of us,” Keisha said. “Do you accept our invitation?”
    Hokey
, whispered a voice inside me, but I embraced it, because hokey was better by far than the other.
    â€œI do.”
    â€œAnd do you swear to keep all our proceedings secret and confidential, or face the consequences?”
    â€œI do.”
    She opened the box and took out a key. It was dull with tarnish. She placed it in my palm and folded my fingers over it.
    â€œThis is your key,” she said. She gave me a meaningful look, but I didn’t know what the meaning was.
    â€œOkaaay,” I said. I felt its weight and wanted to open my hand and look at it. But I didn’t know if I was allowed.
    Keisha’s expression softened. “Congratulations.”
    For no reason, my eyes filled with tears.
    â€œOh no,” Mary Bryan said, “now you’re going to get me going, too!” She jumped up and hugged me. “This is so awesome, Jane! You’re one of us!”
    â€œFor real?”