The Coven by Cate Tiernan

night I slept deeply, without dreams, and woke up feeling wonderful. I put my hands together as if I could still see the sigil traced there: Daeg. A new dawn.An awakening.
     
    “Morgan?” Mary K. called from the hallway. “Come on. School.”
    I was already shoving my feet into my slippers. No doubt I was running late, as usual. I rushed through my shower, threw on some clothes, and pounded downstairs, my wet hair practically strangling me. In the kitchen I grabbed a breakfast bar, ready to dash out the door. Mary K. looked up calmly from her orange juice.
    “No hurry,” she said. “I got you up early for once. I’ve been late twice in the last month.”
    Mouth open, I looked at the clock. School didn’t start for almost forty-five minutes! I sank into a chair and waved incoherently at the fridge.
    Taking pity on me, my sister reached in and handed me a Diet Coke. I gulped it down, then stomped back upstairs to untangle my hair.
    Somehow, we were late anyway. At school I parallel parked my car with practiced efficiency. Then I spotted Bakker, coming toward the car to meet Mary K. My mood soured.
    “Look, there he is,” I said. “Lying in wait like a spider.”
    Mary K. punched my leg. “Stop it,” she said. “I thought you liked him.”
    “He’s okay,” I said. I’ve got to chill, I thought. I’d be so peeved if anyone tried to pull the big-sister routine on me. But I couldn’t help asking, “Does he know you’re only fourteen?”
    Mary K. rolled her eyes. “No, he thinks I’m a junior,” she said sarcastically. “Don’t let the cat out of the bag.” She got out of the car. As she and Bakker kissed, I slammed my car door shut and hitched my backpack onto my shoulder. Then I headed toward the east door.
    “Oh, Morgan, wait!” someone called. I turned and spotted Janice Yutoh, her hair bouncing as she hurried toward me. Whoops—I’d totally forgotten to return her call the night before.
    “Sorry I spaced on calling you,” I said as she caught up to me.
    She waved a hand in the air. “No biggie. I just wanted to say hi,” she said, panting slightly. “I haven’t seen you at all lately, except in class.”
    “I know,” I said apologetically. “A lot of stuff’s been going on.” This was such a lame representation of the truth that I almost laughed. “My aunt Eileen is moving in with her girlfriend,” I said, thinking of one bright spot.
    “That’s great! Tell her I’m happy for her,” said Janice.
    “Will do,” I said. “What’d you get on Fishman’s essay test?”
    “I somehow pulled an A out of my hat,” she said as we walked toward the main building.
    “Cool. I got a B-plus. I hate essay tests. Too many words,” I complained. Janice laughed. Then we saw Tamara and Ben Reggio heading into the main door just as the bell rang.
    “Gotta catch Ben,” said Janice, moving off. “He’s got my Latin notes.”
    “See you in class.” I went in through the east door, where the coven had started to meet in the mornings, but the cement benches were empty. Cal must have gone inside already. My disappointment at not seeing him was almost equaled by my relief at not having to face Bree.
    By lunchtime it was drizzling outside, with sullen rivulets tracing lines on the windows. I filed into the lunchroom, for once grateful for its warm, steamy atmosphere. By the time I collected a tray and looked around, most of the coven was sitting at a table closest to the windows. Raven and Bree weren’t there, I saw with a lift of relief. Neither was Beth Nielson.
    I made my way over and sat down next to Cal. When he smiled, it was like the sun coming out.
    “Hi,” he said, making space for me on the table. “Did you get here late this morning?”
    I nodded, opening my soda. “Just as the bell rang.”
    “Can I have a fry?” he asked, taking one without waiting for my answer. I felt a warm glow at his easy familiarity.
    “Mom told me you dropped by last night,” he said. “I’m sorry