The Coven by Cate Tiernan Page B

coughed. “Yeah, that was pretty weird.”
    “Don’t know,” said Cal.A shadow crossed his face.Then he seemed to shrug it off. “But like I said, Wicca isn’t for everyone.” He leaned forward. “I thought at our next circle, I could show you guys some more runes and maybe a small spell.”
    “All right,” Ethan said. “Cool.” He leaned across to Sharon. “Are you gonna eat that brownie?”
    She made a pained face, but I could tell she was kidding. “Yes.”
    “Halfies?” he asked. Ethan, former pothead, now merely scruffy underdog, grinned coyly at Sharon. It was like watching a street mongrel trying to flirt with a well-groomed poodle.
    “I’ll give you a tiny bite,” Sharon said, breaking off a piece. Her cheeks were slightly pink.
    Ethan grinned more broadly and popped the brownie morsel into his mouth.
    Around us hundreds of students filed to and from tables, eating, talking to one another, busing their trays. We were a small, private microcosm of the school. To me it felt like we were the only ones talking about things that really mattered—things that were far more important and interesting than the latest pep squad rally or prom theme contest. I couldn’t wait to be finished with high school, to move on with the rest of my life. I saw myself devoted to Wicca, still with Cal, living a life full of meaning and joy and magick.
    Robbie’s elbow knocking into me jolted me out of my daydream.
    “Sorry,” he said, rubbing his temples. “Do you have any Tylenol?”
    “Nope, sorry.Your doctor’s appointment is today, right?” I asked him, then took a bite of hamburger.
    “Yeah.”
    “Here, take this.” Jenna rummaged in her purse and took out two tablets.
    Robbie squinted at them, then tossed them down with the rest of his soda. “What was that?”
    “Cyanide,” said Sharon, and we laughed.
    “Actually, it was Midol,” Jenna said, turning away to give another cough. I wondered if she was getting sick.
    Matt whooped with laughter as Robbie gaped at her in dismay.
    “It’ll really help,” Jenna insisted. “It’s what I take for my headaches.”
    “Oh, man.” Robbie shook his head. I was almost doubled over with laughter.
    “Look at it this way,” said Cal brightly. “You won’t get that awful bloated feeling.”
    “You’ll feel pretty all day,” suggested Matt, laughing so hard, he had to wipe his eyes.
    “Oh, man,” said Robbie again as we cackled.
    “Well, this is nice,” came Raven’s snide voice. “Everyone all happy and laughing together. Cozy, huh, Bree?”
    “Very cozy,” said Bree.
    I stopped laughing and looked up at them, standing by our lunch table. People streamed by in back of them, making Bree edge closer to me. I still felt profoundly relaxed, thanks to Selene, and as I gazed at my former best friend, I couldn’t help missing her powerfully. She was so familiar to me—I had known her before she was beautiful, when she was just a pretty little girl. She’d never gone through an awful awkward stage, like most kids, but when she was twelve, she’d had braces and a bad haircut. I had known her before she liked boys, while her mother and brother still lived at home.
    So much had changed.
    “Hi, Raven, Bree,” Cal said, still smiling. “Grab some chairs—we’ll make room.”
    Raven took out one of her foul-smelling Gauloises and tapped it against her wrist. “No, thanks. Did Beth tell you she was ditching the coven?” she asked, her voice seeming harsh and unfriendly. I glanced at Bree, who was keeping her eyes on Raven.
    “Yes, she did,” Cal replied, shrugging. “Why?”
    Raven and Bree looked at each other. A month ago, Bree and I were making fun of Raven together. Now they acted like best friends. I tried hard to hold on to my feelings of calm and peace.
    Bree gave Raven a tiny nod, and Raven’s lips thinned in what could pass for a smile.
    “We’re leaving, too,” she announced.
    I know my surprise showed on my face, and when I quickly