What the Spell Part 1 (15 page)

The wood blew up again, this time to the right of the target. “Are you freaking
kidding
me?” I asked, moaning. I fell to the sand in frustration. “I can’t do it. God, you must think I’m such a loser.”

Asher walked over and knelt next to me. “You’re not a loser, Brooklyn,” he said, giving me a sympathetic smile. “You’re just losing
today
.”

It was really sweet of him to say, but I couldn’t help feeling like a failure. All I wanted to do was impress him, and here I was, not even able to hit a stupid shell. And Asher was practically a pro at this magic stuff. No way was he going to want to be with a girl who was magically challenged.

“It’s just embarrassing that I’m this bad,” I confessed, looking down at my hands like they were somehow failing me.

“Why are you embarrassed?” Asher asked with a laugh. “You’re doing great for someone who’s
learning
. And besides, it’s just me. Who cares what I think?”

“I can’t help it . . . I care what everyone thinks,” I said. “I mean, maybe not
everyone
, but everyone that
matters
. People at school, The Elite—”

“Yeah, why
is
that?” he asked, cocking his head to the side and looking confused. “They put their pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us. They might be designer pants, but you get the idea. Why do you want to impress them so much?”

“They’re like teen royalty at school. Everyone looks up to
them. And if you’re one of them, that means you’re somebody,” I said. “I want to be somebody, Asher.”

“You’re already somebody to me,” he said.

Swoon.

“Really?”

“Of course,” he said, his fingers finding mine. I turned to look at him and found that he was already gazing at me. “Now, come on. Let’s try this again.”

He pulled me up until I was standing in the sand, facing the log lined with shells. But instead of stepping away and letting me take aim, he came up behind me and pressed his chest against my back. I felt his hand make its way up my side until it reached my shoulder and then move down the length of my arm. Finally, his hand rested on top of mine and we raised our arms together. I closed my eyes and breathed in his scent. He smelled like clean linen with the slightest hint of something spicy. It was delicious.

“Now look at the target and take aim.” I did what he said, but it took everything in me not to just melt into his arms. “Relax your mind and think about what you’re doing.”

But all I could think about was kissing him.

He moved my hand slowly until it was pointed in the direction of the shell. I shivered as his breath tickled my neck.

“Now say the words,” he breathed, barely above a whisper.

“Detonimous vastomia . . .”

I managed to get the words out just before Asher pulled me around and our lips touched. The sound of the shell shattering rang out through the night.

How can I possibly thank all the people who’ve changed my life forever? Well, I can’t, but here’s my valiant effort. First, a world of thanks to everyone at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for fighting for this series and being just as excited about it as I am. Alexandra Cooper, editor extraordinaire, for really “getting” these characters and making the revision process a truly enjoyable experience. You took this book and made it
magical
. Justin Chanda, for giving me a chance to make this the year of the witch. Amy Rosenbaum, for being just as punny as I am. Siena Koncsol, for sharing in my love of everything Whedonesque. And, of course, Paul Crichton, Krista Vossen, Jenica Nasworthy, Dorothy Gribbin, Chava Wolin, Bernadette Cruz, Elke Villa, Chrissy Noh, Lucille Rettino, and Anne Zafian, for working their magic on a daily basis.

Love and thanks to my phenomenal agent, Kevan Lyon, for being my guide through this crazy world of publishing, yet never telling me what to do. You’re cool, smart, and such a great teacher. Taryn Fagerness, for getting my books out to the rest of the world—you were one of the first phone calls I got and you set me up with the best agenting team in the world. Brandy Rivers . . . I can’t begin to describe what a
dream
it is to work with you! I can’t wait to see this witchy world on the screen. Oh, and thank you for letting me borrow your last name for Eliza’s character!

I have so much gratitude for those who’ve had a hand in my success (but might not know it): To everyone at Wattpad, thank you for giving me an amazing platform to tell my stories before anyone knew who I was. And for all my fans on Wattpad . . . it’s because of you that my dreams are coming true. I can’t underplay those who’ve inspired me with their ability to
tell great stories: Joss Whedon, Meg Cabot, Christopher Pike, John Carpenter, Jessica Bendinger, Wes Craven, Tori Spelling, and Rob Thomas. Thank you for letting your imaginations run wild and sharing it with the rest of us. Without the incredible gluten-free muffins from Pip’s Place, in NYC, I never would’ve made it through revisions. Thanks to Denise and the rest of the staff for keeping me happy, healthy, and full. Calvin Reid, thank you for taking this underdog and making her a top dog. You’re a class act with a huge heart.

No girl can survive without her crew, so I have to give shout-outs to Amanda Healy, Tammy West, Kate Chapman, Jessica Grant, Alicia and Sue Chouinard, and Zachary Booth. You were there for me when I was just an “aspiring” writer and always indulged me in my crazy dreams. You’re all rock stars in my book!

Lastly, I’ve been beyond lucky to have such a loving and supporting family. Mom, Dad, Jacey, and Amy, I have so much gratitude for the fact that you never set limits for what I could accomplish. I’ve loved being on this journey with you. To the Gielens, thanks for treating me like one of the family. And Matt . . . thank you for challenging me while being my number-one fan. I’m excited to conquer the world with you.

To the powers that be: Thank you for finding me worthy of telling your stories.

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division

1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020

www.SimonandSchuster.com

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2012 by Brittany Lyn Geragotelis

This book was previously published in electronic serial form in 2012.

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

is a trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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.

Book design by Krista Vossen

The text for this book is set in Granjon.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Geragotelis, Brittany.

What the spell / Brittany Geragotelis.

p. cm. — (Life’s a witch)

Summary: When Brooklyn, a witch, turns sixteen, her conservative parents finally unbind her powers, bringing her newfound popularity and the attention of her long-time crush, Asher, but using spells may endanger her and, unless she uses her special ability to magically match couples, she may lose Asher.

ISBN 978-1-4424-6815-3 (hardback) — ISBN 978-1-4424-6702-6 (eBook) — ISBN 978-1-4424-6707-1 (paperback) [1. Witches—Fiction. 2. Magic—Fiction. 3. Love—Fiction. 4. Peer pressure—Fiction. 5. Cliques (Sociology)—Fiction. 6. Popularity—Fiction.] I. Title.

PZ7.G29348Wh 2013

[Fic]—dc23

2012025114