Page 18 of Practically Magic

I gape at him. Zach lied for me? I know he saw me burn that piece of paper. But that’s not what he said. I don’t know what to do. My chest tightens and I cross my arms to hide how my hands are shaking. I open my mouth, hoping the right words will come out, just as I hear a commotion in the hallway, big voices and laughter. The door to Principal Aceste’s office opens, bringing with it the scent of grapefruit, licorice, and hints of amber.

Aunt Vivianne and Aunt Diane blow into the room like a beautiful storm off the sea, chattering away, arms laden with multiple bags. Aunt Vivianne, always the more serious of the two, is dressed in a fitted pantsuit and black heels, while Aunt Diane looks like a fairy sprite, her hair pinned off her face with a fresh pink rose that looks just like the ones on her dress, and she is wearing glittery cowboy boots.

What are they doing here?

“You must be Principal Aceste?” Aunt Vivianne is shaking his hand effusively. “I know you said two, but my sister and I were regrettably delayed coming from our charity work.”

Principal Aceste blinks in shock. “Yes, you must be . . . Diane?”

“Vivianne,” she corrects. “So unfortunate that Katherine’s parents were busy teaching, but it’s a good thing you got through to us instead. After all, it would be a crime to pull such talented professors away from their students. Such a noble profession, don’t you agree?” Her voice is crisp and polite.

But they don’t have classes on Tuesday afternoons, I think, and my aunt turns to me, as if she’s heard my thoughts. She gives an almost imperceptible wink.

The tension deflates from my body so quickly, I’m surprised it doesn’t make a rude balloon noise.

“Of course,” Principal Aceste agrees, looking stunned.

“I see you and Kat are already talking. About the accident, I presume. As it was an accident. My niece would never set fire to anything! The very thought of our straight-A darling girl doing such a thing is preposterous.” She sits right down and crosses her legs. “Isn’t that right, Diane?” She flattens her lips and looks back toward the hall. “Diane?”

Aunt Diane lingers in the doorway, her attention on the secretary in the other room.

“I just wash my face with good old-fashioned soap, Renee,” Aunt Diane says. “But I’ll send you the name of the loofah I swear by. Oh! Principal Aceste!” She crosses the room and shakes his hand vigorously. “How are you?”

“Oh,” he says, looking dazed. “To be honest, I have been a bit stressed.”

“Completely understandable!” Diane tells him, batting her thick lashes his way. “A man as powerful as you, in charge of the school and all these students. Don’t worry. I’ve got a wonderful cream that helps with stress. A bit on the temples and—voilà!—your headaches will be gone.” She pulls a tube of unidentifiable cream out of her leather handbag and dabs it on his finger. He amazingly does what he’s told and rubs it into his brow line.

And I can almost feel my shoulders relax, as my head stops throbbing.

Wait. When did my head start throbbing? I shake the weirdness off.

“Wow, that is amazing,” Principal Aceste is saying. “I can almost feel the stress melting away.”

“It is,” Diane insists, and pats his hand before returning to our side of the desk and squeezing my hand. “I’ll drop off a larger tube. It’s made with rose petal leaves and—”

“Diane, I was just telling Principal Aceste our dear Katherine would never set fire to anything,” Aunt Vivianne interrupts. “It was faulty equipment. Nothing more. I am sure of it. Why, it could have hurt a student. But no worries. I don’t even see that much damage, do you?”

“No damage?” Principal Aceste’s eyes widen, and he extends a hand to gesture at the book. “We’re talking about a thousand gallons of . . . oh.” I follow his gaze down to the pristine hardback. He rubs his temples again. “How is that possible?”

“Miracles do happen,” Aunt Diane says solemnly. “Such good luck that the small fire our niece witnessed didn’t trip the sprinklers at all. And, well, now we just have the matter of the faulty equipment that needs replacing.”

Aunt Vivianne waves a check in front of Principal Aceste’s face. “This generous donation from an anonymous patron of the arts should cover whatever you need.” She waits before handing it to him. “Now that we both agree that the lab equipment was entirely at fault. Not our dear niece.”

“And not my lab partner either,” I say hurriedly. It’s the least I can do after he gave me that PSL yesterday at Witches Brew. I don’t need him thinking that I owe him or anything.

Principal Aceste takes the check, and his eyes widen. “This is too much.”

“Nonsense.” Aunt Vivianne waves her wrist loosely, and it sparkles with her gold bracelets. “It’s for the children, after all.” She stands and so does Aunt Diane. “So I take it we’re finished here?”

“I . . .” Principal Aceste looks from one of my aunts to the other and grins. “Yes. Of course. The PTO will be thrilled to hear it.” He’s practically giddy now. “Kat, please let Zach know I won’t be calling his parents. Detention is canceled. Just please be more careful next time. And remind Zach that Yankees attire isn’t permitted on school grounds.”

“Of course.” I feel a rush of warmth in my chest and resist leaping over the table and hugging Principal Aceste. Who I really should be thanking are my aunts. “Thank you so much!” I can’t wait to text Zach.

I love telling him, I told you so.

“Thank you, Principal Aceste,” says Aunt Diane, looping her arm through mine. This close, the sweetness of licorice fills my nostrils. “We are going to take Katherine with us. The poor girl has been so stressed, I don’t think she’s eaten a thing since yesterday.”

“You won’t be marking her absent for eighth period, now, will you?” Aunt Vivianne adds as she stands and loops her leather carryall bag through her arm. Both my aunts stare at the man expectantly.