“I mean, I like making potions,” Ana says, shrugging. “But when I see you do it, I realize I don’t love it like that. You have this face you make when you talk about potionworking, or when you’re brewing something you think is cool. It’s like your whole face lights up.”

Heat rises in my cheeks. God, she’s right. I am such a nerd about potions. “You get that too,” I say, looking down at my hands. “When you talk about dancing.” The second those words leave my mouth, a wave of self-consciousness washes over me. I just admitted to watching her—well, not watching her, but noticing her. I mean, I was just following up on what she said, but still. “And McDonald’s,” I add, trying to lighten the mood. “You get that face when you talk about McDonald’s too.”

“Yeah, McDonald’s and dancing are my true passions in life.” She laughs. “That’s the one good thing about Bronxtown Brooms. There’s plenty of dancing. Not as much McDonald’s as I would like, though.” I giggle, and she looks pleased. “Honestly, I would’ve told Mr. B no when he asked me to do the show if it didn’t have so many good dance numbers.”

“Oh yeah,” I say, sobering. “I forgot he forced you to do it too.”

“I wouldn’t say forced,” she says.

Oh shoot. I didn’t mean forced. That’s Lex’s word, not mine.

“He just asked me if I might be interested, and I said I would do it,” she continues. “Wanted to get those brownie points with him before submitting my application, you know?”

“Oh,” I say, turning to look out the window so she can’t see my face. I guess I was the only person he pushed with the scholarship, then. Good to know.

Chapter 25

Hey Witches! So today I’m going to be sharing my recipe for re-creating one of the most popular potions for Type 3 curls—Coil Care from Madam C. J. Walker Beauty. This recipe does require some pretty subtle manipulation of magical lattices, so be careful when you’re brewing.

If you’re not comfortable with higher-level potion work, do not try this on your hair. Trust me! Enough of us have accidentally turned our hair to dust with a home-brewed potion. No more hair casualties!

—Potion Commotion blog post

Ana lives in a squat stucco house painted in a faded version of the coral that’s so popular in Florida. A pair of scraggly palm trees planted in mulch lines the walkway leading off the driveway to the door. The rest of the lawn is made up of patches of grass and weeds that are in various stages of dying. Dad would have a field day if he ever got the chance to mess with their lawn. Saving neglected plants is his favorite thing.