When I was in middle school, I told her about people making fun of me for being a lesbian. I hadn’t come out at that point, so I was pretty upset about it. She went to the school and chewed them out for not teaching their students to not bully others. Then we had a whole antibullying assembly that focused on how “gay was okay.” Everybody knew it was about me. It didn’t make things better. Eventually I graduated and went to T. K. Anderson for high school, where I wasn’t the kid whose mom made the whole school have an antibullying assembly. Moral of the story: Sometimes you just have to endure the shitty stuff and wait until you can leave.

Mom stares at me intently. “Baby, you’ve got to tell me how you’re feeling.”

“I’m fine,” I say. “I know you’ll help me if I need it, but I’m good. Seriously. People are annoying sometimes, but I’ll prove them wrong.”

“You don’t have to prove anything to them anymore,” she says. “You’re one of the top students in your class.”

This comment rankles. Despite all my efforts, I’m not the top student in my class—I’m just one of them. That’s the only part of our plan for me to get the scholarship that I haven’t been able to execute. Maybe if I was the undisputed top student, people wouldn’t doubt my skills. And maybe if I was good at dancing, people wouldn’t think I was a diversity casting choice. I stifle a sigh. I should have practiced my choreography instead of brewing the Eagle Eye potion.

But none of those thoughts are helpful for this conversation. I shake off my doubts and nod at Mom. “You’re right.” I smile at her. “Can you test my potion for me later?”

“Yeah,” Mom says. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m sure,” I say, standing up. “Thanks for watching Potion Wars with me.”

“Of course. We can watch more tomorrow if you want.”

“Yeah, if I have time,” I say, heading back to my room. I need to practice this Bronxtown Brooms choreography before my shift at Pilar’s. There’s no need to call in the mom cavalry. I’ve got this all on my own.

Chapter 13

HECTOR:

It’s the Bronxtown Broom Race, baby!

I’ve picked my partner, placed my bets

And now it’s time to see who’s best

—Lyrics to “Bronxtown Broom Race” from Bronxtown Brooms