“Seriously, Mikey, I’m good,” I say, already edging away from him. “Don’t worry about it, okay?” Before he can continue with the most awkward apology of all time, I leave to go sit in the audience.

Ugh, this sucks. I’m working so hard on this show, but Brittany and Mr. B are both, in their own way, making me feel like I don’t belong. This is high school theater, not Broadway. I’m doing fine.

If I weren’t so tired, I would be much better at this choreography. I make a lot of mistakes because my tired brain blanks out on me. My eye lands on my backpack.

Maybe I was too harsh about the energy potion before. If I take it, I can show Mr. B that I’m a kick-ass witch who can conquer anything through sheer force of will.

I crouch down beside my backpack and pull out the vial. Remembering Ed’s instructions from earlier, I suck down half the potion. Then I shove the vial in the front of my bag just as Mr. B calls us back to the stage.

I jog to join the group onstage, feeling more energetic already. It definitely hasn’t kicked in yet, but I still feel pumped.

“So we can avoid any more of you being maimed, we’re going to move on to rehearse ‘The Block Party’ now,” Mr. B says. He props his legs up on the audience seat in front of him, which doesn’t look like a comfortable sitting position at all. Brittany gives his legs a disparaging look, but he just grins and links his hands behind his head. “All right, from the top. You can mark the singing.”

Great, I don’t even have to sing full out. I’m going to crush this. I run offstage to wait for my entrance. The rehearsal track starts, blaring out a tinny horn melody.

When my entrance finally comes, I sail onstage, projecting as much confidence as I can muster. Shimmy. Arm flail. Spin. Step ball change. I know this. I’ve practiced this dance so much I could do it in my sleep. I grin out at the spot in the audience where Mr. B and Brittany are sitting. This has never gone so well before. I even remember where my spot in the next formation is, and I get there on time.

Suddenly, the world blazes with color and light. I flinch, missing my next step, and blink hard. All the magic threads in the room shine in my vision, creating a blinding, kaleidoscopic effect.