I glance back at the stage as Mikey unsuccessfully attempts to get up from where he’s fallen. I’m totally screwed. What is Mr. B going to think? I can’t breathe. Oh my god, I feel like my heart is going to explode. I crawl to the backstage door, slip into the hallway, and run full tilt to the closest bathroom. Then I lock myself in the middle stall and hunch on the toilet, ready to burst into tears.

Chapter 17

OSCAR:

As time goes on, I’ve developed an unfortunate condition

And believe me, I have tried to beat it back into submission

A situation that is somewhat less than ideal

But now I see you I’m compelled to tell you how I feel

Valeria, I love you

—Lyrics to “My Unfortunate Condition” from Bronxtown Brooms

This is a total disaster. Forget the scholarship; I could probably be expelled for this. I could end up in jail. White kids don’t get busted for using illegal potions, but brown kids do all the time. This is definitely one of the top five most foolish things I’ve ever done.

I close my eyes, because even the magic in the plastic stall dividers is dazzlingly bright. What a terrible side effect. It’s like I can’t turn off the part of my brain that controls my magic sight. What is Ed messing up in these potions to make the batches so wonky? Ugh, if I was going to be stupid and use an illegal energy potion, I should have at least used one I made myself.

The door to the bathroom makes a quiet whoosh of air, and someone walks into the bathroom.

“Shay?” Ana calls.

There is nobody I want to talk to less right now than Ana. I stay quiet, hoping she’ll go away, but her feet stop outside my stall.

“Shay, I know you’re in there.”

“Did you come to gloat?” I snap.

“Um, no. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I say, though my voice quavers and sounds very not fine.

She crouches, peering under the stall door. “That’s a lie.”

“Oh my god, what if I was peeing in here?”

“You’re not peeing; you’re hiding,” she says sensibly. “Will you open the door, or do I have to crawl in?”

“Go away.” I press my hands to my face, wishing she would disappear.

“I fixed most of the floor pretty fast, so people didn’t really figure out what happened. I’m assuming that was you?” I don’t answer, so she continues. “They’re all working on redoing the spacing for the stage slides now because Brittany thinks that people’s pathways got crossed and messed their magic up.”

I relax slightly. Maybe this will be okay.

“I said you were feeling sick, and Ed looked kind of guilty,” Ana says. “Did you take one of his stupid energy potions?”