When she was younger, Ali had tried hopelessly to change into something or someone else. It was embarrassing to be a Sloane without powers, even if Digger and Gigi said it was no big deal. It was a big deal to Ali, because the fact that there were Copycats meant magic existed, which meant that dragons, fairies, and wizards could be real, too. Even better, if she was magical, she’d find a way to make money so the power wasn’t disconnected and the refrigerator was full.

But standing outside Ms. Ryder’s classroom, Ali was truly relieved for the first time not to be a Copycat, because if Andrew Sloane was against the family’s powers, it meant Alfie probably wasn’t one, either. They could be boring Sloanes together. The thought made her smile.

Ms. Ryder was at her desk when Ali arrived for debate team Monday after school. She smiled when she saw her. “What a nice surprise!” She handed her two pieces of paper and motioned for her to take a seat in the front row. “Take these forms home. One of them is an information sheet about the basics of debating, and the other is a permission slip for your parents to sign.”

Ali took the papers and sat down. Her stomach roiled like a ship on a storm-tossed sea. She was about to meet her cousin and talk in front of a group of strangers. What had she gotten herself into?

The next person through the door was interstellar boy. Tall, kind of cute, and funny. He seemed self-confident and mature, like if the school caught fire, he’d be the one to lead everyone to safety. “Hey, Ms. R.,” he said as he slid into the empty seat next to Ali.

Ms. Ryder grinned. “Hello, Murray. I’m expecting big things from you this year now that you’ve got a year of debate under your belt.”

Interstellar girl was next. She grabbed the seat on the other side of Murray.

“I wondered how long until Murray talked you into coming, Cassie,” said Ms. Ryder.

Two other kids arrived: Ashok, who paused to size up the front row before taking a seat behind Ali, and Carolyn, a blond-haired, blue-eyed girl whose pierced nose both thrilled and repulsed Ali. She was too chicken to even have her ears pierced.

“My grade eights,” Ms. Ryder said. She eyed the clock above the Smart Board. “It’s three thirty-seven. I think anybody who planned to come would be here by now. Let’s get started.”

Both Ali’s and Murray’s shoulders drooped. Since Alfie was the sole reason she’d come to debate team, Ali wondered how silly she’d look if she bailed now. Ms. Ryder went to the door and had it three-quarters of the way closed when a sneaker appeared in the opening.

“Sorry I’m late! Still trying to find my way around this school.”

In stepped Alfie Sloane.