They all stared down at Ali’s hands, which weren’t Ali’s hands at all, but C. S. Lewis’s hairy knuckles. And then Murray began to laugh, and despite her predicament, Ali did too. Cassie tried to keep it together, but finally succumbed, laughing so hard tears ran down her cheeks.

“I’m sure they’ll change back by the time I get home,” Ali managed to say between hiccupy laughs. “Who knows? Maybe C. S. Lewis’s hands will help me get a better mark in language arts. Or write another Narnia book. Or maybe Aslan will come see me. I mean, these hands could come in handy.”

“Funniest thing ever!” gasped Murray.

For the first time, Ali’s abilities seemed almost normal.

“Did you have fun with Murray and Cassie?” Ali’s mother asked at dinner that night.

Ali examined her now-normal hands and nodded. Even though she was still smarting from Emily being mad at her, she’d had a great day. Cassie and Murray were fun to be with. They weren’t glamorous like Emily, or homey like Alfie, but they were smart and funny, and best of all, they’d kept her secret.

“How’s Gigi?” she asked.

“She didn’t cough once,” said Digger. “Oh—your friend Emily called a little while ago.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that as soon as I got home?” Ali demanded.

“I forgot. She said to call when you had time.”

Ali hopped up.

“Wait until you finish eating,” her mother called after her, but Ali couldn’t wait. She’d already disappointed Emily once this week. She didn’t want to do it again.

Emily picked up on the first ring. “I just wanted you to know I finished the presentation. It actually didn’t take that long.”

“I’m sorry I forgot to bring it with me yesterday.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line. “I’m sorry I lost my temper. It’s just I always end up doing all the work when I partner with people and sometimes I get frustrated. I’d hoped it would be different with you.”

Emily did sound sorry. So why did her apology make Ali feel even worse?

“Anyway, we can go over the presentation Monday at school. I asked Mr. Corby and he said we’d probably present on Tuesday or Wednesday and he’s giving us class time to finish up.” She paused, then added, “Did you have fun with Murray and Cassie?”

Ali did her best to sound neutral. “It was okay.”

“Anything exciting happen?”

Besides Ali turning into a seal and C. S. Lewis? “No. We went to Tin Can Beach and then to the library.”

“Oh. That’s it?” Ali recognized the disappointment in Emily’s voice.

“Uh-huh.”

“Did Cassie and Murray tell you what they’re doing for their project?”

“Nope.” It hadn’t occurred to Ali to ask.