Love Charms and Other Catastrophes Read Free Page A

twinkled. “The town needs us again. So we’re going to enter the love charm competition.”
    Hijiri’s stomach twisted. “What competition?”
    â€œNews has been spreading locally since last month,” Nico said, his brow furrowing. “Grimbaud hasn’t done well since losing Zita. A love charm revival just isn’t happening yet, and the town council is concerned that the lack of, well, love in Grimbaud will turn tourists off.”
    â€œSo the council came up with a love charm-making competition to inspire town spirit,” Mirthe said. “The three love charm-makers that moved here over the summer will be participating … but they’re outsiders , guys. None of them should win. Someone homegrown, with true affection for this town, needs to win.”
    Hijiri regretted not keeping up with Grimbaud news over the summer. She stirred her soup but didn’t feel like eating anymore. All eyes fell on her. She started to sweat. “Why are you looking at me? This isn’t my hometown.”
    â€œYou’re the best we’ve got,” Mirthe said firmly. “And you love Grimbaud, right? Your charm-making skills are already indisputable. Winning will be easy. The other love charm-makers don’t stand a chance.”
    â€œYou won’t be alone,” Fallon said softly.
    â€œWe’re entering as a team, just like the shops did,” Femke said.
    â€œWe’ll use our standing as a club to enter the competition. Principal Bemelmans will have to approve it first, but I’m sure we can convince him,” Mirthe said.
    â€œSo long as Fallon waits in the hallway,” Sebastian said wryly. “He’s probably still sensitive about her refusing to eat his famous casserole last year.”
    Fallon crossed her arms but agreed.
    Martin wiped his mouth on a napkin and said that he could get them a meeting with the principal on Monday.
    Hijiri felt the world spinning out from under her feet. Her friends spoke faster than normal, more buzzing than words, and her stomach imitated the roll of the ocean. The idea of being in a competition—onstage, in front of hundreds of people—made her want to hop on the first train back to Lejeune. But underneath that, the challenge of crafting the best love charms she could was enticing.
    This could be the year I make my mark as a great love charm-maker , said a little voice in her head. Are you watching, Love?
    Hijiri put down her spoon and twisted the tablecloth in her hands. When she looked up, she tried to sound braver than she felt. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
    *   *   *
    By the time the party ended, the sun hung low in the sky. The pink of a blooming sunset crept on the edges of the horizon. Sebastian and Fallon walked ahead of her, holding hands, while Hijiri wrestled with her thoughts. During the group hug that ensued after Hijiri had agreed to join the competition, her hairband had snapped. Without the weather charm’s breeze, her long, ink-black hair stuck to her spine.
    â€œWe’ll check out the competition tomorrow, okay?” Fallon said as they reached the wooden gate of the complex. “You’ll feel better when we see them. I’m curious about these new love charm-makers too.”
    Hijiri nodded and wished her and Sebastian good night. She couldn’t imagine sleeping.
    She fished her key out of her pocket—and nearly bumped into a giant present sitting outside her apartment door. The present was a cardboard box wrapped in iridescent white paper with a red ribbon around it.
    What was it doing there? Who did it belong to? It couldn’t possibly be for her. Her parents didn’t surprise her with gifts. She hadn’t ordered any new charm-making supplies either. Despite that, the box was perfectly lined up with Hijiri’s door. And when she checked again, leaning in close, she saw her name printed on a tag hanging from the