The Unwilling Witch Read Free

there,” I said, looking down at the cutest little face. A solid black kitten with green eyes had fastened itself to my pants. I tried to pull it free, but it wouldn’t let go of my leg. And once I’d touched it, I didn’t want to let go, either. It felt so wonderfully soft and alive.
    â€œSeems like someone wants to go home with you,” the owner said.
    I shook my head. “I don’t think my parents would let me.”
    â€œYou never know until you ask,” Jan said.
    â€œYou’re right.” As I spoke those words, the kitten released my leg. I noticed the sign next to the cages. Kittens were only ten dollars. Like many of the puppies, the kittens had been rescued from shelters, so the store didn’t charge a lot for them. Still, it was amazing—who’d have thought you could buy total happiness for so little money?
    â€œYou have excellent taste,” the owner said. “She’s the prettiest kitten in the store. I had a feeling she’d end up with someone special.”
    â€œShe?” I asked. Now I knew I had to take her. We girls needed to stick together.
    â€œWrap her up,” Jan said.
    â€œJan!”
    â€œJust kidding. This is great. I’ll even treat for some food or something.” She pulled a five-dollar bill from her pocket. Then she looked at the owner and asked, “Do you sell mice?”
    â€œJan!” I said again before I realized she wasn’t serious.
    Even with Jan chipping in for the food, I still ended up spending a lot more than ten dollars. I bought a small litter box, two bowls, a collar, and three cat toys. It all just fit in my backpack.
    â€œHang on,” Jan said as we left the store. She stopped at a gumball machine. A sign on the front of it said: YOUR DONATION HELPS AID PEOPLE IN NEED. There were machines like that all over the mall. I watched as Jan pulled four quarters from her pocket and started putting them in the coin slot. With each twist of the knob, she got two or three pieces of gum.
    â€œHey, isn’t that your last dollar?” I asked.
    Jan shrugged. “It’s a good cause.” She looked down at the gumballs in her hand. “Want some?”
    â€œNope. They look like those hot cinnamon ones.”
    â€œYuck. You’re right.” She turned toward a little kid who was running by. “Here,” she said, handing him a double fistful of gumballs. “All yours. Go wild.”
    â€œThanks, lady,” the kid said. He took the gum and dashed off. I guess to a little kid, seventh-graders like Jan and me were old enough to be ladies.
    â€œI like sharing,” Jan said with a grin. “Especially when I’m sharing something I don’t like.” Then she pointed at my new pet. “So, what are you going to call her?”
    â€œI don’t know.” I held up my kitten and looked in her eyes, trying to decide what her name should be. The owner had wanted to put her in a cardboard pet carrier, but I needed to hold her in my arms. “Something special. I’ll know the right name when I think of it.”
    We walked back through West Mall toward the Hub.
    â€œUh-oh,” Jan said, looking toward the donut shop. “There’s May.”
    â€œShe’s busy window-shopping,” I said. I figured we could sneak past without attracting her attention. She probably liked teasing kittens as much as she liked picking on kids.
    Then I saw that May had spotted someone else, and I knew there was going to be trouble.

 
    Five
    BULLY FOR HER
    As I looked into the Hub beyond West Mall, I saw Katrina plop down on a bench. I guess she’d come back from the park. May turned away from the donuts and headed toward her target.
    â€œShe’s doomed,” Jan said. “This is like those nature films, where the bunny is sitting on the grass, all peaceful and happy. You know, then the camera pulls back and there’s a hawk or a fox getting ready for