Page 3 of These Witches Don't Burn
When I finish my story, there’s a murderous gleam to Gemma’s eyes. “You should ask your boss to ban her from the store.”
“That seems a little extreme,” I say as I make the final turn down my street.
“Everything about Veronica is ‘a little extreme.’ You need space.” Gemma reaches for my hand when I throw the car in park.“At the very least, promise you’ll enjoy the bonfire tonight? Party until you forget all about her?”
“Promise.”
A few short hours later, as the sun dips and the sky blushes, Gemma has succeeded in step one of our mission. We’re ready to party.
The crackle of the bonfire greets us moments before we step through a thicket of trees into the hidden clearing that has hosted generations of Salem High students. Beside me, Gemma scans the party. “Is it me, or does everyone look hotter out here than in class?”
I survey the dancing teens. I’ll say one thing for sure: there’s a lot more skin showing here than in school. “How do you have beer goggles already? I’m pretty sure you have to drink first.”
“I’m serious. Maybe it’s the firelight.” Gemma heads for the keg, where she fills a cup, takes a swig, and grimaces.
“That good, huh?”
“The first drink is the worst. You’re too sober to forget how shitty it tastes.” She raises the cup but pauses before taking another sip. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I force myself to focus on Gemma instead of the growing crowd around us. I refuse to spend the entire night searching for Veronica and What’s-Her-Face. Gem levels me with a look, and I sigh. “I will be. Promise.”
Behind us, someone adds more wood to the bonfire. The flames snap and crackle along the logs, and I turn to look. My skin tingles with untapped magic as I near the fire, drawn forward like a bug to a zapper. I can’t let myself give in to its song. Not here, surrounded by Regs. Gemma follows, and we stand together beside the bonfire, swaying to the music pouring from someone’s truck.
I step closer to the flames, until I feel the lick of heat against my face. The energy cascades over me, through me, driving out the lingering hurt from seeing Veronica. Numbing bad memories like a magical novocaine.
Gemma touches my elbow. I turn, half-dazed, and she nods in the direction of Nolan Abbott. Nolan will be a senior next year, like us, and the new soccer captain has his eye on my best friend.
“Looks like someone has an admirer tonight.” I nudge Gem in the shoulder. “Are you interested?” I waggle my eyebrows.
She returns Nolan’s appraising look. “Not my usual type,” she says at last, “but what the hell. A summer fling never hurt anyone.” But then she pauses, biting her lip. She glances back at me. “I can’t abandon you.”
“It’s fine. I’ll hang by the fire.”
“Are you sure?” Gemma flashes me a look, and I nod. “When I come back, I want to see you in full party mode. No moping about you-know-who.”
I raise my middle three fingers to the star-speckled sky. “Scout’s honor. Now go.”
Gemma grins and glides across the clearing to Nolan, who’s trying to look like he’snotwaiting for her. He grins wide when Gemma arrives, and I turn back to the fire.
“Hannah?”
I hear my name but don’t look. Instead, I lose myself in the flicker of flames and the pulse of music.
“Earth to Hannah. Come in, Hannah.” The voice is closer now, a teasing edge to the deep timbre.
I grin when I realize who’s disturbed my fire gazing and turn to greet him. “Hey, Benton. Excited for graduation tomorrow?”
“Excited. Relieved. Contemplating my place in the universe.”He laughs, showcasing the dimples that sent Gemma into full-on crush mode back when we were freshmen and Benton was the new sophomore in Salem. “It still feels so surreal, you know? I can’t believe I’mdone.”
I nod, even though I still have another year left. “Art class won’t be the same without you.”
“I’m sure you’ll manage.” Benton’s eye twitches like he meant to wink but thought better of it halfway through. He stares at the fire instead of looking at me.
“So...” I say, wishing I had a bottle or something to occupy my hands. “Any fun plans before college? Are you going to throw another pool party this year?”
“I don’t think so. My parents were not pleased with the amount of beer cans they caught me fishing out of the water.”
That earns a laugh. There were atonof people at his place last year. “What if it’s just us? I promise to be a courteous guest.” I nudge him with my elbow. “Come on, there have to be some perks to being your art buddy all year.”
