A Ride of Passage: Little Witches, #8

By Emmie B.

The broomstick ride on Halloween night is their last rite of passage...

 

Lila and the gang have one final landmark event before they're no longer considered 'little'. It's the broomstick ride and presentation during the Halloween Festival. There will spells, gymnastics, and fireworks. They're all excited, and nervous about the impending performance for their families. But when Kirby becomes distant, Lila tries to figure out what's wrong, and she's at a loss of what to do when she does find out. How is she going to convince Kirby to participate in the ride? Will this change their friendship forever? How does Lila make her friend feel better, when it's not something you can get better from?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emmie B.
• Release date: Oct 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9781953798169

Book preview

1

The sixth grade line outside the gym rumbled with noise as they talked to each other in mild whispers. Mr. Clark was late for class again.

How much longer do you think Mr. Clark is going to be? Ruby asked, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. I need to use the bathroom.

Just as she finished, the gym doors pulled open and the hallway fell silent. Mr. Clark stood in the doorway, tall and broad-shouldered. He looked over the students with a sleepy gaze then moved back into the gym and ushered them inside.

Good afternoon class, today you begin practicing for your project in this course. As I mentioned at the beginning of the school year, you will be expected to present a broomstick presentation at the Halloween Festival this year. Mr. Clark yawned. You will decide how to perform the project, what spells you want to use, and of course the flying skills you want to employ. This project accounts for 50% of your grade in this class and the class will be graded as a whole, not as individuals. Seeing as it is so late already, today you will only have time to start planning your routine. You can begin practicing your routine Wednesday. He finished with another yawn.

Then Mr. Clark promptly went to his corner of the room, snuggled in and covered his face with that morning’s newspaper.

Lila’s classmates looked at each other, not sure what to do.

I’m going to the bathroom. Ruby whispered to Lila and then shuffled of to the girls’ bathroom.

Lila waited a couple of seconds longer. She expected Kirby to take charge of the situation as leader. Kirby normally took charge in a crisis or in absence of direction, but she stayed next to Lila, silent.

Lila bumped her with her shoulder slightly. Are you going to start the meeting? Lila asked.

Kirby shook her head.

Not this time. Someone else can do it. She said, keeping her gaze firmly on her feet.

Lila drew back in surprise. Kirby loved taking charge, it was one of her best qualities. What could possibly make her not want to lead?

Lila sighed and stepped forward. Alright, who has ideas for the routine?

Silence.

She tried to keep from rolling her eyes. Blake, what is your favorite spell to cast? She asked, calling out the tall boy towards the back of the group. She’d had class with Blake Hornsbee since second grade and knew if she called on her friends the rest of the class would say they got to decide everything. Lila wanted to avoid friction as much as possible.

Blake blinked at her, then he mumbled.

Lila tried to hold back her irritation as she said, Sorry, I couldn’t hear that. What did you say?

The fireworks spell we learned before New Year’s in fifth grade with Ms. Kettle. He told her, his cheeks turning a pinkish hue.

Lila nodded, I think that would be the perfect spell to add to the presentation. Anyone have any broomstick skills they are confident in and want us to perform during the routine? She asked the group.

Again she was met with silence. Lila ground her teeth. She turned