A Heck of a Hex

By Doug Robbins

About the Book:
Dalia realizes Youtube fame has a price when she is hexed by a jilted fan. She learns about the bond between sisters, the importance of friendship while battling crazy circumstances. It is a thrilling read that you will be thinking about long after you shut the book. There is a picnic feel to it that will flow through you as you read it. A lot of fun and your life will be better for having read it. A must-read!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pencil
• Release date: Jun 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9789354581403

Book preview

A Heck of a Hex

BY

Doug Robbins

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pencil-logo

ISBN 9789354581403

© Doug Robbins 2021

Published in India 2021 by Pencil

A brand of

One Point Six Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

123, Building J2, Shram Seva Premises,

Wadala Truck Terminal, Wadala (E)

Mumbai 400037, Maharashtra, INDIA

E [e-mail]

W www.thepencilapp.com

All rights reserved worldwide

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Any person who commits an unauthorized act in relation to this publication can be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events and incidents are the products of the author's imagination. The opinions expressed in this book do not seek to reflect the views of the Publisher.

Author biography

Doug has penned two films. Gorilla Wants Blood and The Dead Mall.

Contents

Entire book

Entire book

Done, Dalia said flipping her glass over and setting it on the table. I win.

For Heaven sakes, Flo, Dalia and Lucille’s mother said. Does everything have to be a competition with you girls?

Of course it does, Dalia remarked. I’m the best and I have to prove my superiority in every way. And I have to try my best to humble Dalia, or her head will get so fat we could fly her in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Lucille said.

You two are sisters; you are supposed to have each other’s backs, Flo said.

Your mother is right, Bob (Dalia and Lucille’s father) piped in.

There’s no greater bond than family, Bob said.

Are you excited for your play on Friday? Flo asked Lucille.

I can’t think about anything else, Lucille admitted. Bob glanced over at Dalia.

You nervous about the Conference Championship?

We’re going to pulverize the Billy Goats, Dalia said.

That’s my girl, Bob said slapping Dalia a high five.

That’s right, said Flo. Both the girls’ events are this Friday.

So what? Bob asked.

Who’s going to which event? Flo asked.

I figured I would go to Dalia’s basketball game and you would go to Lucille’s play, Bob stated.

Flo shook her head. You always go to Dalia’s sporting events. I think you should go to Lucille’s play and I should go to Dalia’s basketball game. Dalia snickered.

You hate basketball.

"I don’t hate basketball. I don’t understand it but I don’t hate it.

Dad can’t miss my game. He’s my good luck charm, Dalia said. Flo rolled her eyes.

There’s no such thing as good or bad luck. Don’t be so superstitious.

Dalia and Bob exchanged skeptical looks.

I don’t want Dad going to my play if he doesn’t want to go, protested Lucille. A light bulb went off in Bob’s head. His face became a mask of shame.

Honey, Bob began. I’m sorry; I’d love to go to your play.

"The play is The Tell Tale Heart , Flo chimed in. It’s pretty similar to those old 70’s and 80’s era slasher flicks you like."

Oh yeah? Bob’s ears perked up. Sweet.

The bus is almost here, Flo said. You girls don’t want to miss it.

I’m going to need a ride home from rehearsal today, Lucille said.

I’ll pick you up after work, Bob assured his daughter.

Great, thanks Dad, Lucille said. The halls of EA Poe High School are painted purple, while the lockers and the floor are standard gray. Lucille stood by her locker fidgeting with the lock.

Chapter Two

 Elise Fulton approached. Her kinky dark hair jutted out in every direction. She wore a black skirt, a pink  shirt, and pink leggings, with high heels.

Hey what’s up? Elise said. The locker popped open. Noticing her friend Lucile smiled.

Hey girlie.

You excited about the play on Friday? Elise asked.

I was excited, until I found out my Dad will be there, Lucille admitted.

What’s wrong with that? Elise asked.

He makes me nervous. He’s all about sports and he couldn’t care less about the theater," Lucille said.

"I’m afraid he’ll show up with a foam finger, be painted up in our school colors, and start chanting Here we go Lucille. Here we go," I’m sure it won’t be as bad as you’re thinking," Elise said.

I hope you’re right, stated Lucille.

They parted ways and headed to their respective home rooms. The usual silence of the early morning filled Mr. Baker’s room. The teacher Mr. Baker, with broad shoulders and a stern expression on his face, read a romance novel. The principal’s voice came over the PA system.

Good morning Ravens, began Principal Weaver. "As many of you know, our girls’ basketball team will be battling those Youngstown Billy Goats for a Conference Championship and a playoff berth. The game is at Youngstown at 7:30 pm this Friday night. Also on Friday night at 7:30 pm the Drama Club will be performing their rendition of The Tell Tale Heart. Also we’re having fish sticks for lunch.

That concludes our morning announcements."

The bell rang and the day began. At lunch time the cafeteria was all a buzz with basketball fever. Banners cheering the team on hung from the ceilings. The word on almost everyone’s lips involved tonight’s game, except members of the drama club and the couple of sports hating nerds, seated alone at the table removed from the rest of the students. They compared Calculus scores and wore pocket protectors. They each had a swirlie apiece waiting for them after lunch, promptly to be administered to them by the school hood, Travis Wolfe. The drama club had their own little meeting table; there were six of them including Lucille and Elise. Four of the six wore black turtlenecks and the heavy set girl Rose, wore mime make-up. She mimed her words, never speaking.

 One girls was tall and thin; her nose was long and pointy. When she laughed it sounded like the neighing of a horse. Her name was Colleen.

Can you believe the school is going so batty over a stupid basketball game? Colleen asked.

I don’t know if I’d call it stupid, said Lucille. Colleen looked at Lucille.

You hate basketball," Colleen said.

I don’t hate it, protested Lucille.

Are you becoming a basketball sympathizer all of a sudden? Colleen asked.

No, said Lucille. She’s still my sister.

That’s nothing to brag about, Colleen stated. She’s a snob and is probably a slut to boot! Lucille’s cheeks grew hot; she clenched her fists. Her blood boiled as the cliché went. Then Lucille socked Colleen in the eye. Dalia noticed the scene from an adjacent table and said nothing.

Later Colleen and Lucille were dragged into the principal’s office. Bob sat in a chair next to his wife. Principal Weaver leaned against the desk.

What possessed you to attack a fellow member of the drama club?

She was insulting my sister! Lucille explained.

I am afraid that I will have to suspend you for three days and you will not be able to perform in the school play this Friday, Principal Weaver told her.

That’s not fair! Lucille protested as her cheeks burned and her eyes filled with tears.

Principal Weaver shrugged.

I’m afraid I don’t have any other option.

On the way home while Bob drove, he looked at his daughter in the rear view mirror.

I’m sorry you don’t get to perform in your play but I am proud of you for sticking up for your sister. Later that night, Lucille was reading when she heard a knock on her bedroom door.

Come in, Lucille called out. It was Dalia.

Hey, Dalia said. Lucille put down her book.

Mom and Dad told me you were sticking up for me today, Dalia said. Thanks."

No problem, Lucille said.

I didn’t think you liked me, Dalia admitted.

We’re twins, Lucille said. Of course I like you; I love you. Looks like I can go to your game on Friday. Dalia shook her head.

I’m not playing in the Championship game; I’m protesting your suspension. If you can’t act in your play, then I’m not playing in the Championship.

You really don’t have to do this, Lucille insisted. Dalia gave a half smile to her sister.

I do have to do this, No, I do have to do this." The sisters hugged as tears rolled down Lucille’s face. When they pulled away, Lucille noticed Dalia was a little misty eyed.

Are you crying? Lucille asked.

No! Dalia lied. I just got something in my eye. Since we’ve got nothing to do this Friday night how about we go bowling and see a movie?

Sounds good, Lucille said. How about we see something sporty?  Dalia shook her head.

How about we go see a drama?

The next day Dalia walked into Coach Molly’s office, with her uniform folded neatly in hand.

I will not be playing in the championship, Dalia said placing the uniform neatly on Coach Molly’s desk. May I ask why? Coach Molly inquired.

I’m not going to play in a game when my sister is not allowed to star in the play, Dalia answered. You’re our leading rebounder and top defender; we need you in that game, Coach Molly pleaded.

I’ve made up my mind, Dalia insisted. "I’m not playing.

We’re gonna miss you out there, Coach Molly said.

If we make it to the playoffs, will you at least join us for that game?

Sure, Dalia said.

See you in the playoffs, Coach Molly said.

Friday night came and Flo dropped her daughters off at the bowling alley. They rented shoes, picked out the right balls, and headed to their lane. Dalia entered their names while Lucille put on her shoes.

How do you think the game is going? Lucille asked. Dalia shrugged.

Who cares? How do you think your play is going?

Who cares? replied Lucille.

You’re up first, Dalia said. Lucille stood up to bowl. She bent her knees and threw the ball.

Two much wrist action, Dalia offered. She got two consecutive gutter balls. Dalia got up to bowled. She got nine pins down on the first one and a spare on the second one thrown.

You’re a natural, Lucille told her. I stink.

Don’t get discouraged, Dalia said. Remember to keep your wrist up and straight, and to aim the ball toward the middle arrow. Lucille followed her sister’s advice making the game more competitive. Although Dalia won both games they played, it was an enjoyable time for both girls.  

You had me nervous out there a few times, Dalia admitted.

I had a great teacher, Lucille said.

The following Monday, Elise approached Lucille while Lucille was at her locker.

Hey did you hear about the play? Elise asked.

No, answered Lucille.

Colleen took your place and suffered from terrible hives as a result of stage fright, Elise answered.

How did she take it? Lucille asked.

She’s been trying to hide her face all day, Elise said.

 Oh, and did you hear about the principal? Elise asked.

No, Lucille replied.

Apparently a bunch of students egged his car, Elise answered.

Why did they do that? Lucille questioned.

Youngstown creamed our team so some of the students got together and retaliated. Because of Dalia not playing, they feel it cost them the Championship, Elise confessed. Lucille stifled laughter.

They put sugar in his gas tank; they also punctured one of his tires, Elise continued.

I bet he’s on the warpath, Lucille said. 

Definitely, agreed Elise.

Homeroom was filled with chuckling and snickering, until Dalia walked in there. Rachael, teammate and former best friend of Dalia’s growled when Dalia tried to sit next to her.

This seat’s NOT for traders. Dalia pulled up an extra seat next to