Before the Storm: Butterpond Mysteries, #0

By Emmie B.

One competition. Five winning teams. A trip to Washington, D.C. 

 

The annual History of Magical Communities Competition has rolled around. This is a schoolwide event and the prize for winning? A trip to Washington, D.C. For 3M, this will be their first time leaving Butterpond, and are excited about the prospect of winning, but when Hayley Winthorpe, an eighth grader, challenges them, Mira, Meghan, and Maya have their collective eye set on beating Hayley and her cronies. Will these seventh graders beat out the eighth grade presentations? Will Mira, Meghan, and Maya finally see the world outside of Butterpond, Connecticut? 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emmie B.
• Release date: Sep 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781953798206

Book preview

1

Where it all began

The sun was warm on my skin as I carried my little red and blue polka dotted lunch box to the table with most of the other witches from my class. They were talking about their familiars.

My stomach wriggled a bit, but I took a deep breath and kept moving forward. Dad always told me I needed to face my fears. He told me they weren’t as big as I built them up in my head.

I placed my lunch box down and had one leg over the bench when I stopped cold.

Mira? What are you doing here? Ava Jones asked.

My stomach sank.

I came— I came to eat lunch with you guys, I said, stumbling over my words. My cheeks felt red hot, like I’d run five laps around the playground.

Sorry, only witches with familiars can sit here. Ava Jones told me, tossing her curly brown ponytail over her shoulder. Maybe you can join us next year.

The other girls at the table tittered at this. I looked down at Dahlia for help. She shrugged at me, slumping over her food, like she was trying to hide.

I felt the tears welled in the corners of my eyes. I tried to inhale deeper, but it was no use. My chest was concave and wouldn’t let any air in.

Oh, be quiet Ava. a short red-haired girl scolded, her head a mass of curls. I saw you the last day before school started. You had a meltdown in the middle of Main Street because you still hadn’t found your snoozing skunk. What’s so great about a skunk familiar, anyway?

Ava’s face reddened. What does it matter to you, Meghan? You’re not a witch. This doesn’t concern you.

Sorry, but it does. Come on Mira, I have a spot saved for you at our table. Then Meghan grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward a table under a tree at the corner of Butterpond Elementary School.

It happened so fast I barely had time to grab my lunch box.

I looked back at the table, back at Dahlia, once, but she was still hiding.

Some friend she was.

Thank you for that, I said, my voice quiet.

Oh, no problem. Ava gets on my nerves all the time. I’m just glad I had a reason to get in a fight with her. She needs to be taken down a few pegs.

Meghan plopped down at the table her curls bouncing with her and started pulling the top half of her hair back so it stayed out of her eyes.

A taller, golden skinned girl sat next to Meghan, her thick dark brown hair already pulled out of her face and into a bun.

I see the rescue mission was a success? Nice job, Meggy, the girl said, popping a chunk of cheese in her mouth.

I told you that only Papa Walsh can call me Meggy. I swear you hear that darn nickname one time and now you just won’t let it go. It’s such a little kid’s name, Meghan grumped before taking a bite of what looked like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. As for the rescue, it went exactly as I planned. Maya meet Mira, Mira meet Maya.

I lifted my hand and did a half wave.

Hello! Welcome to the misfits and outcasts club. It’s nice to meet you, Maya said, opening her arms to gesture at the table.

I laughed. Why are you guys misfits and outcasts?

Because we wanted to be, Meghan said, her mouth full. "But don’t take