Side Note: The main foreign language spoken in this chapter will be Spanish, but one word will be in Latin. (translations in English are provided).

• • • •

The image of Graham reaching out to touch my forehead, his eyes full of concern, haunted my mind, and I couldn't shake it.

Why did he try to help me in the cafeteria? I have known this pompous fool since middle school, and not once has he tried to help me or anyone, so why now?

I slammed my hand on the white marble bathroom sink in frustration and glanced at Cassie, who dabbed my forehead with a damp brown paper towel.

Stop squirming. "Deja de retorcerte, so I can wipe this nasty stuff off. God, this is beyond disgusting." She threw the paper towel into a nearby trash can and turned on the faucet, washing her hands with soap and water.

Stepping away from Cassie, I headed into one of the bathroom stalls and closed the door.

"How did your session go with Dr. Patricia yesterday? I forgot to ask you during lunch," she said.

"I didn't go. I canceled my session."

"Why? W-Why would you do that? Why are you neglecting your mental health? Is she a shit therapist? Is that why you canceled on her?"

"I don't have enough money to meet with a psychiatrist and a therapist," I informed Cassie. She knew of my poor financial status but chose to ignore it. "So, I decided to drop therapy and only do the antidepressant."

The sound of Cassie kissing her teeth echoed throughout the bathroom. The sound of disappointment.

You stupid girl. "Chica estúpida. What medicine did the doctor prescribe you again?"

"Prozac. Before, she prescribed me Effexor, and the side effects were horrendous. It gave me horrible stomachaches, cotton mouth, bad diarrhea, and flu-like symptoms."

"How much was the dosage?" Cassie questioned.

"Seventy-five milligrams. She's starting me out with ten milligrams on the Prozac."

"I see," she mused. "But it does take your system a while to adjust to the new medication, so I wouldn't rush it."

"Yes. I know, Miss Wannabe Psychiatrist. Goddamn."

"Also, can you believe Graham Shaw offered to help you in the cafeteria? Wasn't that bizarre? It was, wasn't it? Wasn't it?"

"Cassie, I'm now ignoring you, so I don't care," I commented through gritted teeth and closed my eyes. 

I know the secret you're hiding.

The mysterious message I received earlier during French class popped into my head before I could snap my fingers and be rid of my stained clothing.

"C'mon, Andi, ain't you done?" Cassie banged on the door. "I thought magic wardrobe changes were finished in one second or less?"

I rolled my eyes. "Again, Cassandra, I'm ignoring you. I need to concentrate."

"Fine. My lips are sealed."

Closing my eyes once more and letting out a deep breath, I hummed softly. The sound of the lights flickering in the bathroom filled my ears.

"Andi . . . what the hell is happening?" Cassie's voice filled with panic, but I continued to ignore my best friend. "Andi? Hello?"

"Purigi!"

I threw my hands in the air and snapped my fingers twice. A low chill dispersed throughout the stall, sending goosebumps across my arms, and then—presto!—the spell took effect. I opened my eyes, and the awful mixture of baked beans and strawberry milk vanished. My stained clothing disappeared from my body and was replaced with a new pink cashmere cardigan, high-waisted black leggings, and fur-lined, pink winter boots.

Oh no! No, no, no!

I pushed open the stall door, but my feet refused to move, weighing me down like two cinder blocks.

"C-Cassie . . ." I stuttered, and my breathing labored. "There's a slight problem."

"What's wrong, bebé? You're a total smoke show in that outfit!" She whistled, giving me two thumbs up.

"The spell must've backfired somehow because these aren't my clothes!" I exclaimed in distress.

Cassie's eyebrows furrowed. "Say what now?"

A blood-curdling scream echoed in the hallway outside the bathroom. I grabbed Cassie's hand and pulled her into the hall. Both of our eyes widened in horror when we saw Emily and Candace Allen wearing their cheerleading uniforms, and Ruby – wearing the same outfit I had on minutes ago, stained with cafeteria food.

"God, what the hell? Get these off of me!" Ruby shrieked and grabbed Emily by her shoulders, shaking her. "What happened to my attire from Banana Republic? Three thousand five hundred dollars went into that get-up. Mother bought those clothes and boots for me for Christmas. Daddy almost had a heart attack when he saw the credit card receipt."

Bile rose in my throat as Ruby called Uncle David, Daddy. Gross.

"Why are you asking me? I have no clue." Emily shut the makeup compact mirror. "God, what smells so rancid?" she inquired, waving her other hand in front of her face.

"You'll never get asked out to the spring formal dressing and smelling like that, sweetie," Candace added, her voice full of repulsion.

"Not helping, bitches!" Ruby spat, stomping her foot on the tiled floor. "Someone get me some clean clothes. Now!"

"¡Ay dios mío! What do we do now?" Cassie whispered to me. Her eyes never left Ruby, Emily, and Candace.

"Come on." Pulling Cassie down the other end of the hall toward the gymnasium and girls' locker room, I questioned, "Do you have anything left inside your gym locker that I could wear?"

She nodded. "Yes, I do."

• • • •

Thirteen minutes later, Cassie and I exited through the swinging doors to the gymnasium.

"Sorry, this was the only thing I had left, but at least they're clean," she said. "Unlike some people's clothes in that locker room. The horror."

Holding my cousin's folded sweater and leggings in one hand and winter boots in the other, I secretly prayed she wouldn't raise any suspicion as to why I had them in the first place.

When Cassie and I neared the water fountain, Ruby pointed a finger over Candace's shoulder and gasped. "My clothes! Andrea and her fashionably challenged friend have my clothes!"

"Fashionably challenged my ass. I'm gorgeous, Cariño," Cassie muttered under her breath.

"Why do you have my sister's clothes, Andrea?" Emily asked, eyeing me up and down.

"Well, I–"

"Jennifer Lowell from homeroom likely stole my clothing, and Andrea found them somewhere and is now returning them," Ruby stated, interrupting me. "Jennifer's been pissed with me ever since I tongueed her boyfriend in sophomore year. Quite sad."

What the hell? What kind of bizarre logic is this girl spewing out of her mouth?

Walking toward me, Ruby grabbed her clothes and winter boots from in-between my arms. She smiled. "Thank you, Andrea."

"What are you wearing? You look hideous. You resemble one of these homeless people," Emily pointed out, gesturing toward my oversized long-sleeve P.E. shirt, baseball shorts, mismatched socks, and sneakers.

Gee, Em, thank you for knocking down my self-esteem. Great job. I applaud you.

Before I could respond, Ruby spoke, "OMG, who gives a shit? Cousin Andrea dresses homeless all the time, but we shouldn't shame her, no matter how much I want to tear my eyeballs out looking at her."

Emily and Candace stifled their laughter.

You're a bitch! "¡Eres una perra!" Cassie roared and came face-to-face with Ruby.

Ruby gasped. "Excuse–"

Before Ruby could finish her sentence, Cassie spit in her face.

"If you ever say or talk trash about my best friend again, I'll go Jack the Ripper on all three of your caucasian, crusty asses."

Without another word from Ruby, Cassie grabbed my arm and pulled me down the hall toward the senior locker area.

"Come on, we need to get away from all this toxic negativity. 'Cause nobody messes with my witch gal pal." Cassie planted a kiss on my temple. "Love you, bébé!"

"Where the hell did that come from?" I asked, astonished. "You were one badass Latina Regina George for a hot minute."

"Those three had it comin'." Cassie stood tall and puffed out her chest. "Ruby especially. God, what a wretched human being! Plus, did she not see the glamorous princess tiara I had on?"

"I'm surprised more people haven't noticed it. It is a little out there," I replied as Cassie and I neared my locker.

"Before I forget – do you wanna chill at my house after school today? Maybe have a Princess movie marathon? Which would include: Princess Merida from Brave, Princess Anastasia from Anastasia, and Princess Eilonwy from The Black Cauldron."

"I'd love to, but I can't." I opened my locker and grabbed my English textbook, tucking it underneath my arm. "I got a ton of errands to run before my mother's welcome-back ceremony tonight that Celia's hosting. Plus, after tutoring Graham, I need to go to West Hartford and get Tweedledee and Tweedledum their dresses."

"Say no more. I'll help you with everything!" Cassie declared. "Celia's a bitch for making you do this, Andi. You should be able to spend time with your mom for once after eight years."

Closing my locker door, I grabbed Cassie's hand and smiled. "Lunch will end soon, and I don't wanna be squashed by maniacs." I slung my backpack over my shoulder as we headed toward our third-period English class.