Spell Struck by Ariella Moon Read Free Book Online Page B

peasy."
    Easy peasy? " Only one psycho teacher so far? Are you sure you go to Jefferson?"
    "I do, for the moment."
    "Then let me introduce you to our director." I led Aidan up onto the stage, where Mr. Peters was immersed in conversation with Pilar. They stopped speaking as we approached. Pilar blinked at Aidan with those doe eyes guys find so irresistible. Mr. Peters sized him up too, in a less obvious, detached teacher way. I could tell he was picturing Aidan on stage, haloed by the spotlight. I didn't want to think about what Pilar was imagining. Whatever it was, she flipped her curtain of shiny brown hair and fanned herself with a copy of Romeo and Juliet.
    Mr. Peters pulled an assignment sheet from his nylon bag and handed it to Aidan. "Sarah can go over this with you." He extracted a couple of scripts. "All I have left is The Taming of the Shrew and Romeo and Juliet . You can use them, or pick out something else from the list. You'll need to analyze three plays."
    "I'll start with these."
    "Good." Mr. Peters pushed back his round wire-framed glasses. Raising his voice, he asked the assembled students, "Anyone not have three plays yet?"
    Aidan and I and a few others raised our hands.
    "Then get thee to the library, young thespians. No wandering off. The rest of you, work on your papers here. This will be the last day I give you class time. Don't abuse the gift!"
    Nazario and few others saluted and said, "Yes, sir."
    "Where's the library?" Aidan asked.
    "I'll show you."
    We stepped back into the cold gale. I wished I had a fairy tale cloak like the ones they show in the movies, trailing in the snow. I'd look like Red Riding Hood, but without the wolf, and my cloak would be lined with sheep's wool to block the wind and hide my energy field. Maybe I should have worn a coat this morning.
    We passed beneath the flagpole. The California state flag, and the stars and stripes rippled and snapped high above us. The cord jangled against the metal pole, making it hard to hear each other. Conversation ceased. I ducked my chin and plowed forward, clutching my torso.
    A weight settled across my shoulders as Aidan's jacket enveloped me. Its brown suede and quilted lining smelled of cookouts. "Thanks, but you'll freeze."
    "No I won't." He rubbed his arms to warm them. "Is that the library?"
    "Excellent deduction."
    Mischief danced in his eyes. "I know. Right? A normal guy would never notice the huge lettering on the side of the building."
    "Exactly." I pulled open the door. The wind caught it and would have slammed it against the wall if Aidan hadn't grabbed it. My debt to him mounted.
    I stepped into the bright warmth of the library and inhaled its musty book smells. Heat from the furnace thawed my cheeks. Reluctantly, I slid Aidan's jacket from my shoulders and handed it to him. "Thanks again."
    "Any time."
    Looking into his smoky eyes set off more winged fairies. It's just the love spell. I pointed to a distant book aisle. " Shakespeare is this way."
    A freshman boy, texting while pushing a book cart, almost sideswiped us. Aidan pushed aside the cart, averting a collision. The library aide glanced up, eyes wide. "Sorry, man."
    I expected Aidan to tell off the kid. Instead, he said, "It's the invisibility cloak. Happens all the time."
    The kid blinked a couple of times before breaking into a full metal-mouth smile. We eased past him, and Aidan asked me, "Why are you taking Latin?"
    I reverted to my tough girl act. "I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you."
    He leaned against an end display of theater books. "So, it wasn't an idle choice?"
    He appeared so genuinely interested. I heaved a sigh. "In part, I was being contrary. You know, take the one language guaranteed to not help me get a job or enable me to read subtitles at the movies."
    His lips curved upward. "See a lot of foreign films, do you?"
    "No."
    "Well, there you go. So what was the other part, the one where you weren't rebelling?"
    "I thought it would help me with