Moon White: Color Me Enchanted with Bonus Content by Melody Carlson

troubles me.
    “Heather,” calls my dad’s voice from downstairs. “Someone here for you.”
    I quickly put on some lip gloss, grab my jacket, and head downstairs. Pushing thoughts of the lost photo from my mind, I promise myself to search for it later. It couldn’t have gone far. When I get downstairs, I’m slightly surprised to see that it’s not only Hudson, but Porter and Liz as well. For some reason I thought it was just going to be Hudson and me tonight. But I smile at the three of them, acting as if this isn’t unexpected.
    “So what are we doing tonight?” I ask as I get into the backseat next to Hudson. It turns out that Porter is the driver tonight. “I know we talked about movies . . .”
    Hudson chuckles. “Well, believe it or not, those two want to go bowling.”
    “Bowling?” I poke Liz in the shoulder. “Seriously?”
    She turns around and grins. “Yep. Porter was telling me how he and Hudson used to go bowling every Saturday night when they were in middle school, and I thought it sounded kinda crazy and fun. I mean, do you realize that I’ve never been bowling in my entire life?”
    “You’ve never been bowling?” I say.
    “Nope. My parents think it’s crass.”
    “Smart parents.”
    “Come on, Heather,” urges Liz. “It’ll be hilarious.”
    “Okay,” I agree, “but I’ll warn you, the last time I went bowling I was pretty pathetic.”
    “We’ll help you,” says Porter. “It’s really not too complicated.”
    Hudson laughs. “Yeah, that’s for sure.”
    So it is that we end up at Ebb Tide Alley, eating greasy pizza, wearing smelly shoes, and rolling heavy balls down a shiny floor.
    “I wish I’d known what we were doing tonight,” I say to Hudson after my slow-moving ball barely manages to knock down two pins, leaving five standing at the end of my turn. I push up my long sleeves and attempt to roll down my turtle neck, waving my hand in front of my face like a fan. “I would’ve worn a T-shirt.”
    He nods. “Yeah, you look a little hot.”
    I grin at him. “Gee, thanks. Just a little hot?”
    He laughs as he picks up his ball. “No, you do look hot, but you look a little warm, too.” Then he points to the beaded bag around my neck. “What’s that thing anyway?”
    I sort of shrug. “Just a necklace.”
    He gets ready to take his shot now, squaring himself up on the line and holding his ball out in front of him, just like he’s told me to do about ten times.
    “I think that bag has to do with magic,” says Liz in a slightly teasing tone. “Did you guys know that Heather is learning about witchcraft?”
    Hudson turns around and peers at me. “Seriously?”
    I sort of laugh. “Hey, I’m just trying to tune myself into the universe. No biggie.”
    “Go on, Hudson,” says Porter, “take your shot. Maybe Heather’s magic will help you, ’cause right now, Liz and I are beating the socks off you two.”
    But Hudson’s shot turns out to be a gutter ball. The first one he’s had all night. “Looks like your magic isn’t working for me,” he says as he comes back to wait for his second ball.
    I just smile at him. Maybe it’s working better than he realizes. His second ball is only slightly better. It seems we’re falling even further behind.
    “Okay, Heather,” says Hudson. “It’s up to you now. Let’s see if your magic really works or not.”
    So I decide to spiritually center myself as I stand on the line. I actually close my eyes and take a deep breath and focus. Then, imagining myself in perfect balance and the ball rolling straight down the center, I move forward and let it go. I stand there in amazement, watching as the ball does exactly as I’d envisioned, just like magic.
    “A strike!” cries Liz, coming over to high-five me. “Maybe I should give your magic necklace a try too.” Then she reaches for my bag and to my surprise gives it a little squeeze. Okay, I’m not an expert at this, but somehow I know that wasn’t a good thing.