OMG... Am I a Witch?! by Talia Aikens-Nuñez Page B

hard,” she whispered to him.
    She gently placed each foot in front of the other. Her hand grasped the railing. She peered down the stairs. Like a penny to a magnet, she found her mother’s voice.
    All clear. Go for it. She’s yapping on the phone again.
    The words became louder.
    April’s heart started to beat faster. She quickly backed up, bumping Austin’s tail on doorway to her room. “Grrr . . .”
    â€œSorry,” she whispered. “But be quiet, or I’ll do it again—harder.”
    Should she leave Austin here? No. I need to find a way to get him out of the house with me. She looked around her room and froze as she saw her book bag. Perfect. I’ll put him in that.
    He wiggled. She held him tighter. Using one of his front paws, Austin tried to push April’s hand off his mouth. With her free hand, she took her weekend homework, notebooks, and books out of the book bag. She stuffed Austin and her cell phone into it.
    â€œYou’d better be quiet—or else.”
    Austin whimpered. He looked so cute and fluffy. She kissed his head. “I’m sorry, Austin.” Beads of sweat formed on her nose, causing her ugly red glasses to slide down. She pushed them back into place. “I would never do anything like this to anyone but, but—you pushed me!”
    Austin moved his back legs, raising himself higher out of the book bag.
    â€œYou were picking on me, as usual . You just didn’t expect me to fight back this time, did you?”
    Scratch, scratch, scratch.
    â€œStop trying to get out the bag. We have to get to Grace’s. Do you want to be a dog forever? If you don’t stop, I’ll use my witch powers and do something worse to you.”
    His eyes grew larger. His movements stopped. He slowly sat down.
    Maybe I really am a witch. I can get the Prankster of the Year to listen to me.
    She zipped up the book bag, put it on, and ran down the stairs. She reached for the front doorknob. Frozen, with her hand on the knob, she looked into the kitchen.
    â€œMom, can I go to Grace’s house?”
    â€œHold on one second . . .” April’s mom said as she put the phone down and came toward her.
    Oh no! Is she going to say no? Please don’t open my book bag. Then I will have to explain. She will soooo kill me!

three

    â€œIf your brother is hanging out with Michael, tell him to give me a—” AHCHOO! Mrs. Appleton covered her nose.
    â€œBless you,” said April.
    Oh no. I have to get Austin away from her. This is why she said we can’t have a dog—SHE’S ALLERGIC!!! OMG! OMG! This being-a-witch stuff is super hard.
    April started nervously tapping her foot.
    â€œThank you. Uh . . . tell him to call me,” Mrs. Appleton said.
    â€œGrrr . . .”
    Austin, be quiet.
    April reached her arm around, under the backpack, to her shoulder, acting as if she were scratching her back. The backpack shifted and tossed Austin around.
    â€œOK, Mom, I love you.” April grasped the doorknob and turned.
    â€œDo you have to go to the bathroom?” April’s mom asked, looking at her tapping foot.
    â€œNo.” April stopped tapping. “I just, um, wanted to go hang out with Grace, you know?”
    Her mother’s frown turned into a smile. Mrs. Appleton leaned in to give April a kiss on her forehead and AHCHOO!
    â€œEwww . . . great . . . a Friday afternoon shower.” April wiped her face and forehead.
    My mother just sneezed on me . Gross! She had to get this dog out of there before her mom got worse. Geez, I don’t want to make her sick.
    â€œSorry, honey. Have fun with Grace.”
    â€œGRRR . . .”
    â€œApril, did you hear that?” April’s mom looked at the backpack. April quickly shifted from one foot to the other, tossing Austin around again.
    â€œNo . . . Nope, didn’t hear anything. Uh, OK,