First Time's a Charm

by Laura Greenwood

  First Time’s A Charm

  Grimalkin Academy: Kittens #1

  Laura Greenwood

  Contents

  Blurb

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Excerpt: Second Time’s A Curse

  Also by Laura Greenwood

  Other Books by Laura Greenwood

  About the Author

  © 2019 Laura Greenwood

  * * *

  All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise – without prior written permission of the published, except as provided by United States of America copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher at “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the email address; lauragreenwood@authorlauragreenwood.co.uk.

  * * *

  Visit Laura Greenwood’s website at:

  www.authorlauragreenwood.co.uk

  * * *

  Cover Design by Vampari Designs

  Formatting by Gina Writes Words

  * * *

  First Time’s A Charm is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Created with Vellum

  Blurb

  Things might be easier if I could stop conjuring kittens every time I attempt a spell.

  * * *

  I used to be good at magic. That's how I got into Grimalkin Academy in the first place. Then I was dared by my friends to try a spell way above my abilities. Now, the end of year exams are coming up, and I need to find a way to stop my magic going haywire all the time or I'm going to fail.

  * * *

  At least matters of my heart are easy enough...for now.

  Chapter One

  Like everyone my age, I spent my eleventh birthday hoping for a welcome letter delivered by owl. Even as a witch, it was disappointing when it didn't come. Of course, that's because witches and warlocks don't go to magic school...they go to university instead. And we get accepted just like humans do: with an email.

  Reading the line in front of me for what feels like the thousandth time, I sigh in frustration. It doesn't make sense. At all. Not for the first time, I find myself wondering why I'm here.

  "Mona?"

  "Hmm?" I respond, not looking up as Daphne walks into the room. I may only have known her since term started, but we'd bonded straight away. I've never clicked with a friend quite as quickly as I did with her.

  "Dinner's nearly ready if you want to go."

  I shrug but don't look away from my spellbook. "I need to work out this spell."

  Daphne sighs. "If you haven't worked it out already, you're not going to in the next hour. Come get something to eat and look at it with fresh eyes after. You know it'll be better for it."

  I know she's right, but something in me doesn't want to admit it out loud. Maybe because I doubt even food and a break will make this spell any easier for me. It doesn't make any sense. I've been able to do magic since I was four years old and my parents gave me my first child-wand. Yet here I am at an academy for magic and can't seem to make anything work for me.

  "They have tacos."

  Oh damn. She knows my weaknesses just as well as I do. And she's not afraid to use them.

  "Fine. But if I find out you lied about the tasty Mexican food, I'll..."

  She laughs off my threat before I can even finish it. "Put an enchantment on me?" she suggests, waggling her eyebrows.

  "Are you mocking me?" I fake gasp, clutching my hand to my chest. How dare she fake-use my problems against me. It's like she knows the exact way my brain works.

  "Only a little. But I'm not lying about the tacos. There are all the toppings you can dream of."

  "I'll take you at your word. Let me grab my coat." I get up and slip on my shoes just as my stomach begins to rumble. Okay, I probably do need something to eat then. Going with her is going to be the right decision.

  "Have you heard about the new guy?" she asks as we walk down the corridor and away from my dorm room.

  "No." But then, how would I? She's the only friend I have and everyone else stays as far away from me as possible so they don't catch my magic-less state. I might as well have a sign on my forehead about it, considering how quickly everyone seems to have picked up on my status.

  "He's supposed to be the hottest guy you've ever seen..."

  "And that's all we know about him?" The amusement in my tone betrays my true feelings. If we don't like being objectified by men, then we shouldn't be doing the same to them.

  "Apparently. I haven't seen him yet but he's joining class this month."

  "Aren't three hot guys enough for you?" I tease her, forgetting for a moment that Heath still refuses to talk to her.

  She laughs bitterly. "More like far too much."

  I let the conversation drop. In the few weeks since Heath broke her heart, she's finally started to mend and I don't want to mess with that.

  "Right, dinner?" I ask.

  She nods. "Time to de-stress and stop thinking about magic for a couple of hours."

  "Whoa… a couple of hours? How long does it take you to eat tacos?"

  "I heard the new guy is having a party..."

  "I don't think that's a good idea." My lack of magic hasn't exactly made me popular, and I don't want to push that by showing up to a party I don't have an invite to.

  Our conversation is ended by the two of us entering the dining room. Sure to her promise, the smell of Mexican food fills the room.

  "Seems you're avoiding being cursed," I say.

  "I'm glad for it. You'd probably only end up cursing yourself instead."

  I scowl. Even though I know she's right, I don't like being reminded of it. Something is wrong with my magic and I don't know what it is. I need to find out before exams start though.

  We get in line, loading up our plates with the delicious looking food. It seems that everyone else is thinking the same, as the queue only seem to grow behind us.

  Cade waves at us from a table at the other side of the room. At least we'll have somewhere to sit in the packed cafeteria. Normally, I go down to the shared kitchen and make myself some basic food. It's cheaper and quieter than this place. But tacos are special. They deserve a trip into the belly of student life.

  Relief floods through me as I notice Ryan's absence. Knowing my luck, I'd manage to spill taco sauce on myself and he'll never look at me with anything less than disgust ever again.

  "How's it going?" Cade asks as Daphne sits next to him. He looks like he wants to put an arm around her shoulder, but doesn't. They're still in an odd place after he told her he likes her.

  Even so, a pang of jealousy goes through me at the sight. Not because I want Cade. I just want something like that.

  "I persuaded Mona to come to the party..."

  "She didn't," I respond instantly. "I'm going back to my room to study."

  "You need to come have fun, Mona." Cade flashes me a smile. "It's good to let loose sometimes."

  "No thanks."

  "Please come to the party?" A pleading look fills her eyes.

  "Fine. I'll go, but if I end up with a hangover tomorrow, it
's completely on you."

  "I promise you won't end up hungover," Cade promises.

  "I hope you're not making promises you can't keep," a new voice interrupts.

  My heart skips a beat.

  Ryan.

  I hastily take stock of myself. Am I presentable? Do I have sauce on my chin? I hope I look okay.

  No. I need to snap out of this. He's my best friend's brother. And I'm eighteen. That's far too old for this kind of crush.

  "Nope, I'm talking about Mona. She's worried she'll get taken advantage of if she goes," Cade shrugs like he can't see the disapproving look on Ryan's face.

  "That's not what..." I start to say, before realising it's completely pointless. They've clearly decided they want me to go with them, and won't stop until I've agreed with them.

  "That would be a shame." Ryan looks right at me and I do my best to focus on something other than his attention. I don't want my crush to become obvious.

  "Then come with us and make sure she doesn't," Daphne suggests.

  He turns his attention to her and I take the opportunity to shake my head, hoping she'll get the message to stop talking. She doesn't know how I feel about her brother, but even so, she should listen to me.

  "Alright then, I'm coming to the party with you," he announces.

  I groan inwardly. The last thing I need is for him to see me while I'm in party mode. The moment alcohol comes anywhere near me I'm a hot mess. I don't even need to drink it to feel the effects half the time. It's just embarrassing.

  "Just leave me alone when you do, yeah?" Daphne tells him, a twinkle in her eye.

  "Fine. I'm just there to protect Mona," he insists.

  "Did it strike either of you that maybe I don't need protecting?" I look between the twins.

  They exchange looks and burst out laughing.

  Great. I'm going to a party I don't want to go to, with a crush that thinks I need babysitting. What can possibly go wrong?

  Chapter Two

  I can hear the party from way down the corridor, causing my nerves to go haywire. Why did I think this was a good idea? Oh right, Ryan.

  I sigh. I really should get a handle on myself where he's concerned. I don't think Daphne will take kindly to me crushing on her brother.

  "Hey, mate!" Cade calls and slaps the host on the back.

  Men. I'll never understand them. As far as I know, Cade barely knows the new guy. I don't either, I haven't even seen him before.

  But I look him up and down now. My mouth goes dry. Daphne's right, he's one of the most attractive guys I've ever seen and I don't know how to process that. He's never going to look at me twice. I don't blame him, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near myself either.

  "There's beer on the table in the kitchen, nothing fancier for the ladies, I'm afraid," the new guys says, a wide smile on his face as he takes in Daphne and me.

  Well, probably just Daphne. She always stands out with her bright pink hair and dorky but cute glasses. She's just what smart guys want.

  "Beer's good with us," Daphne announces.

  "I..."

  "Not the time, Mona," she mutters under her breath.

  I almost roll my eyes, but hold back. I've never been a big drinker. Even if it's legal to drink at eighteen, it doesn't mean I want to. Though maybe one wouldn't hurt.

  "Sure, beer sounds good," I say softly.

  "Awesome," new guy says. I should learn his name. Then again, this is probably going to be our last interaction with one another, I don't think there's much point drawing things out when I don't have to.

  Daphne drags me into the flat and towards the kitchen. It has the same layout as ours, which is reassuring. Seven private bedrooms, one large communal kitchen, and a couple of shower stalls and toilets for the flat to share. I make a mental note not to use the bathrooms if I can help it, I'm sure the seven guys who live here aren't the tidiest.

  There's a plastic cup of beer in my hand before I quite know what's happening, but that's okay. With the number of people here, it might be better if I drink. I can hear the whispers already. They call me Mona-No-Magic, even though that's not fair. I can do magic, just not very well any more. I'm still not sure what happened.

  "See anyone you like?" Daphne asks, leaning against the fridge.

  I shook my head, keeping my eyes as far away from Ryan as I could. The last thing I want is for her to catch that slip, though now I'm trying not to look, my eyes seem to be more drawn to him than ever. The open shirt he's wearing makes him look super suave, more than it should considering he's only eighteen. Maybe it's just being away from home for the first time and getting used to academy life. I have no idea, and I don't want to think about it too hard.

  The beer is colder than I expect, but I like it. This way, it feels much less trashy and like I'm at a dorm party. This really isn't my thing, I'd rather be back in my flat studying.

  "I haven't seen you around much," new guy says, coming to stand beside me.

  I look around for Daphne to rescue me, but she's disappeared off into the throng of people. I didn't even know the flats could hold this many.

  "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," he says.

  "I'm not," I promise. "I just don't normally come to these things." I give him an uneasy smile. Not intentionally, but it's the best I can manage.

  "Why not?"

  "I'm not exactly popular," I mutter.

  "I think I'd remember seeing you, even if you're not popular."

  I scoff. "Trust me, I'm memorable."

  "I've only been here a week," he says.

  "Ah, I'm sure you'll get to know about me soon."

  "Hopefully I'll have a class with you." He takes a sip of his beer, so I do the same. If I'm going to have a slightly awkward conversation about why he'll remember me, then I'm going to take the fortitude beer will give me.

  "Hopefully you won't," I mutter too quietly for him to hear.

  "Do you like it at Grimalkin?"

  What's with all the questions? I don't think I've ever had this kind of bombardment before.

  I shrug. "It's not what I thought it was going to be." That's a fair assessment. I never imagined magic would become difficult for me. I've been a natural my entire life. At least, according to my parents, I have. I can feel the difference in my magic since getting here though, and that's what convinces me that something is wrong.

  "I know what you mean."

  "I need to go find my friends," I blurt out, starting to step away from him.

  "Won't you tell me your name first?" he asks.

  I open my mouth to respond, not knowing if I actually want to answer or not. I'm confused, that's for sure.

  "Mona, are you alright?" Ryan asks, placing a hand on my lower back.

  I long to lean into his touch, but I know I shouldn't. He's not my boyfriend. He's barely even my friend.

  "Yes, I'm fine," I respond with a weak smile.

  "Is this guy bothering you?"

  I shake my head. "He was being perfectly lovely." I smile at the new guy, even if my nerves are starting to show. It isn't his fault I'm wary of people. Far from it.

  "He better be." He brings two fingers up to his eyes, then points at the new guy in the universal I'm-watching-you gesture.

  I try not to laugh, and just grimace instead. I must look comical. Now neither of the guys will want to be friends with me. Which is fine. I don't need them. I have Daphne, I don't need anyone else.

  "I need to go check on the music," the new guy says. "I'll see you around, Mona."

  The way he says my name sends shivers down my spine. I don't think I'd ever be that kind of girl, but here I am acting like one.

  "What was that about?" I ask Ryan, giving him a look that I hope comes across as stern, but probably falls very short.

  "You looked like you needed saving." I can tell from his expression that he's telling the truth. And that he realises he might have overstepped.

  "Thanks, but I don't need rescuing." I push pas
t him and go in search of Daphne. My heart is pounding in my chest. I like Ryan. I find him attractive, sweet, and all the rest.

  None of that matters if he's going to treat me like a wilting flower. I'm my own woman and no one is going to get in the way of that.

  My head feels a little fuzzy from the beer. All of my good intentions flew out of the window about two cups ago. I don't want to admit it, but I'm actually having fun and the party atmosphere is starting to catch up with me. Which means lots of beer.

  "Mona… come and play." Daphne waves me over, a crazed look on her face. She's had even more of the beer than I have and clearly is in the mood for some fun.

  I stagger over, eager to see what they're doing. I might not join in, I can't forget I'm not wanted by most of my classmates, but that doesn't mean no fun. I'm going to make the most of the last party I'm ever going to be invited to.

  "What are we doing?" I ask as I sit down next to her. I cross my legs, noting that's what the rest of the circle are doing. "Please tell me it's not spin the bottle?" Considering Ryan is part of the group, I doubt it. It's not the kind of game Daphne would play while he's around.

  "This." She holds her wand up to her face and closes her eyes. Moments later, her nose turns bright yellow and elongates. She opens her mouth and a weird quacking sound comes out.

  The rest of the people around us burst into giggles. I have to admit it's fun, though it does seem kind of dangerous, what if one of them gets stuck with the facial features of an animal?

  Daphne points her wand at her face again, putting it back to normal and at least assuaging some of my fears about that.