by Molly Snow
“It will just be for a little while. I need him to help me find Surla.”
“Why, that’s impossible.” Gretchen placed her pudgy hands on her hips. “You know if my cat goes out there hunting for yours, then it can become BeSwitched.”
“No, remember the Black Cats’ Curse only applies if your cat runs away. Pussface will be helping me, not running away.”
“Oh yes, how could I forget?” She stood in thought for a moment. “What would I get out of this?”
“Well, Vladimirror can hook you up with The Witches’ Home Shopping Network.”
“Hmmmm.” Gretchen rubbed her hands together. “That sounds like a deal. You know I enjoy collecting junk.” Right then a scruffy black cat was tossed into Idis’s arms.
“Bye,” Idis called.
“Bye, bye. I’ll be waiting for my shopping network.” Her sister disappeared in the green fog.
“Hey, you didn’t ask me if I wanted to hook the shopping network up for her,” the mirror whined.
“Don’t feel too bad,” Pussface commented. “At least you aren’t exchanged with other witches without being asked.”
“Hush up, you mangy critter.” Idis dropped him to the floor of her bedroom. “You are going to help me find Surla no matter how you feel.”
“I kinda figured that already.”
Surla couldn’t believe two weeks had already passed. Time was flying faster than anticipated. Being a human was becoming second nature to her and tomorrow would be the last day for playing tennis in P.E. Every two weeks they would learn a new sport.
Surla had planned on making all the flirtatious moves on Craig, but he ended up making them all on her. Before playing, he asked if he could get her phone number again. Chrissy and Travis had to wait while he got a pen to write it on his forearm. “555-9145,” he repeated.
“Yes.” Surla smiled, now knowing this was a major step in gaining a relationship.
When she returned to her side of the court, Chrissy shook her head in disapproval. Surla had not forgotten the warning about Tiffany, but she felt that intimidation shouldn’t stop her from helping Cathy’s situation. Whenever Surla scored a point, Craig would wink at her. Sometimes it even seemed as if the points were given to her, especially since Chrissy wasn’t putting in full effort again. And she could see how annoyed Craig’s partner was becoming, for letting her and Chrissy win.
When it was one of Craig’s turns to serve, he moved his eyebrows up and down at Surla before whacking the ball. The ball whirled in the air and Surla tried to reach it with her racket, but it was too far away. Instead it went flying toward Chrissy.
Chrissy was looking at her nails.
“Watch out!” Surla called, but it was too late. The ball knocked her on her forehead.
“I’m sorry. Are you okay?” Craig ran over to the net.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” She rubbed the red spot and shot him a fiery look. Surla knew it must have hurt, but that didn’t seem like a good enough reason to be angry.
“It was an accident,” Surla told her.
Chrissy dropped her racket and went to the comer of the court. “Tell Mrs. Brown I’m hurt if she asks why I’m sitting out.”
“I’m really sorry,” Craig said once more.
She must be mad for more reasons than the fact that the ball hit her in the head, Surla concluded. Craig and Travis began bouncing the ball off the wall, while Surla went to the corner to talk.
“What?!” Chrissy said, pestered.
“So, what’s been going on? Why have you been acting like this for the last couple of days?”
“Acting like what?”
“Come on, Chrissy. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She sighed.
“Whenever people say ‘nothing’ it usually means ‘something.’” Surla sat down. “You can tell me. Does it have to do with Tiffany?” she said, lowering her voice.
“It’s about Craig and Tiffany. I told you already, she likes him.”
“I know, but if Craig likes me then I should go for him. I don’t think he likes her.”
Chrissy sat, watching the guys still hit the ball off of the cement wall. “I understand how you feel, Cathy.” She looked Surla straight in the eyes. “But I don’t think you understand what Tiffany is capable of doing. I’m sure she could get Craig right now or talk him into anything.”
“Then why hasn’t she done it yet?” Surla played with the draw-string to her sweats, not bothered by Chrissy’s warning.
“I don’t know.” She shook her head.
“Why isn’t this court playing tennis?” Mr. Townshend yelled to them. Instantly they all went to their spots, even Chrissy. This time Travis served the ball.
In Chemistry, Surla reran the conversation she had with Chrissy over and over in her mind. Should I be afraid of Tiffany? she seriously considered.
Todd passed a note to Surla with his elbow, which said, What’s wrong?
I just have a lot on my mind, she wrote back.
Do you still want me to come over today?
That question conjured a guilty feeling, because she still didn’t get around to asking Cathy or her mom if it would be okay to have Todd over. Of course I still want you to come over, she wrote anyway.
Good!!! I was hoping you’d say that.
Do you have a car? Surla desperately didn’t want to walk home.
Todd’s truck was a dark blue. The interior had brown, leather seats, which Surla liked the most. When she sat down it was nice and cushiony. The feeling reminded her of how soft her fur used to feel.
As they drove by Revere Park, Todd pointed out Tiffany, Lisa and Chrissy. “I used to like Tiffany.”
That didn’t surprise Surla. “Didn’t every guy at one time like her?”
He smiled, but didn’t answer.
Surla stared a minute noticing his nice profile. His nose was perfectly sloped and his eyebrows were dark and shaped around alluring green eyes. But she thought his cheekbones were the most attractive; they stood out, making him look more masculine or older than the other boys at school.
“What are you looking at?” He smiled and turned to her a second.
“You.”
“I know. I saw you out of the corner of my eye.” Todd laughed.
“Then why did you ask?” she teased.
Right then, a roaring engine was heard. A red sports car zoomed by and Surla caught sight of three girls sitting three-in-a-row in the back seat: a blonde, a brunette and a black-haired beauty. She knew exactly who they were. Didn’t Craig say Tiffany can get on his nerves? Surla remembered the conversation she had riding home with him just yesterday.
Cathy was perched up on the windowsill, as usual, watching birds go by. She liked it especially when the feathery creatures would land. To see them hopping around on the concrete made her excited, even yearning to go out and play. She had no intention of eating one, just playing, but no way would she leave the house after what happened with Sadie the other day.
“I had a boring life as a human, and now I’m having a boring life as a cat.” Cathy said to herself. Her ears twitched at the thought. “Oh well, that’s why Surla’s working to help me out.”
Soon after, she saw a shiny blue truck with tinted windows pull up to the curb.
“Who could that be?” She squinted her yellow eyes, trying to see through the windows, but it was no use. The passenger side door opened to reveal a pretty girl with a high ponytail. “Surla!” She was happy and anxious, wondering what happened to her at school today.
Surla grabbed her backpack and stepped out onto the lawn. Then, the top of a guy’s head was revealed as he came out of the driver’s side. He had dark hair. “That’s not Craig, so who is it?” Cathy said right before Todd appeared, walking next to Surla. “Todd?! Why’s he coming over? Oh my gosh… how do I look?” She started running toward a mirror, but stopped short. “You idiot. You’re a cat. You always look good… cuddly and cute,” she told herself.
Chapter 7
“Your cat is so cuddly and cute,” Todd said as he held Cathy in his lap, stroking under her chin.
“Isn’t she?” Surla took that compliment for herself. She opened her Chemistry book as they sat on Cathy’s bed.
Cathy felt nice having a guy hold her. It was the first time ever. That realization made her feel a bit sad, but then she just focused on his fingers running down her back and forgot about it. Without trying, she began to purr and imagined Todd was Craig.
“So, what are you having troubles with?” Todd interfered with Cathy’s fantasy as he took her off his lap and put the Chemistry book in place of her.
“Eeeverything,” Surla said, hopeless. Science never made any sense to her. Dealing with magic all her life was much more easy.
“Okay.” He lifted an eyebrow. “Why don’t we take it from the top then. Open to the beginning of the chapter.”
As they worked together, Cathy observed how Surla handled conversation and movements with him. So far she looked cute and comfortable. How does she do it? Cathy envied.
After a while, Cathy looked at the alarm clock on the small dresser beside her bed. It said 4:30. My mom should be coming home from work soon. I don’t think she would like to see me alone in my room with a boy! I have to let Surla know somehow.
“Hang on. Repeat what you just said. I don’t understand.” Surla leaned looking over Todd’s notes.
“Okay, you see this formula?” He pointed to a scribbled mess.
“Um, yeah, but it’s kinda unclear the way you wrote it.”
What do I do? Oh my gosh. Cathy tried to think of a way to get Surla’s attention. “Meeow! Meeeoow!”
“Your cat sounds like it’s sick.” Todd looked at Cathy and rubbed her back.
“She just likes the attention.” Surla’s eyes were glued to the notes. “What does this say, so I can write it on my paper.”
Can’t she tell what am doing? Cathy became frustrated. “Me-owww!” Her little black body pounced at the clock, knocking it over.
Todd laughed. “Psycho kitty. What’s the matter with her?”
Finally Surla looked up to find Cathy nudging the clock with her nose.
“Ooh.” Surla’s mouth dropped when she noticed the time. “Oh, I think Licorice is trying to tell me it’s time for you to go now.”
“Your cat…,” he looked at Cathy quizzically and continued, “is telling you it’s time for me to go?”
“Well, uh…” Surla set the clock upright. “Some people have watch dogs; I have a clock cat.” She laughed. “Look, it’s 4:33 and my mom will be coming back from the post office soon. I didn’t tell her you were coming over, remember?”
“Oh, okay.” He stuffed his notes and books into his bag. “Well, how about you ask your mom tonight if it would be all right if I tutored you tomorrow? We didn’t even get halfway through.”
“Sure. This time I won’t forget, I swear.” They walked to the front door.
“I really liked coming over and getting to know you better. You’re really interesting.” He unlocked the door. “And so is your cat.” Todd laughed when he saw Cathy at his feet, rubbing against his ankles.
Just then the door opened, scaring the three of them. A woman stood there with the same look on her face. “Hello?” she said, seeing Surla behind Todd.
“Mom!” Todd said. “I mean, uh, Cathy’s mom.” He nervously looked back to Surla. “Uh, Cathy, I-uh better be going. See ya ’round.”
He started to go through the door, but an arm caught him.
I am in trouble now! Surla and Cathy thought in unison.
“What’s going on here?” Julie ignored Todd’s attempt to leave.
“Mom, I have an explanation.” Surla forced a smile on her face while Todd brushed a hand through his dark hair. “He came over to help me with Chemistry.”
“Chemistry huh?” A look of disbelief was in her eyes. “Show me your work.”
“I wouldn’t lie to you.” Surla looked sincere, and walked to the room to get the proof where she could hear Cathy’s mom talk.
“What’s your name?” she heard her say.
“Todd. Todd Wilkenson.”
“My name is Julie,” she answered back. “My daughter is having trouble with Chemistry?”
“Yes.”
“She never did before. Her problem subject has always been History.”
“Really? She’s been doing good in that class. I know because I have that class with her, too.”
Surla rushed back to the living room with her spiral notebook. “Right here—the study of acids and bases.” She pointed. “Todd has helped me a lot.”
“Okay, Cathy.” Julie glanced at the work. “Maybe Todd did come over and help you with Chemistry, but you still didn’t ask me if it would be all right, especially since I wouldn’t be here.”
“I know. I forgot and I’m sorry.” Surla tilted her head.
“I’m sorry, too, Mrs. Phillips,” Todd interjected politely.
“Well, a sorry is nice, but you’re still going to be punished for this, Cathy.”
Punished? Surla was scared. How do humans get punished? Are they not fed dinner for a couple days, like Idis did to me? Am I going to have to live in the garage? Or get hit with a broom—she quickly looked to the kitchen, spotting the prickly, yellow devil that was hooked to a long stick. A long stick to reach the victim’s backside, she knew from experience.
“Is Todd going to get punished also?”
“I’m serious.” Julie reopened the front door. “You won’t be able to see my daughter out of school for about a week,” she spoke to the apologetic young man. “If you still want to help my daughter, then you can do it in the school library.”
“All right.” Todd left, waving bye to Surla. Soon after the door was shut, his dark blue truck was heard leaving.
“Cathy!” Julie’s voice raised considerably since a stranger had left the house. “What were you thinking? Letting a boy over without my consent!” she continued, barely taking in a breath. “You thought you would just sneak him in and out before I came home, didn’t you?” It looked as if Julie’s eyes would never blink again. She paused, then walked off to her room flustered. “And you heard me when I said you are grounded this whole week!”
Surla sighed deeply. “I messed up…”
Chapter 8
“Excuse me.” Pussface approached Diamond, the fluffy, white cat from across the street. His own fur was patchy; where some spots were full it wasn’t far from other spots that were close to bare, like around his neck. The Marilyn Monroe of all felines turned her head, eyeing the homely black cat.
“Listen, I know only black cats can speak, but you can be of great help to me if you would just nod or shake your head in response to questions I’ll ask you.” He sat in front of her, desperate. “I’m helping my witch’s sister find her missing cat.”
Diamond began to lick her paw.
“The cat I am talking about is the one who lives across the street.”
Diamond looked to the pale-green Victorian home with its witch’s cap’s sparkling stained-glass window and beat-up wrap-around-porch.
“Have you seen Surla around, maybe trying to hide out in corners… or even come over to visit you?”
She shook her head no, causing her expensive collar to glitter in the sun.
“Okay.” Pussface gazed at her almost perversely. “Well, I see you’re of no help to me in this area, but… if you ever feel lonely and want to go for a stroll through some ally, then just ask, Sweet Thing.”
Diamond yawned and jumped onto the porch’s rocking chair.
“I’ll take that as a maybe.” He walked off slowly. “Catch ya later.”
“What is the matter with you?” Idis said to Pussface, while she tried to start a fire in the fireplace. “I send you out to do a simple task, yet you come back with no information.”
“Well,” Pussface scratched behind an ear, “I did find out one thing while looking through a next door nei
ghbor’s window. Did you know that humans have no fur on their butts?” Pussface’s snaggle-tooth poked out in a grin. “How’s that for some information?”
“Did you happen to be looking in a bathroom window? You nut!” She turned around sharply. “You have to take this job seriously. Surla is your cousin and my only way to perform magic.”
“But there are so many places she could be… doing anything.”
Idis’s mouth dropped open in realization. “You are right. Absolutely right!”
“What, what did I just say that was so important? I’m confused here.” He scratched behind an ear again.
“Don’t you get it?” The witch smiled crookedly, not noticing the newspaper she had been using to feed the fire was flaming up wildly. “Surla could be switched at this very moment with a pathetic, lonesome soul.”
“Idis, that dress is on fire!” Pussface warned.
“I know it looks great, but there’s no time to bring up how beautiful I am right now. We have to think up a strategy.” The burning was slowly creeping up the bottom of her short skirt.
“No, Idis. You are literally on fire. If you don’t put out the flames now I’ll have to put them out for you.” He lifted one of his back legs like a dog.
The witch finally understood. Feeling the burning sensation, she took off running to the bathroom to douse it in the sink.
Fearing for Idis’s safety, Pussface cast a spell. “Flip that witch ’round and ’round, ’til those flames are—uh—drowned!”
Idis hit the floor, flames growing. “Oh no!” she yelped, then rolled across the shaggy throw rug, back and forth, back and forth, so fast that all Pussface could see was wildly wind-milling legs and red hair. “I’m going to kiiiillll youuuuuu!”
“Should I stop this or keep it up?” Pussface laughed. “A few more seconds won’t hurt her.” But he did stop the magic right away.
Idis laid flat on her back, unable to speak or move.
Pussface approached her slowly. When she was no longer dizzy and her eyes could finally focus, she shot him a wicked stare.