BeSwitched
Molly Snow
Copyright Molly Snow 2011
Published by Breezy Reads at Smashwords
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting hard work of this author.
The Black Cats’ Curse
Running from your witch
And crossing paths with a lonesome soul
Causes a bodily switch
That's how you'll pay the toll
Dear Reader,
BeSwitched is the first tale in The BeSwitched Series. Check out the sequels—BeSwitched Witch and Royally BeSwitched.
Praise for The BeSwitched Series:
"BeSwitched
is a fun fairytale. It's not only an excellent read, but teaches some
life lessons along the way."
—Samantha LaSparta,
Antioch Press
"It's clear just how much you love your characters. It shows in your books. You gave them life, you let them grow, and you let them shine or even make their own mistakes. And authors who do that are simply awesome."
—Mauie, The Traveling Reader
"These books are becoming highly addictive!"
—Heather, Buried in Books
"Wittingly charming and full of humor [BeSwitched Witch] is a must read!"
—Cricket, Little Library Muse
Surla licked the padding to a front paw with her pink Velcro tongue. She was sitting comfortably on a winding mahogany stairway, cleaning herself after devouring another fat rat.
Click…click…click…click, Surla heard the soles of Idis’s black leather boots echo throughout the Victorian mansion.
“Stay out of my way!” The witch swooshed a broom’s old bristles at the back of the cat.
“Me-Ow!” Surla ran and leaped to the living-room’s front windowsill, where pale green paint was peeling and cool air filtered in from the ajar window. Her velvety tail slinked around her little body as she peered past the porch to a quaint home across the street.
As she sat, she thought; tracing back through the three hundred years of knowing Idis. Almost every memory was horrible. She tried hard to think of a really happy time, but she couldn’t. From the very moment she was taken from her mother as a kitten, and handed over to Idis as a gift from the coven at the witch’s Lucky Thirteenth Birthday Bash, Surla had been mistreated.
The old witch’s temper was becoming harder to handle. Her face was even becoming worse to look at. Wildly flaming red hair framed green eyes that seemed to glow just a bit. Surla wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but it definitely seemed like her beak nose was growing with time. The only good aspect of her appearance was that she could pass for thirty-five with a lean body and smooth skin, while her sister Gretchen appeared at least three times as old.
Surla’s pondering stopped immediately when she spotted the white and fluffy kitty from across the street coming outside in the arms of its elderly owner. The old lady steadied herself with a free hand to sit down on the porch’s high-back, maple rocking-chair. The cat nuzzled against her crocheted shawl. Faint words trailed to Surla’s ears as the owner spoke lovingly to her pet, “You are a good kitty, Diamond; a very good kitty.” A knobby hand stroked Diamond’s little chin and the chair began to rock.
Idis could sense Surla’s envy as she was able to many times before. After taking off a boot and clipping a couple dingy toenails on a green velvet couch, she called for her cat’s attention. “Help me make a fire, you lazy beast! I’m cold!”
Surla narrowed her yellow eyes in anger. She was angry because no matter what the weather, it never satisfied Idis. She’s even cold on a fresh October afternoon like today. Surla watched the gold and yellow leaves and how they would pile together along the street and then suddenly blow away into their separate journeys.
Now it may sound as if Idis has more power over Surla, but that’s not true when it comes to magic; Surla has more power. The witch just merely recites a rhyme while it is the cat’s job to cast the spell. That’s why you never see a witch without its “familiar” close by.
“Well?!” Idis opened her green eyes in frustration. “Get over here! What are you waiting for?”
Surla glanced to her, then back at the open window. “I don’t need you,” Surla spoke, like all black cats can do.
“So, you are dreaming about leaving again?” Idis stood, pulled down her short, black dress and grabbed for the broom. “This will teach you a lesson!” She aimed to whack Surla, but missed.
Automatically, the cat jumped through the opening in the window and over a Hydrangea bush with tremendous speed.
“Get back here, you dreadful beast!!!” Idis’s head poked through the window in rage. “Remember The Black Cats’ Curse! If you cross a human’s path!” She drew in her head and slammed down the window. The bang echoed across the neighborhood, causing Diamond to leap out of her owner’s arms, fur standing straight up.
Surla ran without stopping, without looking back for even a second, through the empty streets. FREEDOMMM, in her mind she screamed in silly delight. AT LAST, FREEDOM!
At that moment, Cathy, an extremely shy teenage girl with brown hair and a navy blue cardigan sweater, was walking with her head down, hoping to get further and further from the three biggest snobs from school. This was a constant routine of hers almost everyday. Living in the same neighborhood as them made it so they had to take the same way home. Cathy always tried to detract as much attention away from herself as possible, but it was never possible with Tiffany, Chrissy, and Lisa around.
Much whispering could be heard. Tiffany, the ravishing blond, was the first to say an out loud rude comment about Cathy, as usual. “Look at how she dresses.”
“It’s awful,” Lisa, with long black hair remarked. “She doesn’t even wear makeup. I bet her mommy says she’s still too young.”
The third girl, Chrissy, with a brunette bob hair-do, responded hesitantly, “Actually, you guys, she doesn’t look so bad.”
“What planet are you from?” Tiffany shook her head. “Sometimes I wonder about you, Chrissy.”
Sometimes I wonder about her too, Cathy remembered back to last year, her Freshman year at Washington High. One day while Cathy was eating some French fries alone in the cafeteria, the snobs were sitting a table away with their jock boyfriends they had at the time. Tiffany stirred up a conversation about the Chess Club’s president, Dwayne Dorksky, being a perfect match for Cathy. After that, a rumor was spread that the two were going together as boyfriend-girlfriend. Cathy was so embarrassed that whenever Dwayne passed by, her face would turn bright fuchsia pink. Dwayne took that as a signal of blushing, so it wasn’t hard for Tiffany to persuade him to ask Cathy out on a date. Being nice, Cathy slowly accepted. Months passed where Dwayne’s long, gangly legs followed her everywhere around school as he attempted to flirt and hold her books. The whole saga finally ended when Chrissy told him it wasn’t Cathy who was interested in him, but Jane Farnklestein, the Science Club treasurer; which was true. What a relief that was. And Dwayne and Jane have been together ever since, all thanks to Chrissy.
It wasn’t a minute longer when the sound of a roaring engine caught Cathy’s attention. A red sports car was nearing the girls from behind. Shiny chrome reflected sunlight, making Cathy squint.
Slowly it came to a stop next to the snobs. When the driver’s side window rolled down, Cathy saw Craig Nelson, the guy she had been crushing over for two years straight.
Sure there were plenty of cute guys attending Washington High, but maybe what made Craig so alluring was how unattainable he seemed to Cathy. The people who hung around him were everything she wanted to be: popular, good-looking, and sought after for many dates. The only thing that seemed unusual about Craig was that he hadn’t been seen with a steady girlfriend since the eighth grade. He is just a year older than me, a Junior. That’s a good thing, Cathy thought, because maybe someday Craig will get to know me and maybe like me for some crazy reason.
“Tiffany, do you and Lisa need a ride home?” His blond hair was blowing back slightly from wind as he smiled.
Chrissy looked at her two friends, disappointed he didn’t mention her. Tiffany saw this and turned back to Craig. “Can Chrissy get a ride home, too? She just lives a couple houses down from me.” Her voice was sweet and syrupy, so how could he say no.
“I guess there’s room.” His voice was smooth.
Cathy wished it was her he stopped for, but knew that was never actually going to happen, so she continued walking. At least Tiffany won’t be behind me anymore.
“I’m sorry, Craig,” Tiffany said, placing her bag in the back seat. “If Chrissy didn’t come with us, then she could’ve been stuck walking with her.” She pointed to Cathy.
Cathy felt angry and hopeless. What can I do about it? Nothing. The car fiercely sped around the corner, almost running into a tired black cat.
“Poor thing!” She jogged over to it as it sat there frozen, shocked. “Are you al-” Cathy couldn’t finish her sentence. A weird sensation flowed through her body, making her unable to speak. She stared at the cat who sat hallow-eyed. Cathy was afraid. Why can’t I move? Then, the feeling diminished and she was looking up at herself.
“Idis warned me of this,” Cathy saw her own lips move, and heard her own voice speak.
“What? What just happened?” Cathy felt small and looked down, spotting fur and paws. “I’m a cat!”
“Shhh!” Surla, now in Cathy’s body, said. “Calm down. You don’t want anyone to hear you.”
“To hear me? But I’m a cat, how can I talk? But I hear myself talk. What is going on?!” She got frantic and wiggled her tail in amazement. “Am I dreaming? Did I fall and knock myself out cold in the middle of the street?” Her new yellow eyes opened wide, “What if someone from school sees me laying in the middle of the road…” She shook from fear. “Or even worse—I could get run over!!!”
“Shhhh!!!” Surla picked her up in her arms. “You are not going to get run over. I know this looks unreal, but it’s true. You aren’t dreaming. We crossed paths and now we’re switched.”
“What do you mean? It can’t be!” But she looked into her own, former, icy blue eyes and knew something about it was true. “It feels so real.”
“It is real…”
“Are you telling me that the saying ‘It’s bad luck to cross paths with a black cat’ is true?”
“Yes, well, with a witch’s black cat.”
“A witch’s black cat!”
“Shhhhh!” Surla glanced around, hoping no one was in earshot. It was a quiet community full of old homes.
Cathy lowered her voice finally. “How do we fix this?”
“By finding Idis’s Spellbook.”
“Idis is your witch, I suppose.” Cathy was sure she was in some episode of The Twilight Zone. “Well, let’s go get the book.”
“No!” Surla was more afraid of seeing Idis than to be human the rest of her life.
“No? No?” Cathy jumped out of Surla’s hold, “What are you talking about? We need to!”
“Not yet, anyway.” Surla’s new forehead crinkled. “I’m sorry, it’s just that my life is so terrible. We can’t switch back until we know it’s safe. Who knows what Idis will do to me if she finds me. She could really put me in danger. Please!!!” She knelt down to Cathy. “You don’t understand how it is to live with a witch.”
“This is crazy. Completely crazy.”
“Listen to me. There is nothing else we can do about it. Do you really want to put us both in danger? It might take a little while, but we’ll get through this.”
With Surla’s reasoning, Cathy calmed down, knowing there wasn’t anything they could do about the situation at the moment. “This is just so weird. Are you sure I’m not dreaming?”
Surla laughed, showing a pretty smile. “I guess this would seem weird for a human. Trust me though, everything will be back to normal before you know it.”
“Normal for me isn’t so wonderful.” She thought of how lonely her last couple years had been since her cousin moved away.
“Why do you say that?” Surla reached carefully for her taken over cat body, to bring her safely to the sidewalk, and with fright Cathy’s new black ears flattened back for the first time.
“The fact is…,” she sighed, and continued, “that my life is a total bore! I’ll probably be nineteen before I get a boyfriend and as far as Craig Nelson goes, I’ll probably never get him.”
“Who’s Craig?”
“He was in the car that almost ran you over.” Her tail then twitched. “He was driving.”
“Why didn’t he give you a ride?”
“Me?” Cathy looked down. “I’m not popular enough. Craig doesn’t even know I exist.”
“Well, I don’t know why.” Her new fingers combed through her hair. “You have very silky hair. I’m sure I can get him to notice you.”
“Oh no!” She remembered something else. “What do we do when we get to my house? My mom’s expecting me soon.”
“It’s simple. I pretend I’m you and ask if I can have you as a pet.”
“Purrfect,” Cathy practiced.
“And when’s dinner?” Surla licked her lips. “I’ve been starving for another fat rat.”
“Disgusting!” Cathy said. “You are not going to ever put some nasty rodent into my mouth. You are human now, so you eat human food. Now, follow me.” She headed in the direction of her house.
As soon as they reached the small, yellow home, with a peach tree in front, they headed into the garage from a side door. Inside, they quietly discussed their plan. “I only live with my mom.” Cathy sat on the washing machine, “My parents divorced a few years ago.”
“So, you weren’t raised with a litter of brothers and sisters?” Surla worked at buttoning her cardigan sweater with a little difficulty.
“Uh… no.”
“Neither was I. At least, from what I remember.” She smiled. “I do have a cousin; a really annoying one.”
“I have a cousin too, but she lives in Kentucky.” She paused. “But, anyway, you better hurry and get inside. Just watch some TV, and then at dinnertime bring up the idea of having me as a pet. She is most happy while she’s eating.”
“So am I,” Surla laughed. “This will be simple. A dog could even do this.” She headed to the door to the kitchen.
“Don’t turn out the lights,” Cathy said fast. “It’s bad enough I have to stay in here so long with spiders who knows where.”
“Okay.” Surla slipped inside.
Idis was becoming more and more frustrated as the day wore on. She began uttering words under her breath as she tromped around the neighborhood. “That horrid cat! Horrid, horrid, horrid, horrid.”
The sun was setting in a pale orange and the wind was picking up; a typical night for October.
The witch’s green, glowy eyes leaped from one spot to the next in desperation. “When I catch you, you’ll have even less freedom than you had before. You’ll live in an itty bitty cage for the rest of your nine lives.” Her back hunched over as if it would bring her closer to finding Surla, when suddenly, a rustling was heard around a couple of tin garbage cans.
“Aha!” she whispered, rubbing her palms together. “Could that be you Surla, hiding from me?”
Her orange lipsticked smile stretched in exaggeration as she tip-toed over to the noise. She was able to spot a movement underneath an old newspaper. Idis crouched down on her knobby knees, placing her face above it. The paper then shook as if it was afraid.
Her long fingers approached it, ready to grab whatever was under.
The witch’s movements were quick and precise. The paper was scooted off and a brown, dirty rat was taken in both her hands. It squeaked and Idis dropped it, instantly shaking from head to toe. “Eeww, nasty rat. I hate rats!”
Idis ran until reaching the inside of her kitchen, where she spent washing her hands for fifteen minutes. “Next time it won’t be any rat, Surla!”
Cathy was nervous as she heard voices and movements from inside the kitchen. She knew it was dinnertime and hoped that Surla would have good manners and bring up the subject of having her as a cat easily. What would we do if my mom said no to the idea?
Surla stared at all of the food placed in front of her. There was a fresh green salad, mashed potatoes with gravy, and some chicken. The chicken looks good, she thought. She was nervous once Cathy’s mom took her place across from her. She wasn’t sure how much food to take and how to properly eat it.
“Sorry I was so late coming home, but the post office needed me, since Jackie was sick.” Cathy’s mom said, while taking some chicken. Surla noticed the resemblance between the mother and daughter, although Cathy was taller and her mother had brown eyes instead of blue.
“So how was your day at school?” Mom continued, reaching for the salad.
“Oh, it was fun.” Surla smiled.
“Fun?” Mom arched an eyebrow. “How well did you do on your History test?”
Surla had to think quick. What if Cathy had done bad on the test? “I did better than I thought I would.” She was happy with her response.
Surla looked down at her empty plate, with blue flower designs. She could smell the inviting aroma of all the food in front of her, especially the chicken. Very rarely Surla was allowed to go outside, when living with Idis, so it had been a long time since she last tasted a bird. She was eager to eat it, but focused on not showing that eagerness too much as she reached for a thigh, then looked across the table for a lead to follow for manners.
“Cathy, is something wrong?”
“No, why?” Surla unknowingly gave a funny grin.
“You just don’t seem like yourself tonight.”
That’s because I’m not, she thought. “I-I’ve just been thinking a lot today and I was wondering if I could have a pet.”
“A pet? What, a dog?” Mom started eating her chicken with her fingers.
“No way!” she exclaimed. “I mean, I would rather have a cat. One that’s black with yellow eyes.”
“Oh?” Mom walked to the refrigerator and brought out a pitcher of juice. “It’s just that, the way you’re always petting Sadie, from next door, I thought you wanted a dog.” She poured herself a cup. “But… I don’t know Cathy. I’m going to have to give it some thought.”
Right then, a crash was heard from inside the garage. It was from Cathy. She had fallen asleep from waiting so long and rolled off of the washing machine, hitting some unsteady boxes. She sat there still, hoping they didn’t hear from inside. The thought of hiding came to her immediately, but the idea of being crammed in a cobwebby corner made her stay where she was.
“What was that?” Cathy’s mom looked up afraid, setting down the drink.
“I don’t know.” Surla acted undisturbed.
“It came from the garage.” She walked towards the door, wiping her hands off along the way.
Surla knew there was nothing she could do. “Mom” was going to find out about her plan before it even was situated and hoped she would be understanding. She watched her slowly turn the doorknob, opening the door just a bit. “The light is on… I didn’t leave it on,” she whispered, frightened.
“I must’ve left it on.” Surla walked over, pushed open the door, and stepped in.
“Meeow.” Cathy tried to sound natural.
“Oh, um, look Mom, a cat.” Surla leaned down and picked her up.
“That’s no ordinary cat… It’s a black one with yellow eyes… like the one you asked for.”
“I’m sorry, I saw it on my way home from school, hungry and without a collar. It was a stray. I couldn’t just leave her.”
Surla is a good talker, Cathy thought as she saw her mother’s expression change considerably.
“Isn’t she adorable?” Surla persuaded more.
“Well, you said she was hungry, didn’t you?” Mom took Cathy and pet her.
“Yes.” Surla smiled.
“Go inside and get her a couple chicken strips then.” She sat on the hood of a broken-down station wagon.
“Okay.” Surla was ecstatic as she ran inside. It worked, she thought proud and relieved.
“I can be such a pushover sometimes,” Cathy’s mom laughed lightly. Surla soon returned having Cathy eating out of her hands.
“So what should we name her?” Mom asked.
“You mean… we can keep her!” Surla’s new blue eyes were bright with excitement.
“I suppose.” A half-smile came across her lips.
“Thank you so much, um, Mom!”
“Well, what name do you have in mind for her?”
“Su-” She stopped suddenly rethinking that using her real name would not be such a good idea. What if Idis were to hear it being called throughout the neighborhood. “S-Sadie sounds good.”
“But Cathy. You don’t want it to have the same as our next door neighbor’s dog!”
“Oooh! Of course not! What am I thinking.”
“Licorice?” Mom suggested after awhile.
“I like it. It sounds sweet.” Surla was happy and so was the rest of her new family. My new family, she repeated in her head. That sounded nice to her, however temporary it would be.
Cathy was still tired and shut her eyes. She soon awoke in the arms of Surla, taking her to her bedroom. Once inside, Surla closed the door. Cathy jumped onto her large white bed.
Surla took a long look around the plain room. It was almost colorless. A dresser in the corner held only a lamp and picture of Cathy with her mom. The most interesting spot was her window, which hung long, closed curtains; They were silky and rose-patterned.
In the closet, Surla shuffled through long skirts, cardigan sweaters, silk blouses, and a couple pair of tennis shoes. What a boring assortment, Surla thought. There’s just no magic in it.
“Your life will be different for the time I’ll be in your body, Cathy.” Surla closed the closet door and sat next to her sleepy friend.
“Yeah, well, I’ll be glad to get a break.” She breathed in slowly. “Tomorrow is Saturday, my favorite day of the week because I have no school.”
“What’s school like?” Surla sprawled out.
“For me, it’s not fun at all.” She yawned, curling her tongue. “If you’re like Tiffany and her friends, then you have a blast, getting boyfriends constantly and going on dates with popular guys like Craig.”
“What’s Craig like?”
“He is hot.” A purr started. “The best water polo player, with the best body. I’ve adored him for two years straight; ever since the eighth grade. We have had a couple classes together, but we never spoke a word to each other. It’s like I’m invisible to him.” She paused. “I can’t believe he and Tiffany haven’t gotten together yet. If I could just get him to notice me and ask me out on a date, it would be a dream come true.”
“If you like him that much,” Surla said, “I’ll get him for you.”
“Sure you will.” Cathy’s eyelids felt heavier. “Can you turn out the light and go to bed now?”
“All right.” Surla stood, hit the switch, and curled up on the bottom of the bed.
“That’s most of my baby-sitting money you’re using to get my nails done!” Cathy hopped onto her dresser, where Surla scattered money out of a wallet. It was early the next morning and Cathy’s mom had already left to work.
“I’m sorry, but your nails are in bad shape. You must have bit them every time you got bored.” She counted out about twenty dollars. “I have pride in keeping mine long and sharp.”
“Well, forget about the sharpness,” Cathy said, then counted what was left of her cash. “I only have fifteen bucks left!”
“Good.” Surla snatched it up. “I can buy you a collar and leash with that.”
“A leash? I am not a dog!”
“We can’t be too safe.” Her new blue eyes opened wide. “If Idis sees me, who knows what will happen.”
Cathy thought it over. “I guess you’re right.”
“And of course you aren’t a dog.” Surla laughed. “You’re too clever.”
Surla put on a pair of blue jeans and borrowed a navy blue turtleneck from her new mom’s wardrobe. Soon they left with money to spend, on a bus headed towards the nearest mall.
Surla opened the door to leave the pet shop. Cathy walked ahead of her, wearing her new red collar and matching leather leash. She wriggled her head back and forth feeling it around her neck. It’s not too bad, Cathy thought. It’s kinda like wearing a choker.
Inside Shelley’s Nail Salon, it smelled strong of chemicals from the two different manicurist’s stations. One lady, with brown hair and bright pink lipstick, was already busy gossiping with a customer while giving her a French manicure. The other was sitting, reading a popular magazine. Her blond, curly hair was put up wildly in a ponytail. The two were into what they were doing so much, they didn’t even hear the bell when the door was opened.
Surla walked slowly over to the blond, who finally looked up from her reading. Her eyes were a sassy brown, accentuated even more by black eyeliner. It reminded Surla of a cat.
“Hi! My name is Patricia, but you can call me Patty. What can I do for you today?” She stood, showing off how short and petite she was.
Surla cleared her throat, “I came to get my nails done because I’ve been biting them a lot lately and now I want to grow them out.”
“Sure. I could do whatever style you want.” She then glanced down at Cathy.
Surla noticed this and said politely, “Oh, I’m sorry. Do you think my cat, Licorice, can stay in here with me? I don’t want to let her out of my sight.” She looked down to see Cathy rubbing her head against Patty’s ankles.
“Oh, Okay.” She smiled. “As long as my boss isn’t here. She won’t distract you, by like jumping on your lap while I’m working on you, will she?” Patty sat in her chair.
“Don’t worry,” Surla assured her, “Cath… I mean, Licorice, is a well behaved
cat.”
“I hope you’re right.” She laughed and organized her tools before starting.
Outside, at a nearby park, Revere Park, Idis was becoming more clever than frustrated. A pile of papers were clenched in her hands. She had a plan. Today, she was dressed like the rest of society. Her flaming red hair was placed as neatly as possible into a French twist. Her dress was black, but longer than usual and didn’t cling to her body as much. She even wore some spectacles; There was not much she could do about her beak-like nose they sat on though.
“Excuse me,” Idis almost choked on such proper words. She had stopped a man with an obvious toupee, carrying a briefcase. His cheeks were pudgy and his beard looked maybe three days old.
“Yes?” He was taken back a second, looking at her nose in awe.
“Here.” Idis shoved a paper in his free hand. It had a crayon drawing of Surla on it. “Have you seen this cat? It’s mine and it ran away.”
He looked down and smiled at it. The picture looked as if a five year old was the artist. It was clear that it was black with yellow eyes, which was probably good enough.
“Sorry.” His eyes went straight to her nose again. “I haven’t seen any black cats around lately. I’m a very busy man. I’m going to the bus stop, so I can get to work now. Good luck.” He chuckled, walking off. “I wouldn’t even notice if my wife brought home a cat.”
“Yeah, well, I hope you have a rotten day too,” Idis muttered.
Back at Shelley’s Nail Salon, Patty was filing Surla’s new red nails. Surla couldn’t keep her eyes off of Patty’s eyeliner. It appealed to her catty taste.
“Your eyes are so pretty,” Surla finally said as her thumb was being worked on.
“Thanks,” she said modestly, “It took me a while to learn how to do my makeup nice. Without it, I look like an owl.” She finished filing. “Is this a good shape for you?”
Surla spread her fingers, looking at the rounded shapes. “Can you make them more pointed?”
The manicurist gave her a funny look while Cathy (sitting on Surla’s lap) nudged her stomach in disapproval. “Are you sure?” Patty asked.
“Yes, I’m sure,” Surla said. “I want them all sharp…er, more or less.
“Oookay.” She took her file and worked hesitantly.
Surla spent two hours preparing for her first day of high school. She put her long brown hair into a high ponytail, wore blue jeans, and a tight black top borrowed from Cathy’s mother again. Her icy blue eyes were lined in replication of Patty’s style, making them appear sapphire. Cathy prepared her with the list of classes and a green backpack to put all her books inside.
Once Surla was walking through the halls of Washington High, a surge of excitement went through her body. A day that Cathy dreaded, Surla was anticipating. I wonder who I’ll make friends with, Surla thought as she looked at all the many different faces of teenagers, all shapes, sizes, and races. The thing that startled her the most was that mostly all eyes were on her, at least the guys’ were anyway. Heads were turning everywhere. One guy was staring at her so much so, that he accidentally walked right into a pole; he paused for a second, startled, and then went on staring as if nothing happened. I sure am attracting a lot of attention, Surla was amazed.
The school was bigger than she expected also. She saw many steps, halls, courts for playing basketball and Tennis, a football field, and a theater for acting.
The bell rang, startling Surla. She pulled her wadded up schedule out of her pant’s pocket. First, I have History, she read, In room 509. Where is that? She saw the closest classroom door reading 218. Oh no, it will take me forever to find this class.
Students were rushing to their classes with their friends. Surla felt overwhelmed. Just keep walking, she told herself. You’ll find it eventually. She couldn’t let anyone know she wasn’t sure of the demographics to the school she had supposedly attended for the last two years.
She continued down the hall and turned the corner, almost bumping into a tall, dark-haired guy, wearing a red letterman jacket.
“Cathy?!” His surprised, green eyes opened wide, looking Surla up and down.
“Yes.” She smiled, wishing she could call him by name also.
“Wow, you look so… different.” He smiled back.
Who are you? she wanted to say.
“Why are you going this way?” He laughed, “History is in the opposite direction.”
Thank goodness, she was relieved. He must have class with me. I can follow him. “Oh, I know. I was just…” She was at a loss for words. “Never mind.”
She went with him across the quad to another building of classes. If this is Craig, Surla thought, then Cathy has good taste.
“Come sit by me,” he said, leading her to a desk in the back. Once again, Surla noticed all the staring eyes.
“Oh my gosh!” said the girl sitting on the opposite side of her, covering her mouth. She was a cute girl with big brown eyes and a matching bob hair-do.
At that exclamation, a blond girl turned in her seat to look. She was pretty with pouty lips. “Wow, she’s wearing makeup,” she said with the least amount of excitement as possible. “Well, it’s about time. I think she heard us Friday when we were talking about her.”
“Tiffany!” the other girl said disapprovingly.
“What, Chrissy?” She lifted her eyebrows. “What’s with you? You’re so ‘goody-goody’ sometimes. And don’t give that attitude.”
That definitely has to be the snobby Tiffany, Cathy was telling me about, Surla remembered. It’s about time Cathy talks back, instead of being the same timid mouse she always has been. “Excuse me,” Surla said to Chrissy.
“Yeah?” Chrissy said hesitantly.
“Did she just say you were the one with the attitude?” Surla made sure she was loud enough for Tiffany to hear.
“Yes.”
“That’s very funny, coming from her.”
Surla could see Tiffany breathe in deeply. Tiffany then turned around to say, “Stay out of my and Chrissy’s business.”
Surla looked to her left to see that the guy wasn’t in his seat. She glanced around the room and quickly spotted him sharpening his pencil. Surla took the opportunity to growl behind Tiffany’s back, “Reeeow.” If she had her other ears, they would have been flattening to her head. Then, she smiled at Chrissy. A smile crept on Chrissy’s face also, as she unsuccessfully tried to hold back laughter.
Tiffany, once again, turned in her seat, this time looking Chrissy straight in the eyes. “I know you are not laughing at me, because nobody laughs at me.”
By this time the guy had returned to his seat next to Surla. “Hi Todd,” Tiffany said, smiling.
“Hey Tiffany.” He smiled back, then grabbed his backpack to pull out a binder.
So that’s not Craig, Surla realized. He’s cute though… for a human.
A short, balding man with glasses approached the front of the classroom. “Okay everyone, you know the drill. Pass your homework assignments up to the front row.”
Bags and binders were shuffled through, including Surla’s, but she couldn’t find any homework for History. The teacher noticed Surla’s confusion and walked over to her desk. “Where’s your assignment, Cathy?”
“I’m sorry. I was really busy this weekend, so I don’t think I got it done.”
“This isn’t a class to slack off in. Remember the grade you received on your last test?”
She knew by the tone in his voice, it must have been really bad. “Yes. I’m sorry.”
His face lightened up a bit. “Okay, then I expect you’ll do better next time.”
Do better next time? Surla was worried. But what do I know about history? Then she quickly reconsidered, Hey, it’s not like I was born yesterday. I’m not sixteen years old like Cathy—I’m well over two hundred. Her mind backtracked to the time Idis and her lived in Salem Massachusetts, where the witch trials were held.
“She’s a witch! She’s a witch! She’s a witch!” the crowd chanted.
Idis stood at the accused stand, with Surla at her feet. A fat, balding man, who reminded Surla of the history teacher, took his seat as the judge.
“All right everyone!” his voice boomed. “Just quiet down! We’ll find out soon enough if this lady here is a witch!”
“Just look at her nose!” A man in his twenties, wearing a farmers hat, pointed.
“And that black cat!” A plump lady, holding a baby, shrieked.
“Yeah!” The crowd started up again.
“Now, settle down!” The judge stood, waving his arms. “If you settle down, this will be over with all the sooner.”
Instantly the crowd became quiet. The only noise heard was by a lady’s baby, who was now crying.
“Okay, Idis,” he began. “Are you a witch or aren’t you?”
Idis was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Her hands shook and beads of sweat started running down her forehead. Surla became very worried for her own life. Whatever they would do to Idis, they were sure to do to the cat. If Idis was going to be burned at the stake, then so would she.
“Well, are you?” the judge pushed for an answer.
“No,” she finally stated firmly.
In response, the crowd became more heated with anger. “Liar! Liar! Liar!”
“All right. All right! I am a witch!” she screamed in rage. “And now I’m going to cast a spell on all of you!”
Surla was horrified. Is she crazy?! she thought.
The crowd gasped and became silent. Some ran and ducked away. Surla felt she had to do something and fast, so she jumped onto the judge’s lap, purring and rubbing her head against him. The point is for me to look as sweet and innocent as possible, she thought, so I look like I am not a witch’s black cat. Besides, if I don’t agree in using my magic, then Idis’s spell won’t work.
Idis threw her arms straight up in the air and yelled, “Shoooraca shum! Mewoka reds! Make everyone this instant have bald heads!” Her head fell back in a hysterical laughter, but she soon noticed no one was losing hair. She tried again, but it still did not work. Maddened, she stomped her feet. “Bald heads, I said!!”
Everyone looked around, feeling their hair. Soon a roar of laughter was heard.
“It’s too late, Idis.” The judge rubbed his already balding head. “You don’t scare me. Ladies and Gentlemen!” He chuckled. “Oh boy, I guess we came to our conclusion.” He paused to pet Surla. “Good kitty.” Then he looked up again at Idis. “I find this lady not guilty of witchery, but guilty of craziness! So, on behalf of Salem, Massachusetts, I sentence you and your cat to a mad house…or to leave our town. Oh, I guess the kitty can stay if it wants.”
“Cathy… Cathy.” Surla’s mind slowly came back to History class, as she felt a tapping on her arm.
“Oh… um, yeah?” She turned to Todd.
“The teacher has been trying to get your attention.”
“Oh.” She smiled in embarrassment.
“I don’t believe you’ve listened to a word I’ve said so far.” The teacher set down his book. “Cathy, what could you possibly be daydreaming about that is more exciting than history?”
“Actually,” she laughed, “I was thinking about history.”
“Cathy, pay attention.” He eyed the room, spotting a guy with long hair, having his head on the desk. “James!”
“H-huh?” He looked up, his eyes tired.
“No sleeping in my class.”
After that, Surla tried really hard to pay attention or at least pretend to pay attention, but anything that came out of the teacher’s mouth sounded like a bunch of blahs. Blah… blah… blah… blah, and soon the bell rang to go to the next class.
“Hey, Cath.” Todd finished packing his bag. “What were you really daydreaming about?”
“History,” she half-laughed.
“Oh.” He looked puzzled. “Well, I guess I’ll see you in Chemistry.”
“Okay.” Surla smiled, watching him leave as she pulled out her schedule again. P.E., she read. I hope I’ll have luck finding it.
Back at the house, Cathy was becoming very bored taking naps, drinking milk, and watching TV. She felt the need to get out of the house. After all, it was the sunniest day October had seen so far.
Cathy sat on a windowsill in the living room, looking out at the bright afternoon with birds chirping and people bicycling. Wait… birds! Cathy saw two blue jays hopping and singing on her driveway. She stared at their feathery, little bodies from a different perspective. How fun it would be to chase one, she thought. “Hold on, Cathy!” she told herself, “You are human, not a cat. So, think human!”
She sat there, closing her eyes, imagining she was in Craig’s arms. Feeling better about herself, she opened her yellow eyes again and longingly looked outside. “Okay, so I won’t chase birds. Maybe a roll in the grass would be nice, though.”
With one of her paws, she pulled up the latch, to unlock the window. With the side of her small body, she pushed hard, trying to open it. It didn’t work, so she tried a second time, taking a deep breath before. Again it didn’t budge. Finally, she tried with full force and energy. It worked! The window went ajar a few inches, just enough for her body to slide through and skip a muddy puddle. “Whew! Third times a charm.” She pranced around the yard and rolled in the grass. “Ooh, the things we humans take for granted.” The soft, cool grass tickled her back.
“Grrrr…grrr,” she heard from the next yard over. Cathy remembered the black Labrador, Sadie, from next door. Cathy looked over her shoulder cautiously, and to her relief her eyes followed a silver chain hooking from its neck to a tree. Once again, she rolled in the grass.
“Grrrrowl! Grrrowl!” Sadie kept on while the chink of the metal leash was heard.
Don’t worry about her, she comforted herself. Just keep rolling.
“Rruff Rruff,” his growls turned into barking and his body leaped, even though he was restrained.
“Rrrruff!” The sound of metal breaking like a twig, startled Cathy.
Cathy turned in horror as she saw the slobbery beast darting for her, the broken chain sliding on the ground.
“AAAAAh!” she screamed and took off to the side yard, where she ran between some garbage cans full of aluminum. Sadie didn’t care, she ran straight through, causing cans to fly in all directions.
Cathy turned, while still running, noticing the bear-like claws coming closer to her tail. She felt as if her heart was going to leap right out of her furry chest. This was the dog I used to play with after school!
She soon made it to the other side of the backyard, where a tall wooden fence blocked her from the front yard. This is not good, she thought. Not good at all. She then leaped as high as she could. Her front paws barely touched the top of the fence and without thinking, nails jutted out, hooking onto the splintering wood, preventing her from falling. Her back paws scratched, trying to push the rest of her body up.
Sadie appeared under her in a flash, showing off her sharp teeth. Cathy felt weaker, as if the blood was being drained from her legs. But when Sadie jumped, biting for Cathy’s tail, enough adrenaline rushed through her to make it back over to the front yard.