Page 20 of Revenge is a Witch

Almost.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he actually broke something with the way he’s writhing on the floor. Hell, half the class probably thinks they just witnessed some kind of career-ending injury.

But Derek’s a shifter, so he probablydidbreak something—and it’ll be healed by lunchtime. It’s the kind of thing that would make anyone else panic, but for him? It’s just another Friday.

Everyone rushes to Derek’s side, and in the confusion, I slip away, heading straight for the girls’ locker room. My heart is racing as I push open the door, the cool air hitting me like a slap. I glance around, making sure no one’s around before moving to Kyla’s locker.

Her bag is right there, just where I knew it would be. I hesitate for a second, my hand hovering over the zipper. Do I really wantto do this? It’s one thing to plot revenge, but actually going through with it…

I close my eyes, remembering a moment from a year ago. Kyla thought it would behilariousto release a dozen spiders into my room. And not the harmless kind, either. No, these were the venomous, bite-you-in-your-sleep kind. I spent hours trying to get rid of them, and I didn’t sleep for days after. I wasn’t sure I’d ever feel safe in my room again.

That memory is all I need. My hesitation vanishes, and I unzip Kyla’s bag. Inside, I find what I’m looking for—a spray bottle. I’ve seen her use it on her hair a million times. She probably thinks it’s the best thing ever, keeping her precious blonde locks perfect. I smirk, wondering if it’s some potion to stop her dark roots from showing or if it’s just her own vanity in a bottle.

I pull out the small vial of potion I’ve prepared. The one with Skylar’s mermaid hair. A potion that, once it takes effect, will leave Kyla’s hair permanently… altered. I unscrew the cap on the spray bottle, carefully pouring the potion inside before sealing it up again. There’s no turning back now.

I shove the bottle back into Kyla’s bag, making sure everything looks exactly the way it was before. No one will be any the wiser.

With a quick glance around to make sure I’m still alone, I slip out of the locker room and back into the gym. The chaos surrounding Derek is still going strong, everyone fawning over him like he’s a fragile little flower.

Mission accomplished.

As Sam and I make our way down the hallway toward the cafeteria, I notice Kyla by her locker, surrounded by her ever-peppy cheer squad. They’re laughing and chatting like theyhave no cares in the world, which is infuriating because, well, they probably don’t. Kyla’s perfectly blonde, perfectly composed—always the center of attention, always at the top. Sebastian is there too, leaning against the locker beside hers, completely disengaged from the conversation as he scrolls through his phone.

I slow my pace just a little, enough for Sam to notice. My eyes are locked on Kyla, watching as she digs through her bag and pulls out a familiar-looking spray bottle.

Oh, this is going to be good.

I didn’t expect to be here when it happened, but the universe seems to be smiling on me today. I try to hide the growing smirk on my face as I turn to Sam. “Hey, I’m just gonna stop by the windows for a second. These boots need retying.”

Sam shrugs, not questioning me, and heads toward the cafeteria. I move closer to the windows, pretending to fuss with my boots but really keeping my eyes locked on Kyla. She’s chatting away, oblivious, as she sprays the contents of the bottle all over her hair, clearly expecting the usual touch-up to her blonde locks.

Except… that’s not what’s about to happen.

I almost can’t contain my excitement as I watch the subtle changes begin. It starts slow—her bright blonde hair begins to fade, losing its luster and turning a dull, washed-out grey. Then, her once perfectly smooth locks start to curl—tightly, into something that can only be described as a bad perm gone wrong. But it doesn’t stop there. Her hair begins to fray at the edges, strands breaking off and sticking out like she’s been hit by a lightning bolt.

It’s a spectacle, and I couldn’t be more pleased.

The cheer squad’s laughter dies out, and their jaws drop one by one as they stare at Kyla’s rapidly changing appearance. She doesn’t notice right away, still too busy talking and adjusting herjacket. But then she catches on that something’s wrong when the girls around her go completely silent.

“What?” she snaps, frowning at them. “What are you staring at?”

Sebastian finally looks up from his phone, takes one glance at her, and bursts out laughing. “Oh man, you must have seriously messed up your ingredients, Kylie. You look like an old homeless woman with that hair.”

She rolls her eyes in his direction, "My name is fuckingKyla, and you know it." Kyla’s eyes suddenly widen, her hands flying up to her head. “Wait. What? What do you mean? What happened to my hair?” Without another word, she spins around and bolts for the nearest bathroom, her cheer squad trailing after her in a flurry of confused gasps and concerned looks.

I straighten up from my pretend boot-tying, doing everything in my power to keep my expression neutral. But inside? Oh, I’m positivelybeaming. If I could grin any wider, the Cheshire Cat would be shaking in his boots.

I can feel Sebastian’s eyes on me from across the hallway, but I refuse to look in his direction. I won’t give anything away. Not yet.

Still, I know. I know he’s watching me, and he knows something’s up. But as far as I’m concerned, this is just the beginning.

Fucking Vampires

Metaphorically, Of Course

After lunch, with a full belly and an extra spring in my step thanks to Kyla’s unexpected hair disaster, I head to the library. I’ve got a free period, and I figure it’s the perfect time to add my latest concoction to the grimoire—the potion that just turned Kyla’s golden mane into a frizzy mess. I find a quiet spot, pull out my book, and get to work.

I write carefully, savoring the moment, listing out each ingredient like a fine recipe for disaster:

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