Accidentally Evil by Lara Chapman

after each dream, then you must write down everything you can remember in detail. Write down whether the dream was in color or black and white. This is why you need to keep a pen and pad next to the bed. Make sure not to put them in the bed with you. You don’t want to end up stabbing yourself with the pen in your sleep.” Everyone giggles. “Then you must try to go right back to sleep.”
    It’s kind of creepy, but I can’t wait to try this, to see if it really works.
    She writes one last note on the board. 4) Reviewing the Night.
    â€œYou’ll be amazed how many dreams you actually have each night. I usually find that I have ten to fifteen dreams a night; sometimes more.”
    Someone behind me says, “There are some nights when I don’t have any dreams. What do I do on those nights?”
    â€œEveryone dreams several times a night. They just don’t know they do until they try something like this. Make special note of dreams in full-blown color. You’ll want to reference them once we are further along in the process.”
    The bell rings, and everyone throws their notebooks and pens into their bags as Lady Rose reminds us to bring our dream journals to class tomorrow.
    Just as I’m leaving the room, someone pulls at my sleeve. I turn to see Lady Rose, whose face is smiling, but it’s not a real smile and fails to reach her eyes.
    She looks at Ivy waiting for me at the door. “Ivy, I need Hallie for just a second.”
    Ivy nods, leaving me behind for the second day in a row.
    â€œIs something wrong, Lady Rose?” I ask once the class is cleared.
    She shakes her head, but her eyes are sad. Worried. “How is this year shaping up so far?”
    â€œGood,” I tell her. “Really good, actually.”
    â€œI know you had problems with Kendall last year. Is that any better?”
    I shake my head. “Things with Kendall will never be easy. But at least we aren’t roommates.”
    I’m about to point out my new blue eyes. But she looks distracted, so I don’t say anything.
    â€œI’m sure,” Lady Rose says, her face unchanged. “I just . . .”
    I don’t fill the silence, and let her finish her thought.
    â€œYou know this year will be different.”
    I nod at her. “It already is.”
    Lady Rose closes her eyes.
    â€œWhat are you trying to say, Lady Rose?”
    â€œI’m probably just being overprotective. I’ve never had a student with your gift. You are a very talented and unique young witch. There are powerful people at ­Dowling who might . . .”
    Before she finishes her thought, girls begin entering her room for the next class.
    Lady Rose puts her hand on my arm. “Come see me if you need anything.”
    I look at her, wishing I could ask her questions. I have so many. But the room is crowding fast, and I have to get to my next class.
    I smile, an empty, halfhearted smile. “Yes, ma’am. See you tomorrow.”
    I leave the room, but the chill of her words stays with me for hours.

Nine
    S even thirty. Two hours till lights out.
    I have genealogy research that needs my attention, but I’m temporarily trapped in my room. Jo and Dru said they had some juicy news to share, so of course they came over right after dinner.
    I’m at my desk, checking e-mail while they giggle and gossip behind me. Most of my e-mail is junk. But one sender catches my attention. Cody.
    I glance over my shoulder to see if anyone is looking, but they’re too busy talking about the upcoming celebration to notice. The cursor hovers over his name, but I don’t click on it. Not yet. I minimize my screen, turn around in my chair and straddle it backward.
    I jump into the conversation when there’s a break.“So, what’s the gossip we just had to hear tonight?”
    Jo and Dru share a look.
    â€œTell us!” Ivy says.
    Dru giggles. “Okay. So, we were in the library