Chapter 1

"Class." Announced Mr. Kornic, the history teacher. Bella and I were right smack dab in the middle of it. "Today we are going to start our study on the Salem Witch Trials. Does anyone know anything about them?" No hands went up.

"I didn't think so." The teacher thought to himself in his head, though of course I could hear it. I had learned about this so many times, I probably knew more than the textbook and teacher put together.

"They began in . . ." his lecture started. It would continue until he ran out of time at the end of the period.

I always looked forward to this part of the class, studying the witches I mean. It entertained me immensely. Though I had never met a witch, I believed they were out there. I mean, if there were vampires and mangy mutts that could pass for mythical creatures, why wouldn't there be witches?

The bell finally rang and Bella and I got up from our seats. "That was fun." I stated as we walked out of the room.

"Yeah." Bella lied. "Lots of fun." I laughed and put my arm around her. She was so funny when she fell asleep and then tried to hide it.

"What was your favorite part?' I persisted, seeing how far I could take it before she told me to shut it.

"Um." She stammered.

"The part with the back of your eyelids?" I offered.

"You noticed?" I asked, embarrassed.

"No." I said sarcastically. This continued all the way to our math room, but was forced to stop when the bell rang. A new girl walked in the door.

"You've been replaced." I whispered to Bella.

"Oh no." she replied. "What ever will I do?" We snickered and were then called to attention by the teacher.

"Class." He said. "This is Patience Halliwell. She has just moved here from California and will be joining our class starting today." He turned to her. "Why don't you tell us some things about yourself, Ms. Halliwell?"

"Um." She hesitated. Her heartbeat accelerated. She was nervous. "I have two sisters." She stammered.

"Very good." Said the teacher. "Why don't you take a seat next to Ms. Swan." He motioned toward the only open seat in the room. She quickly walked to the seat, obviously anxious to get out of the front of the room. Everyone watched her as she walked to her seat."

"Do you have a nickname Patience?" asked the teacher, just as she had put her books on the desk.

"Pat." She said.

"Thank you." He replied and made a note in his grade book.