3RD PLACE: Young/New Adult Short Story, International Digital Awards 2015
BLURB:
Rachel's secret would have Cotton Mather rolling over in his grave. She's been raised from an early age to use magic for good, despite her temptation to cast a spell against Phil the bully who can't stop teasing her.
Joe thinks Rachel is cool, especially when she weaves her healing magic spells on him, but he's got his own problems. It's not easy keeping Rachel safe from Phil's constant threats.
When Phil poisons Rachel, can love and little young witchcraft bring Rachel and Joe together or have years of Phil's bullying ruined their relationship for good?
EXCERPT:
Suzie bumped into Rachel's shoulder. Rachel nearly lost her balance,
extended her leg, and regained her bearing. Thank the broomsticks Suzie's
contact didn't start a bleeding episode.
"I'd be careful if I were you. Don't cross me."
"What you did was mean and you know it." Rachel squared her shoulders, despite the knots in her stomach.
Suzie narrowed her eyes.
"Is there a problem?" Joe approached, his arms crossed.
"You two losers deserve each other." Suzie rolled her eyes and walked off.
Rachel swallowed hard, pushing the hurt from Suzie's comment aside for now. Rachel glanced at Joe. "Anna's ankle is swollen. Can you help her out to her car?"
"Sure."
Rachel smiled her appreciation at Joe. He'd grown tall, over six feet and his green eyes sparkled like gems when the light caught them a certain way. His blond hair had darkened a bit to sandy blond, but he kept his hair in a nice neat cut. He often had a five o'clock shadow that she found incredibly attractive on him. Joe was lean and with thin muscles, and not an ounce of fat on him. He could tear up a refrigerator. Fruit, pizza, and celery were his favorite foods. He was as picky as a black cat about what he ate since he had a peanut allergy. Joe played on the football team as a tight end or a running back. His practice must have gotten over early tonight.
A part of her wanted to reach out for his hand like she did when they were kids, back when life wasn't so complicated, but something held her back. Hurt? Doubt? Lack of courage? She sighed. Her self-esteem had taken a big hit today, but she wanted to be a good friend to Anna so she brushed aside her anxiety. Now that Joe was here, Rachel could do anything.
"I'd be careful if I were you. Don't cross me."
"What you did was mean and you know it." Rachel squared her shoulders, despite the knots in her stomach.
Suzie narrowed her eyes.
"Is there a problem?" Joe approached, his arms crossed.
"You two losers deserve each other." Suzie rolled her eyes and walked off.
Rachel swallowed hard, pushing the hurt from Suzie's comment aside for now. Rachel glanced at Joe. "Anna's ankle is swollen. Can you help her out to her car?"
"Sure."
Rachel smiled her appreciation at Joe. He'd grown tall, over six feet and his green eyes sparkled like gems when the light caught them a certain way. His blond hair had darkened a bit to sandy blond, but he kept his hair in a nice neat cut. He often had a five o'clock shadow that she found incredibly attractive on him. Joe was lean and with thin muscles, and not an ounce of fat on him. He could tear up a refrigerator. Fruit, pizza, and celery were his favorite foods. He was as picky as a black cat about what he ate since he had a peanut allergy. Joe played on the football team as a tight end or a running back. His practice must have gotten over early tonight.
A part of her wanted to reach out for his hand like she did when they were kids, back when life wasn't so complicated, but something held her back. Hurt? Doubt? Lack of courage? She sighed. Her self-esteem had taken a big hit today, but she wanted to be a good friend to Anna so she brushed aside her anxiety. Now that Joe was here, Rachel could do anything.
BUY LINKS:
Ibooks:https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/young-witchcraft/id1001406269?mt=11
AMAZON:http://a.co/3PnbpJo
BARNES & NOBLE:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/young-witchcraft-stephanie-burkhart/1122051463?ean=2940151946490
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/young-witchcraft
GOODREADS:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25658237-young-witchcraft?ac=1&from_search=true