The Fairytale Curse (Magic's Return Book 1) Read Online Free

had Lego at home, being more of a Barbie household, but I’d experienced that particular treat at other people’s places. Not exactly fond memories. “Remind me not to take my shoes off at your place.”
    Oh, God, had I really just said that? I hardly knew the guy. Now he was going to think I wanted him to invite me over. We were walking past the canteen. Maybe I should suddenly remember I had to buy some lunch. The urge to run away nearly overwhelmed me. That telltale warmth flooded my cheeks again. Great. The truly wonderful thing about being so fair-skinned was that there was no hiding it when you blushed.
    “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll make sure to deploy the chicken before you arrive.”
    I could hardly look at him, but there was warmth in those dark brown eyes.
    “Scout’s honour,” he added, holding up his free hand as if taking an oath.
    There was something suspicious about that grin now.
    “Were you ever a Boy Scout?”
    “Do we really have to go into the details?”
    I laughed. I liked a guy with a sense of humour. “You weren’t, were you?”
    “Maybe not. But I bet I would have made a great one. All that knot-tying and cookie-selling and …”
    “And?”
    “And … whatever else they do. Okay, so I don’t know much about it.”
    “I believe they go camping.” We left the dazzling sunshine of the playground and entered D block. A large tropical-looking garden sprawled in the centre of the courtyard, basking in the spring sunshine. There was an almost identical one in B block, which had caused some confusion in my first couple of days last week. “And hiking.”
    Someone was hanging over the railing of the upper floor, overlooking the courtyard. All the buildings were like this, with open-air walkways outside the classrooms instead of enclosed hallways. That someone began to wave madly when she caught sight of us. Sona.
    “Hey, you brought her!” she called to Zac. “That’s great!”
    We started to climb the stairs, our footsteps echoing in the empty stairwell. “Is she always so …?”
    “Enthusiastic? Well, she is the only girl in the club, and some of the guys are … how shall I put this? Great at robotics, not so great at conversation. And Sona does like to have a chat.”
    “Yeah, I’d noticed that.”
    “You do like robotics, don’t you? You’re not just coming because she pressured you?”
    With those dark eyes full of concern, it suddenly seemed impossible to tell him that I’d only planned to come to check it out. As we reached the classroom I reassured him that I loved robotics.
    “In that case, welcome to the robotics club.” He took my hand in a firm handshake, then his solemn expression dissolved into a grin. That dimple peeped out again.
    Sona threw an arm around my shoulders. “Come on in and meet the gang.”
    I went with her, my hand still tingling from Zac’s touch.
    ***
    I got out the lasagne at six. Mum and Dad weren’t home but I couldn’t wait any longer. I was starving.
    “Dad makes the world’s best lasagne,” CJ said.
    I would have agreed, but I was too busy shovelling it into my face to talk.
    “Did you leave some for Mum and Dad?” she asked.
    I wiped my mouth. “If you wanted to play Mother, you could have defrosted and served it yourself, instead of lying on the lounge watching TV. It’s a bit late to be concerned when you’ve already eaten half of it.”
    She waved her hand. “Dad usually takes care of it.”
    “Yeah, it must be so nice to be you, always being waited on.”
    She considered me for a moment, dark head tipped to one side, then sighed. “You always get like this when we move. The minute I open my mouth you jump straight down my throat. Could you please try to remember that moving wasn’t my idea?”
    “I do not always get like this.” Even to me, that sounded defensive. “And I’m not like anything.”
    “Starting over sucks. I get that. You can always hang out with me and my friends if you get stuck.”
    I