The Sisters of Luna Island by Stacy Hackney

Author:Stacy Hackney
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published: 2022-04-12T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

Marigold paced the lobby outside the auditorium later that day. During school she’d spent each period covertly spraying Mama’s charm in the general direction of every Magical Town of Oz cast member she’d seen. It must have worked, she reassured herself. Mama was very good at her magic, even if things didn’t always end well for those who used her charms.

Sam slumped against the wall near her. “If you don’t stop pacing, I’m going to tackle you. You’re making me dizzy.”

Marigold huffed. “I’m nervous, okay? People will suspect something strange is going on once they realize that everyone in the cast except me is having a problem performing. And just like everything else, they might start to blame the Lafleur lead for cursing the play, and then everything I’ve done to get this part is for nothing!”

“Calm down and maybe focus more on fixing your mistake instead of how bad it is for you,” Sam said matter-of-factly.

“It wasn’t totally my fault,” Marigold hissed. “Lou did most of it.”

Sam shrugged, and she knew he didn’t agree with her. She could have stopped singing after Lou sprayed the charm, but the awe on everyone’s faces had been impossible to resist. This was just as much her fault.

“Are we still on for meeting at the graveyard after this?” Sam asked.

Marigold nodded. Last night she had filled Sam in on her meeting with Curtis Fox. They’d made plans to search for May Fox’s grave after rehearsal.

Ms. Ballard opened the auditorium door. “Let’s go, kiddos.”

The thin crowd shuffled into the auditorium.

“Oh and, Marigold?” Ms. Ballard said. “Your sisters haven’t responded yet about volunteering. I know they’re busy with school, but would you make sure they’re getting my emails? Our first painting shift is this Saturday, and we could really use them.”

“They probably didn’t get the emails,” Marigold said in a strained voice. “But I know they’re excited to help. I’ll talk to them.”

“Are they excited to help?” Sam whispered as Ms. Ballard hurried off.

“How should I know?” Marigold burst out. “They’re barely speaking to me.”

Marigold twisted her hands into knots. How was she going to convince her sisters to volunteer? Neither of them had actually said yes, but Marigold had already promised they would. If everyone thought they’d backed out at the last minute, it would only make her family look worse.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” Marigold whispered nervously to Sam. “What if the play is ruined because of me? What if my sisters won’t volunteer? What if this makes the town hate us even more? What if—”

“Marigold.” Sam grabbed her elbows and made her stand still. “You’re spiraling.”

“I—I am. You’re right. Okay.” Marigold breathed in. There was the lingering jasmine of Ms. Ballard’s perfume, the fresh paint for the sets, and the lemony wood polish of the seats; the smells of the town auditorium. She unclenched her hands. “It’s going to be fine.”

“It’s going to be fine,” Sam repeated. “And if not, we’ll try something else. I could give tips on managing stage fright.

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