Doing Lunch.

Rochelle was trying to edit her noble guide for training aspiring witches and wizards, but she closed her book. She was growing tired. Plus, she wished she and Jarryd had not split up now. They would be the talk of the town in high school tomorrow. Silky, her dog, followed her to the kitchen, where Rochelle began some comfort eating.

Rochelle's mother called to her, "Rochelle put that dog in the backyard, then take her to her own bed in the laundry. It's getting late, you can say good night and get to bed. You must stop snacking, your eyes are bigger than your tummy. You're already a bit plump."

Rochelle thought her mother was turning into grandma, sometimes they sounded the same.

Teen witch and author, with Silky, skulked off to her bedroom, holding a plate full of treats and leftovers. Silky's big brown eyes stared at Rochelle's plate, sort of drooling, as they nestled into bed together. Rochelle felt overcome by a need to have someone understanding to chat to. So she browsed that excellent magic manual, Spellcraft. She lit her white LED candle, and touched Silky's collar. In between mouthfuls of yummy cake, she held one of her purple crystals, and said forcefully,

"On Silky I cast this magic spell,

Make her talk to humans as well.

I command you, noble fur pal somehow,'

Utter mortal words right now!"

There seemed to be a shimmer in the air, while Silky ate some cake. The canine pal opened her lips, surrounded by her grey muzzle, and told Rochelle, " I want more cake, and do not want to sleep in the laundry. I want your electric blanket. You humans have no respect for my feelings. All the oldies here call me that dog. That is unnecessary. By the way, the dog food you choose is too bland, boring. I want steaks for lunch and dinner. When do I want them, right now!"

Then Silky the whinging labrador lay her head on Rochelle's pillow and ready to start snoring. Silky then lifted her head up, and said, "You can't change the past by snivelling. Jarryd is boring. Cast a spell that's a recipe for happiness with real friends."

Rochelle was already a tad over Silky turning into an extra grandma, so she reversed the spell. She had read that witches need a familiar, preferably a wise black cat with emerald, knowing eyes. But Silky wanting steak the family could not afford was not a positive plan or spell ongoing.

So, having listened to her pet dog's litany of complaints, Rochelle decided Silky could stay in bed with her. Bedtime was a bit cramped, but she and Silky were very cosy together.

"Tomorrow is a mystery, put your best foot forward." Rochelle could hear her grandma still echoing in her brain, so she dreamed of casting spells that did not backfire on her. Imagine Silky and all that complaining! Even Rochelle knew that older dogs need light, bland foods, which are better than too much rich food. Old large dogs with the squirts are not a good plan. Any witch knows that.

Rochelle realised that spending lunchtime in the library, studying lots of books in these witchly arts, which Mrs. Haggle supplied, was going to mean making peace with Jarryd and Todd. So she smiled and turned the other cheek at some of their nonsense.

Mrs. Haggle was impressed by Rochelle's creativity, and promised to assist with editing, typing, and contacting a publisher. Even Todd was looking mildly floored by her book.

On the other hand, the boys' nickname of 'Witchy Woman' stuck to Rochelle. She was finding it hard to live up to some of her spelling abilities. One day, it was time for their Science classroom's field trip to the city Aquarium. It was long bus trip away, but the teenagers enjoyed this break from their humdrum routine. They were supposed to be taking notes while they observed marine biomes, and all the creatures. Rochelle was proceeding swimmingly, trailed by Jarryd and Todd, who were making comical fun, never taking stuff too seriously.

Finally, their group reached the shark enclosure. Here very large species went swimming by, as the teenagers clustered around the plexi glass enclosures. Rochelle was trying to take a photo, deciding to focus on the sharks as her main topic for the assignment. Todd stood next to her, as one big cohuna of a white shark swam by. Its eye seemed to be glaring at them. Todd muttered, "Bet you couldn't make that whopper talk too."

Rochelle, being a woman born, could not resist. She raised her arms, and spoke her talking spell, wondering if the shark was going to complain like Silky had. Todd was astounded when the shark turned back, and sang at them, "Yummy, yummy, yummy, I want humans in my tummy, cause I feel like doing lunch!"

It was a tune in the best bubble gum pop music tradition. Todd, Jarryd and Rochelle rapidly stepped back from the glassy walls of the fish tank. None of them wanted to be tasty shark bait in the fin eat fin world undersea.

"I am not putting that bit in my worksheets, no way!" Rochelle said to the lads, who walked beside her singing, "You're a witch, magic woman! Mrs. Haggle made a witchy out of you!" Rochelle realised her spells were sort of backfiring. She was working on her personal improvement.

Just then, the shark swam right along their side, still singing and eyeing them off. Jarryd said, "Time for tiddles, let's do the kiosk."

Todd agreed, saying to Rochelle, "You are the real deal on spelling. Totally A grade witch. We could start a business together, market something magical to the rest of the school. For a fee, we could make profits. I shall buy you a cola while we dream up a concept. Nothing wrong with our brains and your talent. Any suggestions? What tricks would chicks your age spend money on?"

So, the three talented teens, all selected and coached by Mrs. Haggle, sat down and did lunch. They tossed some ideas around. Their magic business was definitely a work in progress. Rochelle wondered what this scheme had to do with world peace, let alone her hopes of getting a date with Todd and his wizardly lips. This tale is to be continued, somewhere in their free time, or doing lunch on sunny days, absenting themselves from mundane education. The sharks are still waiting for lunch.