Three’s a crowd. At least that’s what I’ve heard, and I’ve definitely come to learn that it’s true. My best friend’s new girlfriend is a complete pain in the ass, and if it wasn’t for me being on my last warning at Gilford High, I’d definitely do something about it. The consequences of my doing so aren’t just your usual slap on the wrist kind of punishments. When strange things begin to happen, and my eyes start to freaking GLOW, I’m whisked away to ... you guessed it ... the Winterwood Academy for the ‘Gifted.’ I don’t feel very gifted. In fact, I feel like the biggest freak in an entire school of freaks. As the hottest guy at the Academy would say, “I’m the Queen of Freaks,” but coming from him, it’s actually kind of sweet. Oh, and did I forget to mention that not only am I having strange encounters with a Goddamn Goddess, I’m also hearing voices in my head, and there’s a book in the Academy library that’s actually TALKING to me! They say that only a true Winterwood Witch is capable of opening that book, so why the hell does it want anything to do with me?

Winterwood Academy Book 1: Gifted

The tarmacked front of the school was swimming with kids,all eager to escape for the evening.Everyone from year 7 right up to the sixth form seemed to all have made a break for it at once.


I took a slow walk from the science block,in no hurry to get to the school buses that ran on a fifteen-minute rotation to pick everyone up and deposit them in the centre of London.


Maybe,if I took my time,I wouldn’t end up on the same bus as my little blonde nemesis.


I was just making my way past the fountain of our school mascot,Berty the Beaver,when I heard footsteps rushing up behind me.


I didn’t need to look to know who it was.The chirpy little voice told me all I needed to know.


Polly,Peter’s adorable eleven-year-old sister,stood behind me with her bookbag clutched to her chest.The sweetly innocent smile that she beamed at me caused me tosmile back and ruffle her hair,“Hey,kiddo!”


“Don’t do that!”She scowled at me,taking a step back,“Petey does that,and I hate it!”


Chapter 7