By the end of the weekend, Gigi was on the mend, but the household remained on edge. Ali’s parents didn’t mention the possibility of moving again, but when Ali overheard her mom tell Digger that they should squirrel away a little money “in case,” she knew they were worried. On Saturday, when a cruise ship was forced to dock at the harbor because of the worsening fog, Digger rushed down to the wharf and sold six caricatures to the bewildered tourists who’d expected to land in Boston. On Sunday, her mother took a double shift at the nursing home. Ali couldn’t think of a way to make money, but she could think of a way they could stay in Saint John: end the Sloane Family Feud. Gigi’s birthday party was now more important than ever.
The last to arrive at debate team on Monday, Ali took a seat in the second row and tried to make herself invisible. When Ms. Ryder called on Ashok and Carolyn, Ali couldn’t stifle a loud exhalation of relief.
Ms. Ryder chuckled. “I know the first time you debate can be intimidating, so you can watch a couple of old pros first. Ashok—before you begin, what’s the most important thing a debater needs to do during a debate?”
“Listen to your opponent. It’s impossible to win if you don’t listen.”
Ashok and Carolyn’s debate was impressive. The resolution was: “Be it resolved that the sky is blue.” Ali knew Ashok would win when Ms. Ryder said he’d argue for the resolution, because the sky was blue, wasn’t it? But Carolyn was a formidable opponent, and the two went back and forth, trading arguments like two boxers exchanging jabs in the ring. In the end, Carolyn won the day with her points about sunrises, sunsets, and the color of the sky during volcanic eruptions and forest fires. When they finished, everyone applauded.
“Who’s next?” Ms. Ryder asked. Ali sank down in her chair.
ALI’S RULES FOR WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU’RE FORCED TO DO SOMETHING YOU HATE
Alfie hopped up. “Want to give it a go, Murray?”
Cassie bit her lip. Was she nervous too?
“Here’s your resolution, boys,” Ms. Ryder read from a card. “‘Be it resolved that Princess Elizabeth School shouldn’t open until ten a.m. so students can sleep in.’”
Alfie and Murray pounded fists.
“Like taking candy from a baby,” said Murray.
“This baby bites,” Alfie replied.
Ms. Ryder shook her head. “You two! Okay, you’ve got two minutes to prepare.”
“I guess we’re next,” Cassie whispered to Ali, who swallowed hard.
There was a swagger about Murray when he began. “Sure, it would be nice for kids not to go to school until ten a.m., but that’s not how the real world works. School is supposed to prepare us for life. Most jobs begin between eight and nine o’clock in the morning.”
Alfie was equally self-assured. “Actually, your argument is flawed. Lots of people do shift work.” He ignored Murray’s scowl and continued. “In fact, my mother teaches three nights a week at the university. Research studies show teenagers are biologically wired to stay up late and sleep in. Starting school at ten a.m. means they’d be alert and ready to learn.”
Murray refused to be bested. “Point taken, but what about their teachers? My dad teaches at Saint John High. He goes to bed at nine thirty and gets up at five. If school ran from ten to five, our teachers would be exhausted by early afternoon.”
“School is about optimizing learning for students. Teachers would adapt. And don’t forget: if school ended at five o’clock, kids would arrive home at the same time as their parents, so they’d be better supervised and get in less trouble. It’s a no-brainer.”
Murray’s forehead creased as he searched for a rebuttal. Several seconds passed, and then his eyes lit up. “I think Hogwarts begins classes every morning at nine o’clock sharp. Shouldn’t we aim to be like Hogwarts?”
Alfie gave Murray a consoling pat on the arm. “You do know Hogwarts isn’t real, right?”
Murray groaned and Ms. Ryder clapped her hands. “Very close, gentlemen. Kudos, Murray, for finding a way to bring Hogwarts into the debate, but this victory belongs to Alfie.”
Murray and Alfie shook hands and sat down.
“Our last debaters will be Cassie and Ali. Here’s your resolution: ‘Be it resolved that Princess Elizabeth School is the best school in Saint John.’ Ali will argue for the resolution, Cassie against. You’ve got two minutes to prepare.”
Cassie scribbled points on a piece of paper, while a petrified Ali stared down at her notebook, unable to think of a single argument. Alfie turned and gave her an encouraging smile, which made things worse. Soon he’d know his cousin was the worst debater ever. And why was it so hot in Ms. Ryder’s classroom? Didn’t she believe in opening a window?
“You start, Ali.” Ms. Ryder was chipper, like she didn’t know Ali was about to faint.
“The students seem nice in Saint John,” a shaky Ali whispered to the wall.
“Ali, it’s important to make eye contact with your opponent,” interjected Ms. Ryder.
Ali did as she was told. Until this moment, she’d only ever focused on that fact that Cassie was almost six feet tall. But now, forced to stare at her, Ali saw the long sandy curls and the deep blue eyes that were the same color as a blueberry. When Cassie flashed an encouraging smile, there was a sizable gap between her front teeth. She wasn’t perfectly put together like Emily was, but there was something about Cassie that made you want to look at her, even if she did dress in baggy overalls and a plaid shirt. Thanks to the smile, Ali began to relax. A warm tingle replaced the earlier panic.
“Many students in Saint John are nice,” Cassie replied. “But there’s no evidence to suggest that Princess Elizabeth School has nicer students.”
Instead of being stung by Cassie’s response, her words strengthened the warmth cascading through Ali, as if Cassie’s confidence was contagious.
“That’s true,” said Ali, heartened by how solid her voice sounded now. “But isn’t Princess Elizabeth a community school, with lots of local organizations donating time and money to help kids? I think that makes us special.”
She smiled at Cassie, whose head jerked back. Ali was pleased. She’s underestimated me. Seconds ticked by as she waited for Cassie to respond.
Instead, Cassie turned to Ms. Ryder. “Can Ali and I be excused for a minute?”
Ms. Ryder sounded as confused as Ali felt. “I suppose.”
Cassie grabbed Ali’s hand and pulled her out the door. She dragged her to the closest washroom, checked to make sure it was empty, then marched Ali to the sink. On the verge of tears, she asked, “What are you?”
A sense of dread overtook Ali. What was going on? “I don’t know what you mean.” She searched Cassie’s face for an explanation.
Cassie pointed at the mirror. “Open your mouth and look in the mirror.”
Heart pounding, Ali did. A gap that shouldn’t be there separated her front teeth. But it wasn’t just her teeth. Something strange and fiery rushed through her, almost knocking her to the ground. She steadied herself against the sink and watched in horror as her gray eyes turned blue and her dark hair lightened to match Cassie’s. Within seconds she was Cassie’s twin. Panic-stricken, she turned to the other girl, who had backed up against the bathroom door, eyes wild.
“I—” Ali began, but Cassie cut her off.
“Are you some kind of witch?” Cassie whispered. Not waiting for a response, she fled.
Stunned, Ali stumbled into a stall and locked the door. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Gigi had promised it wouldn’t. But it was happening, and even worse, it was happening at school. Ali was a Copycat, and she had no idea what to do.