Books flew in the air at Hemlock High School, a school for the evilly gifted. The classroom bustled with the sound of students. They were excited because it was lab day, no lectures only black magic practice.

“Class, settle down,” said Professor Faustus Werner, a stern man of Germanic descent.

The noise died down to a sifted murmur.

“Is everyone eager to get started?”

He turned to the dry erase board and with a red marker wrote, “Conjuring, the art of bringing forth objects from other places.”

While his back was turned, someone threw a ball of paper at the professor. Just before it hit, the wad stopped mid-air.

“Paper, paper balled and crumpled
Fly back to whom hand’s you tumbled.”

When he turned around, the ball of paper floated over the head of Maxwell Curtis, the class clown.

“Well done, Mr. Curtis, you just won yourself two days detention,” said Professor Werner as he handed him a pink slip.

Max groaned and sunk down in his desk.

“Furthermore,” said Professor Werner, but before he could finish there was a knock at the door. It was the Vice-principal, Ms. Cashmere. She had someone with her.

“Excuse me, Professor Werner, I have a new student for you. This is Jessica Belladonna, she’s a mid-quarter transfer from Kansas.” Ms. Cashmere pushed Jessica through the door and left.

Jessica regained her balance and timidly walked into the classroom. She was a girl-next-door type, with long blond hair. She wore a pink top, short jean skirt, and white sneakers.

Max took one look and fell in love.

“Class, this is our new student, Jessica. Tell us a little about yourself.”

Jessica could've just died. She shook like a deer in a headlight.

“My name is Jessica. I’m from Abilene, Kansas. My father got a job in New York City. I play the cello and I’m not evil.”

The class broke out in laughter.

“That’s enough class, please take a seat, Miss Belladonna. We have an open one on the last row by your fellow comedian, Mr. Curtis.”

Max could not believe his good fortune.

Jessica took the seat in front of Max. He immediately tapped her on the shoulder.

“Hi” he said, “my name’s Max.”

“Hello," replied, Jessica as she demurely half-smiled.

Max made a quick study of her features. Her eyes were like clear aquamarines, pink pliant lips, and her nose was lightly speckled with freckles, but that smile, what a smile!

“You’re pretty," he said.

“Thanks,” she said as she coyly faced forward.

Max felt a harsh slap on the back of his head. It was Damon Karma his best friend.

“Snap out of it, bonehead! Dorothy’s out your league,” he whispered sharply.

“Is not,” loudly answered Max.

Professor Werner loudly rapped his pointer. “Mr. Curtis, unless you want another day of detention, I stongly suggest that you remain quiet.”

Max begrudgingly slunk in his seat again.

“Now, for today’s lab practical,” said the professor as he passed out instructions to the class. ”Today, we summon hideous monsters from the underworld. We will all use the same chant, but you will get your choice of magic item. They are located on the table in the back. Simply, hold the item in your hand and recite the chant, and this will conjure your monster. I expect the best in diabolical evilness.”

Everyone selected their items and was quickly back in their seats.

Professor Werner verbally graded each student on the spot. Victoria Church went first.

“What a wonderful Bogothar from the Dammed Nether Realms. Great use of salivated vile, Miss Church you get an A,” said the Professor. ”Next!”

“A Mexican Chupacabra,” said Damon as his small brown creature howled.

“Good effort Mr. Karma, B-, next.”

One by one, the students conjured their monsters.

Finally, it was Jessica’ turn.

After she chanted, and the smoke cleared, there stood a Unicorn.

“What abomination is this Miss Belladonna?”

“It’s a Unicorn with bad breath?”

“Do you think this class is a joke?”

“I’m sorry, Professor I’ve never done black magic before.”

“That’s no excuse, F,” he said as he whipped his pointer at her. “And one day's detention.”

Jessica took to her seat with tears in her eyes. She had never before received an F or detention.

Max felt sorry for Jessica. He took the stage last and conjured. After the mystical fumes settled, there sat a fluffy puppy.

The room was dead quiet. They knew that Max was in big trouble.

“It’s a radioactive Yorkshire terrier with burning hemorrhoids,” said Max with the widest grin.

“This is an outrage. I have had it with you and your shenanigans. Mr. Curtis, Miss Belladonna, see me after class,” bellowed Professor Werner. "Class dismissed."

After everyone left, the two stood before the professor ready to be scolded. “Because you are new Miss Belladonna, I will give you and Mr. Curtis, one more chance for extra credit to improve your grades, but I better be impressed or you will surely fail my course.”

Later in detention hall, “Have you ever been evil?" asked Max to Jessica.

“Never” replied Jessica.

“Don’t worry, we’ll find your inner evil,” said Max.

The next day, Professor Werner called the class to order.

“Today, before we begin our regular lecture, we will start with extra credit projects to be presented by Miss Belladonna and Mr. Curtis."

The two students proceeded to the front of the room. They held a yellowed bone between them and chanted. Soon, sulfuric blue smoke filled the room and there stood a man.

He was an ordinary man in a business suit with a briefcase.

Professor Werner began to fume with anger.

“It’s a lawyer,” explained Jessica.

“A tobacco tax lobby lawyer,” added Max.

The lawyer distributed packs of cigarettes to all the students.

“Brilliant,” said Professor Werner. “Superbly disturbed. A+ for both of you.”