Page 176 of Banter & Blushes

We bounced and climbed and slid down the slide so many times! There were other kids there, including some of Group 1’s little brothers and sisters. Archer’s mom, Sarah, was there watching his little sister, so I told Isla we needed to distract her, too. Paisley said she would tell her about Archer’s Frisbee and try to lead them toward the fire.

Just after dark, Isla climbed the slide. I was right behind her. “Let’s do this together,” I said.

“We can race!”

“Yes!” We got into position and sat at the top next to each other. “Ready?” I asked.

“Go!”

“Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!” Isla was so loud!

We landed at the bottom at the same time and ran aroundto the tunnel and snuck inside. Only Group 1 was in there and none of their brothers and sisters. Isla reminded them of the plan, and then we were off!

Bianca raced to the shack. Archer and Harlan ran to get his Frisbee. Nicki and Paisley ran toward the fire. Hallie came with us.

The music changed just then to a dance called the Cupid Shuffle, and so many of the grown-ups went to the dance floor. What good luck for us!

Isla and I reached the gift table. There it was, the tuxedo cake, in a white box with a clear plastic screen on top so you could see inside! We got on either side of it and slid our hands under the corners of the box. Once it was clear of the table, Hallie set the note down and put a rock on top of it so it wouldn’t blow away.

We were almost to the shack when the wind blew really hard.

“Look out!” Bianca yelled.

I looked up. Archer’s Frisbee was coming straight at us! And so was Archer!

Isla screamed. I screamed. Archer ran right into us. The cake fell to the ground. I fell on top of it. Isla got bumped and fell, too.

“Quick! Throw the Frisbee toward the fire!” Harlan hissed to him.

Archer recovered the Frisbee and gave it another toss, and it hit the pretty wedding arch that was set up near the fire for pictures. Someone’s big dog ran after it and crashed into the arch, and it fell toward the fire. Then it was burning!

I’d squooshed the cake! And the arch was on fire!

Everything kept happening so fast!

And it was all my fault.

My heart began to beat so fast it hurt. “Isla,” I whispered. “I need to go.Now!”

Her eyes went wide, and she grabbed my hand. She knew what to do when my panic came.

But she held onto me too tightly. I had to pull away.

I ran and ran until I got to the stairs.

“Amelie! Wait!”

But I couldn’t.

I just couldn’t.

I ran and I ran and I ran until I reached the stairs.Up up up,I chanted inside my head for each new step.

When I reached the top, I took a deep breath to look for cars, then ran some more.

CHAPTER 9

ZAKI

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