But when it comes down to it, neither of us can focus. The night is too perfect. The list becomes a distant thing we’re participating in.
We make our way to the grassy hill, holding hands. She leans into my arm as we walk toward the pond.
“We’re totally gonna lose this scavenger hunt, aren’t we?” I step over another root, pointing it out to her.
“Yup. Probably. But I don’t mind.” Her fingers tighten between mine, so perfect.
We stop at the pond. It’s barely visible except for a few small ripples in the dark water, and what appears to be silhouettes of people.
“Look.” I point to the dock at the edge of the water.
It’s a struggle to see the figures clearly, but the closer we get, the more precise the four figures moving from the main dock to the canoe docks become.
“Are they unhooking canoes?” Jade lets go of my hand. “And intending to go on the water at this time of night?”
“I suspect that’s exactly what they’re doing.”
“Are they our people?”
“I suspect they are.”
“And I suspect it’s Josie.” Jade breaks into a run.
And I suspect Bronx. We run to the end of the dock and find Celi and Daisy are with the two of them.
Jade stops at the side of the dock. “What the hell are you guys doing?” She hisses it low, like someone might be close by listening.
The beam on her flashlight hits all the culprits red-handed. On one canoe dock, Bronx and Daisy drop a canoe in the water with a splash.
“We’re getting the weirdest thing.” Bronx climbs into the canoe, and it wobbles like it’s on the edge of flipping over.
"No one’s going on the water after dark,” Jade snaps, only to be ignored.
“The dock in the middle of the pond has a giant inflatable swan wearing sunglasses.” With a paddle in one hand, Daisy takes Bronx’s hand and carefully climbs into his canoe. “Can’t beat that for the winning prize.”
“Breathing tomorrow is worth more than that prize,” Jade says. “You know, not drowning and all. Where are your life jackets?”
“Probably in the locked cabins.” Bronx’s paddle hits the water in near silence. “Besides, this a sacrifice worth taking. Not forced to give feedback to the town on this disaster of a sponsorship.” He says it as if he’s actually partaking in feedback.
I guarantee he’d be busy whatever day happened to fall on presentation day. He loves this rush.
“He’s right.” Daisy lowers herself to the seat. “The mayor is going to rip each of us apart after that slushie disaster.”
“I doubt you plan on showing up to the town meeting,” Jade scoffs. “Your stays in Rocky Ridge Creek are brief and far between.”
“Ouch. That hurts.” Daisy touches her chest before dipping her paddle in the water.
“This is a bad idea.” Jade swings the flashlight to the second canoe dock across from them, where Celi and Josie are still unhooking the canoe.
“Put that away,” Josie hisses, blocking the light with her hand. “On three.”
She counts down, then they flip the canoe, the splash echoing across the pond. Josie almost tips it over when she jumps in.
Bronx laughs. “Careful there, kid.”
“You shut up.” She twists to point at him and the action nearly topples her over.
“Oh my god, you’re gonna all drown.”
