“He does have a point,” Grant says. “I mean, I like Instagram bait as much as the next guy, but I know that it’s not always enough. We’re a little off the beaten path here. We need abiggerdraw. Something that will get people in from all over the city. Something like…”
An amazing idea comes to me. “A festival!” I say excitedly, clapping my hands together. “We can have a street festival celebrating love!” Like all those festivals Dad used to take me to. They were always so busy.
April raises a brow, skeptical. “A festival… Can we do that?”
I nod, vibrating with excitement. “Yes! Like close off Love Street to cars and have events in front of our stores. And maybe get some rides or something in the park. And a statue! Like—”
“Street festivals need permits,” Miles interrupts. “Plus at least a year of planning and securing sponsors. This isn’t like planning a party for your friends. There’s no way you can pull this off in a few months.”
I want to scream,Would you like to see me try?
I grit my teeth. “Iknowit would be hard. But what’s the harm in trying? If we can’t pull it off this year, then we’re just in time to start planning a festival for next year. But if wecanmake it happen… I think this could be exactly what Love Street needs.”
I put a positive spin on it, but what I don’t say is that next year might be too late. Mom needs more salesnowso she won’t have to sell; herbusinessis on the line here. And not only Mom’s, but also Jenn’s, Mrs. Kotch’s, and even Miles’s own boss, Reggie’s.
“Okay, okay,” Julie says. “Why don’t we take a vote? Who’s in favor of exploring the feasibility of a street festival?”
Every hand shoots up except Miles’s. And I don’t give him a smug look because I’m better than that. I think smug thoughts, though.
“Perfect,” Julie says. “Sana, this was your idea. Do you want to be in charge of the preliminary research?”
I nod. “Absolutely. I can do that.”
April looks at me. “Do you have time for this? Aren’t you in charge of your school’s prom?”
“There are lots of people on the prom committee. I havetime.” This is way more important than prom anyway.
“I can help you research,” Cara says. “I’ve only got one assignment, and then I’m done with school for the term.”
“Okay,” Julie says. “So, the girls will look into the possibility of a Love Street festival. We’ll put a hold on other activities until we find out if we’re able to do this festival or not. Sounds good?”
Everyone agrees, and Cara and I tell them we’ll keep everyone posted on our research. Miles gets up from his seat and leaves the second the meeting is done.
“What’s his problem?” Cara asks, watching him leave.
“What do you mean?” Julie asks as she closes her notebook.
“I mean, why was he here if he disagrees with everything anyone says?”
I’m glad Cara is saying what I’m thinking. I don’t understand why Miles even came to the meeting.
“Ah, cut the guy some slack,” Julie says. “Ajit got to know him a bit—he apparently grew up in a mansion in King City, but he’s got a screwed-up family. He’s having trouble adjusting to the city.”
I cringe. King City is just north of where Dad and Noureen live. Poor Miles to have to grow up there.
“Did you see his watch?” April asks. “Those are about five hundred. Brave to walk around wearing that. You should see his fancy bike.”
I didn’t see his watch. I was purposely avoiding looking at his arms because I discovered how nice his forearms are when we were sorting books together. I’m not going to let Miles Desai’s nice arms or contrary comments ruin our progress tonight. This festival idea isperfect. It’s justthe thing to get people to come to Love Street.
“Wanna come over and we can start the research tonight?” I ask Cara when we finally leave Miracle Egg.
Cara frowns. “Maybe. Hannah just got back from Massachusetts.”
If the love of her life is back in the country, why is Cara frowning? “Isn’t that a good thing? You guys don’t have plans?”
She shrugs. “I dunno. She didn’t want to get together tonight.” All of a sudden a massive grin transforms Cara’s face as she sees something in the distance.
That must be Hannah—I don’t think anyone else could give Cara that expression. As she gets closer, I finally see what Hannah Weatherspoon looks like, and wow. She’s gorgeous. Hannah has the exact figure I would expect from a top hockey forward—tall and strong with broad shoulders and long legs. She’s wearing black leggings with a purple stripe down the sides and a bulky sweatshirt that says AMHERST COLLEGE on it. Her wavy blond hair looks like a shampoo commercial, and she has perfect skin.
