He picked up a fork and gulped down several bites. “Mmm …”
Kitty eyed the smudges of custard and crumbs spread across Enrique’s plate. “Your … inhaler has gone missing.”
This wasnotthe revelation Sylvie had expected. Though, Enrique seemed surprisingly pleased. “Yeah! I’ve been looking for it everywhere.”
Kitty traced a finger through the air, as she studied the morsels on the plate.
“It fell into a shoe… . Check the pair with the red laces.”
Enrique gazed at the pie. “Cool. I will… . Thanks!”
With that, he got up and moved back toward the audience.
The cotton candy machine started spinning again. Godard reached inside and pulled a bit of spun sugar. She held it up to the light.
“Shawn Parker.”
Big Shawn stood up. Like the rest of the Pips, he was dressed in regular clothes: a loose pair of jeans, a blue sweatshirt, and an apron the size of a tablecloth.
Despite his stature, something about Shawn still felt small, like a balloon with the air going out.
He took the seat across from Kitty and polished off his slice.
Kitty seemed transfixed by the small morsels in front of her. “The test is weighing on you. Especially after what happened to your brother.”
Shawn’s face flushed red. “Err … yeah. Do you think—”
“Quiet. I’m still reading,” said Kitty.
Sylvie twisted her head, trying to make out a word or symbol tucked between the crumbs.How did she do that?
Miss Kitty finally pulled her gaze from the plate. “I’d still study. But stop worrying so much. You’re going to pass. I see a solid ten-inch Blade with an ash handle.”
A broad smile spread across Shawn’s face. He stood up. His shoulders no longer seemed to carry a heavy weight. In fact, he finally lookedbig.
The cotton candy machine continued to spew out names.
Several more slices vanished, as Kitty doled out fortunes. Sylvie sat back quietly as she plotted her next move. The assembly would finish soon. Then, kids would scatter for lunch. That’s when they’d approach Godard and plant the letter.
“Sylvie Jones.”
Sylvie blinked.Huh?She looked up and saw Godard staring at her, pinching a sticky tuft.
Georgia gave her a nudge. “Go on.”
No mistake.
Sweat beaded on Sylvie’s palms as she made her way up to the stage.
Kids stared at her with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
The last thing she needed was for her dirty laundry to get aired in front of the whole school.Or worse.What if the transparent pie revealed their plan with the letter?
Sylvie’s insides turned. Secret and Sauce stared at her from the foot of the table, their golden eyes shining like glossy, probing prisms.
Stay calm,she told herself, trying to clear her mind.Maybe then, the pie won’t pick up on your thoughts?
A wedge of custard quivered on the table.
