In sunshine or hazy weather.
Lines of parents stood proudly on the perimeter of the path. Sylvie spotted the little boy she’d noticed earlier, still on his dad’s shoulders. His mouth hung open as he pointed toward the bundles of sticks forming in the sky.
Sylvie tried to feel happy in this moment, but Bass’s words crept back, like mold spreading across a wedge of cheese.Secretive. Dishonest.Self-doubt now seeped into the corners of her mind.What if I’m making a mistake?In cooking, you always needed polarity.Salt. Acid.When things were too much alike, the flavors fell apart.Maybe that’s what I’m doing? Taking something bad, adding more of the same, and making it worse.A heaviness settled over her. She really needed a sign, preferably one as big as a billboard, spelling it out.Do this. Not that.
“Penny for your thoughts,” said Georgia. Her smooth profile and crown of glossy curls were now silhouetted against the darkening sky.
A flawless yin to Sylvie’s imperfect yang.
“I’m just wondering if I’ll ever get to do this again,” said Sylvie. “Be a part of a Brindille school festival. I always thought I belonged here … but what if Bass is right?”
Georgia chewed on her lower lip. “My mama doesn’t know the first thing about cooking, but she knows people… . She runs a hair salon, Lulu’s Style Studio. All the ladies go there.”
“Salon?” Sylvie raised a brow. “You know, that explains a lot. No wonder you’re always primping.”
Georgia rolled her eyes. “Anyway, there’s one lady … AnnaMay Jenkins. Well, she thinks she’s so highfalutin.”
Georgia must’ve noticed the look of confusion.
“It means she’s full of herself … always walking around with her nose in the air, talking down to others, just like Bass. One day, Mama told her, ‘AnnaMay, you cover your grays and put your pants on one leg at a time, just like the rest of us. So, come off it!’”
Sylvie snorted out a laugh. “She didn’t really say that.Did she?”
“Yup! Cross my heart,” said Georgia. Her eyes narrowed. “Bass may act like he’s something special, but he’s no different than the rest of us. Someone just needs to knock him off his high horse.”
Sylvie eyed the display case as they marched past the counter forFelix’s Fantasy Fudge: Any Flavor Your Mind Can Conjure.Dense chocolate cubes continuously morphed, picking up on the tastes and desires of everyone who gazed at them.Chocolate ribboned with peanut butter and flecks of gold leaf. Toasted marshmallow and bursting Pop Rocks.
“You’re right,” said Sylvie, pulling her focus back. “But beyond these walls, he’s the one with all the power.” She couldn’t help but think of August Strange. A few days ago, he’d had a home. A good job.Now, he’s hiding like an outlaw.
Georgia nodded. “Then maybe it’ll take someone younger to stand up to him… . We’re more fearless than grown-ups.”
Sylvie smiled. “True.”
The marching stopped as they reentered the courtyard. Sylvie spotted a large stage where she assumed Godard would soon be speaking. Two silver curtains hung in front of it like shimmering ghosts.
Georgia gave the crowd another wave. “Bass is probably hoping I’ll give up on finding a scholarship, but if I pass the test, I’m not giving up. I don’t care how long it takes.”
Sylvie wanted to say more, but Godard was now making her way toward the stage.
Georgia pointed to the woman trailing behind the headmistress. “What’sshedoing here?”
Sylvie stopped cold. Carrying a stack of booklets, her hair pulled back tightly into a bun, wasMs. Honeycut? “I d-don’t understand,” Sylvie stammered. “Godard got our letter. She even said she wanted to speak to Bass. Ms. Honeycut should be packing her bags.”
Kitty lifted a hand, signaling it was almost time for them to do their bit.
“Unless Ms. Honeycut was able to change Godard’s mind,” said Georgia, running through scenarios.
“I don’t think so,” said Sylvie, watching Ms. Honeycut smile as she handed out Commis Contest booklets. “Godard must know something we don’t.” She turned to Georgia. “But what?”
A familiar figure stepped between them. “Well, well, look who we have here. The misfits!” Belinda Bass stood there, like an eclipse blotting out the sun.
Sylvie glared up. “You better move before you get in trouble for ruining the parade.”
Belinda smiled. “Oh, don’t worry,Iwon’t be the one to ruin it.” She reached down and snatched their Fire Wands.
“Hey!” Sylvie tried to grab them.
“Give those here,” said Georgia, taking a swipe.
