“I’m going todrown?” Mina said. “What kind of a fortune isthat?”
“It doesn’t mean?—”
“We need to go,” Ellie said. “Now.”
The woman sighed. “The card doesn’t mean?—”
Mina was already on her feet, and they ran for the exit, even as the woman called after them.
Minaand Ellie kept running until they were behind the apple-bobbing tent.
“This is bad,” Ellie whispered. “So bad.”
“Stop that,” Mina snapped, but there was a tremor in her voice.
“What’s bad?” a voice said, and they looked up to see three boys—Brad and Jin and Trevor—following them behind the tent. Brad continued, “Did I just see you two run out of the fortune-teller’s tent?”
“N-no,” Ellie said. “W-we wouldn’t?—”
“Don’t worry,” Jin said. “We got our fortunes told, too.” He grinned at Ellie. “Apparently, I’m finally getting a pet.”
“And I’m going to pass my next test,” Trevor said.
“Which proves it’s a bunch of crap,” Brad said to Trevor. “You’re so stupid, it’s a wonder you can spell your name right.”
“Hey!” Jin said. Then he turned to Ellie. “Whatever that lady said, it’s just fun. It’s not real.”
“I know, but…” Her gaze shifted Mina’s way. “Mina got the card with the drowning cat. The Death card.”
“Whooo,” Brad said, waving his fingers like a ghost. “Spooky. At least yours was interesting. Mine said I’d get something in the mail.” He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, a birthday card from my dad, who’ll say he put money in it and someone at the post office must have stolen it.”
“Don’t worry,” Jin said to Mina. “You’re not going to die. It’s all fake.”
“I know. It’s just…” Mina scuffed the ground. “Everyone else got a good fortune.”
Ellie froze, realizing someone was going to ask about hers, and if they did?—
“Forget it,” Jin said. “Did you see the fried elephant ears? They come with soft ice cream.” He elbowed Ellie. “If you like strawberry sauce, we can split one.”
Brad snickered. “It’s food. Of course Ellie likes—” At a look from Jin, he stopped and shrugged. “Sure, let’s get elephant ears. You buying, Jin?”
“No, you are. With that money your dad is sending.”
Brad lifted his middle finger. Jin slapped him on the back, and they headed for the food stalls.
Aweek later, Ellie was doing something she never did. She was telling Mina no.
Ellie stood in front of her friend with her arms crossed, chin lifted. “Absolutely not.”
“What are you going to do?” Mina said. “Hide my bathing suit?”
“If I have to.”
Mina waggled her brows. “Then I’ll swim in my underwear.”
Ellie’s cheeks heated, but she kept her chin up. “If you do, I’ll tell your parents.”
Mina’s smile vanished. “What did you say?”
