“And you thought you’d win.” Nico wagged his head in mock disgust.
“These things are rough.” Tyler spat into a plastic bag. “The pie better be good.”
“Okay, Opal, you’re up,” Nico said. They’d already decided Emma’s movie would be last. They’d watch together and cheer for the killer radish-tomatoes.
Opal rose primly to her feet. “I need you all to be respectful. This is art. I am an artist.”
Emma began playing soft classical music on her phone.
Opal wilted to the floor. “I am a seed. A tiny seed, full of radish potential.”
Tyler snorted. “Are you seriously going to narrate?”
“Shhh. Listen carefully.” Opal lofted an arm. “I am a seed,growing.” It was a struggle to keep a straight face. “Soon, I shall emerge from the earth.” She popped to her feet in a toe-point.
“That was fast,” Nico cracked.
“I’m not done,” Opal admonished. “I’mstillemerging.” She stretched her arms up high, then yanked them down to her sides and started doing the running man.
“Killing it,” Emma said appreciatively.
“For the finale, you all must emerge with me.” Opal beckoned them up off the floor.
Tyler groaned, but Emma switched the music to a pop song. Opal hoisted Nico to his feet and he started doing an awkward radish-robot move. They were all dancing like fools when they heard the front door open.
Everyone froze, eyes widening.
Logan Nantes walked into the room.
The group gasped in relief. Opal felt her cheeks flame. They were acting like dorks and she was wearing a homemade vegetable outfit. This was the exact kind of thing bullies crushed people for.
“So.” Logan’s voice was awkward. “Is this, like, a radish … dance party?”
“Yes,” Opal said. “It, uh … yes. Yes it is.” The music played on.
To Opal’s surprise, Logan dropped to the carpet and started doing the worm.
Everyone stared.
“What?” Logan popped back up and shrugged. “Worms help radishes grow.”
Nico snorted. He held out a fist, and Logan bumped it.
“That was the least cool thing I’ve ever seen,” Tyler said. “I’m impressed.”
Opal laughed, and Emma cranked the volume. Soon everyone was cutting up and bouncing to the beat.
When the song ended, Logan signaled for Emma to pause the music. “Sorry I’m late. I wanted to bring something, but it took longer than I thought to make these.” He pulled five black cords from his pocket, each strung with a tiny, hand-carved wooden torch.
Opal glanced at the faces framed on the wall. It was the Torchbearers’ symbol, made new.
“It’s like you guys said.” Logan cleared his throat, handing the necklaces out one by one. “We’re Torchbearers now. We should look the part.”
Opal rotated the carving in her hand. Held upside down, the blazing fire looked like a whirling well.Beautiful.
“Did you make these yourself?” Emma asked in astonishment.
“Yeah. I hope it counts as my festival entry. I hate radishes.”
