about the party, which was now just two days away. She was really looking forward to kicking around some ideas with Ethan and Hannah. Then later in the day she would finally officially meet Mr. and Mrs. Strig and work it out so that Drew and Vicky could come to the party. It was all good.
Coasting down the final hill approaching the lake, Emily saw that Hannah was already there. She slowed to a stop beside the dock, then lowered her bike to the ground.
âHey, Em,â Hannah said, tossing a small rock into the water and watching the ripples spread out. âHow was the history final?â
âI think I did okay,â Emily replied. âThe North won, right?â
âCute!â
âWhoâs cute?â asked a voice from behind them. Ethan crouched down at the edge of the dock and dangled his feet just above the water. He lived the closest to the lake of all three friends and could easily walk there.
âYou are, Ethan,â Hannah said, blowing silly exaggerated kisses at him. âDonât you think so, Em? Ethan is sooo cute.â
âGuys!â Emily cried, holding up her hands. âPlease, no flirting. I just ate.â
âOkay, down to business,â Hannah said. âHereâs what I have in mind for the sleepover. We all agreed on make-your-own ice cream sundaes.â
âCheck,â Emily said.
âFor a themeââ
âA theme ?â Ethan interrupted. âWe need a theme for the party? How about summerâs here and everybody hangs out and has fun? Is that a good theme?â
âItâs so sad, Ethan, really,â Hannah said, the fake sympathy practically dripping from her voice. âYou obviously know nothing at all about throwing a successful party.â
âOh yeah?â Ethan said defensively. âWell, one time Roger, Chuck, Sid, and I ate so much kettle corn anddrank so many milk shakes that Roger ended up puking all over Chuckâs bathroom. And Sid had to go the hospital to get his stomach pumped. Now that was a fun party.â
âDelightful,â Hannah said. âSorry I missed that.â
âYeah, me too,â Emily added. âBe sure to send me an invite the next time you guys decide to test the limits of the human stomach.â
âOkay, back to my theme,â Hannah said. âYou ready? Camping out, indoors! We set up tents in your home theater. We eat dinner sitting around that DVD your parents have of a fireplace burning.â
âUgh, that thing,â Emily said, scrunching up her face. âMy dad insists on putting it on every Christmas.â
âBut you guys have a real fireplace,â Ethan pointed out.
âPlease. Donât I know it,â Emily said. âBut you know my dad. He thinks the fire looks so real in HD that he insists on playing it every year. Itâs so silly.â
âBut for us, it can fill in as our campfire,â Hannah jumped in. âSleeping in tents, eating around the fire.â
âMaking sâmores in the microwave!â Emily chimed in, starting to get excited about the idea. âAndâoh, this is great!âwe can tell scary stories! Just like a real campout. Hannah, Iâm loving this!â
âHave you been getting replies to your invite?â Hannah asked.
âYup, weâre up to twelve, including you guys,â Emily reported. âMy mom said sheâd like to limit it to about fifteen.â
âOh, I know what I wanted to tell you, Em,â Ethan said, picking up a stick and poking it into the water near a school of small fish. The tiny minnows scattered, moving as a group. âMy cousin Declan will be visiting me the weekend of the party. Okay if I bring him along? Heâs pretty cool, like me.â
âI donât know if we could handle two kids who are as cool as you, Ethan,â Hannah joked, playfully poking Ethan in the ribs.
âSure, you can bring Declan, no problem,â Emily
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