Changeling

Chapter 1

"Smile!" Mom orders, lifting her phone as well.

"Wait, who do we look at?" Ava demands.

"Just look between all of them," Phineas responds. "They're going to take multiple anyway."

"Then we'll all be looking at different cameras in each picture!" Ava protests.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Ava's mom calls lifting a hand to point down at herself. "Me first."

"At least you don't have to wonder where she gets her attitude," Phineas mutters.

"Oi!" Ava reaches around behind me to give Phineas a light shove. "I heard that."

Trying not to laugh is a losing battle. "Stop bickering and smile."

"Only because I love you," Ava responds, immediately posing and smiling.

"She just went cheer mode, didn't she?" Phineas asks through his smile.

"Just go with it," I tell him smiling.

"Phineas, stand between Kaelynn and Ava," Phineas' grandmother says, watching us through her phone. "I want a balanced picture."

"Isn't it balanced with the shortest in the middle?" Ava asks.

I gap in mock offense. "You're only taller because you're cheating."

"You could have also worn six-inch heels," Ava counters.

"And risked wiping out in front of everyone present? I think not."

"Just appease my Nana," Phineas says stepping back so he can duck around me as I side-step.

"Diplomas up and smile," Phineas' grandmother orders.

We all fall silent as we comply.

"Now family pictures," Ava's mom crows.

"I'll take pictures for you, Mrs. Nicholson," my dad offers Phineas' grandmother.

Phineas's grandmother turns to him smiling, holding out her phone. "Thank you, Con'el." She turns to Phineas, waving him over as she steps forward. "Come here, Fin."

"I guess that means I'm getting yours," Mom says looking at Ava's mom.

Ava's mom turns her phone over to my mom. "Then I'll get yours. We all know how photos turn out when you let Phil take them."

Ava's dad makes a face as Ava's mom moves toward her. Ignored, he shakes his head and follows.

"Kaelynn!" 

I turn at the call of my name. Gina waves at me as she moves toward me.

"Since I found you, I want a picture with you," she says.

I move toward her, smiling. "Alright, you caught me at a break."

As soon as I'm within her reach, she throws her arms around me. "Oh, I'm going to miss singing with you in show choir. And fighting with you for all the best solos."

I return her embrace. "Every time I'm auditioning, I'll be pretending it's you I'm up against."

Gina laughs as she pulls back. "I'm honored to be the source of your spite." We pause our conversation so her dad can snap a picture. "You are coming to Turners for the grad karaoke night, right?"

"Yes. Ava's coming too, Phineas is a maybe."

"Good. I want to make sure we get one last duet together before we're both gone for college."

"Kaelynn, ready when you are!" Mom calls.

I give Mom a quick wave of acknowledgment. "I'm being summoned for more pics. I'll see you Friday."