Flipping the sWitch

Chapter 12

"What we need is a diversion," Jessie said to Andi as the two girls remained huddled between the halo of clothes.

"Yes! A diversion. Perfect," Andi agreed, then stopped. "What kind of diversion?"

Jessie rolled her eyes. "Something in the back of the store, so the cats will turn their attention away from us and we can sneak out," she answered.

"Panthers," Andi corrected.

"What?" Jessie asked, puzzled.

"They call themselves The Panthers, not cats," Andi continued, eyes fixed on the trio.

Jessie paused. "Who names themselves after a jungle cat?" she asked, making a face.

"Thank you! My question exactly!" Andi exclaimed. "Now, being a Shark...that's a whole different story."

Jessie didn't seem convinced. In fact, she looked like she was beginning to question whether she'd picked the right person to chaperone her to the mall.

"Does something happen when you guys turn into teenagers that makes you all...crazy? Because if I'm going to act like you when I grow up, I'm fine skipping it altogether."

"Har, har. Very funny," Andi said, sarcastically. "Lets just get back to planning our escape?"

"Fine," Jessie said. "So, what do you have in the way of distractions?"

Andi looked at the tiny girl blankly. "I thought maybe you could go over there and tell them one of your totally engrossing stories?" Andi said hopefully.

"And what should I say when they see that I'm alone? At the mall?" Jessie asked wryly. "What about when they tell my brother about me being here? Or notice that I look like I'm about to compete in the Indy 12,000? Any of those things make you want to reconsider your awesome plan?"

"You're right," Andi said, her face dropping. "Well, you're the evil mastermind. What do you suggest?"

"Sheesh, do I have to do everything?" Jessie muttered, though she secretly liked being in charge for once. It was a nice change from no one taking her seriously. And it was almost like being one of the gang. "Okay, here's what we're going to do."

Jessie laid out her plan step by step and after a few seconds, Andi was nodding along.

"I hate to say this, but you're good," Andi said, shocked by her own words.

Jessie beamed.

"I mean, I still think you're trouble with a capital T, but in this case I think that wicked mind of yours might actually come in handy," Andi finished, causing the younger girl to scowl again. "There's my girl! Okay, buck up. We've got a diversion to create!"

With one last look at Maddie, Sophie and Katie, Andi lifted her hand and tightened her fist. "We're stuck in here and don't want them to see," Andi said slowly, coming up with the rhyme as she spoke, "create a distraction to let us flee!"

As Andi said the words, she popped open her hand like a mini-explosion was going off and felt the magic burst from her fingertips. Seconds later, a huge banner with the words "99% off all purses!" rolled down from the ceiling behind the cash register.

About a hundred different mouths gasped as they saw the massive sale sign and then twice as many feet started stomping in the direction of the purses, clutches, bags and wristlets. In the exact opposite direction of where Jessie and Andi were.