Welcome to My World

Chapter 42 Callum's POV {Icey Incidents}

"Gah! Ack!" I screamed, running upstairs to my bedroom. Genelyn was in the doorway, stretching. Her bright pink pajamas were blinding.

Genelyn made a cooing sound when she saw me. "Good morning, Honeykin-"

"No time, Genelyn! I need pants!" I screamed, pushing her out and slamming the door. I dug through my closet, but I could find my pants anywhere. "Mom! Do you know where my pants are?" I yelled. The NaNoers were finishing the song. A girl from school who called herself Toothless had joined them along with some tambourines and some trumpets and a freaking drum.

"Buddy you're an writer author
Writin' with your tries gonna make you some peace some day
You got ink on your face
Big disgrace
Somebody better write you back at your place

NaNo NaNo NANO
(Write it!)
NaNo NaNo NANO

(Everybody)!" Echoed across the street.

"It was laundry day yesterday, Callum!" Mom calls back.

I say some words me and Rayla aren't supposed to know, but Runaan says anyways when he thinks we can't hear him.

A flash of white and silver in the backyard catches my eye, and I see Rayla darting to the laundry line. She grabs a pair of my jeans, then gestures for me to open the window. I do, shivering at the sudden cold. Rayla takes careful aim, then throws my pants up to the window. I catch them, yelling thanks while I shove my legs in the holes. Smart Rayla, Ellis and Ezran. They slept in the clothes they planned to wear today.

I raced downstairs as the song came to an end.

"NaNo NaNo NANO

NaNo NaNo NANO

(Alright)!" Cheered the NaNoers. Sky threw a bucket of ice cubes in the air, then yelped in agony as they showered down on her, bucket included. Her older sister Raine made an impressive eyeroll that was visible from where I was.

Rayla was already out the door, wheeling her bike out onto the street. Ellis was riding for the Lunarsons. I was riding for the Harrowsons and I was pretty damn (Sarai: WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE LITTLE MAN) nervous.

Ezran trotted next to me. He was going to walk alongside my bike to help balance it in the snow, which was already a freaking 6 inches thick.

Gren was dragging a stick through the snow, marking out the starting line. At the end of the street, Shawn was doing the same for the finish line. Ellis confidently mounted Rayla's bike. I gulped and threw my leg over the seat, bracing myself to lose.

Gren grabbed Mom's black and white checkered table cloth and waved it. "Three! Two! One! Go!"

And just like that, we were off, moving at about one kilometer per hour at top speed. I was struggling to maintain speed, but Ellis seemed to do it effortlessly, Rayla matching her pace with a brisk jog.

Ezran walked by my side as I panted hard. I was about 1/10 done. Ellis was 1/4. She and Rayla were having a casual conversation while I struggled for air.

"Are- we- almost- there?" I wheezed to Ez, who nudged my bike so it didn't fall over. Ezran looked me in the eye. "Callum? We've finished a third of it."

I glanced ahead in disbelief. It was true. Ellis was more than halfway done. I pedaled harder, hoping to miraculously catch up.

Just then, the whistle blew. I looked up again. What?! Impossible! Ellis already crossed the finish line. I was still making my way to the halfway mark.

Ez helped me wheel the bike to the finish line, where I collapsed in the snow, exhausted. Rayla stood over me, her cheeks bright red from the cold. "That was awesome. Also, you lost."

"No- freaking- duh." I gasped. "That was exhausting."

"Really? It was pretty easy." Ellis said. She wasn't breathing hard at all.

"I think I have sweatcicles." I commented.

Ezran and Ellis cracked up at that, while Rayla kicked snow on my face. But I could see she was smothering a laugh. Just then, a tingling sensation spread across my spine, and it wasn't because of the snowmelt.

A shadow fell over me. "Well, what a coincidence, dudes."

I knew who it was. Immediately.