The Stars Said Hello [1]

C H A P T E R - 1 7

"Hey," Biana said as she opened the gates of Everglen to let Sophie in. "You made it."

"Yeah." Sophie managed a half smile. Despite her earlier enthusiasm, she was having second thoughts.

The gate clanged closed. Somewhere in the distance a cricket chirped.

Sophie pulled on the sleeves of her pale yellow tunic, glad Biana was also dressed casual—though Biana's turquoise tunic had pink beaded flowers embroidered around the edges and a pink satin sash. "So, what are we going to do?"

Biana stared at the ground as she shrugged.

Okay. . . .

"Is your family around?"

Biana's eyes narrowed. "I knew you'd ask that."

"What?"

"I know you like my brother."

"What?"

"Please. It's pretty obvious."

"He's my friend." Sure, she liked him. But she didn't like him, like him. "This was a bad idea."

Biana grabbed her arm to stop her from walking away. "Wait. I'm sorry. It's just . . . girls always use me to get to my brother. I guess I sort of expect it."

Sophie could imagine how annoying that might get—but still. "That's not what I'm doing—and you invited me over, remember?"

"I know." Biana stared at her hands, wringing her fingers so tight it looked painful. "Can we maybe start over?"

Sophie bit her lip. "I guess we can try."

Biana exhaled, seeming relieved. "Good." Her eyes lit up. "I know. We can give each other makeovers. I have all the serums to change our hair color, and we can try on some of my mom's gowns."

Wrestling the verminion would've sounded more fun, but Sophie couldn't think of a polite way to say that. Fortunately, she didn't have to.

"Makeovers?" Keefe scoffed behind them. "You girls sure know how to have fun. Maybe you can braid each other's hair and giggle about boys while you're at it."

Sophie spun around to face him, and she noticed Fitz standing next to him with Meredith standing on the other side of Keefe.

Keefe grinned. "Actually, maybe that last part is a good idea. You could get the dirt on Foster, find out which guys make her heart go pitter-patter."

"Um, that would be none," Sophie insisted, hoping her face wasn't as red as it felt.

"Eh, that's what they all say. But deep down girls always have one guy they can't take their eyes off—isn't that right, Fitz?"

"Why are we talking about this?" Fitz complained.

Keefe shrugged. "Just sayin'."

Meredith just stayed on the sidelines, silently grinning at the spectacle in front of her.

"What are you guys doing here?" Biana asked, shooting Fitz a pointed look.

"We came to see if you guys want to play base quest," Meredith answered for him.

"What's base quest?" Sophie asked, grateful for the subject change.

"Only the most awesome game ever. I call Foster for my team," Keefe announced.

 Keefe wrapped an arm around Sophie's shoulders. Sophie shrugged away from him. "How about we play boys against girls?"

Fitz explained the rules. One team guarded its base while the other team launched a raid. If the questers made it to the base without getting tagged, they won.