Whitney (12 page)

There was anticipation and a touch of sadness in the air. We were all waiting to hear the clanging bells that signaled the park was closing. Only this time, it was the final closing of the season.

Summer was over. Most schools in the area would be starting next week. The summer employees who went to college would be heading off. The permanent full-time employees would be around, of course, to oversee the maintenance crews who worked during the fall and winter to make sure everything was ready to go for next summer.

The owner, my dad, approved letting the employees have free rein over the park once it closed. The front office assigned me to arrange things. I, of course, recruited the usual suspects: Caitlin, Robyn, Sean, Michael, and Jake. Michael arranged for us to have a small light show at midnight. We were going to show movies all night, using the back wall of Tsunami as our screen. The rides were going to be open. All the leftover food, ice cream, candy — anything perishable — was going to be made available to the employees. Jake and I were going to deliver anything that remained in the morning to a homeless shelter.

Jake and I had been dating since Marci’s party. He was my official boyfriend now. I liked him a lot, so much, in fact, that I’d made an important decision that I was going to tell my friends about as soon as the park closed and we met up for the party.

The bells sounded. Guests began gathering up their things to leave. I was walking
through the Tsunami area when I spotted some people still lounging near the water. With a sigh I went over to them. “Didn’t you hear the bells? Park’s closing.”

Aunt Sophie smiled at me. “We thought we’d hang around for the employee party.”

“You’re not an employee.”

“David is.”

David grinned at me. He looked a lot younger when he was smiling, when he wasn’t taking things so seriously. He still drove me around, but in a few more months I’d be getting my license. I had a feeling that Dad would find another position for him. Maybe he’d be Dad’s bodyguard. Who knew?

“He’s not a park employee,” I pointed out.

“I’ve never been at the park at night,” Aunt Sophie said. “We want to stay.”

“Oh, all right. But only on the condition that I get to plan your wedding.” They hadn’t set a date, but I knew it was coming. Even now, the engagement ring he’d given her was reflecting the last rays of sunlight.

“It’s a deal,” Aunt Sophie said.

Walking away, I realized that I had become quite the bargainer.

It didn’t take long for the park to go into party mode. I met up with the gang at the food court area. Jake had my burger and a plate of nachos waiting for me as I sat beside him.

“Sorry I’m late,” I said. “I had a few things to check on.”

“Is everything set up right?” Robyn asked.

“It’s perfect.”

“I can’t believe this is our last night here,” Caitlin said.

“I can’t believe school starts next week,” Michael grumbled.

“I’m excited about school starting,” I said.

“Why?” Robyn asked. “You’ll have to deal with the i’s again.”

“No, I won’t. I’m transferring to a public school.”

Her eyes widened. “Our school?”

“Yep.” My life-altering decision.

“Awesome!”

I looked at Jake. He grinned at me. It wasn’t avoiding the i’s that had made me ask Dad to let me start going to a public school. I wanted to be with my friends and my boyfriend.

“Are you going to work here next summer?” Sean asked.

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Dad’s opening a new water park and they might need employees with experience.”

“Where’s it going to be?” Jake asked.

I wiggled my eyebrows. “Paris.”

“Oh, my gosh! I’m so there!” Caitlin exclaimed. “Imagine the shoe stores. And the clothes! Oh, my goodness, the clothes!”

I was laughing so hard that I could barely eat. I didn’t know if we’d go to Paris next year. But who knew?

If I’d learned anything this summer it was that all things are possible when you have true friends.

Jade Parker LOVES
summer, sun, and visiting water parks. She lives near Dallas with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.

Copyright © 2008 by Jan Nowasky

All rights reserved. Published by Point, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.,
Publishers since 1920.
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First printing, July 2008

COVER ART BY MICHELLE GRANT

COVER DESIGN BY STEVE SCOTT

e-ISBN 978-0-545-68370-8

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