fifteen

Ding. Ding.

April looked down at the bed. She saw she had a text message and quickly picked up her phone.

She read aloud, “Sure honey. See you tomorrow. YES!” April threw back her head.

“Cool. Now text her and ask if Eve can come over tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, yes,” April said, feverishly texting and focused.

Thx Mom! Can a new friend Eve come over 4 a playdate in the morning? <3

Buzz. Buzz.

“Oh your mother texted back,” Grace said, opening the message on Mrs. Galapagos’s phone and showing it to April.

Sure Rita. If you want, I will take the next sleepover. J

“YES!” Grace and April screamed. They jumped up and down.

BAM! The front door slammed.

“Girls! Come on downstairs. Pizza’s here,” Grace’s mother yelled up the stairs.

Boom, Boom, BOOM, BOOM. Someone was running up the stairs. April and Grace looked at each other.

“Oh no, Michael’s home,” Grace said.

Michael swung the door open. WHACK! It slammed against the wall.

“Awesome. Two of you to bother tonight.” His evil grin grew.

“MOM! Michael is bothering us!” Grace screamed.

April stared at the closet door. Oh no. Austin, please don’t make a sound.

“Arrr. Arrr.”

Michael looked around the room. “What’s that?”

Grace walked over to the closet door and stood in front of it. “MOOOOOOMM! Michael is in MY room bothering us!” she screamed again.

“Michael, leave your sister alone!” Grace’s mom yelled. “Everyone come downstairs NOW and wash your hands.”

“What’s that?” Michael said, looking at the bed.

Oh no! I have to do something. Michael can’t get the phone then he will know. He’ll get us in more trouble than we are already in.

April grabbed the phone. “It’s my phone.” She busily pressed buttons on the phone, opening the text messages.

Delete message: Yes.

Michael snatched it from her hands.

“No it’s not—this is Mom’s phone. What are you guys doing with Mom’s phone?” He glared at both girls, then looked at the phone. “What are you two doing?”

“Arrr. Arrr!”

April swallowed. She wiped her hands on her pants again. “I thought it was my phone. Oops. It looks just like my phone . . . SEE . . .” She picked up her phone from the bed. She waved it in the air. It was the same kind of phone as Mrs. Galapagos had.

Michael pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes. “What is that sound?” He looked at the closet door and Grace standing in front of it.

“MOM! Can you come get Michael? He won’t leave my room!” Grace whined. April started biting her lower lip nervously.

Grace’s mom stomped up the stairs. “I am tired of you two always bickering!”

Michael raced out of her room. Running behind him, Grace followed.

He pointed at Grace. “Mom, they had your phone. I think they’re up to something. And, I heard this—”

“Mom,” Grace interrupted, “April accidentally picked up your phone ’cause she thought it was hers.” She pushed Michael’s hand down out of her face.

April jumped in to stop Michael finishing what he was going to say. “Our phones look alike Mrs.—”

“Fine, fine, fine. Everyone downstairs. It’s time for dinner. NOW!” Mrs. Galapagos pointed down the stairs, and took the phone from Michael.

As they walked downstairs, April whispered to Grace, “I deleted it.”

April and Grace exhaled a sigh of relief. And, Grace smiled.