CHAPTER 4

Iced Out

Everyone scattered to get ready for Mega Splash Hour—sixty minutes of free time at the lake. Campers could swim, float on colorful inner tubes and water noodles, and go paddle-boating.

Ellie put her swimsuit and towel into her beach bag. I know I can have fun with Mona and Leona, she thought. I’ll show them my super skills. Then they’ll see all the things I can do!

Down by the dock, kids were splashing around. Ellie flew toward the changing stalls when suddenly her ears picked up a crackling noise. It sounded like water freezing over.

She followed the noise to the end of the beach. Mona and Leona were standing at the shoreline, using their powers to make an ice rink. A crystal mist sprayed out of their hands and fell over a quiet part of the lake, turning the water solid.

Once the top was frozen, the girls skipped onto the ice with ease. Fish swam beneath the surface.

“Excuse me, Mona and Leona?” Ellie asked, sailing over to them. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but . . . do you want to play? I was about to change into my swimsuit.”

Mona crossed her arms. “Well—” she began.

“—we’re not swimming,” Leona continued.

“Instead—”

“—we’re speed skating.”

“We’re going to race each other—”

“—around the rink.”

“You’re having a race?” Ellie asked. She loved zooming like a racecar around the track at school. Her sneakers left skid marks, but her gym teacher didn’t mind. “Can I join you?”

“Um . . .” The girls shrugged.

“. . . we guess so.”

They laced up their skates, then took their places next to Ellie. Leona drew a starting line in the ice with her finger.

“On your mark—”

“—get set—”

“—GO!” they shouted.

Mona and Leona sped off across the lake. Ellie pushed off on the ice, ready to show them her speedy skills, when—whoosh!—her foot slipped out from under her.

“Ouch!” she cried, landing hard on the rink. “Too bad I’m not wearing Mom’s Ultra Safety Suit. It’s nice and padded.”

Picking herself up, Ellie pushed off again and again. But each time, she ended up on her bottom. She felt like a penguin with two left feet.

Moments later the twins came around the track. They glided up to Ellie gracefully.

“Are you done—”

“—speed skating?”

Ellie nodded and rubbed her sore back. “I need to save myself from more bumps,” she said. Glancing around, she noticed some kids jumping off the dock. “Hey! Maybe we can have a splash contest instead? I’ll show you my cannonball. I can make a bigger splash than a lake monster!”

“No—”

“—thanks.”

“How about we play water volleyball?” Ellie suggested. “Or take a raft ride? Or go snorkeling? I’ll do whatever—your choice!”

The girls stayed quiet. Mona tugged at her shirt. Leona picked at her thumbnail.

Ellie could tell they wanted to do something, but what? I’ll read their minds and find out, she thought. Then we can start having fun.

Her brainpower buzzing like a TV antenna, Ellie tuned into the twins’ thoughts. She saw images of them cannonballing into the water and playing volleyball. She saw Mona pushing Leona on a raft, pretending to be the engine on a motorboat.

Ellie deflated. There was one big problem—she hadn’t seen herself in any of the images.

“I think I’ll go snorkeling,” she said, retreating into her own thoughts. She’d felt a brain freeze coming on. “Maybe I’ll see you soon?”

The twins didn’t hesitate or reply before skating off. Ellie sighed and grabbed her beach bag. Maybe the fish were in a friendlier mood.