Olive caught up to Josie, who looked worried.
“I can’t find Forest anywhere,” she said.
“Forest is really good at hiding. He’s probably in a tree,” Olive said.
“Really?” Josie’s eyes got wide.
“For sure. I’ll help find him.”
“Okay,” Josie chirped. “Also, I really like your hair like that. It looks like Forest’s.”
“Thanks! Yours always looks great.” Even though she was worried about Forest, Olive felt a small thrill of excitement. She and Josie had been getting along the whole day because of Olive’s quick thinking. Maybe they could be better than okay—maybe they could actually be friends.
They split up, and Olive jogged over to the tree at the far side of Josie’s yard. She hugged herself against the tree trunk and looked toward the sky, scouring the tree branches for any sign of Forest. But all she saw was a few squirrels chasing one another.
She stepped back. Something crunched and snapped and exploded under her foot. Olive looked down—there was a piece of pink, squishy candy stuck to the bottom of her shoe.
“What the…” Olive searched the ground and spotted a trail of candy in the grass. She followed the trail, collecting fallen candy all the way to the side of the house, until she found the crushed piñata smashed next to a garden gnome. She frantically stuffed the candy back into the donkey’s head while trying to push out the dents in the cardboard. But where was Forest?
Olive searched the yard with her eyes. She saw that Mrs. Letay had patched the hole in the bounce house with tape, though it was still a little saggy. Olive heard someone sneeze and looked over to see Herbert a little ways away, wiping his nose with his bandanna again.
Herbert’s nose gave Olive the greatest quick thinking of the day. Possibly the whole century.
Herbert and his allergies were going to find Forest.
Olive grabbed Herbert and started to walk around with Herbert’s nose stretched way out.
“Okay, sniff reeaaaaaaaally deeply, Herbert,” Olive coached. When they walked by a gnarled tree in the corner of Josie’s yard, he started sneezing like crazy—especially when he got close to a big hole in the trunk.
Sure enough, there were tufts of hair—and a whole lot of Forest—sticking out of the hole.
“Olive!” he cried. Forest jumped out and tackled her with a hug. Mr. Nibbles peeked out of his hair.
“Forest!” Olive waved the piñata in front of his face. “Quick, you have to help me fix this before Josie notices.…”
He backed away from her, and Olive saw his lip trembling. “Olive no listen,” he said.
Before Olive could answer, Josie came tearing around the tree. “You found him!” She ran up to Forest, took his hand, and pulled him toward the house. “Forest, I need to show you something, and it’s very important.…”
Josie tugged Forest back toward the party. Josie didn’t seem to care at all that Forest had destroyed her piñata. It was like she had forgotten about it altogether.
Olive slumped. Didn’t Josie want her party to be perfect? Olive just didn’t get it—she was trying so hard, and nothing made sense.
Then Olive saw what Josie was excited about: Mrs. Letay stood in the middle of the yard, holding a giant white and purple cake shaped like a castle. And it had eight huge glowing candles on top.
“Wow,” Olive breathed. It was the best cake she had ever seen.
And Forest was running right for it.
“FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRE!” he screamed, waving his hands above his head.
Oh, no. Olive hadn’t told Forest about birthday cakes. Or birthday candles. The thought hit her like the world’s biggest water balloon. Josie might have been okay with Forest ruining the piñata and the bounce house and basically bunny-napping Mr. Nibbles, but there’s no way she would think Forest ruining her cake was funny.
Olive took off.
She chased after Forest, her bare feet thudding against the ground. He had already sprinted past Josie, who stood there with a stunned look on her face. Forest was almost to Mrs. Letay, but maybe Olive was fast enough to catch him. She saw him grab the bowl of punch from the picnic table, some of the liquid splashing over the sides …
“Forest, what are you doing!” Olive cried, skidding to a halt between him and the tower of cake in Mrs. Letay’s arms.
It was too late—but instead of dousing the cake, Forest poured the bowl of punch all over Olive.
