It was Friday afternoon and Lou Lou and Pea were exactly where they wanted to be—enjoying PSPP honeysuckle tea and caracoles in the gazebo in Limonero Park. Lou Lou took a sip from her teacup and looked around appreciatively.
“It really is very beautiful,” she said of the ornate wooden gazebo covered in colorful paintings of shapes, flowers, and animals. “Wouldn’t you agree, my dear?” Lou Lou added politely.
Pea reached out to adjust Lou Lou’s hat before putting on her own. Wearing hats was Lou Lou and Pea’s new favorite PSPP tradition, and Pea was constantly crafting designs. When she was satisfied that the hats were perched at the correct angles, Pea leaned back and took a little bite of her caracol. She chewed slowly, with her mouth closed.
“Yes, it’s lovely,” said Pea. She ran her fingers over a golden plaque on the gazebo that read:
BICENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY BONANZA GAZEBO
Dedicated to Peacock Pearl, Lou Lou Bombay, Jeremy Ruiz & Comet Cop Kyle Longfellow
“I still can’t believe the mayor dedicated it to us.”
“I know! So amazing!” Lou Lou thought back to Mayor Montoya’s announcement after the Bonanza that the Limonero Park gazebo would be dedicated to Lou Lou and Pea. Pea had insisted that Jeremy and Kyle also be included, though she’d avoided mentioning their role in the Diary Mission just in case it caused trouble for Kyle.
“So Ranchero Park in Centro Circle this weekend?” Pea asked.
“Definitely,” Lou Lou replied. “That’s the last one on our list.” Lou Lou and Pea had another new tradition. Every Sunday, their parents drove them to one of the gazebos in a different neighborhood in the city. Sometimes they brought lunch, sometimes Jeremy and Kyle tagged along, and there were always caracoles. Jeremy’s killer caracoles were in serious demand these days, but he always had a few extras for Lou Lou and Pea.
Lou Lou and Pea sipped their tea in silence, lost in their thoughts. Lou Lou gazed at her honeysuckle and remembered the days leading up to the Bonanza. It had been a rocky road, but everything turned out wonderfully at the end. At least for everyone but the Argyles. Lou Lou and Pea hadn’t seen Andy or Amanda since that day. Lou Lou wondered what had happened to them. Despite all the Argyles’ devious deeds, she hoped they were okay. Lost in her thoughts, Lou Lou almost didn’t hear the voice coming from the gazebo’s arched opening.
“Um, excuse me.” A face peered in at Lou Lou and Pea. Lou Lou sprang to her feet, overturning her cup and feeling heat rise in her ears. Pea’s blue eyes went wide and she nearly dropped her caracol. It was none other than Amanda Argyle. Her hair was in long braids as always, and she was wearing an orange-and-red matching skirt and vest in her usual diamond print. But something was different—her excuse me didn’t sound sarcastic or mean.
“May we help you?” Pea asked nicely but with a touch of caution in her voice.
“Actually, you can.” Amanda stepped into the gazebo. She was holding a large bag, but Lou Lou couldn’t see what was inside. Amanda wasn’t smirking and she didn’t look smug. Instead, she seemed a bit nervous.
“How exactly can we help you?” Lou Lou asked less politely than Pea. She righted her teacup.
“I was hoping you would let me apologize,” Amanda said. This time, Pea was surprised enough to actually drop her caracol, and Lou Lou knocked over her cup again.
“Apologize?” Lou Lou asked, not quite believing her red ears.
“Yes.” Amanda looked at her feet, then back up at Lou Lou and Pea. “I know what my dad and I did was wrong. You were right when you said that I don’t have any friends. I felt sad and jealous every time I saw best friends like you two and, well, I guess it made me act mean.”
“That’s for sure,” Lou Lou said. Pea nudged her gently. “I’m sorry. Go on.”
“After the truth came out at the caracoles contest, I hid across the street from La Fuente Park to watch the Bonanza. I saw how all the people from different neighborhoods were able to become friends and work together. I want to make new friends, too, ones who will laugh at my jokes, bring balloons to my birthday parties, and go with me to Cupcake Cabana on Saturdays.”
Pea looked at Lou Lou and raised her eyebrows. Lou Lou sighed, but then nodded and smiled.
“Amanda, we accept your apology,” Pea said. “Would you like to sit with us and have a caracol?”
Amanda brightened. “I’d love to!” Her eyes lit up. “But I can’t stay long. Maybe just a quick bite or two?” Amanda sat down on the bench that ringed the inside of the gazebo and Pea handed her a pastry. “This is yummy,” she said as she nibbled on the end.
“Jeremy made them,” said Lou Lou.
“Can you please tell him that I’m sorry, too?” Amanda asked.
“Of course,” answered Pea.
Amanda finished her caracol and licked the crumbs off her lips. “Before I go home, I wanted to give you this.” Amanda took a pale blue box out of her bag. Lou Lou recognized it right away. It was Pea’s hatbox, and inside was Pea’s original blue hat that Amanda had snatched at the Heliotrope. She gave Pea the hat, and Pea turned it around in her hands. The bow was a little squished, but otherwise it was fine.
“I thought that having pretty hats might make people like me, but I see now that’s not true. I should never have taken it from you,” Amanda said.
“I’d like you to keep it,” Pea said, much to Lou Lou’s surprise. She handed the hat back to Amanda, whose jaw dropped. “It looks good on you,” Pea added. “It still needs a name, though. How about Amigas de Amanda? Then, whenever you wear it, you’ll be reminded of the two new friends you just made.”
“I … I don’t know what to say,” Amanda replied. “Thank you! See you soon, I hope?”
“¡Hasta pronto!” said Pea. “Please do join us for PSPP again.”
“I’ll bring three teacups next time,” added Lou Lou.
“I would love that,” said Amanda. “And maybe I can take you up on your offer to go to Cupcake Cabana with me. My treat.” She smiled, put Amigas de Amanda on her head, and bounded down the gazebo steps.
Lou Lou turned to Pea. “Wow, that was unexpected!” Pea nodded. “You were so kind to her, Pea. It was really amazing,” Lou Lou said.
“Being kind is always in style,” Pea replied with one of her fashion quotes.
“Who said that?” Lou Lou asked.
“Peacock Pearl, of course.” Pea winked one bright blue eye.
