Blue Ribbon Champ (6 page)

B
y the time Skye and Mrs. Chambers went back into the church, Skye had managed to calm herself down. Despite the fact that Joey and his tambourine were in the prep room with the rest of the band, Skye put him, and all the trouble he had caused, on a back burner and concentrated on the task that lay ahead. Determined to get the job done right for God, Skye filed onto the platform with a smile and a prayer.

The grand finale, with Mrs. Chambers directing, was performed almost flawlessly. In harmony with the band and the choir, Skye focused on every note. Only once did her eyes stray from Mrs. Chambers or the music score to the wall in the back of the church.

Like a snoot queen and her royal snoot court, Hannah and her friends sat on their thrones, engrossed in the program.

There’s only one reason she’s so into this,
Skye thought.
She wants to see me wipe out again.

But Skye and the Youth for Truth teens gave Hannah no reason to laugh.

At the last note, the band members stood next to the choir. A standing ovation prompted the teens to line up across the stage and take another bow.

Hannah or no Hannah, Skye had done her best.

And her feelings about Joey?

Skye placed him in the back of her mind, simply glanced at the congregation, and smiled.

As the hot summer days drifted by, the folks at Keystone Stables prepared their horses with grueling workouts for the Snyder County Horse Show. Skye and Champ worked on their obstacle course for the Advanced Trail class and helped Joey and Bucky with their routine. While Morgan practiced barrel racing, Mr. and Mrs. Chambers worked with the other students. Chad continued to help too.

As her fickle heart would have it, Skye forgave and forgot Chad’s brief entanglement with Hannah Gilbert. He never mentioned Miss Snoot, and Skye was certainly not going to bring up Hannah’s name—to him or anyone else.

And Joey? Although Skye’s frustration with him appeared to have peaked at the American Pride program, she still struggled with the boy’s unwanted attention. Encouraged by Mrs. Chambers, Skye determined to be more faithful in her daily prayer and Bible time. But as she searched for an answer to her problem, Skye’s strong will constantly took over, and she resisted what she knew was right. So, deciding to do things her own way, she continued to brush Joey off like a bug on her shoulder. “Skye, how come you’re still going into orbit when Joey’s around?” Morgan asked in Skye’s bedroom late one night.

“Is it that obvious?” Skye asked.

“Is the grass green?” Morgan shot back and giggled.

Skye leaned against her headboard and folded her legs. “I have tried—and tried—to be cool around him. He just rubs me the wrong way.”

“Any chance you’ve asked God for any help with all of this?” Morgan’s tone had a flair of sarcasm mixed with her genuine concern. “I haven’t seen you even carrying your Bible to church, let alone reading it here at home.”

“I haven’t exactly been connecting with God lately,” Skye confessed. “I guess that’s been obvious too.”

“Well, duh,” Morgan declared. “How many times have Mr. and Mrs. C. said that we need to connect with God—and often. Somewhere in the Bible it says that our time with him is as important as food to our bodies. We don’t like to miss the times we stuff our mouths, but we don’t think time alone with God is that cool. I’ve been there too. Sometimes my quiet time hasn’t been that important to me. But, sure as sugar, in a few days I’d crash.”

“It seems like I’ve been crashing all summer,” Skye said, then her tired voice struggled to portray excitement. “Do you remember that neat Bible library computer program Mom and Dad gave me for my birthday last year?”

“Yep.” Morgan forced out a lazy smile along with a long, hard yawn. “You showed the CD to me right after you got it. It
is
neat.”

Skye flopped across her bed and rested her chin on her folded arms. “Mom has challenged me to make a list of different ways to love God, so I decided to do a crossstudy of the word
love.
You should see all the Bible verses about that.”

Morgan stretched her arms and clapped one hand over her mouth to cover another yawn. “Girl, I’m beat. I’ve got to go to bed, so tell me quick, what about all those verses?”

“Well, there are zillions of them all through the Bible about loving God and loving others. But I found a verse in Matthew that smacked me right on the nose.”

“Go ahead, dump on me.” Morgan tried to stifle another yawn.

“It says something like if we’re kind to others, especially those we’d rather shrug off, it’s the same as loving God. I get a big fat F for that one. I haven’t been kind to Joey at all.”

Morgan rested her head on her fist. “When someone bugs me, I keep reminding myself that God made that person too. Who am I to be putting that kid down?”

Deep in thought, Skye lay like a lump of clay on her bed.

Morgan giggled. “I smell smoke. Are you thinking again?”

Skye giggled too as she looked into the freckled face of her very best friend. “You know, sometimes you are too awesome.”

Morgan’s sleepy eyes managed to twinkle at Skye’s comment. “Me, awesome? How so?”

“Well, you know how my temper’s always getting me into trouble. But since I’ve met you, I can’t remember you ever getting frazzled at anything. You’re so calm and cool all the time. Now, that’s awesome. And you’re not mad at God for letting you sit in that chair the rest of your life. That’s double awesome.”

“Skye, if you wanted to see a mess, you should have known me a few years ago when I was younger and dumber. I used to be really nasty, but I started learning how to keep my smile in the ‘display’ mode.” A Cheshire grin lit up Morgan’s whole face while she drilled her cheek with an index finger.

Skye giggled then fell silent again.

Morgan pivoted her chair toward the door. “If you’re done with twenty questions, I’m history. Six o’clock comes too early around here.”

“Morgan, do you ever wish that boys would pay more attention to you? I mean, you’ll be able to date in a couple
of years.” Skye sat up and dangled her legs off the edge of the bed.

“Sure.” Morgan turned back toward Skye. “I’ve had lots of crushes on guys at school. I wish they’d see me the same way, but they never seem to look beyond this chair. Mr. and Mrs. C. always say that God has someone out there for me when I’m older, but it’s still hard to swallow right now. I need a lot of work in that part of my life. Sometimes it can be real tough.”

“Do you want Joey?” Skye chuckled.

“Joey? Well, sure!” Morgan kidded as she headed for the door. “He’s one neat kid. If you can give him up, I’m sure we’ll hit it off just fine.”

F
inished with their daily barn chores on a sunny Friday evening, Skye and Joey walked along the fenced pasture toward the picnic grove. At the pavilion, Mr. and Mrs. Chambers, Morgan, and the other Keystone students were already greeting the Youth for Truth teens who had just arrived for hours of fun, food, and fellowship.

“Cloud, kin I ride your horsey now?” Like a pesky fly, Joey was at Skye again.

“Not today, okay?” Skye spoke more kindly to the boy than she had in a long time. “Champ and Bucky and the other horses are snacking on their oats in the barn. Then they’ll take a nice long snooze. Maybe some other time.”

“Oh, okay.” Joey was always upbeat. “Maybe I kin ride your horsey tomorrow?”

“Maybe tomorrow,” Skye said flatly.
And a
big
maybe,
she thought as she stepped up her pace. “Right now we’re going to have a picnic.”

“Ooh, I love picnics,” Joey yelled. At the end of the pasture, he started running toward the grove. “Hey, you guys,” he yelled louder, “we’re gonna have a picnic.”

Hurrying across the wooden bridge that spanned the brook, Joey melded into the excited group. The teens, armed with bottles of soda, bags of chips, and salad bowls, all greeted him warmly.

Good!
Skye let out a long sigh of relief.
That’ll get his mind off Champ.

Although Skye considered her “Joey attitude” much improved over the last few weeks, she still struggled with the idea of Joey riding her horse. And with the show only a week away, Skye had been treating Champ like royalty as they practiced for another blue ribbon. Having anyone else ride her champion Quarter Horse now could really mess him up, she reasoned.

As she crossed the bridge, Skye emptied her own mind of horse thoughts and focused on the evening’s fun. Her eyes roamed, looking for one special young man among the group of laughing teens.

Off to one side in his chef’s hat and red apron, Mr. Chambers was already flipping burgers on a gas grill that sizzled and smoked.

No Chad.

At the pavilion, Mrs. Chambers was receiving the invasion of side dishes from the guests while Morgan stacked paper plates and napkins.

No Chad.

Skye shifted her eyes to a gazebo nestled under a cluster of pines. Three girls were already seated inside, apparently engrossed in each other’s news of the day.

No Chad.

As Skye reached the pavilion, she scanned a small clearing near the gazebo. There Chad, Joey, and two other boys were getting ready to start a game of horseshoes.

He’s here!
Skye lit up with a smile from ear to ear.

Mrs. Chambers whisked by and handed Skye a bag of Styrofoam cups. “Would you please fill these with ice? The ice chest is under the table. I’ve got to get more
serving spoons from the house.” Mrs. Chambers glanced back as she hurried toward the bridge. “Oh, and Skye, the wet wipes are down at Morgan’s end of the table.”

“Okay, Mom.” Skye cleaned her hands and tackled the task before her. Opening the chest, she started to scoop ice into the cups and line them in neat rows on the table.

“Hey, Skye.” Melissa flashed her pleasant smile as she approached with five other girls. “We’re going to try a new kind of soccer. Mr. C. said we could play in the field. We’re going to practice kicking the ball between piles of horse manure. Want to be the goalie?” The girls all laughed.

“Too cool.” Skye laughed too. “But first, I need to help get stuff ready here. I’ll join you when I’m finished.”

“Catch you later then,” Melissa said, hurrying away with the girls.

Skye turned toward the horseshoe pits where Chad was laughing up a storm. For once, she didn’t mind missing out on her friends’ idea of fun.
I’d rather just watch him,
she told herself as she scooped more cups of ice.

Like a hub in the center of a spinning wheel, Skye stood amid the happenings of an exciting time. From the girls in the gazebo to the boys playing horseshoes to Melissa and her soccer team, the picnic exploded with fun.

But suddenly Skye found herself in a moment of deep thought as she studied Mr. Chambers busy at the grill, Morgan folding napkins, and Mrs. Chambers rushing into the back of the house.
What a family! All they want to do is help. They’re always thinking of others. I just think of me.

Skye flipped back her long hair and turned again toward Chad.
He is so cool too. He even likes to help Joey! All I’ve ever wanted to do is get away from the kid.

“Skye!”

As though miles away, Skye barely heard her name called out. “Huh?”

“What are you doing?” Morgan howled with laughter. “We’re not feeding the whole church! Just the youth group. You have half the table covered with cups. You go, girl!”

“Oops.” Skye started dumping ice back in the chest. “I guess—”

“Never mind.” Morgan giggled. “I can see your brain is focused somewhere else.”

“You have no idea,” Skye said as she headed toward the open field.

Plates mounded with food, intense horseshoe games, and one repulsive soccer ball later, the teens all gathered at the pavilion before going home. Standing at the head of the long table, Mr. Chambers presented a challenge from the book of First John. The topic just happened to be “Loving God and Loving Others.”

With Chad on one side and Joey on the other, Skye listened intently to Mr. Chambers. Studying this very subject of love for weeks, she yearned to know more. When Mr. Chambers finished with a question-and-answer time, Skye was into it 100 percent.

“So, kids,” Mr. Chambers said, “we’ve decided that a good way to show your love for God is by going to church, reading the Bible, and praying. But what else can we do?”

Bobby stuck his hand in the air and punched his glasses back on his nose. “We can shape up at home so our parents don’t go bonkers!”

Everyone roared with laughter.

“You should know, Bobby!” Mr. Chambers laughed with everyone again.

“I think it’s important to invite other kids to church so they can know the truth about Christ,” Chad said sincerely.

Kids like Hannah Gilbert?
With bent elbows on the table, Skye rested her head between two clenched fists to cover her scowl.

Morgan raised her hand. “We can listen when we’re in church and not act lame.”

“Good point,” Mr. Chambers said. “Anyone else?”

“Ooh, ooh, Mr. Chambers!” Joey waved his hand.

“Yes, Joey.”

“We can be nice to everybody, especially to my girlfriend, Cloud.” Without even looking, Skye knew Joey was gawking at her with puppy-dog eyes. She felt her face start to redden as she stared at a knot in the table.

Everyone giggled.

“And you
are
nice to everybody.” Across the table, Mrs. Chambers tried to direct attention away from Skye. “Joey, that’s a very good way to show that you love God.”

Skye took a quick glance at Joey, whose jubilant smile glowed, once again inviting her into his world.

Strangely, Skye found herself staring deep into the eyes of this special boy. But unlike before, the heat of shame did not surge through her body like poison. Now, for the first time, she saw Joey Klingerman as just another kid who needed help. Her help.

“That’s cool,” Skye said. From the depths of her heart, an exuberant smile erupted and splashed across her face.

A
crystal-clear Saturday in August brought crowds of horse lovers to the Snyder County Fairgrounds for the annual horse show. Around a large, fenced oval, fancy-dressed dudes on glistening horses intermingled with parked trailers. Waiting their turn to ride, dozens of contestants tightened cinch straps on saddles, checked bridles and hooves of their mounts, and primped their own western clothes. Others who had already competed were relaxing on their mounts as they watched the show or were at their trailers untacking and pampering their horses.

Cheering fans packed the grandstand while blaring speakers announced the next event. The aromas of barbecued chicken and funnel cakes intermingled with the smells of sweating horses and fresh manure as a cool breeze whisked across the field.

Sitting on Champ outside the show ring, Skye cheered as Morgan and her dun mare, Blaze, raced around three barrels at lightning speed. Along the fence with Skye stood Mr. and Mrs. Chambers, Chad, Joey, and the other
Keystone Stables students, all in western clothes and all screaming their heads off.

Skye looked sharp in her suede Stetson leveled to her eyebrows with her dark hair drawn back in a tight bun. A leather-fringed vest covered a purple-checkered shirt. A black necktie, cowhide gloves, blue jeans, chaps, and polished black boots made Skye a perfect match for her mount.

Champ’s black bridle with purple browband set off a leather-cut black saddle. The poncho roll highlighted his copper coat and silky mane and tail. The Quarter Horse’s rippling muscles glistened with a lather of sweat as he stood puffing and nodding his head. On the cheek strap of his bridle hung a blue ribbon.

As she watched Morgan compete, Skye caught a glimpse of a familiar snooty face on the opposite side of the ring. Sitting on a golden Palomino near the fence was Hannah Gilbert in the finest western duds money could buy. Her long blonde curls flowed from under a powder blue Stetson garnished with shiny medallions.
I’m glad she’s way over there,
Skye thought,
and she can stay there.

Morgan cut Blaze around the last barrel, raced out of the ring, and headed toward Keystone’s group.

“Twenty seconds flat for Morgan Hendricks!” the loudspeaker announced. “That’s good enough for second place!”

A round of applause exploded from the grandstand, followed by another announcement. “Attention! All you special cowpokes out there, the Special-Needs Beginners’ Western Pleasure class is coming up in about ten minutes, so get your horses ready. But right now, our next barrel racer is Sam Fowler on Tomahawk, a registered Paint.”

Mr. Chambers greeted Morgan and Blaze. Grabbing the bridle, he patted the horse’s neck. “That was a darn
good ride, Morgan. You cut each barrel clean as a whistle. Nice job.”

Mrs. Chambers joined him. “That was a great run, Morgan.”

“Thanks,” Morgan said. “Blaze was at her best today. I’ll be happy with a second.” She glanced back at the ring to watch the next racer.

“It seems that lately our favorite colors are red and blue,” Skye said to Morgan.

Morgan giggled. “Well, if nothing else, we’re patriotic!”

Mr. Chambers turned toward Keystone’s horse trailer. “We need to get Joey and Bucky ready for their class.”

“I’ll stay here with the other students,” Mrs. Chambers said.

“I’ll be right here watching the other racers.” Morgan started to maneuver her horse closer to the fence.

“Mr. C., I’ll help you get Bucky ready,” Chad said.

Skye backed her horse away from the fence and pivoted him toward the trailer. “I think I’ll give Champ the rest of the afternoon off. He deserves it.” She patted her horse’s neck, slid off his back, and led him next to Mr. Chambers and Chad.

“Joey, come with us,” Mr. Chambers said.

“I’m comin’, Mr. C.!” Joey ran toward Mr. Chambers.

At the trailer, Mr. Chambers backed Bucky, already saddled, down the trailer ramp. “Chad, get me a hoof pick from the cab, will you?”

Skye tied Champ to a brace on the side of the trailer and loosened the horse’s cinch. “You’ll be glad to get this tight thing off, won’t you, fella?”

Joey stood next to Skye and tickled Champ’s chin. “He sure is a pretty horsey, ain’t he?”

“He sure is.” Skye pointed at the buckskin. “But so is Bucky, and you’re soon going to ride him in the show.”

“Ooh, I get to do that today?” Joey clapped his hands and giggled.

“Today’s the day,” Chad said as he handed the pick to Mr. Chambers and grabbed Bucky’s bridle.

“Are you and Champ gonna help me, Skye?” Joey asked.

“No. You’re going to ride Bucky in the ring the way you’ve been doing all this week. Remember how you’ve been practicing on the field at home? You’ll do fine.”

“Oh, okay,” Joey said. “I’ll do my best.”

“We know you will.” Mr. Chambers started to clean Bucky’s hooves.

As Skye’s glance met Chad’s, he winked from under his dark brown Stetson. She turned red-hot and returned to her business with Champ. Her heart did backflips.

“Uh-oh,” Mr. Chambers said after he lifted Bucky’s right foreleg.

“What’s the matter, Mr. C.?” Chad asked then also examined the hoof.

“Look here,” Mr. Chambers said. “That thrush did more damage than we thought.”

Skye hurried to take a look. Joey followed her. “Dad, we kept after that thrush all summer. What’s wrong?”

With the pick Mr. Chambers pried underneath Bucky’s frog, and the entire pad lifted up. “His whole frog is rotted. It’ll take months for that to grow back, if at all.”

“But we cleaned it every day,” Chad said.

“And dumped hydrogen peroxide on it too,” Skye added.

“It’s not your fault,” Mr. Chambers said. “The damage was done before we bought him. Whoever owned him before didn’t keep after the problem. The infection had already started underneath his frog months ago. I knew it was in bad shape, but I was hoping it would last until the horse show was over.”

“Is he sick?” Joey asked.

“He’s not really sick,” Skye said. “He just has a sore foot.”

“Does he need to go to the doctor?” Joey asked.

“No,” Mr. Chambers said. “Bucky’ll be all right, but without that padding on his hoof, he could go lame. He’ll need shoes now to give that hoof support. Chad, take his tack off. Nobody’s riding him today.”

Joey stood back and watched Chad take the saddle off the buckskin. The longer Joey stared, the redder he got. His eyes filled with tears, and all of a sudden he started sobbing as if there were no tomorrow. “My horsey’s sick, and I can’t ride him!” He cried and cried.

Mr. Chambers poked his cowboy hat back and ran his fingers down his mustache. “I’m really sorry, Joey. I know you worked real hard to be in the show.”

Joey ran to Mr. Chambers, fell into his arms, and wept like a baby. His ten-gallon hat fell to the ground as he buried his face in the man’s chest.

Mr. Chambers wrapped his arms around him and patted him on the back. “Don’t feel too bad, Joey. You can ride him in the show next year.”

“Next year” to Joey Klingerman was like “never.” He sobbed uncontrollably.

Skye walked back to Champ and started to undo his cinch. Pulling the leather strap free, she stopped dead in her tracks as Joey’s sobbing rang in her ears. Like a sign in bright neon colors, the Scripture verse from Matthew flashed before her mind:
The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Skye stepped in front of Champ and stroked his soft, velvety nose. He nickered and then nodded in seeming approval of the decision she knew she had to make.

“Joey can ride Champ,” Skye said.

“What’d you say?” Mr. Chambers said over Joey’s wailing.

Skye turned around. “I said Joey can ride Champ in the show.”

“Are you sure you want to do that?” Mr. Chambers said.

Distraught, Joey turned toward Skye, wiped his nose on his sleeve, and smiled. “You mean I kin ride your horsey now, Cloud?” At that he just beamed.

“Yes, now,” Skye said. “This is something I have to do.”

Chad slid the bridle off Bucky’s head and patted the horse on the neck. “Wow, Skye, that is too cool. You said you’d never let anyone else ride Champ. Ever.”

Skye turned and tightened Champ’s cinch. “Look, you guys. Champ can do this. He knows the routine inside and out. He trained Bucky. I need to do this. I
want
to do this.”

Joey ran to Skye, spun her around, and gave her a big bear hug. “Oh, thank you, my lovely queen. Thank you.”

Instead of pulling away, Skye gave Joey a warm hug back. “Come on. Let’s get you on Champ so we can adjust the stirrups. You two should make quite a team.”

“But how do I ride him?” Joey wiped his nose again.

Chad picked up Joey’s hat and plopped it on the boy’s head. “Ride him the same way you were going to ride Bucky. And trust Champ to know exactly what to do.”

While Skye held Champ’s bridle, Mr. Chambers and Chad helped Joey to mount.

“I kin do this, Cloud,” Joey said with a tearful smile. “You’ll see.”

“I know you can.” Skye was already leading Champ away.

As they approached the ring, Mrs. Chambers just happened to turn, and her face lit up with surprise. “What’s going on? Where’s Bucky? Skye?”

“Bucky’s thrush got the best of him,” Skye said. “Joey’s going to ride Champ.”

“Kids, look!” Mrs. Chambers said to the other students. “Joey’s going to ride Champ in the horse show.”

The students cheered as their Keystone Stables team approached the entrance gate and lined up fifth in a field
of six. Skye checked Champ’s cinch, bit, and bridle, and Mr. Chambers checked Joey’s number “10” on his back and the stirrups one more time.

Chad started hurrying toward the judge’s stand. “I’ll report to the booth about the change in mounts.”

“Now remember, Joey,” Skye said, “do the same thing you’ve been doing with Bucky.”

“Okay!” Joey’s big, broad smile spread all over his face.

“Let’s have a quick prayer,” Mr. Chambers said, bowing his head. Skye and Joey bowed their heads too.

“Dear Lord, we pray that you’ll bless Joey’s efforts. He’s done so well learning to ride this summer. We pray for Champ’s and Joey’s safety. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”

Yes, please protect Champ,
Skye prayed silently,
and Joey.

Just as Mr. Chambers finished, the loudspeaker blared, “Attention, ladies and gentlemen, the Special-Needs Beginners’ Western Pleasure class is now starting.”

The gate swung outward, and six horse-and-rider teams entered, walking single file along the perimeter of the ring.

“I kin do this!” Joey yelled back as he rode Champ into the ring. “You’ll see.”

Skye and Mr. Chambers hurried to the edge of the ring and leaned against the fence. Skye took a deep breath and watched every move Joey and Champ made. Chad returned shortly.

“Ladies and gentlemen, walk your horses,” the loudspeaker echoed.

As though Joey had ridden Champ all of his life, he maneuvered the horse without a flaw.

“Reverse your mounts,” the loudspeaker blared, and Joey did so without mistake.

Around the riders went, walking, trotting, turning, and backing their mounts. At last, they were instructed
to dismount and lead their horses around the ring. Joey performed exactly as Skye had taught him.

Skye threw another quick glance across the show ring to where she had seen Hannah before. Miss Snoot was still there. While her horse lazily swished flies, she sat in the saddle like a bored rock. With her arms folded, she sneered, her face twisted as though she were sucking on lemons.

You are so pathetic!
Skye thought as her attention returned to the ring.

Joey led Champ to the center where he lined up with the five other teams. Joey tugged on his horse’s bridle. Like a picture in a magazine, Champ stretched out his legs and arched his neck, displaying the champion Quarter Horse features that he and his bloodline possessed.

Skye’s eyes never left the judge as he walked to the booth. In less than a minute, he returned to the ring carrying three ribbons: blue, red, and yellow.

“First place goes to Number 10, Joey Klingerman, and his mount, Champ,” the loudspeaker blared as the judge handed Joey a big blue ribbon.

The grandstand erupted with cheers as everyone along the fence joined in.

“They did it!” Skye yelled. “Joey and Champ did it!”

“Way to go, Joey!” Mr. Chambers yelled as the others continued to cheer.

The exit gate swung open, and the field left the ring. Joey led Champ to one of the warmest greetings the Keystone Stables folks had ever given to anyone, man or beast.

Skye patted Joey on the back and took Champ’s reins from his hands. “Joey, I’m so proud of you. Look at that! You won a blue ribbon!”

“I promised you I’d do it.” Joey’s voice bubbled. “Champ is the best horsey in the whole wide world.”

“Well, Joey,” Mr. Chambers said, “you did a great job. Didn’t he, kids?”

“He sure did,” Morgan said from Blaze’s back. The others agreed.

“You’re a real western dude now.” Chad wrapped his arm around Joey.

Skye, beaming with pride, noticed a powder blue Stetson making its way toward her and her circle of friends. It couldn’t be!

But it was!

It was Hannah Gilbert!

Clenching Champ’s reins in her fists, Skye watched Hannah like a hawk.

Hannah pushed her way through the tight-knit group and faced Skye almost eyeball to eyeball.
Maybe she’s after Chad,
Skye thought as her face burned with confusion.

Mrs. Chambers looked at Hannah with suspicious eyes. “Kids, what do you say we all go get something to eat?”

“Ooh, I’m as hungry as a bear,” Joey said.

“Me too,” another student said, and the others agreed.

Hannah raised her hand to gain attention. “I don’t mean to crash your party here, but I’d like to say something, and then I’ll skedaddle. I’d like you all to hear it.”

Skye took a step backward. She felt like crawling under Champ.
Oh, no. She’s out for blood.

“What is it, Hannah?” Mr. Chambers said.