Tamiko produced huge green-tea-flavored KitKats for us all (even Tanner); a wagasa, or paper umbrella, for my mom; Kabuki face masks for me and Sierra; and best of all, something called “shokuhin samples.” The “samples” were plastic fake food that were hilariously realistic and kind of gross because of it. Each of us got an ice cream sundae in a parfait glass.

“I’ll treasure mine,” said my mom seriously.

“I also have this,” said Tamiko. She dropped a small brochure onto the countertop in front of my mom.

“What’s this?” asked my mom, picking up the brochure.

“My Japanese ice cream report. With photos and diagrams!”

“And receipts!” my mom said, laughing as she peeked at the clear plastic pocket at the back. “Oh, Tamiko, this is incredible! I can’t wait to read it. Thank you so much!”

Now my class sat all around the shop, chatting and sighing happily. I was excited to see Tamiko and Sierra yakking away with Jeanie and Marina. I’d been nervous to introduce them, but they had all totally hit it off, of course. Sam, Taylor, and Anika and some of the other kids had also talked to my friends—some of them knew one another from other places—and the whole event felt fantastic.

I noticed that the napkin dispenser was almost empty, so I walked over to the supply cabinet to grab some more. Then my phone buzzed with a notification.

Hey, Allie! Do you want to go bowling together this Saturday? And then we can go to Crispy Chicken for dinner. What do you think?

Before I had time for the words to sink in, Sierra and Tamiko were peering into my phone. “Bowling, just the two of you? That’s basically a full-fledged date!”

“Hey, no reading over my shoulder!” I protested, but I couldn’t stop smiling.

“Are you in your happy place, Alley Cat?” asked Sierra.

I looked over at everyone from my class, especially Jeanie and Marina, sitting and eating ice cream together. “This is a great place for an introverted Logistician to work,” I joked.

“What’s a Logistician?” asked Tamiko, sounding perplexed.

“A great friend,” said Sierra, giving me a squeeze. Then she said, “I have a surprise for you, Allie!” She ducked over to the sound system and pushed a few buttons. A catchy rhythm started on the speakers, and I found myself tapping my toe.

“What song is this?” I asked.

Sierra was smiling. “It’s a new one by the Wildflowers. Listen!” She held a finger up in the air.

“One is the sun—burning fiercely,

Pulling all to her side.

One is the moon—always moving,

Riding a new tide.

One is fiery gold, generous, and wild.

The other is cool, silver, bold, and styled.

I am the earth,

Creative, strong, growing all the time.…

These friends are mine.…”