“I know you were trying to not make me feel bad by not telling me how good you’ve gotten at school,” Marianne pulled a stray grass blade out of her hair. “The As on the midterms, the honors classes, all of it…”

Skyla jumped in. “I just didn’t see the point in talking about it.”

“The point is that it’s awesome,” Marianne said. “You’re awesome! Own it!” She felt that cheerleader in her come out again, the one who showed up to Regionals.

Skyla pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around her legs. “Isn’t the competition on Sunday?” she said. “I don’t even know the rules.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Marianne said. “Those guys deserve a win, and I want to help them get one. And even without all the practice I’ve had, their chances are better with you on the team.”

Skyla lifted her chin from her knees. “I’m really weak in English lit, trust me—”

“That’s okay,” she told Skyla. “On Quiz Quest, you don’t have to know everything because everybody knows something.”

In the field in front of them, a bunch of kids played soccer with their parents. They had mud on their knees. One of them skidded in the dirt and fell, and a parent came to pick him up.

Marianne and Skyla watched for a moment, quiet together.

“But, Mar,” Skyla said finally. “If you don’t compete, you won’t get the extra credit. And then?” She looked toward her, hazel eyes filled to the brim with concern. “You won’t graduate. Right?”

It was Marianne’s turn to pick a clover. She picked one and then another and then another and tied a clover bracelet around Skyla’s wrist.

“You’re my best friend,” Marianne said, knotting the stems.

“Um, of course?”

“But whatever happens—high school or no high school—next year will be really different. You know? We might be doing different stuff. But I don’t know … maybe that’s okay.” Bracelet complete, Marianne stood and wiped the dirt off her pants.

Skyla held her flowered hand in the air and Marianne pulled it, lifting her up.

Skyla gripped Marianne’s hand, not letting go. “I know what you mean,” she said. “And you’re my best friend, too.”

They stood at the tree together, watching the soccer. One of the kids scored a goal and the whole pack of them surrounded her and cheered.

“Woo-hoo!” Marianne yelled toward the soccer hero.

“If they let me, I’ll do it,” Skyla said, a grin creeping out.

It was perfect.

“Ohmygod, you are going to shine,” Marianne told her.

She squeezed Skyla’s hand tighter.

Marianne pulled out her phone and made a call.

Three faces appeared.

Skyla, sitting next to her, moved out of the frame. “What do I do?” she mouthed to Marianne, who ignored her.

“Guys, great news,” she told the Ermines. “We’re going to win States!”

The three faces all spoke at the same time.

“Hooray!” Nina cheered.

“That’s a relief, because I really liked winning the last one,” Dan said.