That’s when I see it. It’s like slow motion. A slow-motion horror movie. Mattie walks out of the Speeding Saucers ride with the little boy. He stops walking and she crouches down. And then, before anyone can do anything, the boy is puking all over. It’s a disgusting mess of chunky yellow and brown. Mattie’s jeans are covered in the stuff. Even from where we stand, I can smell the vomit. I gag. I don’t know how Mattie survived. If that were me, there would have been a puke fest. At least she’ll be cleaned up before she comes over tomorrow. Her parents come running, but I can tell they’re trying not to laugh.

Just like Gaby and Rebecca. Except they’re not trying not to. They’re laughing. I yank them behind a stand that sells souvenir hats so Mattie doesn’t see us.

“OMG!” Gaby shrieks. “That’s the new girl. The one who looks like you! Gross!”

“Mercedes, look!” Rebecca squeezes my arm. She’s giggling along with Gaby. “That is so disgusting!”

I let out a halfway laugh. “Ew! Let’s go this way so we don’t have to see that.” I point my friends toward the parking lot.

“Remember when Peter Han threw up in third grade?” Rebecca says, spotting her dad and waving.

Gaby laughs. “What ever happened to Puking Pete?”

I watch Mattie for one second longer. She doesn’t see me.

“I almost feel sorry for her,” Gaby says after we tell Rebecca’s dad what happened.

I nod and laugh with them. But I do feel sorry for her. I don’t want her to become another middle school story. And I definitely do not want anyone finding out who she is.

CHAPTER 15 Mattie

Even though hanging out with Mercedes Miller on Friday night after my first week in a new school is pretty much the last thing I want to do right now, at least the week is over. Getting caught up with assignments, figuring out where to go for each class, and trying to make new friends is exhausting. I miss Mai so much, especially at lunch. In the cafeteria today, I caught Gaby and Rebecca staring at me and laughing, but Mercedes shushed them with a scowl every time. I guess I’m not even worth her laugh.

“Don’t pay attention to them,” Sunny whispered, giving me a shy smile. I’m glad to have her and November and Ted to sit with.