“Oh, no, Devin,” Mom said. “You are coming in with me to open a savings account. This is your first job, and I want you to learn how to save money for your future. You know your dad and I started a college savings account for you when you were born. It’s up to you if you want to contribute to that from your earnings, but I wanted you to have control over this account and decide how to use it.”

I thought about it for a second. “How about I put half of the money I earn into my college account, and the rest into the new one? That way I’ll have some options.”

My mom leaned over the seat and gave me a hug. “Have I told you lately what a smart young woman you are? That’s a great idea. I’m very proud of you for saving for your future.”

I hugged my mom back, forgetting all about the total humiliation at the photo shoot. I was lucky to have a mom who looked out for me in every way possible. As for the future, I could try for a soccer scholarship, but if I changed my mind, I’d have some savings, too. It felt good not to have to make any big decisions right now AND to have some money in the bank. And I didn’t need the Flash Fortune app to let me know that whatever the future held for me, I’d be ready!

Chapter Ten

“Heads up, Grace!” Emma called out during a scrimmage in soccer practice the next day.

Whomp! The next thing I knew, a soccer ball was bouncing off my head.

“Emma, what was that?” I asked as Jessi intercepted the ball and took it down the field.

“Sorry!” Emma called back. “I thought you were Grace!”

Weird, I thought, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it. I shook it off and charged down the field, hoping to get the ball back. In the end, Jessi’s team won the scrimmage.

When we finished, Coach Flores called us together for a talk.

“I see some of you running around out there at superspeed, like the Bolts,” Coach said. “Don’t be the Bolts. Be the Kicks. Speed is good, but it can lead to mistakes. The Bolts went out-of-bounds so many times during the game that I lost count.”

We all nodded.

“Saturday we’re playing the Flying Bees from Harrison,” she went on.

“Bees? Ouch!” Emma blurted out.

“It’s another team we haven’t faced before,” Coach said. “Don’t let that worry you. Just get out there and play your best on Saturday. Focus on what you can do, not on what they can do. Because what you can do is pretty great!”

“Go, Kicks!” Grace yelled, and we all started to cheer.

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