Riley was looking up at Trey Thompson. This picture was going to be entertaining, at least.

The photographer put up one hand. “Everybody say ‘nationals group champions!’”

“NATIONALS GROUP CHAMPIONS!” we all said.

“Trey, do you want to give me your number,” Riley asked, “so I can send you a copy of the picture?”

“I think the tournament will handle that,” Trey’s manager jumped in out of nowhere. “Sorry, Trey has to go! He’s appearing at the opening at a shoe store.”

“Good-bye, Trey Thompson!” Riley called out dramatically. Trey disappeared quickly. He was not the only person who disappeared.

One second, Eliza had been watching our photo shoot while she waited on me, her phone in hand. But the next time I looked up, she was gone. I didn’t see her anywhere on the stage. It hurt that she’d decided not to wait for me to take our dream photo.

“Girls! Girls! So exciting!” Megan’s mom and Riley’s mom had navigated their way from the large crowd, through security, and made it up onstage. They were greeted by their daughters with joyful, excited hugs. I watched their sweet hugfest. It was a precious moment, getting congratulated by their proud moms. I missed my mom, but knew I’d be getting a similar hug once I was back home.

Minutes later, we were in the dressing room, gathering our things and throwing on our team track suits.

“So, what happened to Eloise?” Megan asked, smirking. “Or wait, Elena? Elise? What’s her name.”

“You know it’s Eliza,” I said, rolling my eyes. “And I don’t know. Actually.”

“I thought you two were attached at the hip,” Megan said.

Lily’s face dropped. I opened my mouth and tried to make a comeback, something to shut down Megan and perk up Lily, but Vanessa popped in happily.

“Celebration dinnertime. We’re going to eat someplace fun and different to celebrate!” Vanessa said.

“Yes!” Riley clapped and did a little hop.

“Fun, right Lily?” I tried. She didn’t really respond.

“Okay, let’s go upstairs to shower and change. We’ll meet in our shared hall in about a half hour,” Vanessa said.

“Sounds good!” we said.

“Just one request,” said Riley nudging me. “When you make the reservations, can you request a seat for one more person?”

Was this a setup for an Eliza-the-fifth-wheel joke?

I wished Vanessa hadn’t taken the bait. “And who would that be?”

Wait for it. I prepared myself to apologize to Lily for this one.

“Our trophy,” Riley cracked herself up. “I call him Trey-phy Trophy Thompson.”

Ha, okay, that was funny. We all cracked up again.

Her idea was totally silly, but her point was clear. We had a new symbol for our shared experience as members of the Squad. And like the memories we were creating together, we wanted to take it everywhere we went.

CHAPTER

17

Welcome to the New York City subway system!” Vanessa stopped us so we could take yet another group selfie outside the subway sign that said ROCKEFELLER CENTER.