Her goofy expression makes me laugh and settles the feeling in my chest. She’s right. It smells super sweet, like a strawberry lollipop, and I quickly dab it on my bottom lip, making Bridge squeal.

I lick my lip. ‘Yum!’

‘Told you. I want to buy the grape one next.’

‘Suit me?’ I mimic her pout.

‘Totally.’

I grab my bag, pull the front door shut, and slide my arm through Bridge’s as we walk down the stairs.

‘Is that our bus?’ says Bridge.

Shielding my eyes from the glaring morning sun, I look up and see the number 482 bus heading down the street.

‘Yep!’

‘Run!’

She takes off, her bright green sandals slapping against the footpath. I run after her. Usually I love running competitively and would try to beat her. But today, in this freaky heatwave, the concrete is so hot I can feel it through the bottom of my shoes. I’m happy for Bridge to shoot out in front and reach the bus stop first, waving her arms around like she’s drowning so the driver pulls over for us.

I follow her up the stairs, tap my Myki card and drop into the seat next to her. The air is cool and the bus is almost empty.

‘Beat you,’ she says, smiling and leaning against me.

‘I let you. It’s too hot to run.’

‘Excuses, excuses …’

‘Ha! I’m actually in peak fitness,’ I tell her, realising it’s true. I’ve been really disciplined about running over the holidays, because I want to be in shape when the competition season starts again. I’m also pretty keen to try out for the high-school athletics team.

Before she can answer, my phone beeps. I pull it out and see the message is from Ellie. Bridge leans over to read.

‘Tell her to meet us,’ Bridge says.

‘Really?’ I’m surprised. Bridge and Ellie have only met twice and both times were awkward. Maybe it was my fault because I didn’t quite know how to bring together my old best friend with my new friend from my new primary school, so everyone was really uncomfortable and shy.

She shrugs. ‘Yeah. We’re all going to be at high school together. May as well,’ says Bridge casually.

I nod and start texting Ellie back.

‘Is she okay?’ Bridge asks. Ellie’s mum died from cancer last year.

‘Yeah, I think so. She doesn’t talk about it much, but the last time we hung out she showed me some old photos. She looks just like her mum did at the same age. Should I tell her to meet us near the doughnuts at 11?’

‘Not there,’ says Bridge, and I realise she’s trying to keep that place just between us. It’s our thing to share a bag of doughnuts whenever we go to the centre.

‘Pet shop, then?’

‘Yeah.’