I think about how much it would cost to get some more crackers and squeeze cheese, Ivy’s favorite. I should still have money left after that to help pay for a bill or two.

“Yup,” I say. “And if you are a really good sister and don’t embarrass me at the beach, I’ll even let you get an ice-cream sandwich.”

“Me? Embarrass you?” She gives me a mischievous look and waddles toward the front door.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“Getting all my weirdness out of my system before we get to the beach!”

She lets out a toot.

“Why are you so gross?” I ask.

She just giggles and shakes her bum.

Chapter Thirteen

There are so many bikes locked on the bike rack that we have trouble finding a place for ours. I look for Micah’s bike but don’t see it.

“I could leave mine unlocked and no one would take it,” Ivy says, struggling with her rusty bike lock.

“Just to be safe,” I tell her.

The beach is a patchwork of towels. We wind our way along the shore, toward the far end, which used to be Micah’s and my spot but now seems to be taken over by the incoming eighth grade. I can’t believe how many people are here. I wonder what it is about Sierra that makes people flock to her, flower pimple and all. She waves when she sees us and jumps up from her towel to run over.

Her pimple is almost gone, so she didn’t bother to draw anything on it today. She has a new bikini on, too. It’s purple with red hearts.

“Hi, guys,” she says. “Where’s Micah?”

Ivy tilts her head up at me.

“He didn’t return my text,” I say.

“Hmm. Well, maybe he’ll show up later. Wanna swim?”

“Yes!” Ivy says.

Sierra smiles at her. “I’ll race you to the line!”

Ivy drops her towel and bike helmet at my feet and runs into the water. They turn and splash me, then dive under as soon as they get out deep enough. I pick up Ivy’s towel and walk to where the rest of the group has spread out their stuff. Evan is there, but he doesn’t say hello, so I don’t, either.

“Hey, Rachel!” Sam says. She moves to one side of her towel and pats it for me to sit next to her. She has a different bathing suit on from the party, too. I keep my T-shirt and shorts on but kick my flip-flops off in the sand.

“You need a pedicure,” Sam says.

I blush and dig my toes in the sand.