Page 119 of A Heart of Bluestone

I match Piper and wrinkle my nose.

Serena hasn’t changed. Not in all the years we were last friends. She clenches her fist and gives it a quick jab to the air.

“Ha!” she calls. “One-nil.”

“Still competitive,” I murmur as Piper takes her shot.

That lures out a small smile from her. “Me? Never.”

The ball lands in a black brew.

Serena tuts, then shots back the brew. If I had any question of what it was, it’s answered the moment she tosses aside the compostable cup.

The olive hue of her complexion darkens and darkens and darkens—until it’s the deep shade of a purple grape.

My mouth thins just to bite down the grin threatening to split my face.

Serena shoots me a menacing look. “Your turn.”

Annoyed that I find humour at her expense.

“How long will that last?”

She scoffs. “All night. Most of this stuff washes off in the shower,” she reassures me. “Or it’s something small and silly, like those—” and she jerks her chin to gesture over at Teddy,doubled over now. He heaves out a bubble that just keeps on growing. “Once the big one is out, he’s cured.”

“Oh.” I wipe my hands on the hips of my trousers. “Ok.”

I’m not thrilled.

Serena hands me the ping pong ball.

I pinch it between my fingers and lock my sights onto the cups across the bench.

Lucky for us, my aim is gold.

I fling it. It doesn’t bounce. It curves over the cups before it lands in one, firm. A splash of green is quick to spew out after it.

Teddy releases the final burp, and with it, a gigantic bubble floats above the bench. I watch it bob through the air, like a ball on the water.

He huffs a sigh.

Piper downs the green stuff that my ball landed in.

She turns green.

Then Serena is back up again, after Teddy’s failed shot that he announces to everyone within earshot was because of the bubble potion, and not at all anything to do with his skills, and Serena makes her shot. Teddy’s eyes roll back after he drinks the potion, then start to swivel out of control. I almost think he’s having a seizure—until Piper shoulders him out the way for her turn.

She makes the shot.

I drink the potion. A milky substance, thick down my throat like syrup, then I am quick to snatch up the ball before the potion can kick in.

“This is it,” Serena whispers, tense, hushed. “If you make it, I will adore you. If you miss, I will kneecap you.”

I believe her.

My mouth twists.

And I throw.

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