The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities: New Stories About Mythic Heroes by Riordan Rick

Author:Riordan, Rick [Riordan, Rick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Disney Book Group
Published: 2021-09-27T14:00:00+00:00

“Which should we pick?” Davery asked.

Before us stood three frybread stands: Auntie’s Best, Frybread Palace, and New Mexico Original.

“That one,” I said, gesturing to Auntie’s Best. It had a colorful banner that proclaimed the frybread at Auntie’s was the BEST OF FAIR and YOUR COUSIN’S FAVE, and there was a great illustration of a round-faced woman winking and wearing a big smile.

“Cousin’s fave?” Toni grumbled. “That’s ridiculous. She doesn’t even know my cousin.”

“Don’t be so literal,” Maya said, sounding exasperated.

Wow. Maya was the nicest kid I knew. If Toni was starting to irritate her, then the new girl really was annoying.

“I’m not all that hungry,” Darcy said. “I had vegan fruit roll-ups for breakfast. I think I’ll go save us a spot in front of the hip-hop stage before it fills up.”

“Good thinking,” Davery said. “But we’re supposed to go in pairs. My dad said.”

“I’ll go with her,” Kody volunteered.

“Do you want us to get you some bread, Darcy?” Maya asked.

“No, I’m good,” Darcy said. “What about you, Kody?”

“Same.”

“Okay,” I said. “We’ll catch up.” Darcy gave a little wave as she and Kody headed to the stage.

The line for Auntie’s Best moved fast, and before we knew it, it was time to order. Maya got a plain frybread, Davery got one with butter and honey, Toni passed—probably because she’s way too bitter to like anything sweet—and I picked powdered sugar and cinnamon. The frybread came on paper plates, and each hot and greasy piece took up the whole thing. We found a good bench to sit on where we could keep an eye on the outdoor stage. I could see Kody’s head moving to the drumbeat. Yep, it was still going strong.

“Oh no,” Davery said. “We forgot to get napkins. Toni, since you’re not eating, would you mind going to get some?”

“What?”

“Could you please grab us some napkins?”

“No way.”

I frowned. “But you’re not even eating.”

“Yeah, but I’m busy.”

“Busy doing what?” I asked.

“Anything, besides hanging around you losers. I think I see someone I know.” And then she walked away, leaving the three of us behind.

“You’re supposed to have a partner!” Davery called, but Toni didn’t even look back.

“My dad is not going to be happy,” he said quietly.

“What should we do?” Maya asked.

“Let her go,” I said. “This place is fenced in, and she knows where we are. She’ll be fine.”

Davery shot me a look, but I’m good at ignoring his looks.

“We still need napkins,” Maya said with a sigh.

“I’ll go,” I offered. I could see the napkin dispenser from here. “I’ll only be a sec. Go ahead and start without me.”

I set down my plate and hurried to the dispenser, ducking through the growing crowd. I grabbed a handful and was back in less than a minute. Davery and Maya had each already taken a big bite of their breads and were chewing happily.

“How is it?” I asked.

Maya gave me a thumbs-up, and Davery said, “Auntie’s best!” around a mouthful of food. I tore off a corner of mine, my mouth already watering in anticipation of the sweet, greasy goodness.

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