basketball game The Los Angeles Lakers were playing the Miami Heat It was in the fourth quarter and the Lakers were up by three Sweet Annie said She cranked up the volume to drown out the sound of the squealing girls Ahem Her dad loudly cleared his throat His hands were on his hips and a stern look was carved into his face Uh yeah Annie tried to sound like everything was okay Please turn the TV off Dad it’s Lakers-Heat Annie protested There’s only three minutes left Your sister is having a birthday party her dad said Please respect that 8
But basketball is way cooler than stupid princesses and ponies and stuff Annie The way her dad said her name Annie knew he wasn’t in the mood to argue He looked almost as tired as her mom Annoyed Annie clicked the TV off As she did there was a knock on the side door She saw Ben Mason’s face peering in the window Of course Ben would get to her house first He only lived across the street Annie hurried over grabbed the basketball off the floor and swung open the door Hey Ben said I’m here for the rescue mission Great timing she said as her sister’s friends began to squeal some more 9
Once outside Annie bounce-passed the ball to Ben He dribbled up the drive while Annie played a loose defense He leaped into the air taking a jump shot Annie threw her arm up to try to block it She missed and Ben’s shot swished through the hoop They decided to play a game of HORSE Annie dominated draining shots from every angle of the driveway As Ben was attempting a hook shot hoping not to get an E and therefore sealing Annie’s victory her mom poked her head out of the door We’re singing and blowing out candles she said If you want cake I suggest you come inside now You too Ben Did someone say cake Logan Parrish brought his bike to a screeching stop beside Ben I could have sworn I heard the word cake He sniffed the air like a cartoon dog 10
Gabe Santiago the last of Annie’s trio of friends pedaled up the drive behind Logan Hola guys Hey Gabe Annie and Ben said So why do you need rescuing Annie Gabe asked Annie tossed a thumb over her shoulder My sister’s friends are all here for her birthday party It’s like a teakettle convention in there I was hoping you guys wanted to go to Grover Park to play some b-ball What do you say Gabe nodded Yeah of course Ben added Sounds like fun Logan looked concerned We’re eating cake first though right 11
