Free Moon White: Color Me Enchanted with Bonus Content by Melody Carlson Page B

Thanks for the help, sweetie.”
    “I can’t wait to see how it all looks tonight,” I say as I head into the house. “I think it’s going to be a magical evening.”
    I hurry to my room and quickly change into shorts and a sweatshirt. The weather is really warm today, and since I still have some summer tan left on my legs, I think, Why not show it off? I’m just putting my hair into a fresh ponytail when I hear Augustine calling my name.
    “Liz is here,” she says.
    I hurry downstairs in time to see Liz admiring some of Augustine’s decorations. “Wow, you’re really good at this.”
    “She’s an artist,” I remind her. “When we have more time, I’ll show you some of her work.”
    “My studio will be open for visitors tonight,” says Augustine. “Just in case any potential customers show up.”
    “I think this is a multipurpose party,” I tease as Liz and I leave.
    “That’s about the only reason my parents entertain,” says Liz as we get into her car. “It’s always about business and schmoozing.”
    “I’m not going to be like that when I’m grown-up,” I say as I lean back into Liz’s cushy leather seat.
    Soon we’re at the soccer field, yelling and screaming for our team, and I think our efforts are paying off, because by the end of the second half, it looks like they’re going to win.
    “Hudson is really good,” says Liz after he scores a difficult goal. And, okay, something about the way she says this and the way she’s looking at him right now seriously worries me. Now we haven’t really said anything specific about this, but I assume that she knows I’m the one interested in Hudson . And it seems perfectly clear that Porter is extremely interested in her. He already ran up and hugged her when we got here. Oh, he hugged me too, but only afterward, sort of like a second thought.
    Hopefully, we won’t have any problems with this. Still, I’m not too sure, and it’s undeniable that Hudson is hot. Especially in those soccer shorts. I mean, Porter is okay. He’s cute and has a great personality. But Hudson is the only one I’m interested in. I reach into my hoody pocket and give my little white bag a hard squeeze, running the words of my ritual poem through my head five times. Numbers are important and meaningful. And I happen to know that the number five is good for challenges as well as passion. In fact, I’ve decided that it’s my favorite number. And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that my birthday is the fifth day of the fifth month. That should make me very lucky in love. Still, I don’t want to leave anything to chance. Certainly not Hudson Schwartz.
    When the game is over (our team wins), the guys eventually wander away from their victory party on the field to join us.
    “Thanks for coming and cheering us on,” says Hudson.
    “Hey, it was a lot more fun than cheering for the football team last night,” I point out.
    “Well, it must’ve helped,” says Porter. “We weren’t supposed to beat this team today.”
    “You guys are really good,” observes Liz. “I’m impressed.”
    “And now don’t forget your promise to come to my stepmom’s party,” I tell them. Then I hand Hudson a small card, where I’ve carefully written the address and the time. “Just so you don’t get lost.”
    He laughs. “Hey, this isn’t too far from where I live.”
    “Well, go figure.” I act surprised, although I’m well aware of where he lives. I’ve known it for years.
    Then we tell them good-bye and that we’ll see them later, and we leave. I feel flushed with excitement as Liz drives away. I can’t believe how well this is all going or how on track my life seems tobe. Even so, I know that it’s not just a coincidence or dumb luck. It’s like I’ve taken control of things, and instead of my life running over me, I’m running it. And I think I’m doing a pretty good job too.
    “See ya around seven,” says Liz as she drops me off.
    “Be ready to dance,”