Peony

“But she’s a girl—” McKenzie whines, wrinkling his nose at me. “It won’t be a fair race.”

“And why not?” I demand, folding my arms and scowling at him.

“Because I’ll easily beat you.”

“Then why do you care? You get to win either way,” I point out.

“Enough. You’re boring me. Let’s race.” Axel’s authoritative bark cuts through our heated argument, and we immediately fall silent. I like the boys, but Axel can be a bit bossy sometimes.

More like, all of the time.

But it’s not like there”re many girls on the street to play with, and I’d rather have races and fights than play Barbies and tea parties anyway. I don’t care if they’re older than me, I’ve decided that I want to be friends with them, so I will be.

I throw a smirk at McKenzie, the youngest of the three boys, and prepare to race. There’s no way I’m about to let him beat me. I may be the youngest by a couple of months and a girl, but that doesn’t put me at a disadvantage. Although I know I could never take Axel or Kaiden in a race. Their legs are so long, but they are older than me so it’s to be expected.

“On your marks...get set...go!” Axel yells and I shoot off like I’m on fire. I don’t look back, keeping my eyes firmly trained on the finish line, and I wipe the floor with McKenzie.

“No fair!” he complains loudly, when he finally catches up with me. I simply grin.

“Tough luck, Zie, she’s in. Odile, you’re one of us now,” Axel declares. The only thing more exciting than being accepted by Axel, is the way his voice caresses my name. Oh-dee-lay. I don’t have the heart to correct him and tell him it’s pronounced oh-deel. I like his way much better. I hope he always says it like that.