Cali Plays Fair Read online

  The principal and teachers were waiting onstage. Cali and the rest of the class took their seats while Cruise went up to join them.

  “We are very excited to award the first-place medal in our first ever Royal Mermaid Rescue Crew School Tournament,” Professor Korla said.

  “Prince Cruise of Coquina, we are proud to name you Student of the Year.” The principal put the medal around his neck.

  Everyone cheered.

  Cali was expecting her twin to zoom around the stage shouting woo-hoo! and pumping his fists in the air.

  But he didn’t. Instead, Cruise held the medal in his hands, staring at it. Then he said, “I can’t accept this.”

  Everyone in the crowd gasped.

  “I don’t understand,” the principal said. “You worked so hard to win.”

  Cruise sighed. “I know. But Cali spotted the Night Star in the cave. So technically, she found it. And I didn’t even pick it up. Bitey did!”

  Principal Vanora laughed. “So Bitey should get the fifty points?” she asked.

  “No, Cali should.” Cruise handed the medal back to the principal.

  Cali’s stomach dropped. She couldn’t believe it. Cruise won, but he was refusing the medal? She tried not to think about the bag of garbage.

  The principal smiled at the crowd. “Well then, Cali, come up and get your medal!”

  “Go on,” Rio said, without the usual smile in her voice.

  Cali swam to the auditorium stage. The principal put the medal around her neck. “I’m so proud of you! You worked so hard during the event. You collected so much glow coral—and litter! And you found the Night Star. We’re so close to restoring the protective power of the magical Trident. Well done, Cali!”

  Everyone cheered, but Cali’s lip trembled. She thought winning this medal—and beating Cruise—would feel so good. She was finally standing out like she’d wanted to all along. But she felt horrible.

  “What’s wrong?” Professor Korla asked. “I expected you to be much more excited about this amazing honor.”

  Cali hung her head. “It’s a wonderful honor. But I can’t accept it.” She took a deep breath. “When I was collecting litter, I met a mermaid taking out her trash. Some of it spilled, and I picked it up, but I didn’t really collect it.” She looked up at the principal through teary eyes. “I handed in the bag of trash anyway. I really only collected four, not five.”

  The auditorium was silent. But the bad feeling inside of her was going away.

  “But you did find the Night Star,” Cruise said. “Those fifty points put you ahead of everyone, even if you hadn’t won the litter competition.”

  “But I didn’t play fair. I don’t deserve it.” Cali took the medal off and handed it back to the principal.

  “I didn’t think I’d have such a hard time giving away this award,” Principal Vanora said, chuckling. “But I’m proud of you both. It’s hard to admit when you’re wrong—when you’ve done something you don’t feel right about.”

  “My insides felt very bad,” Cali said.

  “That’s always a great guide. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t right,” Professor Korla said. “It’s a good lesson for us all.”

  The principal held up the medal. “Nixie, are you willing to accept this medal for Student of the Year?”

  Nixie nodded and swam to the stage. She reached for Cruise and Cali’s hands. “I’m so proud to be on the Rescue Crew with you two.”

  “I think we all learned a wonderful lesson here today,” the principal said. “Thanks for being so honest.” She held up the medal. “Nixie, you are the Student of the Year.”

  The crowd cheered while Cruise and Cali shared a big smile.

  “Are you ready to swim home?” Cali asked.

  “Yes,” Cruise said. “Don’t forget to bring the octopus so we can present our case to Mom and Dad—together.”

  Rio was waiting for Cali when she got off the stage. The octopus was bobbing beside her. “I’m so proud of you,” Rio said.

  Cali sighed. “I should have listened to you from the beginning. I knew it was wrong, but …”

  “But you really wanted to win,” Rio said. “Winning isn’t everything.”

  “I know.” She glanced at Cruise. “But I don’t think this is the end of battling Cruise!”

  “Of course not.” Rio laughed. “You’re still twins!”

  Cruise and Cali swam home with their seaponies and their pets. For once, they didn’t race.

  Cali crossed her fingers. “I hope Mom and Dad say yes!”

  When they got to the castle, their parents were waiting outside. “So who won the tournament?” their dad asked. He looked back and forth between Cali and Cruise, waiting for an answer.

  Cali laughed. “Neither of us!”

  “Nixie won!” Cruise said.

  Their mother raised an eyebrow. “You don’t look very upset.”

  Cali shrugged. “We’re not. We both did our best.”

  “That’s all we ask for,” their father said. “Doing your best doesn’t mean you have to be the best.”

  That made Cali feel a lot better.

  “But we have a question,” Cruise said. Then he explained what happened with Bitey and the cave.

  “Cruise loves Bitey, but I really like this sweet little octopus,” Cali explained. “She’d love to live with us and she doesn’t even have any ink! She won’t be messy at all.”

  “And we’re asking this together because we realized that we’re better as a team than opponents,” Cruise shared.

  Their mother and father looked at each other and nodded. “I’m impressed,” their mom said.

  “This is exactly what we’ve been hoping to see from you two,” their dad said.

  “I think having your own pet is a great idea,” their mom added.

  “Awesome!” Cruise grinned.

  “Thanks so much!” Cali said as the octopus twirled in a circle.

  “What are you going to name yours?” Cruise asked Cali.

  She thought for a moment. “You know, I think you were wrong when you said Bitey found the Night Star. The octopus found it and brought it there.”

  “I did! I found it in a cave,” the octopus said through the Say Shell. “It’s so sparkly!”

  “So I’m going to name you Nighty! After the Night Star.”

  “I love it!” the octopus said.

  Cali smiled at Cruise. “Thanks for helping me convince Mom and Dad.”

  Cruise hesitated for a moment. Then he hugged her.

  Surprised, she hugged him back.

  “Bet you I can hug you longer!” Cruise whispered.

  “No way,” Cali said, squeezing back and feeling lucky to have a twin brother. And thrilled that she’d finally realized they’d always be a team.

  Merfolk of all ages filled Ocean Tides Park, working on sandcastles and sculptures. Crews from the kingdom of Astoria set up amusement rides while vendors stocked their carts and stands with treats and sweets.

  “This is going to be the best Sand Sculpture Festival ever!” Princess Cascadia said to her younger sister, Princess Nixie. Cascadia had volunteered to organize the festival this year. She had already graduated from the Royal Mermaid Rescue Crew School, so she didn’t have to attend Rescue Crew classes on the weekend and had plenty of time to plan the event.

  Mermaids from across the Eastern Kingdoms were flocking to Astoria City for the biggest, most exciting event of the year. School was canceled for a week so they could enjoy the festival.

  “What do you think of my seapony sculpture?” Nixie asked. “I’ve been working on it for three days!”

  Cascadia smiled at her sister. “I can’t believe you made it yourself.”

  “I bet you win a prize for sure,” said Cascadia’s seapony partner, Periwinkle.

  Nixie blushed happily. “That would be amazing! But I have a little more work to do.”

  Gorgeous sculptures were scattered throughout the park. And right in the midd
le was a huge sandcastle. Everyone at the festival could add their own shell or special touch to it. It was the centerpiece of the event and would become a permanent feature of the park.

  “I hope there’s coral candy,” Nixie said.

  “Mmm. Kelp kones, too,” Cascadia said.

  “Help!” called out a voice on the rescue shells around their necks. All members of the Royal Mermaid Rescue Crew wore one to answer calls for help around the Eastern Kingdoms.

  Cascadia picked up her shell. “This is the Rescue Crew. What’s the emergency?”

  “A whirlpool is tearing up my front yard,” said a voice through the shell.

  “A whirlpool?” Cascadia shook her head like she was hearing things.

  “I didn’t make it!” Periwinkle laughed. “I’ve been with you the whole time.” Periwinkle’s sea savvy was conjuring small whirlpools.

  “I know it wasn’t you.” Cascadia frowned. “But I’ve never heard a call for a whirlpool before.” Surely, this was a mistake. She spoke into her shell. “Where are you?”

  “The conch homes, on the south side.”

  “I’ll be right there,” Cascadia replied.

  Nixie looked worried.

  “I’m sure it’s nothing,” Cascadia assured her. “We’d know if a whirlpool had swept through. They’re very rare.”

  “I should come with you,” Nixie said.

  Cascadia shook her head. “I can handle this myself. Have a good time finishing your sculpture.”

  Nixie smiled. “Thanks. You’re the best big sister.”

  Cascadia and Periwinkle swam to the rows of shell homes just outside the city. An older mermaid was waiting on her porch. Cascadia recognized her from many other calls. Mrs. Sherkston was the type to worry. One time she thought a ghost was in her oven. It was a hermit crab. Another time she thought someone had stolen her purse, but it was on her shoulder!

  “What’s wrong, Mrs. Sherkston?” Cascadia asked.

  “Thank goodness you’re here,” Mrs. Sherkston said. “This tiny spinning monster whooshed through my front yard and left such a mess!” The seagrass in her front yard was indeed torn up.

  Cascadia smirked, suspecting the tiny spinning monster was actually a rambunctious young merkid, excited for the festival.

  Mrs. Sherkston clenched her hands. “It was a whirlpool, I tell you! Haven’t seen one of those since I was a child. Could mean a big storm is coming.”

  “Well, it doesn’t look like anyone else’s yard was hit,” Cascadia said. “And I don’t see a whirlpool anywhere now. No one else has called one in. I think everything is safe. I’ll ask someone from the city to come over and repair your yard once the Sand Sculpture Festival is over. Everyone’s busy working on that.”

  The merlady frowned. “I hope the whirlpool doesn’t come back while everyone is focused on sandcastles.”

  Cascadia patted her hand. “It won’t. Now be sure to come down to the festival tomorrow.”

  “I’ll do that,” Mrs. Sherkston said. “Thank you, dear, for coming to check on me.”

  “That’s what the Royal Mermaid Rescue Crew is for!” Cascadia said with a smile.

  She and Periwinkle swam back toward the city.

  “Hopefully, that monster doesn’t attack any other yards!” Periwinkle laughed.

  Cascadia laughed, too. But deep down, something was bothering her. Like a tingling feeling telling her something wasn’t right. Cascadia shook off her worries. She wasn’t going to let this ruin her great day.

  When they reached the park, Cascadia gazed at the beautiful sand sculptures. Everyone was laughing and smiling.

  “I’m so excited to be part of this!” she cried.

  “You’ve done a wonderful job,” Periwinkle said.

  Cascadia swam home bursting with pride.

  “Sounds like the festival is going to be amazing!” her dad, King Zale of Astoria, said as they ate dinner.

  “Good work, honey,” said her mom, Queen Avisa.

  “I can’t wait to ride the seapony carousel,” Nixie said.

  “I’m going to eat all the seaweed cakes,” said Rip, Nixie’s seapony partner.

  “How did that rescue turn out?” Nixie asked.

  “It was another false alarm from Mrs. Sherkston.” Cascadia laughed and told them the story. “I hope I find out which little rascal gave her such a scare.”

  Rip frowned. “How do you know she was wrong? What if it really was a small whirlpool? Small whirlpools are a warning sign that a big undersea storm is on the way. I read about it in Natural Disasters of the Seas.”

  Cascadia felt that little tingling feeling again. But she crossed her arms. “I’m sure she was confused. No one else reported anything strange.”

  “There wasn’t much damage at all,” Periwinkle added.

  King Zale chuckled. “I remember responding to calls from Mrs. Sherkston when I was a new Rescue Crew member.”

  His seapony partner, Storm, bobbed his head. “We were there many times and never for anything serious.”

  Cascadia raised her chin. “It was just another false alarm.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Rip said.

  “I’m sure I’m right,” Cascadia said. And she was sure.

  Mostly.

  About the Author

  Lisa Ann Scott is the author of several books for young readers, including the Enchanted Pony Academy and The Wish Fairy series. A former TV news reporter and anchor, she currently works as a voice-over artist and writer. She lives in Upstate New York with her husband and two kids. For more about Lisa and her books, visit LisaAnnScott.com.

  Text copyright © 2019 by Lisa Ann Scott

  Illustrations by Heather Burns, © 2019 Scholastic Inc.

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  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  First printing 2019

  Cover art by Heather Burns, © 2019 Scholastic Inc.

  Cover design by Yaffa Jaskoll

  e-ISBN 978-1-338-26704-4

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