Game On

When Zinnia finished her bold speech, she remembered the tension between Lyra and Vivian. Feeling a bit awkward, she rubbed her hands together and asked Lyra, "Um, do you have any?"

"Yes."

The cold voice made Mandy notice Lyra was here, too. "Lyra, sorry, I didn't see you there."

Lyra had a book open in front of her. "If you're not worried about what Vivian thinks anymore, you might consider going this weekend. It's paid per task, and the wages are at least three times what you'd earn at the library."

Mandy hesitated again. Zinnia was already frustrated with her indecisiveness. "Come on, girl, your family's worrying about bringing bread onto table, so why worry about your weak friendship with Vivian? Even if you try to be nice, that rich heiress might not even care."

Mandy felt a sudden jolt, as if someone had knocked sense into her. "Tomorrow's the weekend. Can I go?"