Just then, Portia wandered over and peeked into Calliope''s bucket. She


    practically did a double take, jaw dropping in shock.


    "No way!"


    "How did you collect so much already?"


    "We only just started, didn''t we?"


    Portia nced at her own empty sand pail, then at Calliope''s overflowing one, packed with all sorts of treasures-shells, pebbles, even an old bottle cap or two.


    She felt aplicated mix of envy and disbelief.


    Hadn''t they only been on the beach for, what, fifteen minutes?


    Sure, the beach was pretty empty and the tide had just gone out, so there was plenty to find, but how could Calliope be so quick? She looked like a pro, scooping up half the beach in record time.


    "My brothers and Ss helped me," Calliope admitted with a grin. "Whenever they found something they thought I''d like, they put it in my bucket!"


    Honestly, she hadn''t found that much herself, but with their help, her bucket looked like she''d struck gold.


    "Man, I''m so jealous," Portia huffed, faking a pout. "Wish I had brothers like yours!"


    "But if we''re going to have a contest, your brothers can''t help, got it? Otherwise, it''s totally unfair!"


    "Deal," Calliopeughed, tossing a nce over toward Uriah.


    Ss had already wandered off to chat with Uriah; the two of them were deep in conversation about who-knows-what.


    Calliope''s gaze drifted to Mavis.<fn6aab> For original chapters go to find?novel</fn6aab>


    Norton


    Mavis and Norton were off on their own, chatting andughing, walking farther down the shoreline like a pair of lovebirds. If Calliope didn''t know for a fact that Mavis only had eyes for Uriah she might have tried to set her up with Norton. They seemed like a perfect match-both genuinely good people, and she knew them both inside out.  s


    "I think they''d make a cute couple," Portia said, echoing Calliope''s thoughts as they strolled along the sand ncing over at Mavis and Norton. They look good together: and they''re both super capable."  s


    "Yeah, totally," Calliope agreed.


    "Too bad Mavis is hopelessly hung up on Uriah. She''s liked him for years!" Portia sighed. "You''d think Urian would notice by now I mean, he''s always sneaking nces at her, right? He''s so territorial sometimes!"  s


    Calliope just shrugged, unsure. She wasn''t about to y matchmaker. Right now, she was just having too much fun beacbing.


    The spot they''d chosen was perfect-plenty of shells and shiny rocks littered the sand. Calliope and Portiapeted to see who could fill their bucket faster, squealing each time they found something cool.


    Meanwhile, Mavis was doing pretty well herself, thanks to Norton''s help. Their bucket was almost overflowing.


    "Wow, we''ve got quite the haul!" Mavis eximed, peering inside. "I wonder how the others are doing."


    "Let''s go check! Besides, I''m getting hungry. We should head back and start dinner soon," Norton grinned.


    "Yeah, we''ll eat like kings tonight!" Mavis beamed. They started making their way


    back when suddenly, Mavis gasped and stumbled forward.


    Norton reacted instantly, catching her before she could fall.


    "What happened?" he asked, eyebrows knitting together.


    "I''m okay, really," Mavis said, steadying herself on Norton. "I just stepped on something sharp, I think I might''ve cut my foot."


    She bnced on one leg and looked down. Blood was trickling from a small cut on her foot.


    "It''s probably nothing, but let''s get you over to the rocks and check it out," Norton said.


    Mavis nodded, surprisingly calm despite it all.