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moved the ball to the right with the outside of her foot—the same move she’d faked Calvin out with at the preseason clinic. Calvin saw it coming and darted to that side, moving aggressively toward the ball.
    And quicker than a bullet—much too quickly for Calvin to react—Jessie stepped on the ball to stop it, rolled it back to her left, and raced straight toward the goal. Calvin stumbled forward. Jessie booted the ball into the net. Bauer Electric led, 2-1.
    Calvin regained his balance and stared at the sky in frustration. He felt a sharp jab in his bicep. “Ssssssss,” said Danielle as she poked him with a finger. “You got burnt so bad you’re steaming.”
    The seconds ticked away. Little Italy made one last run at the goal, but Johnny intercepted the ball for Bauer Electric and booted it long and hard down the field. The final whistle blew as Angel chased it down.
    The spectators stood and clapped as the Bauer Electric players danced and leaped at midfield. Calvin and his teammates stood and stared, exhausted and beaten.
    The teams met at midfield for congratulations. Calvin held back for a minute, then walked up to Jessie and shook her hand.
    Jessie gave him a triumphant smile.
    Calvin grimaced. “See you Friday?” he asked.
    Jessie looked surprised. “Where at?”
    “The carnival.”
    Her eyes got narrow. “Says who?”
    “I don’t know. Just thought we’d see you there. Me and Zero.”
    “Why’d you think that?”
    Calvin let out his breath in a huff. “Danielle didn’t say nothing?”
    “Not about you turkeys.” She looked around for her sister. “Danielle!”
    Danielle was in the midst of a group of six or seven kids near the sideline. She jutted out her chin and called, “What’s up?”
    “Come over here, sister.”
    Danielle trotted over. Zero was walking over, too. Jessie had her hands on her hips. “You know anything about a carnival situation, Danielle?”
    Danielle smiled. “These boys might have said something. Wasn’t exactly definitive.”
    Jessie squinted at Calvin and gave a tight half-smile. She reached forward and gripped the neck of his soaking T-shirt between her thumb and first finger. “You got anything definitive to say? Or to ask ?”
    Calvin squirmed and looked at the ground. Then he looked Jessie straight in the eye. “Yeah,” he said firmly.
    “So let’s hear it.” She let go of his shirt.
    “Me and Zero just thought it might be cool to hang out with you two at the carnival. You know ... just hang around. Go on rides and stuff.”
    Jessie looked at Danielle and flicked up her eyebrows. She was holding back a bigger smile. “What do you think, Danielle? These two worthy?”
    Danielle broke into a very broad grin. “You know they’re cute, Jessie.” She turned to Calvin. “She’s not as tough as she seems.”
    Jessie very gently kicked her sister in the shin. “So who’d be with who?” she said. “Or haven’t you worked that out yet?”
    Calvin shrugged.
    “We may be twins, but we’re not interchangeable dates,” Jessie said. “Or should we do the choosing for you?”
    Zero cleared his throat. “I think you should be with Calvin,” he said to Jessie.
    “Why? You afraid of me?”
    “No.” Zero took a step back. “Just think you and Calvin might be a better match.”
    “Works for me,” said Danielle.
    “You buy us dinner?” Jessie asked.
    “Whatever,” said Calvin.
    Jessie glanced around the field, then kicked at the turf with her toe. “Okay,” she said. “We’ll give it a try. Six o’clock on Friday in front of the Y. Bring your wallets.”
    Both boys nodded vigorously. The girls walked away, laughing hard.

9
    Half Sprite, Half Orange
    C alvin banged on Zero’s front door Friday at about five P.M., wearing a green polo shirt, neat black shorts with a belt, and a pair of running shoes with no socks.
    “What’d you do?” Zero asked. “Raid your father’s closet?”
    “Real funny. What are you wearing?”
    Zero had on the