Page 35 of Light Up My Life

“How?” Fiona asked.

“I found all the dark houses, the ones without lights in our neighborhood.”

“Are you sure the culprit is from your neighborhood?” Fiona asked.

“Ours is the one with the most traffic and lights.”

“True,” she said with a smile, as though she liked how proactive I was being. “Now what will you do?”

“Should I talk to them?”

“And say what?” Nova asked.

“I don’t want to make them angrier. Maybe I can bring them cookies or something. Cheer them up.”

Nova laughed. “You need to visit them with the ghosts of Christmas.”

“Yes, you and your friends should come with me. Put your green robe on and that makeup. It will be either terrifying or perfect.”

Fiona took a bite of her taco and said something.

“I cannot understand you,” I said.

Nova shrugged. “Me neither.”

Fiona made a show of chewing and swallowing, then said, “Is Ryan’s dad going to represent the city? Sue the person back or something?”

“I don’t think so. At least Ryan didn’t say anything like that.”

“Their family probably doesn’t care,” Fiona said. “Or maybe they’re the ones suing. Pretending it’s some Scrooge when really they can’t stand the extra cars and inconvenience.”

“No,” I said. “The Morenos are totally into decorating. They try to one-up us every year.” I looked around and lowered my voice even further. “They’re talking about bringing in live reindeer on Christmas Eve.”

“Tell me if that happens. I’ve always wanted to pet a reindeer,” Nova said.

“It would be cool,” Fiona said.

“They’d win the contest for sure,” Nova said.

My defenses kicked in. “It shouldn’t be about how much money you spend!”

“You should see Jasmine’s house,” Fiona said, probably sensing my irritation. “It’s really pretty.”

“I’ve seen it before,” Nova said. “I love it.”

I blew out some air. I didn’t want them to think they had to coddle me. “It’s fine. I don’t think Ryan’s house is better than mine.”

“I do.” The voice came from behind me, and I turned to see Ryan, his teasing expression on.

I took a deep breath to calm my shock at seeing him. Not only that, of him overhearing us.

“It’s not,” I said in an even voice. He just had to come in right when we were talking about him, as though we did it all the time.

“You waiting out the crowd?” he asked, nodding toward the street full of cars.

“Yes,” I said. “You?”

“Yep.”