Cast Your Ballot! by Rachel Wise

exciting that you two are mere inches apart? This could make quite an interesting photo of life on the campaign trail. Awfully cozy for a reporter and a candidate, aren’t we?”
    I scrunched my eyebrows. What the heck was he talking about? I looked at Anthony in confusion, and he seemed as perplexed as I was.
    â€œWhat?” he asked Jeff.
    Jeff shrugged. “A picture’s worth a thousand words,” he said, and then he walked away.
    Anthony and I looked at each other. “What ever ,” I said, and rolled my eyes. “Listen, here’s my idea, and then I’ve got to run. . . . Anthony, you’ve got to meet my sister, Allie.” I filled him in, and he was eager to meet her.
    â€œWhy not? Let’s do it!” he said.
    We high-fived, and then I looked at my watch. “Darn it! I’m going to be late!” I said; then I clapped my hand over my mouth. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just that I wish we had more time!”
    â€œThanks,” said Anthony with a smile. “Me too. You’re easy to talk to.”
    â€œAnything else I should know about you before I go? Save any toddlers from drowning or anything?”
    He laughed and shook his head. “I’m afraid not.”
    â€œDon’t worry. I think that’s probably a good thing!” I said. “Thanks. I’ll get in touch about Allie ASAP.”
    â€œThanks, Sam!”

    I did end up being late for Slices. And the other three girls were halfway through their pizza when I arrived, breathless.
    â€œI’m so sorry!” I cried, lunging into the booth to where Hailey had set my two slices and Coke.
    But no one seemed perturbed by my lateness.
    â€œFirst she says no to the cute boys; then she’s late . . . !” joked Hailey.
    â€œSorry,” I said guiltily. “Michael said he and some friends might, just might come, and if so they’ll meet us after for ice cream. They probably won’t make it, though. You know how boys are so disorganized.” Then I thought of Anthony and, actually, Michael too, and I corrected myself. “Well, some of them are disorganized. Anyway, how much time do we have before we have to leave for the movie?”
    Kristen looked at her watch. “Ten minutes.”
    â€œPhew,” I said, and relaxed a little.
    â€œYeah, we know you wouldn’t want to miss a minute of it,” said Jenna, her eyes twinkling.
    Hailey fluffed her hair and tossed her head. “Well, I sure wouldn’t!”
    We all laughed. “We know!” I said, taking a bite of the crispy, thin-crust pizza.
    â€œSo who were you interviewing?” asked Jenna, sipping at the dregs of her soda.
    I swallowed hard and said, “Anthony Wright!”
    â€œOh yeah! How was he?” asked Kristen.
    â€œActually . . . I’m not supposed to say, because I’m an unbiased reporter.” I took another bite of pizza and smiled.
    â€œCome on! Just tell us objectively!” said Jenna.
    I looked at them all point-blank as I chewed and then swallowed. “He was awesome.” I took another bite.
    â€œWhaaaat? Anthony Wright? Are you serious?” said Hailey incredulously. “How?”
    At this rate I was never going to finish eating in time. “Let’s just say this guy has seriously done his homework. He’s not promising glamorousstuff, but he is realistic and has some really cool ideas that he’s able to follow through on. I thought he was really, really good.”
    â€œIs he promising steam showers in the locker room like John Scott’s going to get us?” asked Hailey.
    â€œYeah, or a new art studio with a glass wall to let the northern light in?” asked Jenna. “John’s going to get us that, too.”
    â€œAnd a new gymnastics studio. I can’t wait!” said Kristen.
    â€œWow,” I said, starting to feel even more skeptical