How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied by Jess Keating Page A

rest of my life.
    4. Go help my mom’s friend Gail at the zoo while she helps birth reindeer babies. That means you have to stick your hand up…well, you know. Ain’t pretty.
    5. Never look at Zack again. Okay, this one is pushing it…
    Of course, it didn’t take too long for Mom to start bustling around my room, opening curtains and stuff. Why is it they always go for the curtains? It’s like teenage kryptonite, all that bright light when you’re tired.
    â€œWhat are you doing sleeping? It’s a beautiful summer day out there!” Her voice was determined. I could tell she was trying to force as much upbeat happiness into the room as possible. I mumbled a reply into my pillow, but she yanked the blanket from my shoulders.
    â€œNot a chance,” she said, ruffling my hair playfully. “If you nap now, you’ll never get to sleep tonight.” Darwin whistled at her, trying to charm his way into a treat. She tickled his wing through the cage bars and clapped her hands at me.
    â€œCome on! I don’t want you moping around. Why don’t you come help me at the zoo if you’re bored? Daz is out with Kevin, so you can help me clean the new house up before our move.” Her eyes flitted to the watch on her wrist.
    It’s funny how parents can technically be asking a question but do it in a way where you know the answer already. And that answer is nonnegotiable.
    â€œOkay, okay!” I huffed, yanking myself out of bed. “But I need to e-mail Liv, all right? It’s important.”
    Important that I tell her how much she hurt me by not showing up for our wish, just so she could hang out and go on “adventures” with some girl who has purple hair.
    She gave me her best “make it quick” look and bustled back downstairs. Before starting my e-mail, I knew I needed to find the guts. To psyche myself up, like athletes do before important games. I wanted to see where she was.
    I flipped open my laptop, hammering Liv’s new address into Google Maps, like I’d done a million times since she’d left. I always hoped that I would somehow feel closer to her, being able to see the green grass near her new house.
    But it never happened.
    I jerked the mouse around, dragging the map back to Denver.
    Liv was a whole earth turn away. With a girl named Leilani. I tapped the space bar angrily with my finger, gearing myself up.
    I would tell her the truth.
    Chewing my lip, I opened my e-mail.
    Dear Liv,
    I don’t get it. I thought you wanted to come back home? Why didn’t you just tell me you liked it there from the start?
    My teeth clenched together as I typed. I sent the message and was about to close my computer when a little blip alerted me.
    A new message.
    My heart hammered as I saw Liv’s name in my inbox. She was there!
    Auto-Reply Message: Tuesday, 4:14 p.m., from Liviola
    You have reached my auto-reply message. I’m out exploring our new home until Sunday, June 2, but don’t worry. I will get back to you as soon as I’m back home! [end of message.]
    My jaw dropped.
    Auto. Reply.
    She was out exploring ?! And she didn’t even think to mention that last night in her e-mail? What kind of best friend gives you the auto-reply without even warning you they’ll be gone!? Auto-reply was for uncles and cousins you never hear from, not us.
    Suddenly I was wide-awake. I shoved my computer from my lap like it was on fire. And what was this stuff about “her new home” and how she’d e-mail back once she was home again. New Zealand wasn’t her home. Denver was! She was supposed to be finding a way back home with our stupid wish , not out frolicking with the hobbits. Was Leilani going with her too? Was she already part of Liv’s family, like I used to be? The image of future Liv and Leilani marrying brothers unfolded in my head, jolting me with panic.
    â€œCome on, sweetheart!” Mom’s happy voice