That's What's Up! by Paula Chase Page A

quickly to tape the poster’s four corners, added two pieces on the sides for extra security then stepped back. Her arms folded in a triumphant, “there.”
    â€œWait ... wait ... I think she has it,” Jess said, her voice full of drama.
    Mina abruptly ended her singing. She and Jessica tilted their heads as if they were watching a bowling ball’s slow, off-kilter cruise to the pin. They stared at the last poster, a collage of cheer pictures. There was no white space on the board. The mass of mixed photos, upside down, sideways and every which way was so busy, it was hard to tell if the poster was straight.
    Grinning, Sara waited on their judgment.
    â€œIt’s ...” Mina squinted, frowned. “I think it’s ...”
    Mina’s eyes focused on the poster once more then looked down at Jess, who was also concentrating. Their confused faces met for a second and then they chorused, “Slanting to the right, now,” before giggling hysterically.
    Sara harrumphed, but as she’d done all night, took their criticism in fun.
    She gazed over her handiwork then at her sister and Mina, who were laughing it up, before fluffing her ear-length curls and declaring,“Well, just so you guys know. I totally did all the crooked stuff on purpose.”
    Mina and Jess gave one another an “un-huh, right” eyebrow raise and laughed more.
    â€œSo I’ve finally found something you suck at,” Jess teased. “Sara the easygoing, perfect Johnson twin who can pick up any sport by just thinking about it, needs a ruler just to put up a sign straight.”
    â€œDon’t hate me because I’m unique.” Sara put her nose in the air and announced, haughtily, “Straight is so boring.”
    Mina gathered up the mess they’d made with all the paper and tape and dropped it into a small black knapsack. She threw the bag over her shoulder. “Okay. Now to your room.” She locked arms with Sara as they made the short trip, three doors down. “We’ll be so fashionable.The only two doors designed by Miss Sara Johnson of the DRB.”
    â€œYou’ll be known as The Angler in the interior design circles,” Jessica said. She pushed herself off the floor and trailed behind them.
    â€œWho would like an Angler original?” Sara asked, addressing an imaginary crowd.
    Mina and Jess jumped up and down, raising their hands, shoving one another as they tried to get their hand seen through the “crowd.”
    â€œWell then, let me go get my stuff,” Sara said, before disappearing into the room.
    Jessica plopped back down on the floor. Mina stationed herself across from Jess, her back against the wall. There was an uncomfortablepause, neither of them sure how to fill the silence without their mediator.
    For so long, Jess and Mina’s relationship had been that of hunter and prey. Like a baby gazelle instinctively understood the nearby lion was his natural enemy, Mina had learned long ago to give Jessica a wide berth.
    Finally, she took a small inhale and waited for Jess to diss something—hershirt, shoes, hair, crafting talents, cheer talents or the way she breathed. Usually everything was fair game.
    Her breath came out in a snort of disbelief when Jessica said simply,“I’m sooo glad spring break is finally here.”
    She leaned her head back on the door. Her eyes closed, making her dark face a mask of serenity.
    Mina ogled her for a full ten seconds, marveling both at the fact that Jess was making small talk and how many features Jess shared with Sara, despite having night and day complexions. They had the same nose and facial shape. And without the clipped, bossy tone in her voice, Jess sounded a lot like Sara.
    Still, as casual as Jess was, Mina chose the safest conversation route, “Yeah. Me too,” deciding to let Jessica lead the conversation.
    Jessica’s eyes fluttered open. She stared at the ceiling a few