By BookwormJo

Friday, September 11 – D.K.

The Frisbee whizzes by me and crashes into a bush. 

“Oh man!” I groan.

“Now you’ve gotta answer a question, right?” Timmy asks.

I nod.

“Imma think of a good one.” Ayesha grins.

We’re playing a strange hybrid of Frisbee, Monkey in the Middle, and the Truth part of Truth or Dare. (My idea).

Basically, one team – Hannah, Ava and I – got the Frisbee, running and passing it to each other. If one of us failed to catch the disc (which I just did) that player would have to answer a random question.

Then the other team – Timmy, Omari and Mae – would take control of the disc. Ayesha was the referee/question asker.

“Which word do you hate the most?” Ayesha asks

That was easy. “Impossible. Or no.” I shrug. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way, right?”

“I’m ‘bout it. ‘Kay! Resume play!” 

Omari picks up the Frisbee and sails it to Timmy. Hannah sprints after Timmy, who spins and tosses the disc to Mae. 

They smoothly pass the Frisbee around, while we awkwardly scamper around in the middle.

“This isn’t working.” I think after a while. 

I change my strategy, shadowing Timmy instead. It’s only a matter of time before the disc comes hurtling in Timmy’s direction. I duck around him and reach for it. I’ve nearly got it . . . and then he plucks it out of the air and smirks at me. 

I groan. I would’ve caught it if I could use both of my arms. 

Hannah and Ava start closing in.
Timmy wildly flings the disc. 

It soars over our heads and lands in a tree.

Everyone freezes. 

“Oh rats,” Tim mutters.

“Welp, looks like that’s the end of our game.” Ava says.

“It was lit, styll.” Ayesha sighs.

“It’s not that high up, though. Someone could climb up and get it.” I tilt my head, appraising the height.

“Don’t even think about it, Dee Kay.” Hannah gives me a warning glare.

“Why not?” I shoot back. “I’ve been climbing trees since I was four. I’ve even climbed blindfolded.” 

“But never with a broken arm.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. We can just ask Davi to get a ladder.” Mae ventures.

Wow. So just because I’ve got a broken arm, everyone treats me like an incompetent moron.

My parents, Davi . . . Now even my classmates.

I grit my teeth. No cast is going to hold me back. 

I charge for the tree, hook my good arm around one of the lower branches and use the momentum to swing my legs up. I clamp my chin down and use it to help me pull myself to sit on top of the branch. It’s fairly easy from there. All I have to do is find the right niches to step in and keep my arm hooked around the trunk. 

“D.K!” Ayesha yells.

I smirk and release the trunk to wave at them.

Omari gapes at me. Hannah crosses her arms. “I’m going to get Davi.”

“No need.” I call back. “I’m nearly there.”

I edge along a thick bough and pluck the Frisbee from the twigs. 

“Great! You’ve got it!” Timmy shouts. “You can come down now!”

I sigh. I’d rather stay and enjoy the view, but I suppose I should get back down. 

The branches gently sway in a breeze. Sunshine spills through the leaves. I loosely hug the tree and carefully step into nooks. 

“D.K!” Davi runs outside, wide-eyed.

“It’s okay! I’m fine!” An insect hovers by my face. I swat it away.

He shoves his hand through his hair, muttering something I don’t catch.

But really, he’s got nothing to worry about. I’m nearly at the bottom of the tree.

My hand brushes against something papery – like dry leaves.

But it isn’t a bunch of dry leaves. 

It’s a small wasp nest!!

I shriek and pull my hand away. 

It’s too late. 

Five wasps attack my arm. More follow. 

I try to swat them away and find myself tumbling. 

My chin smacks on a branch. I flail wildly, trying to grab something. Anything.

I hit the ground. 

All my bones seem jolted out of place. My ears ring. 

Then I feel the pinpricks of pain on my arms and face. I roll to squash the remaining wasps.
I stand up and give a weak grin. “I’m okay!”

Everyone is staring at me in horror.

I hold up the Frisbee. “Wanna play?”