We spend a while in the church, and after that we head to a place called the Quartier Petit-Champlain, the oldest shopping district in North America.
“But I don’t want to shop,” says Ander.
“I do!” says Mare.
“Me too,” says Jillian.
“Me too,” says Seraphina. “But we’re not shopping. We’re just wandering.”
We pass antique shops, gift shops, and sweet-smelling cafés and soon we come to Escalier Casse-Cou. “What’s this?” I ask.
“This,” says Gregor, “is where you will see a fantastic view of Old Québec. It’s otherwise known as the Breakneck Stairs because the steps are so steep. Follow me.”
“Great,” says Mare. “Can’t we take an elevator?”
“We could take the funicular to the top, but you know what they say,” says Gregor.
“We know,” says Mare. “A physically fit body leads to a creative mind, blah, blah, blah.”
We trudge up the steps and my legs begin to ache.
“I feel like we’re walking up the steps in Piedmont Chamber back at camp,” says Jillian.
When we finally reach the top, we look down over a railing at all the people and all the stone buildings. It feels like we traveled back in time.
“This is how I picture Europe looking,” says Jax.
“Me too,” says Mare. “I never pictured Canada looking like this though. I like it.”
“I like towering above everyone else. I feel like the king of a castle,” says Ander.
Mare punches him in the arm. “But in reality you’re a jester, remember?”
Ander shrugs. “Freddie Dinkleweed, at your service!”
Seraphina gathers us together and takes pictures of us until we tell her we can’t smile any more. “Okay, okay,” she finally says. “Anyone hungry?”
“I am,” says Ander.
“Me too,” says Jax.
“Let’s head back down the stairs and look for someplace cute to eat.”
“It doesn’t even have to be cute,” says Ander. “Anything with hamburgers or pizza is fine with me.”
“Don’t you want to try Québec food?” asks Jillian.
“What’s Québec food?” asks Jax.
“You’ll see,” says Seraphina.
We walk back down, which is obviously way better than climbing up, and wander into a small café. Gregor and Seraphina guide us through the menu. The waiter approaches us with a writing tablet and I listen closely as Seraphina and Gregor place their orders in French. I laugh when Ander orders speaking in English using a French accent. Jillian, of course, does the same. Mare, Jax, and I look at each other and don’t even try to speak French, even though I wish I could. The waiter tells us it’s fine, that even though French is spoken in this province, people speak English here too.
Soon after, he brings us our food, including poutine—a dish of french fries, gravy, and cheese curds that Québec is known for. It practically melts in my mouth. “This is almost better than scrambled apples.”
“You know,” says Seraphina. “If we were in Québec in the winter, we could take dog sled rides in the snow.”
“Really? That would be awesome,” says Ander.
“I’d love to live here,” says Jillian. “It reminds me of France.”
“Me too,” says Seraphina. “It’s so full of culture.”
“If I could go dog sledding, I’d live here too,” says Ander.
“Is this what it would be like if we were on the Swirl and Spark Tour?” asks Mare.
“I think so,” says Gregor. “Although we would travel by aero-bus and make many stops throughout the year, it would be like this on some of the days, for sure.”
I smile. The Swirl and Spark Tour would be like a total dream.
“But we would also go to many schools. We would meet the young children and show them your inventions. Only three teams are selected, so please remember that. I don’t want you to feel disappointed if you don’t get first, second, or third place.”
“Yeah, I know,” says Jax. “We weren’t even top in the country, remember? We got second.”
“And there are a lot of teams here,” adds Mare. “A lot.”
“I’d rather think positively,” says Jillian.
“Yeah,” says Ander. “Me too.”
I don’t know what to think, so I don’t think about it at all. Instead, after we’re finished eating, and as we wander through the streets, I think of all the people who live in this place, a place that I had barely even heard of before this summer. It’s weird. The world’s a lot smaller than I thought.
We climb into the aero-cart, and the butterflies in my stomach go crazy. They must realize what’s happening next—the Global Stars Award Ceremony. Ohmygodohmygodohmygod! Soon we’ll know for sure whether we’re going on the tour or not.
THE NIGHT OF GLOBAL STARS
The lights in le Stadium de Creativite dim around us, but I can still see my teammates as they sit in the row with me. Ander is on my left, and Mare is on my right. Jax is next to Ander and Jillian is next to Mare. Seraphina and Gregor are sitting in the seats behind us. We’re wearing matching shirts again, but this one is my favorite of all. It has a picture of the American flag on the front; the words “New York” on the back, the words “The Crimson Five” down one sleeve, and best of all, “Kia” is scrolled in swirly letters across the other sleeve. It’s nice to be part of a team, and it’s really nice to have people know my name too.
Seraphina leans forward and whispers, “This is it!”
I turn around and smile. Gregor pulls her back and says something to her. I’m not sure what. Mare nudges me. She puts her hand out, but I don’t know what she wants me to do.
“We’re supposed to hold hands, right? Like we did at the National Finals.”
“Oh, yeah.” I take her hand and grab Ander’s too. We sit there in a row, all five of us connected, ready to hear what happens to us next.
If we don’t place in the top three, our inventions won’t get built. Not the Ancestor App or the Satellite Spectacles. Only six inventions, two from each team, will have that honor. That’s all. But we’ll still have a place at PIPS. We can choose to enroll there, or we can choose to be programmed into the category we scored the highest in. The choice is ours. I, for sure, would choose PIPS. Ander would choose PIPS too. I used to think Jillian would choose PIPS, but she loves acting and creating so much, I know now that she would choose Art Forms. And Jax might choose Math. I’m not really sure. I think Mare would pick PIPS, but her mom might not let her go there after all. So there’s that. If we don’t place in the top three, I’ll get to go to PIPS, but not with all my friends. Some of them maybe, but not all of them. And that’s not how I wish it would be.
But if we do place in the top three, both the Ancestor App and the Satellite Spectacles will be built. And when she wakes up, Grandma Kitty can talk to her mom and know all the information that she left behind. People all over the world will wear our glasses and become more aware of the world they live in. And as for us, we’ll go on the Swirl and Spark Tour with Gregor and Seraphina. We could show kids all over the world how fun it is to make new things. We would still be together for a whole year and that would be a dream come true.
But I would be away from my family—from Grandma Kitty.
I’m still not sure what I want to do, but I do know one thing for sure. I want to be able to choose. And besides, somebody has to win tonight, so if I had to pick, I’d still pick us.
The Piedmont theme song thunders through the speakers. The crowd roars to life, and we squeeze tight. I look at Mare, my friend who isn’t as awful as I thought. I look at Ander, my best friend who is as funny as I thought. I look at Jax and Jillian, my other best friends, and I can’t imagine not being with them every day.
“Welcome to the Night of
Global Stars!” yells Master Freeman. “We gather here on this prestigious campus of le Universite de Creativity to honor the brightest stars around the globe, every single one of you! You have brought honor to your countries by sharing your talents and twinkling light. We hope that the experiences you have gained here, and the friendships you have created, will last a lifetime.”
I think of my team and all that’s happened since we got to Québec. But I also think of Maelle, Danielle, and Zoe from France, and Becca from Texas. I even think of Martina.
“Our world is better when we connect with each other and better when we work together. That is the theme of this year’s competition and we hope you have learned a great message in that. Keep connecting, keep growing, and keep creating. That is when you will do great things and make great things—together.”
“And now, a twist to the results of this competition. I will announce the top five teams in the world. These five teams will have their inventions brought to life, not only the top three.”
I look at Ander and then at Seraphina. Oh my gosh, the top five teams! Our chances are a little better.
“The top three teams will also take part in the year-long Swirl and Spark Tour which will begin this fall. If your team is called, please come down to the stage to receive your Piedmont Globes.”
He reaches to the table next to him and picks up an envelope. My butterflies flip out and I think I might throw up all over my lap. Ander squeezes my hand. I squeeze back just so I can forget about my stomach.
“In fifth place is the team from Marrakesh, Morocco!”
The team from Morocco, sitting just one aisle away from us, pops up like popcorn. The whole section around them erupts, and they race down the steps to receive their globes. It seems to take forever.
Master Freeman picks up another envelope.
Mare sits on her hands, and I elbow her.
“Oh, sorry.”
“In fourth place, the team from Beijing, China!”
I exhale. The team from China races down to the stadium floor, and I bite my thumb nail. I wipe off my sweaty palms, grab hold of Ander and Mare’s hands, and close my eyes.
“In third place, earning a place on the Swirl and Spark Tour . . . the team from Brittany, France.”
“Oh my gosh! That’s Maelle’s team! They’re going on the tour!”
Ander’s eyes are huge.
The French team is across the stadium. I wish I could see their faces. I wish I could see how happy they are. I wish there were better odds that our team was about to be called too.
Mare leans over. “It’s fine if we don’t get called. It’s fine.”
I wish Mare would shut up.
Ander squeezes my hand and I squeeze his right back. We look at each other and not at Master Freeman’s envelope. “And in second place, also earning their place on the Swirl and Spark Tour, the team from New York, United States of America.”
Ohmygodohmygodohmygod!
We jump up and scurry out of our seats. The stadium is as loud as thunder, and I follow the feet in front of mine. I think they’re Jillian’s, but I’m not sure. We land on the stadium floor, and just like at the National Finals, Andora Appleonia is waiting there for us, but this time she hands us each a globe. A swirling colorful globe. “Congratulations, Kia Krumpet. I am honored you will be traveling with us on the Piedmont Swirl and Spark Tour. I can think of no one else who will better inspire the children around the world to think more, work hard, and dream big.”
She places her hand on my shoulder, turns me around, and I realize we’re posing for a picture with Master Freeman. Her voice crackles, “Smile for the television children. The world is watching and smiling at your accomplishment.” My head is spinning and I cannot even believe this is happening. My family is out there in the stadium . . . and maybe, just maybe, Grandma Kitty is awake and watching too.
We stand still, all in a row, as Master Freeman announces the first place team, “Bern, Switzerland!”
Seraphina and Gregor hug us. We jump around in a circle and hug the other teams. Maelle and Danielle run to me, and we jump even more. But once the jumping subsides, we look at each other and stand still. I don’t think any of us can believe what just happened.
“I now present to you the global ambassadors of the first ever Piedmont Swirl and Spark Tour!”
The fifteen of us pose together holding our globes, with our six preceptors behind us like one united squad—ready to take on the world. But are we ready? Am I ready? Is this what I really want?
Our families find us in the atrium, and Dad scoops me into a hug. Mom and Malin and Ryne wrap their arms around us and they squeeze me until I laugh. “Little Bear! Congratulations! I told you, didn’t I? You have all those swirly ideas in your head. I knew those Piedmont officials would recognize talent when they saw it!”
“Good job, Kia!” says Ryne. “I knew you were going to win.”
Tears are running down Mom’s face. I’m not sure if it’s because she’s happy or because she knows what might be coming next. She pulls me close and says, “Kia, I’m so very proud of you, and I know your grandma is too.”
Malin stares at me in disbelief. “Are you really leaving for a whole year?”
Seraphina calls above the crowd. “Hey everyone, follow me. Gregor is finding a place for us to talk.”
We shuffle through the crowd and out of the atrium into a brightly lit room with tables and chairs. We each find a spot and she hands each family a packet of papers. “Please bear with me as I’m still a little stunned with these results! Happy, but still stunned! I know how tired everyone is—it’s been a really long day, so I’ll make this meeting short. These packets will give you all the details of the trip, should we agree to go. This is your choice to make as a family, but also know that we all have to be in agreement. If someone decides not to go, then we will give up our spot to another team. If we do decide to go, I promise you that your children will be in good hands. This is a tremendous educational opportunity for all of us and would be the experience of a lifetime. Your children have earned it, and both Gregor and I would be honored to accompany them on the adventure.”
Gregor continues, “We need to give the Piedmont Organization our decision by noon tomorrow. So please, read through the information and make your decision by then. I’ll need your signed paperwork stating your decision either way.”
My mom purses her lips together. I think she’s trying not to cry. I wish I could tell her not to worry because I’m not going anyway, but then I think of Grandma Kitty. She never got to go to Camp Piedmont. She never had the chance.
My parents flip through the packet, but eventually Dad slides it back into the envelope. “I think we should sleep on it. This is a very big decision, and I’m sure it will be a little clearer tomorrow.”
Mom nods. “I think so too. Kia, we’ll pick you up at your tree suite at ten o’clock tomorrow morning. We can talk about it over breakfast and make our decision then.”
I hope my dad is right. Maybe my sleeping egg will help me decide what to do.
I pull the covers close and lie in my sleeping egg, watching the stars through the skylight. The hum of the germ-eating eggs surrounds me, trying to lull me to sleep. I can’t believe we really did it. We placed in the top three—actually, the top two. I’ve dreamed about this for so long that it’s weird it already happened. But it didn’t happen the way I wanted. I wanted Grandma Kitty to see it.
My watch flashes under the blankets and I pull them over my head to see if I have a message. But instead of a message, it’s a call—from Grandma Kitty! But it can’t be her. She isn’t awake. I answer it anyway because maybe, just maybe, she is.
I whisper so I won’t wake up the girls. “Hello?”
“Is this my Sweet Tart who just won second place in the Global Championship?”
“Grandma! Oh my god! Are y
ou okay? Are you better?”
“Goodness, I’m fine. I’m sorry I worried you.”
“I’ve missed you so much and I really wanted to talk to you, but no one would let me.”
“These doctors are so cautious. I just had a little crash on that scooter of mine, and it took me awhile to wake up. But oh, it was the freakiest thing. Those silly cables—I forgot to look out for them. But don’t you worry yourself, because I won’t make that mistake again. Besides, I’ve bought myself a sparkly suit of armor. Even if I do crash again, nothing will hurt me like that. I’m just sorry I couldn’t see you compete in person, but this cute little doctor fixed me up, and this nice nurse set up my air screen, and I saw your performance in real time. I saw you receive your Piedmont globe too. Sugar Plum, I saw the whole thing!”
“Wait, you saw it! Really?”
“And not only me but the whole floor. We had a Piedmont party in my hotel room, it was just spectacular.”
I laugh. “But Grandma, it’s a hospital room, not a hotel room.”
“Same difference.”
“So, Grandma, the Ancestor App is going to be built after all. You’re going to be able to learn stuff about your mom.”
“And you, my Buttercup, will learn more than you ever dreamed about the people who came before you. And do you know why that’s important?”
“Why?”
“Because we’re all connected to those who came before us, and we need to continue that connection—for always.”
“For always.”
“And as for that Satellite Spectacle thing-a-mabob . . . you and those smart teammates of yours have figured out how to make people more aware of the world around them—with fancy glasses no less. I’m so proud of you, Smartie Girl.”
“Thanks, Grandma.”
“Now, I spoke to your mother just a few minutes ago. She told me you have quite the decision to make.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Well, I’ll give you a bit of advice when it comes to making decisions.”
“Okay.”
“Trust the light that comes from your heart. When you feel it glowing, you’ll know you’ve made the right decision. And you must follow that light wherever it leads you—even if you’re afraid—because it takes courage to follow your heart. When you do though, everything else will fall into place.”
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