. . Where did the dolphins come in?â
âI bought this for him yesterday at the museum gift shop.â Vanessa reached into her bag and pulled out a stuffed dolphin toy. âYou know, because he was born in Hawaii.â She squeezed its middle and it squeaked, âHelp me!â
I cocked my head to one side. âDid that dolphin just say âHelp meâ?â
V nodded. âApparently, a lot of real ones are being killed by offshore oil drilling.â
âAh.â I gave her a tight smile. âWell, nothing says happy holidays like cold-blooded murder.â
âHa!â Brooke pointed at Vanessa. âThatâs coming from a guy. Told you it was a bad idea.â
Vanessa stuck her tongue out at Brooke and hugged the dolphin close.
âI thought it was sweet,â said Heather.
âAnd I didnât say it was a bad idea,â I corrected Brooke. âI just donât think itâs the perfect holiday gift.â
Vanessa put her other hand on her hip and looked from me to Brooke. âAll right. Since you two are the experts, what is the perfect holiday gift?â
I scratched my head. âGilâs from Hawaii, right? How about a pineapple?â
âOoh!â Brooke snapped her fingers. âA whole basket of Hawaiian treats! And maybe a CD of Hawaiian music.â
Vanessa considered this, a wide grin appearing on her face. âThatâs actually not a bad idea, guys! I could evenââ
âUh-oh!â Heather was peering past V. âGilâs coming. Ditch the dolphin!â
V flung the toy aside.
âHelp me!â it cried as it landed in a potted plant. Brooke and I snickered behind our hands.
âHey, Gil!â Vanessa called as he approached.
âHey, you.â He hugged her when he got closer, waving to the rest of us. âWhat did you just throw away?â He squinted at the planter. âIs that a dolphin?â
âOf course not. They canât survive out of water, silly!â Vanessa laughed nervously. âHey, look over there! Is that a light switch?â She took his hand and pulled him far, far away.
I turned to Brooke. âSince youâre the gift whisperer, what are you getting Abel?â
Abel Hart was Brookeâs boyfriend, a kid whoused to be in our grade but was so smart they bumped him up to seventh.
Brooke puffed out her chest. âThe girlfriend gift to end all girlfriend gifts. A murder mystery train party.â
I smiled. âNothing says happy holidays like coldââ
She smacked my arm, and Heather laughed.
âIn this case, it makes sense,â Brooke informed me.
Abel had started a club called Young Sherlocks and was big into detective stuff. Itâs how he and Brooke met, which is nice, although now, Brooke tries to unravel any mystery she can find. Last week it was the mystery of who put melted chocolate in her gym bag.
It turned out to be her.
âOh! Change the subject,â Brooke said, pointing out Abel, who was walking toward us.
âLet me guess,â Abel said with a smile, sidlingup next to Brooke. âSomeone just asked who the most awesome guy in school was.â
Brooke grinned. âI wouldnât give that secret up! One of these girls might try to steal you away!â
âNot a chance.â Abel hugged her. âBesides, all the girls are gaga for Tim.â
I smiled. Heather and Brooke groaned.
âPlease donât tell him that!â said Heather.
âYeah, now we have to spend all day lowering his self-esteem,â added Brooke.
âI have great friends,â I told Abel while the girls laughed.
âYou also have a great watch,â he said, staring at my wrist. âSeriously. Iâve been looking for something like that for spring training.â
Abel was our schoolâs track star. He had speed and endurance. Most runners have one or the other.
âThanks! Itâs shockproof since I play so