Princess Angelica, Part-time Lion Trainer

by Monique Polak

  “We’re there.” I grab her elbow and lead her out of the closet. “Are you ready to see skeletons? Do you promise you won’t sue?”

  “Yes and yes.” Maddie’s voice catches in her throat. That is probably because she has never seen a skeleton before.

  I spin Maddie around three more times—and untie the scarf. “Ta-dum!”

  Maddie is trembling.

  Because the lights are out in my parents’ bedroom, it takes her a minute to realize what’s going on.

  There are no skeletons.

  We are not in the attic.

  There is no elevator.

  Maddie hops up and down. “Jelly,” she cries out, “you made that story up!”

  There is another reason why Maddie is my best friend.

  Other kids might get angry.

  Not Maddie.

  Because a second later, the two of us are laughing so hard we end up rolling around on the floor in my parents’ bedroom.