Later that afternoon, Amy and Sarah were slouched on the courtyard bench, muttering about budget disasters and Chloe’s glittery sabotage, when Lily came skipping up, a bright smile lighting her face.
“So… you two are hosting a party?” she asked cheerfully, tilting her head. “I just found out from a poster!”
Amy froze mid-sigh, her hair flopping dramatically over her eyes. “Uh… yeah… poster… totally us,” she said, forcing a grin.
Sarah leaned in, whispering to Amy, “She’s way too happy… don’t ruin it!”
Amy whispered back, “I know, I know… just play along.”
Lily plopped down on the bench beside them, still beaming. “Wow, I didn’t know you guys were throwing a party! This is so exciting! When is it? Six? Nice choice. School gym, right? Very classic!”
Amy shot Sarah a panicked look. “She’s way too excited!”
Sarah muttered under her breath, “This is your fault, Greene.”
Amy rolled her eyes, whispering back, “We’ll survive… maybe.”
Lily leaned forward, curious. “So… what’s the theme? Decorations? Snacks? Should I bring something?”
Amy exchanged a quick glance with Sarah, both holding back groans. “Uh… just… bring your fabulous self,” Amy said, trying to sound casual.
Sarah nodded, adding, “Yeah! That’s the main requirement. Fabulousness is mandatory. Everything else… optional.”
Lily laughed. “Alright! I can do fabulous. Can’t wait!” She bounced lightly on the bench, completely unaware of the chaos that had led to this moment.
Amy and Sarah slumped back, hair scattered and faces exhausted. “Tiny party… yeah, tiny chaos,” Amy muttered, shaking her head.
Sarah groaned. “Tiny? More like tiny disaster waiting to happen.”
 ********************
Amy and Sarah pushed open the supermarket doors, the bell jingling above them like an ominous warning. Both were already eyeing the shelves with determination—and mild panic.
“Alright,” Amy whispered, clutching a shopping list she had hastily scribbled on the back of a napkin, “tiny party, maximum style. We need… snacks, drinks, maybe some decorations… all cheap.”
Sarah groaned, scanning the aisles. “Tiny party? This is going to cost a fortune. And I only have… like… three coins and a button.”
Amy shot her a look. “Focus, Sarah! We need strategy, stealth, and speed. Operation Fake Mega-Party is underway.”
They darted down the aisles like two overly caffeinated spies, grabbing packets of chips, inexpensive sodas, and a lone bag of marshmallows.
“Do we really need marshmallows?” Sarah asked, holding up the bag like it was radioactive.
“Yes! Tiny party, classy presentation. We’ll toast them like gourmet treats!” Amy hissed, tossing it into the basket.
Sarah paused at the snack aisle, whispering conspiratorially, “Amy… are we… stealing anything?”
Amy’s eyes widened. “Stealing? No! We’re… borrowing… permanently… with style!”
Sarah shook her head. “Borrowing permanently? That sounds… very illegal.”
Amy waved her hand dismissively. “Details, Sarah! It’s for science… and justice… and Chloe!”
As they rounded the corner, a supermarket staff member gave them a suspicious look. “Are you two… planning a party?”
Amy smiled innocently, holding a bag of chips like a shield. “Party? Us? Oh no, we just… admire snacks!”
Sarah nodded vigorously. “Yes! Strictly… admiration. Very academic. Crunchy research!”
The staff member frowned but moved on, muttering something about teenagers and sugar.
Amy grabbed the last pack of balloons on the shelf. “Yes! This is perfect! Two balloons, maximum effect!”
Sarah held up a packet of streamers. “Two balloons… and these streamers. We are officially the cheapest party planners alive!”
Amy grinned. “Cheap, yes. spectacular? Absolutely.”
Amy and Sarah weaved through the aisles of the gigantic classy supermarket, scanning for anything cheap yet party-worthy. Bags of chips, store-brand sodas, and mismatched party hats filled their arms.
Sarah paused, eyeing a display of single-serve cupcakes. “You know… maybe we should just invite five people. Keep it small, manageable, realistic.”
Amy nearly choked on her soda. “Five people? Are you kidding? Everyone and their grandmother is going to want to come! You saw the posters!” She waved her hand dramatically at the brightly colored flyer in her bag.
Sarah groaned, resting her forehead against a shelf. “Exactly! So now how many things do we need to buy for a multitude of students? We’re broke! We can’t even afford real glitter!”
  Amy flopped onto the floor, spreading her arms wide and pretending to cry. “I can’t do this… I just want to leave… go… to Mars! Far away from posters, Chloe, everything!”
Sarah crouched down beside her, frowning. “Mars? How are you even going to go there? We don’t have a rocket or anything!”
Amy sat up a little, squinting as if she had the perfect idea. “Hmm… maybe… I just need… a hot air balloon! Yeah! I’ll float away to Mars. Easy!”
Sarah raised an eyebrow. “A hot air balloon? Really? Do you even know how far Mars is?”
Amy waved her hand dramatically. “Details! Who cares about distance or air or… science! I just need a balloon and I’m gone!”
Sarah laughed, shaking her head. “And what about gravity? And oxygen? You do know you can’t breathe in space, right?”
Amy covered her face, pretending to sob even louder. “Technicalities, Sarah! Nothing can stop me! Not posters, not Chloe, not gravity!”
Sarah poked her shoulder. “You know, if you actually float away, I’m staying here. You can take the balloon, I’m not coming.”
Amy gasped. “No! You have to come! We can be space friends! Adventure together!”
Sarah shook her head, laughing. “Fine. But first, let’s survive this supermarket without going broke. Then we can figure out your Mars escape plan.”
Amy sat up, wiping a fake tear. “Deal. But I swear… if we fail… Mars is waiting. And nobody there will bother me about posters or parties!”
Sarah laughed so hard she almost dropped the soda she was holding. “Okay, Amy. Let’s get shopping… then maybe you can float away in your hot air balloon when we’re done.”
Amy grinned wickedly. “Yes… and nobody can stop me… not even Chloe!”