Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings (13 page)

But then, that all fell away, because he kissed me back.

The kiss took every full body collision, misuse of pronouns, and curvy-lipped smile and mixed them up with the chocolaty-caramel-goodness of the last Wigwag in the box. Add Luke’s impossibly soft lips, his hand in my hair, and his warm breath on my face, and you would still only be partway there.

Because the kiss was made of awesome.

“Luke?” I asked.

“Yeah?”

“Does this mean you’ll stop knocking me over every time you want to say hello?”

He laughed and kissed me again.

And that definitely registered on a boy-girl level.

In a major, big time way.

—

When Wigwags are in short supply, this is the quickest way I’ve found to chocolate bliss.

First, get yourself the biggest microwaveable mug in the cupboard. In it put:

- 4 tablespoons flour

- 4 tablespoons sugar

- 2 tablespoons cocoa

Mix it well. Then add:

- 1 egg

Mix. Then add:

- 3 tablespoons milk

- 3 tablespoons oil

Mix. Then add:

- 3 tablespoons chocolate chips (NOT optional—at least as far as I’m concerned)

- 1 capful of vanilla extract

And…wait for it…MIX!

Cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high). The cake will look like it’s going to overflow but don’t freak out!

Let it cool for a bit (unless you want to burn your lips off) then ENJOY!

Some say this can serve 2 but, yeah right; whatever.

TAKE OUT THE SPOON before you microwave the mug. Don’t ask me why I know this…

With this recipe, you are only ever 5 minutes away from chocolate bliss! You’re going to make this RIGHT NOW, aren’t you?

Jade

Writing a book is a lot like wrestling a giant squid, but it is a process made much easier with the help of keen-eyed critical readers, including my wonderful Kidcrit pals and super-patient friends and family.

Much thanks to my agent, Lauren MacLeod, for fishing me out of her slush pile and for navigating me through all of my writerly efforts. Thanks also to my editor, Rebecca Frazer, who jumped in with both feet and helped me tell this tale as authentically as possible.

Marcelle, Charlotte, and Gord: you are my constant sources of support and inspiration. None of this happens without you.

Hélène Boudreau writes fiction and non-fiction for children and young adults from her landlocked home in Ontario, Canada, though she grew up on an island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. She has never spotted a mermaid in the wild but believes they are just as plausible as sea horses, flying fish, or electric eels. Her debut middle grade novel,
Acadian Star
, was nominated for the 2009–2010 Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award. You can visit her at: www.heleneboudreau.com.