The morning sun poured into Maple Creek Elementary. Aina gasped — the trophy case was empty. "Where did it go?" she whispered.
Aina knelt by the case. A muddy footprint gleamed on the floor, leading straight toward the garden door.
Jia Wei appeared at her shoulder. "Rain dirt," she said, adjusting her glasses. "Someone ran through the garden."
They followed the trail outside. In the garden, a line of pink glitter wound toward the compost bin.
Jia Wei lifted the compost lid with a twig. A flash of gold! But when Aina reached in — only a crumpled leaf.
CRASH! A squirrel scampered past — the golden trophy clutched tight between its tiny paws!
"Over there!" Jia Wei whispered. She scooped acorns and tossed them one by one. The squirrel dropped the trophy!
Aina grabbed the cup before the squirrel could change its mind. She hugged it close. "Mine," she said firmly.
Back inside, Aina and Jia Wei carried the trophy to the case. They set it down together, side by side.
The bell rang. They leaned against the wall, breathing hard. Aina looked at her friend and smiled.
They bumped elbows — partners in crime, partners in everything. The trophy sparkled in the morning light.
Maple Creek Elementary had its champion trophy back. And two best friends had their greatest adventure yet.
