Classic Family Accident

Joy ran across the lawn giddily, enjoying her freedom. Katniss was letting her go to the market with Lily! She was so happy! The construction-men were building in a small sun roof, perfect for relaxing in the sun.

Later she'd make sure that Lily and she took a break underneath it.

*Construction men working*

Aspen looked down at the men pathetically trying to lift him to the top. All they had to do was hammer in one stinkin' nail! Was that so hard? Apparently so! The men were seriously struggling. They were a foot away from the spot where the nail would go. Then he got an idea.

"Lay on your backs men! Hang on to the rope and lay down!" The men did as they were told and Aspen was lifted up almost exactly a foot! He lifted up the nail to hammer it when a jolt shook the platform he was on. The nail slipped from his hand and back down. He called down to the men, yelling angrily. None of them could see the nail. That's great. Just great! Aspen sighed.

"I need another nail up here men!" he called down. Filled with irritation, Aspen was lowered back down, handed a nail. The struggle started again.

Lupe watched as Joy left for the mall. This was gonna be so great! When she got back, he would spray Lily with the hose! She was sure to like him then!

The minute he knew she was gone he set the hose in "ready position." Then he sat and waited. He waited. And waited. And waited. He daydreamed while he waited and waited. He searched the lawn for anything interesting. All he could find was a shiny spot on the walkway. He guessed it was a piece of aluminum, a tin can. Something like that. Finally, he lied down in the bushes. In a few minutes, he was asleep.

Joy walked happily toward the market and in the direction of the bakery, their meeting spot. She wanted to squeal with excitement. But she had to be cool, so she didn't. She did, however, put her happiness into motion and begin skipping joyfully (get it? She thought. JOYfully?) down the street.

Lily was waiting for her just like she said she would be. She looked upset.

"What's wrong?" Joy asked.

"Look up," was all Lily said.

Joy did, and she grimaced. Storm clouds were brewing above them.

"Just my luck!" she said. "It's my first time to go to the market with my best friend, and it's stormy out?"

As if to answer her, thunder rumbled overhead. Lily and Joy sighed.

"Well…" Joy said, "Maybe… I've got it! We don't have to stay in the rain! We can go to my house! The construction-men should be done by now! We'll have a sun roof up, and we can relax there!"

Lily brightened and the two of them hooked arms and skipped merrily home, even when it began raining.

Lupe woke up with a start. He checked his watch and sighed. Then he scolded himself, feeling stupid. He'd fallen asleep! He might have missed his chance. He felt a drop of water fall on his nose, and saw it was raining. He wanted to yell in frustration. The prank wouldn't work if they were already WET!

He heard footsteps. The sidewalk still wasn't that wet… he couldn't give up now!

He turned the small wheel and the hose sprang to life. He poked his head out to watch the fun.

Not much was happening. He turned the wheel farther. Farther, farther, farther! Until the hose looked alive with power. There were two very girlish squeals as Lily and Joy found themselves getting absolutely drenched.

Then another sound came, obviously from Joy, that turned Lupe's blood cold. It was a scream of pain. He looked out from the bushes. Lily was kneeling next to Joy, looking very scared, asking Joy if she was okay. Lupe ran out from his hiding place, and stopped just feet away from his sister.

His sister's leg and the water around her had turned red with her blood.

He gasped and ran next to her.

Then he remembered. The shiny thing! The aluminum or…

He looked closer.

Or a nail. Oh no.

He ran inside and called for Katniss and Peeta to come quick.

Both of them did, and he told them what happened.

Lupe's voice rang out downstairs. He sounded panicky. Lupe panicking was never good.

Katniss looked at Peeta and they both got up from the couch and ran downstairs. He explained what had happened and Katniss's eyes widened with terror. This was JUST the thing she needed! A hurt kid. Great!

They ran outside and found Lily and Joy together, and Joy was screaming with pain. Her leg and the water around her was red.

Katniss ran to Joy and asked her what was wrong. On closer inspection though, she could see exactly what was wrong. Joy must have slipped on the wet walkway, and had fallen, right on target, on a nail. She was going to need to see a doctor.

*Two days later*

Jocelyn sat on her bed, sulking. She couldn't believe that she wasn't allowed to leave her room!

But no, Mom kept telling her, "Joy-Joy, you can't move. Those stitches need to stay in place."

Blah, blah blah, blah blah. She rolled her eyes to herself.

Somebody knocked on her door. "Come in!" she said, desperate for a visitor.

Lupe entered her room and she turned around. "Go away," she said simply. He came closer.

"I'm sorry Joy-Joy!" he said, sobbing into her bed. "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry! It wasn't supposed to happen like this, I wanted to have fun and… and…"

He kept crying but Joy had heard enough. "Lupe! SHUT UP!" Lupe shut up.

"It's okay, alright? I know it was an accident, you were just being stupid. It doesn't matter though."

They hugged, and they knew it was all okay.

Joy would heal, and Lily… well who knew what Lily thought of Lupe. What did it matter?

Only his whole life!

He began planning his next prank.