Jane E M Atkinson - Anna & Bella Go Bananas

This party is going to be amazing! Bella exclaims.

The absolute best, I add.

My name is Anna, and Bella is my younger sister. Were driving to my best friend, Mackenzies, birthday party. Shes having it at the new indoor playground.

Mom peeks at us in the rear-view mirror. Have you decided what to do first? she asks.

Bella and I have never been to this playground before, but this morning, we saw pictures of it online.

I want to try the tall, twisty slide, I answer excitedly.

I want to go to the trampoline first, Bella exclaims. It looks amazing!

Mom laughs. Good thing the party is three hours long. Youll have plenty of time to try everything.

Up ahead, I see the playground sign through the front window. Mom slows the car and turns into the parking lot.

I still cant believe the twisty slide is six-stories high. Just thinking about it makes my belly tingle.

My belly always tingles when Im excited, nervous, or scared. When I was younger, my mom told me that the tingles were from the wings of a fairy that was flying around inside of my tummy. The fairy was there to keep me company.

Now that Im older, I know there isnt really a fairy in my belly. However, I know for a fact that fairies are absolutely real.

A few weeks ago, a sparkly pink gem whisked Bella and me off to a magical land called Flower. In Flower, we met a princess, some fairies, and even a mermaid. Ever since that day, Bella and I have been eagerly waiting to go back.

Mom pulls into a parking spot and shuts off the engine. She turns around in her seat to look at us. Were here early, so youll have a chance to play with Mackenzie before the other girls arrive, Mom says.

Yippee! Bella and I shout in unison. I flash Bella a secret grin. Whenever we say something at the same time, we have good luck. At least, thats what we think.

Do you remember what we talked about at home? Mom asks us.

Bella and I nod our heads.

Good, because parties are supposed to be fun, Mom says. I dont want anyone to feel left out.

The three of us link arms and walk inside. The lady at the front desk stamps the back of our hands with a purple fairy. After taking off our coats and shoes we enter the playground.

I cant help but gasp. This is the biggest playground Ive ever seen! The twisty slide is to the left. The trampoline is to the right. And in front of us is the six-level climbing structure.

I nudge Bella. Theres Mackenzie, I say, pointing to the third level.

Mackenzie is chasing after her little sister, Michaela. When she catches Michaela, she starts to tickle her. We can hear Michaelas giggles from all the way across the playground.

Michaela manages to roll away from her sister and runs to a rope ladder. Bet you cant catch me! she shouts.

Mackenzie starts to chase after her little sister, but then she spots us.

Anna! Bella! Youre here! she cries. She runs to the blue wave slide and zooms down to the ground.

Happy Birthday, Mackenzie, I say, giving her a hug.

Thank you for inviting me to your party, Bella adds.

Mom holds up the birthday presents we brought. Ill put these in the birthday room. You girls go have fun.

Thank you so much, Mrs. Schmitt, Mackenzie says to our mom. Then she and Bella run off.

Im just about to follow them when Mom puts a hand on my shoulder. Dont forget what we talked about earlier, she says quietly.

Ill remember, I whisper back. Then I dash off after Bella and Mackenzie.

Where do you want to go first? Mackenzie asks.

Just as Im about to say the twisty slide, I remember what Bella said in the car. Lets try the trampoline first, I suggest, winking at Bella.

Bella grins and winks back. Youre the best, Anna.

The three of us race over to the trampoline. Im used to jumping up and down on trampolines, but this one is different. Its long and rectangular. We climb on at one end, then hop along the trampoline like kangaroos. Once we reach the opposite end, we jump off and race around to start again.

After our third time, Bella says, Lets try the twisty slide.

Woohoo! I cry, racing towards the climbing structure.

I run up the multi-coloured ramp to reach the second level. Bella and Mackenzie are right behind me.

The second level has purple foam cubes on the floor and red foam pyramids on the ceiling.

Follow me, Mackenzie calls as she crawls over the cubes and under the pyramids. After crawling over the last cube, we climb a rope ladder to the third level.

I havent been to the other levels yet, Mackenzie says. Why dont we take turns being the leader?

Good idea, Bella says. Anna, you can go first.

Thanks, Bella, I reply.

I lead Bella and Mackenzie through a maze, then push past some punching bags. When we reach a rock wall, I easily climb to the fourth level. Mackenzie and Bella follow me up.

I peek through the netting and find Mom right away. She smiles and waves. Then she points at her phoneshe wants to take a picture. Bella, Mackenzie, and I put our arms around each other and cry, Cheese!

I notice Michaela is resting on the couch behind Mom. I smile and wave, but Michaela doesnt wave back. I guess she cant see me up here.

Now that were on the fourth level, Bella takes the lead. We follow her across a rope bridge to a zip line. Bella runs, jumps, and grabs the handle of the zip line. She lifts her feet up and zooms along the track. When she gets to the other end, she pushes the handle back for us. Mackenzie goes next. Then its my turn.

We climb another foam staircase to reach the fifth level. The opening of the twisty slide is right above our heads. Were almost there!

In front of us, two ropes are hanging from the ceiling. One rope is short, with a small trampoline beneath it. The other rope is long, with no trampoline beneath it.

Bella runs to the trampoline and begins to jump. After a few bounces, shes high enough to reach the rope. She grabs the rope and swings her legs onto the sixth level. Mackenzie rushes over and starts to bounce on the trampoline. I decide to use the longer rope, and climb to the sixth level using just my arms and legs.

We made it! The opening of the twisty slide is directly in front of us.

Lets get a picture beside the slide, Bella suggests. She waves at Mom to get her attention.

The three of us lean against the slide and say, Twisty!