Sink or Swim Read Online Free Page A

black-and-white-striped pj’s. We do look like inmates.
    “No,” I say quickly. “We’re just in our pajamas.”
    “So if you two didn’t save me, how did I survive? Maybe a fisherman brought me in? Or I washed up on a piece of driftwood? Or are you two just being modest?”
    “No,” I say. “I can barely swim. It was the Little Mermaid — we just dragged you in.”
    “Aha! So you DID save me! Then I, Prince Mortimer, am in your debt. Would you please accompany me back to the palace so you can be celebrated?”
    “But Prince Morty … can I call you Prince Morty?” Jonah asks hopefully.
    “Only my parents call me Morty.”
    Jonah pouts, then continues, “But Prince Mortimer, it really wasn’t us who saved you.”
    Hold on. I elbow Jonah in the side.
    “Ouch!”
    “I just need a minute to talk to my brother,” I say, and yank him a few feet away. “We may as well go to his palace,” I whisper.“We might not be able to find the Little Mermaid tonight, and we’re going to need somewhere to sleep.”
    Jonah shrugs. “I’m game if you are. But we’re definitely going to mess this story up.”
    I look out at the water. “Let’s hope so.”

W e’re walking up the path toward the building when we run smack into three teenage girls. They all start shrieking the second they see us.
    At first I think they’re making fun of our matching prison pajamas, but then I realize they’re shrieking at the sight of the prince.
    “Oh! My! Goodness!” swoons one.
    “It’s him! It’s him! It’s him!” cries another, looking like she might faint.
    Jonah and I aren’t the only ones dressed in matching outfits — the girls are all wearing white collared shirts, yellowskirts, white kneesocks, and yellow patent-leather shoes. A uniform? I guess the building is a school after all.
    “Prince Mortimer!” the third girl cries out. “Everyone is looking for you! I’m, like, so happy that you’re okay!” The girl has a mouth full of bubble gum and super-curly brown hair. Each curl looks like a Slinky.
    I wish my curls did that. I also wouldn’t mind a piece of gum. Especially since my toothbrush drowned with the rest of my suitcase.
    “I’m fine,” the prince says. “But I need to get back to the palace.”
    “Let me get help!” the girl with curly hair says, and then runs back up the path. The rest of the girls just continue to stare.
    A few minutes later, she’s back with a bunch of important looking grown-ups, and soon we’re on our way to Prince Mortimer’s palace.
    The hour-long carriage ride swerves us around the beautiful coast. All along the beach are small villas with big outdoor decks and docks and boats. The waves crash against the white sand. The water sparkles like emeralds. The sky is bright blue. Leafy green trees sway in the distance. It kind of looks like the pictures my parents took of their tenth anniversary trip to St. Thomas,which is an island in the Caribbean. Even though Nana came to stay with me and Jonah, we were NOT pleased about being left behind. Jonah was bummed to miss out on the Waterinn Resort’s many activities — snorkeling! swimming! kayaking! — while I was bummed that we missed out on the hot tub. Also, I love tall frosty drinks that come with tiny umbrellas, and I’m pretty sure that’s what all the drinks are like in the Caribbean.
    When we arrive at the palace, there is a crowd of people waiting for us out front. At the center are the queen and king. They’re both wearing gold crowns, but they’re not dressed like a typical queen and king. Instead of robes, the king is wearing yellow shorts and a yellow-and-white flowered shirt. The queen is wearing a yellow tank dress with a gold belt, gold flip-flops, and big gold sunglasses.
    These people really like yellow. Oh — it’s probably their official color, since it’s the kingdom of Mustard!
    Both the king and queen have sun-bleached hair and leathery-looking skin from too many hours spent on the beach. Which