Continuing the conversation they continued discussing the project.
"Well supply-wise, we can probably meet up at someone's house at get the supplies together. I'll help coordinate it and get everyone familiar. In terms of managing money, it looks like we're going to have to set up a system to start paying ourselves", Jeffrey finished talking.
"Paying ourselves?", Samantha asked.
"Well, we are making money. Instead of someone holding all the money like I'm doing right now. Or splitting everything between us, it's probably better to have a system so that we all buy the supplies together. The money we make goes into the project and we keep a little for ourselves", Jeffrey vaguely explained.
"So how much are we keeping and how much are we saving for the project?", Preston asked.
"I think $2 a jar seems fair, it costs $8 to make and we save $10 to get transportation, more supplies and other things we might need", Jeffrey said with confidence.
"So I only made $6", Preston looked alarmed.
"I only sold... oh wow I sold 16 jars. I made $32!", Jeffrey said happily.
Samantha laughed a little at Preston, "you can't even buy the Oobleck that you made".
"Yeah, because Jeffrey priced them so high", Preston blamed Jeffrey.
"Even if I sold it to you at the price we made it at, you're still 2 dollars short", Jeffrey said with amusement.
"Wait a minute I sold 4, you owe me $8 Jeffrey", Preston glared at Jeffrey.
"Alright, alright it's $8, I'll give you a jar for free" Jeffrey smiled.
"I'd rather have the $8", Preston said with indignity.
"Let's give out the money at the next project meeting since I think it's a little unfair that I'm paying you while Samantha's here", Jeffrey looked at Samantha.
"Shameless, you're using our new member as a shield", Preston called out with a cry of injustice.
Samantha interrupted this time, "guys, guys, lets focus. So how are we doing this exactly?"
"erm, $4 a jar", Preston suggested.
"if it was up to me, I'd give you no dollars. lets just start with $2 and if anyone decides to quit or we stop the project we split everything evenly and go our merry way", Jeffrey said talking to both of them.
"Sounds fine to me", Samantha said having no objections.
Seeing as Samantha had already agreed he let himself be bullied by Jeffrey, "Fine, we'll do it as you said. This better work out Jeffrey."
"Why are you putting this all on me. you're in this as well", Jeffrey responded snarkly.
"But you started this", Preston argued.
"To the success of our project", Samantha said trying to mediate the fight between the two boys.
"To the success of our project", Preston stared at Jeffrey.
"To the success of our project", Jeffrey stared right back.
The trio were quite exhausted from the many discussions and testing they did earlier that day. So doing as most kids did, they played games, went to the park, and even swam at the community pool.
To their surprise, Samantha was the most athletic out of the three of them. In basketball and soccer, she was the most accurate. However under the combined cooperation of Jeffrey and Preston, she was always just a few points short of beating them.
"You guys are bullies", Samantha said to the two of them.
"I blame Preston. He's much more athletic than me", Jeffrey said a little out of breath.
"You came up with the idea Jeffrey. How could you bully our girl Samantha", Preston admitted nothing.
While they were fighting the swish of the basketball net could be heard. The dark orange basketball bounced off the asphalt blacktop and into the hands of Samantha.
They saw her dribbling preparing to take another shot.
"Hey", Jeffrey said out loud.
"DON'T MISS", Preston said trying to break her concentration.
Samantha lining up her shot hit the rim. The ball bounced a few times, hit the backboard and went in.
"I miss playing Monopoly", Jeffrey lamented.
"NO!", Preston and Samantha both said at the same time.
Seeing as it was getting dark, they headed back to Preston's house. The street lights were starting to turn on and the cars in the neighborhood returned to their driveways.
A few kids were on their bicycles with a bright yellow kid shaped sign that read, "Slow, Kids at Play"
Walking on the sidewalk, they passed a lot of houses as they went down the hill.
"So when are we doing this again?", Preston asked
"I don't know, ask Jeffrey", Samantha threw the problem to him.
"Why is it me? Also don't throw me under the bus Samantha. Since when did you join Preston's side?", Jeffrey looked surprised at the unexpected betrayal.
"Because you're the one with the ideas. Also I'm on no one's side, but my own. I'm sort of like a mercenary", Samantha said with a cheeky smile.
"Yeah, you're the one who's responsible for this. Which means if anything happens, it's all on you", Preston added.
"Why are you guys making this sound like it's a bad thing? Also why me, both of you are just as guilty", Jeffrey put his hands over his heart as if he was stabbed.
Jeffrey continued to complain about everything he'd done for them and how they were a pair of white-eyed wolves.
Samantha and Preston exchanged looks. Preston nodded at Samantha.
Preston got on his knees in front of Jeffrey.
Jeffrey was a little bewildered at what was happening. Before he knew it Samantha had already pushed him from behind. Jeffrey was midfall trying to figure out what was going on. He hit the concrete sidewalk with his chest.
Shaking himself off he could see the two of them running to the house. A look of realization passed by on his face.
"Oh no. They better not have", Jeffrey thought to himself.
The offended Jeffrey started chasing after them. Eventually he reached Preston's house but the door was locked.
"Hey guys let me in!", Jeffrey pounded on the door.
"I think you have the wrong house mister", Jeffrey could hear the smile in Preston's voice.
"Samantha are you really going to side with Preston?", Jeffrey yelled.
"Who's Samantha? This is Preston's house", Samantha replied.
"Guys come on, I look stupid out here", Jeffrey complained through the door.
"You two, let Jeffrey in", Preston's mom told the two behind the front door.
"We are mom", Preston said back.
Jeffrey could hear the lock to the door being turned.
"Thanks guys", Jeffrey said with a flat tone.
"No problem Jeffrey", Preston patted him on the back.
It was a chaotic project meeting, but the three of them got along well.