CHAPTER NINE: Tracey to the Rescue! : P
Tracey clasped her beak with her flippers and sneezed loudly. She then had a short attack of cough, which made her whole body tremble. She dropped her ballpoint on the desk and moaned loudly.
Skipper turned on his chair and gave her a concerned look:
"What is it, sister? Feeling unwell?" he asked while picking up her ballpoint.
"Nah, it's nothing.. "muttered Tracey, but she was interrupted by another fit of coughing.
"My throat is a little sore, that's all".
"Private's nailed to the bed with fever. You should better take care of yourself before it gets worse" said Skipper. He then reached for his rucksack, pulled out a box of Penguin Pastilles and placed it on Tracey's notebook.
"Well, thank you, flathead" said Tracey, both puzzled and pleased. She took one pastille and thrust it in her flipper, stole a nervous glance at Mr Snowhill to make sure he didn't notice and set back to her notes.
Key walked up to Skipper during the break, her eyes saddened and upset.
"I've heard that Private is ill" she said, fixing her rose eyes at Skipper. "Is it very serious?"
"Nah, it's just a mild case of cold" Skipper smiled warmly and patted her on the head. "He will be back on his feet in no time".
"Good then" chirped Key.
"I know you two had some great plans after school for today" continued Skipper. "But not to worry. you can make up for it right after he gets back."
"If Private is sick, maybe we should pay him a visit?" chimed in Tracey, who was just finishing her vegetable sandwich.
"Exactly, exactly, Skipper" added Cassie. "How about we cheer him up a bit?"
"Well, I'm sure he would appreciate It" answered Skipper, scrubbing his chin thoughtfully. "But we have to think of a possible way for you three to sneak to the zoo unnoticed. Alice is extremely precautious when it comes to uninvited guests. In her own meaning, of course".
"Alice, who's Alice?" asked Tracey curiously.
"It's our zookeeper" muttered Skipper. "I bet you don't want to know any more details about her".
"Nah, I'm sure we'll figure something up, not to worry" exclaimed Cassie cheerfully.
"I really wish I could serve that good, Skipper" confessed Shay, while watching Skipper practicing with the ball.
"It's only the question of practice, sista" smiled the leader Penguin. He caught the ball in his flippers, rested it on the hip and waddled over towards Shay's bench.
"Here, want to try?" he asked, offering his flipper.
Shay grinned and nodded her head. Skipper pulled her up from the bench and pointed with his head at the corner.
He placed himself right behind Shay. Shay could feel his hip scuffing against her own and shivered.
"Take the ball in one of your flippers" he instructed.. "Yes, that's it.. hold it firmly to make sure it doesn't fell."
He took her free flipper in his and delicately raised it up.
"Now all you have to do is to throw the ball up in the air, take a swing and stroke it with your left flipper and send it to the other part of the pitch. Remember, you should always chose the most deserted zone in your enemies' half and make sure your target lands there, so that no one would get the slightest chance to return the shot. "
Shay nodded her head submissively. She was making the most of herself to focus on the instructions, but she found it almost impossible because of the fact, that Skipper was standing only five inches away from her, his left flipper still resting on her arm. She gulped loudly.
"All right, then. Do your best" smiled Skipper and stepped back.
Shay took a deep breath, threw the ball in the air, took a swing and stroke it as hard as she could. There was a loud whistle in the air.
"Good one, sista!" she heard Skipper's voice. Two seconds later, the ball collided with the floor, clouds of dust floating up in the air.
"Thumbs up" smiled Skipper, as Shay waddled up to him, large grin plastered on her beak.
"You really ARE a fantastic teacher" she confessed .
"Naah.. guilty as charged" chuckled Skipper, blushing softly under his feathers. Shay looked straight into his sapphire blue eyes and moaned… she was trapped. Yes, exactly..she was trapped. Now she would lose all her senses. There was something in his look that made her legs sluing slightly from under her. Plus that mysterious smile.
Before she had a chance to collapse on the floor, she felt Skipper's strong flippers enclosing her in a tight embrace.
"My, my, something's up!" said Tracey to herself. She had been observing Skipper and Shay through the gym vent, her face glued to the glass, her look excited and aroused. The pain in the throat was already gone. "That penguin pastille was really good!" she thought before turning her eyes back a t her classmates. Both of them were now making their way towards the magazine, their bodies integrated in a tight embrace. Scarcely had they closed the door behind them, there was a loud cough coming from the other side of the corridor and Mr Snowflake came in. He was carrying a large, plastic bag filled with balls, foam pads and jump ropes.
"Oh teh nooooez!" chirped Tracey. "Bad timing, mate!"
She desperately started to think of any possible way to prevent Mr Snowflake from reaching his private magazine. She pressed her flippers against the vent glass; there was a loud crack.
Tracey lost her balance and fell inside the gym class. She landed on the ground in a crumpled heap, right in front of her teacher.
"Tracey, for God's sake what are you doing?" gasped Mr Snowflake, watching over his student with astonishment.
"I just wanted to take a short cut" moaned Tracey, rubbing her sore back.
Mr Snowflake put his bag aside and helped her up.
"Why such a hurry, girl? We're starting our lessons at one o'clock. There's plenty of time!"
"Really?" moaned Terry like a frightened kitten, faking astonishment.
" I'd just let Skipper practice alone in the gym because of his International Volleyball Match… are you all right?" he asked, watching over Terry with concern.
Terry hissed in pain and doubled up.
"My back hurts.. I guess I should see the doctor" she confessed, making the most of herself to sound natural. The pain she'd got from the fall wasn't in fact that excruciating, but she knew she had to play till the very end if she wanted to save Skipper and Key from being caught.
"Okay then, I will take you to Mrs Fishbone" he picked her up in a bridle style and made his way towards the entrance. Tracey poked her head from behind his arm and stole a quick glance at the magazine door, large grin leaking on her face.