Mike scratched his head, thinking. He never thought his science fair project would be so hard. He'd just get some kids to answer the questions, and that would be that.
But his teacher didn't think of it that way, did she? Hmm, he'd show her. He'd come up with a brilliant project. Well, the most brilliant project a little kid like him could do.
Maybe he'd ask Dad. He grinned, as an idea slowly began to form in his mind…
"Mr. Baker, Miss Jessica," the guard announced. "You can come out now."
"Finally!" celebrated Jess, who was sore. "I thought I was going to be in there forever!"
"Charlie!" yelled Mr. Baker.
"Uh, hey Dad, thanks for fishing us out," Charlie said.
"Charlie, you got a ticket?"
"Can we just forget about it, please Dad?"
"Hey," Jess began, but was interrupted.
"Jessica, why don't you go home? Your parents are probably worried sick about you," was Mr. Baker's answer. "Now Charlie, I really do not understand how you could get a ticket!"
Mr. Baker howled at Charlie for about fifteen minutes as they drove home. Then, he had to take Charlie to pick up his car, and he howled some more. Then they went home for dinner, and Mr. Baker howled even more. But finally, the whole family sat down for dinner, which was spaghetti and meatballs.
"Dad?" Mark asked.
"What?" snapped Mr. Baker. He was completely exhausted.
Mark looked tearful. Mr. Baker put on a fake happy smile. "What is it Mark?"
"I lost Chili Burger," Mark whispered, looking down at his lap.
"What?" Mr. Baker yelled. "Mark, I just don't understand this! How could you? I just bought that frog two days ago!"
"I know," Mark said quietly.
"I just don't think you have enough responsibility to take care of your pets!" Mr. Baker exclaimed. "Before you lost Beans, and that hamster we got you, what's it's name…"
"Beef," Mark said quietly.
"Yes, Beef, and now Chili Burger!"
"I'm sorry."
"Yes, you should be! You're not getting any more pets young man."
Mark pushed his plate away. "I'm not hungry anymore." He left the table.
"Dad," Charlie broke in. "You're being to hard on him. He's only ten."
"Ten's old enough Charlie," Mr. Baker exclaimed. "You know, I still haven't forgotten what you got today."
"What happened?" asked Mrs. Baker, looking up from where she was writing her next book.
"Charlie got a ticket."
"A ticket?" Mrs. Baker exclaimed. "How? Why?"
"Tell your mother," ordered Mr. Baker.
Charlie shoved his chair in, and threw away the rest of his food. "I'm not hungry either."
"Charlie! You get back here!" demanded Mr. Baker.
Charlie turned, shrugged, and left. Mr. Baker started after him, but Mrs. Baker said, "It's ok. Let him go."
Then she turned to the rest of them. "What happened with you?"
"I get to play a nun," Sarah sneered. "We're doing The Sound of Music."
"Why that's fantastic!" Mrs. Baker exclaimed.
"Sure," Sarah said. "Whatever you want."
"Mike?"
"I have to do a science project."
"What are you doing?"
"Are girls as smart as boys. Boys seem to be smarter so far."
"Uh, yes, ok."
"But that's not all," piped up Mike. "I have some plans."
"Hmm," said Mrs. Baker absentmindedly. "That's nice. Lorraine?"
"Mom!" squealed Lorraine. "We have that dance coming up, and nobody's asked me! I don't know what to do!"
"Just go ask somebody honey," Mrs. Baker sighed. "Nigel, Kyle? Wait, never mind. You guys took your toy hammers and smashed the windows in the classroom. I know. Because we have to pay for them."
Kyle and Nigel grinned at each other.
"Mom?" Jessica piped up.
"Yes honey?"
"Ariel invited us to a party. We wanted to know if we could go," Kim finished.
"Sure darling."
"Ok," Jessica answered.
Mrs. Baker noticed that Jake was unusually quiet today.
"Hey Jake," she said. "What happened at school for you?"
"Nothing," he grumbled.
"Come on," she said. "Something must have happened."
Jake looked around fearfully. He really didn't want to say what had happened around Sarah. She would never let him live it down.
"Come on," Mrs. Baker coaxed.
"I got detention," he said finally.
"Yes I know," Mrs. Baker said. "Wait, how did the principal punish you this time?"
Jake tried to make a noise, but nothing came out.
"What is it young man?" Mrs. Baker ordered.
"I'm going to be in the play."
"What?" Sarah sprayed spaghetti across the table. "What do you have to do?"
"I'm going to be in the play," Jake said, a little louder.
"That's great honey!" Nora exclaimed. "What are you going to do?"
"I have to try out," Jake said. "I haven't yet."
"I can't believe this!" yelled Sarah. "My brother is going to be in the play with me!" Fuming, she left the table.
Jake stared after her. It wasn't like he was going to do that great. He'd probably have to play a bush or something. Little did he know something very unexpected was going to happen…
haha. suspenseful. review please.
FiNnGrl