DISCLAIMER: I do not own Horton Hears a Who!.

JoJo's eyes slowly became two auburn slits, still and heavy from exhaustion. He had stayed up late working on his Thank You letter which was due today and still far from perfect.

Had it not been for his alarm clock, JoJo would have slept the day away.

As he slowly rose up from his bed, JoJo's body felt paralyzed in random spots. He tore from the comfort of his hammock bed and looked into his full length mirror.

Sticky notes took over his fur, totally clashing with the regular grey and black stripes. Worst of all, they were pink (JoJo's most hated color) and each had different messages written on them in the most obnoxious cursive handwriting.

There were several 'You stinks,' Your stupids,' (which Coby would have thrown a fit about the punctuation error), and 'We don't like yous.'

JoJo sighed. Team Daddy strikes again.

JoJo sat on the stack of text books. He was starting to get used to his new desk even though the proper one, fixed and refurbished, was due back Friday.

Class had yet to begin and JoJo was one of the few students who had already been seated. He used the time to put the finishing touches on his letter. By then the second bell sounded and Mr. Carp was ready to collect all of the letters.

Trashel, Stupid, and Dirt came rushing in. JoJo felt his veins pulsating. He couldn't stand them for hurting his dad's feelings but knew he was hardly one to talk. He still believed his notebook entry was far worse than the fake pie prank.

"You're late again, gentlemen," Mr. Carp said to the Ain'ts.

"Yeah, yeah," Trevedale said and then he shift an eyebrow at JoJo. "Hey JoJo, did your daddy enjoy his pie?"

Derk cut up in laughter.

JoJo didn't respond. These jerks were not worth it.

When the boys sat down, there was a sudden familiar shooting of screws and bolts that spewed out of the arms and legs of the desks.

Trevedale and Derk, brought down by a peg or two, collapsed in the floor, the debris of their desks beneath them.

Mr. Carp sighed impatiently. He knew the routined, "settle downs," "no talkings," and "quiets" were no match for the fist-pounding laughter that crashed in and out of his ears like waves.

JoJo managed to successfully keep himself together with a simple, smile of satisfaction.

JoJo struggled to reach the combination lock on his locker. He didn't care if people would pass him by whispering and giggling. He was numb from feeling anymore embarrassment.

"Yo, JoJo!?"

JoJo craned his neck around.

Stevel? What did he want? JoJo didn't care. He simply returned to the lock.

24, right...26, left...

"Listen JoJo about that pie-"

"Don't worry," JoJo cut him off. "My dad immediately blamed me for it. He has no idea it was you guys, so I guess you can have your little laugh now if that's what you came here to do."

"I actually came here to apologize on behalf of the king," Stevel said.

JoJo looked up at him warily. Did he really mean that or was this part of another stupid prank? JoJo checked for any sign of Trevedale and Derk but then he realized that he and Stevel were the only Who's in the hallway. Which means if something were to happen, JoJo would have no proof or any wittness.

"I have to go now," JoJo said giving up on his locker.

"JoJo, wait!" Stevel clutched JoJo by the shoulder. "I really didn't want to take part in that prank," he said. "But Trevedale and Derk made me because they were still mad about not getting to see the Giant Meatball."

"But weren't you mad too?" JoJo asked.

"Yeah, but then your dad told me something at the end of the tour. He patted my head and told me I could change the world one day with all the questions I asked.

"Everybody kept making me feel stupid for asking questions and wanting to know things, but the king made me feel good.

"People don't usually say stuff like that to me and coming from royalty..." Stevel shrugged. "...well, that's a bonus."

JoJo thought about all the pep talks Ned would give him all the time. He never really appreciated them and now he was talking to a boy who hardly received, if any, encouragement all.

"Anyway," Stevel went on. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm sorry. And if it makes you feel any better, I'm the one who tampered with Trevedale and Derk's desks."

JoJo's mouth raised in a big smile. "That was you!? Gosh, Stevel."

"Yeah well, you're welcome."

Stevel started his way down the hall when JoJo clutched his elbow.

"Hey Stevel?"

"'Sup?"

"It must have been really hard for you to apologize to me, huh?"

Stevel nodded. "Yeah."

The two Who boys faced each other. JoJo's life-long enemy just apologized to him! Apologized despite his pride and shame. Made eye contact and explained himself. There was no hugging but for Stevel, apologizing is mushy gushy enough. JoJo sighed. If Stupid Stevel could apologize than he could too.

Stevel looked like he was searching the little brain he had for something logical to say in this very moment of awkwardness. "If you tell anyone about this, I'll kick your front teeth in!"