T he last thing I wanted to do on my summer break was blow up another school. But there I wasMonday morning, the first week of June, sitting in my mom’s car in front of Goode High School on East81st. Goode was this big brownstone building overlooking the East River. A bunch of BMWs and LincolnTown Cars were parked out front. Staring up at the fancy stone archway, I wondered how long it wouldtake me to get kicked out of this place. “Just relax.
†My mom didn’t sound relaxed. “It’s only an orientation tour. And remember, dear, this isPaul’s school. So try not to…you know.
†“Destroy it?†“Yes.
†Paul Blofis, my mom’s boyfriend, was standing out front, greeting future ninth graders as they came upthe steps. With his salt-and-pepper hair, denim clothes, and leather jacket, he reminded me of a TVactor, but he was just an English teacher. He’d managed to convince Goode High School to accept mefor ninthgrade, despite the fact that I’d gotten kicked out of every school I’d ever attended. I’d tried towarn him it wasn’t a good idea, but he wouldn’t listen. I looked at my mom. “You haven’t told him the truth about me, have you? She tapped her fingers nervously on the wheel. She was dressed up for a job interview—her best bluedress and high-heeled shoes. “I thought we should wait, †she admitted. “So we don’t scare him away.
†“I’m sure orientation will be fine, Percy, It’s only one morning.
†“Great, †I mumbled. “I can get expelled before I start the school year.
†“Think positive. Tomorrow you’re off to camp! After orientation, you’ve got your date—†“It’s not a date!†I protested. “It’s just Annabeth, Mom. Jeez!†“She’s coming all the way from camp to meet you.
†“Well, yeah.
†“You’re going to the movies.
†“Yeah.
†“Just the two of you.
†“Mom!†She held up her hands in surrender, but I could tell she was trying hard not to smile. “You’d better getinside, dear. I’ll see you tonight.
†I was about to get out of the car when I looked over the steps of the school. Paul Blofis was greeting agirl with frizzy red hair. She wore a maroon T-shirt and ratty jeans decorated with marker drawings.
When she turned, I caught a glimpse of her face, and the hairs on my arms stood straight up. “Percy?†my mom asked. “What’s wrong?†“N-nothing, †I stammered. “Does the school have a side entrance?†“Down the block on the right. Why?†“I’ll see you later.
†My mom started to say something, but I got out of the car and ran, hoping the redheaded girl wouldn’tsee me. What wasshe doing here? Not even my luck could be this bad. Yeah, right. I was about to find out my luck could get a lot worse.
to be continued....
Share
