Free Swiped by Michele Bossley

chapter one
    My cousin Nick stomped over to our table. “I don’t believe it. My lunch is gone again!” He scowled and sat down. “This is the second time this week.”
    â€œYou probably just forgot it at home,” Robyn suggested.
    â€œNo chance. I never forget my lunch,” Nick said.
    I could relate. By noon I was so hungry, I was ready to eat the linoleum in the schoolhallway. I never forget my lunch either.
    â€œHey, Nick! You finished unpacking, yet?” I had to shout to make myself heard over the clanging of metal chairs and the loud voices. Lunch hour in our school was like the monkey house at the zoo. And it didn’t smell much better at the moment, either. “Robyn, if you’re gonna bring roadkill sandwiches, you have to sit somewhere else.”
    Robyn flicked her ponytail over her shoulder and took another bite. “It’s not roadkill,” she answered. “It’s liverwurst and onion.”
    â€œAugh! Same thing!” I made a face.
    Nick grinned hungrily. “At this point, anything looks good.” He stared at Robyn’s sandwich. Robyn sighed and handed him half.
    â€œNick, no!” I clutched my hair with both hands. “It’s suicide! I’ll give you some of mine!”
    â€œI’ll take all offers,” Nick said with his mouth full. “I’m starving.” He took another bite. “And no, we’re not finished unpacking. At least Dad found the boxeswith my clothes in them last night. Now I can finally change my socks.”
    Nick had just moved to Calgary a few weeks ago with my aunt and uncle, and was new at my school.
    I rummaged in my backpack for my lunch. It seemed kind of empty. I peered inside, then shook it. A bag of carrots fell out. That was all. “Did anyone see my lunch? I brought a ham-and-cheese sub.”
    Robyn and Nick shook their heads. “Maybe you left it in your locker,” Nick said.
    â€œNo way. I know I had it,” I said. I opened my bag of carrots in disgust and looked at Robyn suspiciously. “If you swiped my lunch because I said your sandwiches smell like roadkill, it’s not funny. I could starve to death.”
    â€œI never took anything, I swear,” Robyn said. She reached into her lunch bag, and a puzzled look crossed her face. “I don’t believe it! I brought extra chocolate bars to share with you doofs, but they’re missing.”
    â€œWhat!” My stomach rumbled with disappointment. My only lifeline until fouro’clock was slipping away. “How can they be gone?”
    â€œYou probably ate them already,” Nick said.
    Robyn shot him a sour look. “I think I’d know if I ate three chocolate bars.”
    The three of us stared at each other.
    â€œSomething very weird is going on,” Robyn said.
    â€œHeads up!” someone yelled. Before any of us could move, something hit Robyn in the head. Pink goo splattered everywhere and slimy red things dripped down her hair.
    Robyn shrieked. “What
is
this!” she yelled, flicking a red glob onto the table.
    I leaned closer and sniffed. “Yogurt,” I pronounced. “Strawberry, I think.”
    â€œYogurt!” Robyn turned around and her gaze landed on Cray Simmons, who was at the table directly behind us.
    Cray is one of those kids who enjoys stirring up trouble. Me, Robyn and some other kids used to play football with him after lunch, but his mouthy, super-jock attitude really bugged Robyn, so she quit.He hasn’t stopped baiting her since.
    Cray’s mouth twitched, and I could tell he was trying not to laugh—Robyn was so obviously furious. She
did
look pretty funny.
    â€œCray! You butt head! I’ll get you for that!” Robyn hollered.
    â€œI didn’t do it,” he said. “Why would I waste my yogurt on you, rich girl?”
    â€œYou’re such a jerk.” Robyn whipped the remains of her sandwich at Cray. His smirk