Free Swiped by Michele Bossley Page A

changed to astonishment as bits of liverwurst clung to his shirt.
    â€œHey!” he said, looking angry. “What the—!”
    That’s as far as he got.
    â€œFood fight!” someone yelled. Within seconds, the air was thick with flying potato chips, cheezies and other odds and ends. Someone shook a pop and opened it. Wet foam sprayed everywhere. Cray stood paralyzed as bubbling drops trickled down his forehead. A tomato slice hit Nick on the cheek and stuck until he shook it off.
    â€œOw!” he yelled. He reached for Robyn’shalf-empty juice box and prepared to throw it into the fray.
    â€œStop!” Cray shouted suddenly, recovering movement at last. “Quit being so stupid!” He dove over his table and grabbed Nick’s wrist, forcing him to drop the juice box.
    Nick shoved him away. “You started it!” He took the remnants of Robyn’s sandwich and squished it into Cray’s face.
    â€œI did not, butt face!” Cray gasped through the liverwurst. Cray twisted away, a crust of bread dangling from one ear. He tackled Nick. The two of them went down hard and began wrestling under the table. Nick’s skinny arms were no match for Cray, and Cray soon grabbed him in a headlock.
    â€œAll right! That’s enough!” the principal bellowed. Ms. Beaudry marched into the room, and quiet instantly fell, except for the scuffling under our table, where Nick and Cray were still locked in battle.
    â€œCrawley Simmons! Get up, now!” Ms. Beaudry’s face was bright red. I could almost see the steam coming from her ears. Cray, who hates being called by his full name,scrambled to his feet. Nick followed, banging his head on the table in the process.
    â€œFighting again, Cray.” Ms. Beaudry frowned. “How many times are we going to go through this? I am
not
impressed. I will see you down in my office. And Nick,” she turned to him. “Since this is only your first week here, I’ll assume that you will make yourself familiar with our school rules. Fighting will not be tolerated. Is that clear?”
    â€œYes, ma’am,” Nick muttered.
    â€œAs for the rest of you....” Ms. Beaudry looked around the room. “This behavior is totally unacceptable. Throwing food is something I would expect of two-year-olds, not junior high students.”
    â€œCray started it,” Robyn muttered loud enough for us to hear.
    â€œI did not!” Cray shouted.
    â€œYou did so!” Robyn retorted. “He threw an open cup of yogurt at me. Look at my hair!”
    Ms. Beaudry regarded Robyn calmly. “Who started this is not the issue. Whoparticipated is the issue. Each one of you will clean up this mess until this place is spotless. If you are late for your first class after lunch, you will make up the time with me at noon tomorrow. I expect every single one of you to serve a week’s detention in the library during the lunch hour starting Monday. Is that clear?” She barked the last sentence like an army drill sergeant. The room was silent. “I said, is that clear!”
    â€œYes,” we all muttered.
    â€œGet started.” Ms. Beaudry strode out.
    Cray followed her without a word. Robyn fumed as she began picking up stray cheezies and stuffing them into her empty lunch bag.
    â€œHey, wait! Those are still good.” Nick stopped her.
    â€œYou’ve got to be kidding! They’ve been on the floor.” Robyn stared at him.
    â€œI’m still hungry.” Nick complained.
    A look of realization dawned on Robyn’s face. “That’s it!” she said. “Cray stole your lunches for the food fight! He planned the whole thing!”
    â€œWait a second, Robyn,” I said. “Why would Cray plan a food fight?”
    â€œBecause he’s a total jerk,” she reasoned.
    â€œSo?” I shook my head. “And what about your chocolate bars?”
    â€œWell, those are too good to throw