Free Read All About It! by Rachel Wise Page A

watch and announced it was time for football practice. Jeff was still sitting at the
     computer, looking thoughtful.
    â€œYou okay, bud?” asked Michael.
     “He wasn’t mad at you or anything.”
    Jeff sighed. “I know. I just hate to waste a good
     photo.”
    â€œI hear you,” said Michael.
    â€œDo you think I should put them on Buddybook?” asked Jeff
     hopefully.
    â€œNo,” Michael and I said in unison, then we laughed.
    â€œOkay. Emptying trash,” said Jeff with a sigh, clicking a
     few keys. “Have a good weekend, guys.”
    I realized Michael and I were leaving at the same time and probably
     heading in the same general direction.
    â€œSo guess what?” said Michael as we left.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI did an Internet search on the state funding that Mr. Pfeiffer
     got for the new curriculum.” He had a small smile on his face.
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œAnd it’s a little sketchy.”
    â€œWhat! No way!” Of course I was paying such close attention
     to Michael that I wasn’t looking whereI was going. Someone
     must’ve spilled something on the floor and I slid in the puddle.
     “Whoa!” I yelled, clutching his sleeve to keep from wiping out.
    I steadied myself without actually falling. “Sorry,” I
     muttered, letting go of Michael’s sleeve.
    â€œI think we need to change your name to Trippy! Forget all the
     other nicknames!”
    â€œThanks,” I said, annoyed. “So what did you find out?
     How much money is it? What’s it for?” I was excited! This was like real
     reporting stuff.
    â€œDown, Trippy!” said Michael, holding out a hand and
     laughing. “I’m not really sure. I need to show it to my dad and have him
     explain it to me. But it looks like the money is for the teachers, to develop the
     curriculum. Not really for the students.”
    â€œWow.” That could be an interesting angle to the story. “‘Pfeiffer Secures Funds for Teachers, Not
     Kids,’” I said, trying it out. “Keep me posted.”
    â€œI still need to get a quote from Mrs. Jones,” said Michael.
     “Then I’m pretty much done.”
    â€œYeah, I just need a teacher quote. I’m going to ask Mrs.
     Frosch and then it’s all wrapped up.”
    We had reached the boys’ locker room. I stoodthere feeling a little awkward all of a sudden. The idea of kissing him good-bye
     flitted through my head and I was mortified that I’d even thought it! I prayed
     Michael couldn’t read minds.
    â€œSo we need to get together and write the thing,” said
     Michael.
    â€œYeah.” The idea of getting together with Michael was very
     appealing.
    â€œLet’s meet at the library next week. Tuesday? Fourth period
     like last week?”
    I nodded, allowing myself to imagine Michael was asking me on a real
     date. I felt all swoony inside.
    â€œI’ll wear a suit of armor and bring lots of food,” he
     said. “I don’t want to get hurt and I know how hungry you get. See ya,
     Trippy!” And he went in the door.
    My bubble was totally burst. I had made an impression all right. But
     Michael hadn’t noticed my new shirt. He noticed that I was a klutz. Right then I
     hated him.

Chapter 10
    MURDER ON THE
     SOCCER FIELD
    I stomped down to the bleachers by the soccer field. Michael Lawrence
     was a jerk! Why was he always ragging on me? I didn’t stand a chance with him. He
     thought I was a klutzy, overeating idiot!
    I slammed my messenger bag down on the bench and sat down heavily next
     to it. Hailey looked over and waved. Thank goodness for Hailey. Boys were too confusing,
     and friends were the only people you could count on in life. Girl friends!
    â€œHey!” called Hailey from the field. I guess I was reading
     more than watching and hadn’t noticed practice was over. I jump-stepped down from
     the bleachers and